ABC PLUMBING & HEATING of Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado Retail Stores and Service Divisions

Specialists in Sales, Service and Design


Colorado Springs
707 E Fillmore 80907
719 633 0208
Toll Free 1 800 632 0208

Pueblo
101 Spring Street 81003
719 542 5631
Toll Free 1 800 540 5631



Frequently Asked Questions on Water Treatment



     I am on a municipal water system that treats my water. Why should I be concerned about water treatment in my home or business?

     The first thing to be concerned about it that the water is treated to meet EPA standards that are based on economic factors and are the minimum requirements set forth. Almost 85% of the water supplied by a municipal water service is used for bathing, landscape irrigation, waste disposal and uses other than drinking water; so it is not possible to treat water to meet ideal drinking water conditions within the budgets of treatment plants. So the water is treated to ACCEPTABLE standards. Also many situations can affect the water quality in the public and private distribution system after it leaves the treatment plant and before it reaches the final point of use, your faucet. Use this link to see how your water performed in testing by The Environmental Working Group a nonprofit independent testing agency.



     The EPA requires testing for drinking water so why should I test or treat my water?

   There are hundreds of pollutants found in drinking water but the EPA is required to set standards as of 1986 for only sixty of them. Some pollutants aren't immediate health threats but drinking the contaminant over long periods can cause health problems. Many times a problem is not detected until a public heath incident occurs. For example in our Colorado neighborhood the 2008 incident of E. Coli Bacteria contamination of the public water system in Alamosa, Colorado. It sickened many people before the problem was known and caused unsafe conditions for over a month. With proper personal water treatment in your home even this extremely dangerous water would has been made safe before your health was endangered. Simple self test kits and more comprehensive test kits are available in our stores to test your waters unique chemistry directly a the point of use, your faucets.



     I have a charcoal filter on my faucet and ice maker so my water is safe, right?

     Charcoal filters are OK for taste, odor, chlorine removal and for some other contaminates. But depending on your water they can actually cause problem water. By removing the chlorine they can create a media favorable to bacteria growth and if the manufacturer's replacement schedules are not followed the filter itself can become contaminated. Charcoal filters do not remove bacteria, cysts, heavy metals, nitrates, asbestos and other fine particles.This is why you should test your water and address the specific water chemistry you are trying to treat.




     I have a reverse osmosis filter for my drinking water so why should I worry?

     Reverse osmosis filters are one of the great tools for producing high quality drinking water. They remove many contaminants and minerals including heavy metals and chlorine. They also remove the healthy minerals from the water so the healthy minerals should be reintroduced by post filter products. Also some chemicals do pass through the membrane, for example Chloramines a compound of chlorine and ammonia used in water treatment. So the chemicals that pass through are concentrated in relationship to the rejection rate of the diaphragm, anywhere from three time on up so pre-filtration based on water quality may be necessary. Depending on the chemistry of the water to be treated pre filtration may be necessary to prevent premature failure or problems with the RO system. The pressure and water temperature requirement for the RO system also need to be taken into consideration for proper operation. The main concern with RO systems is failure of the diaphragm letting contaminates into the water believed to be treated. This is why it is important to monitor TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) with a meter to monitor the pre and post water TDS results to alert the user of membrane problems.



     What is the most important concern when addressing water treatment?

     Your specific water chemistry. All water is different. Water that was checked at the treatment plant can be  quite different by the time it passes through the public and your private water distribution system. This is why TESTING of the water at the point of use is so important. There are simple test or very elaborate test with many products in between, in a wide range of prices depending on what you need. Contact us to discuss which test is needed for your water.



Frequently Asked Sprinkler System Questions

    

      How can I install a do it yourself sprinkler system, avoid dry spots and operating problems without having ever installed a system before?

    
Let ABC Plumbing and Electrical design your system for free. With purchase of the system from us we will guarantee proper coverage and our sales staff offers expert installation advice with every part of your system. Go to our Steps to do it yourself for detailed information. 

    

     Why can't I run different types or brands of heads on the same sprinkler zone and why do different patterns of heads use different GPM (gallons per minute) of flow?

     Different types and brands of heads have different precipitation rates (the amount of water delivered per square foot of ground in a given amount of time) therefore the head types must be matched to provide even coverage. Precipitation rate again is why different patterns of heads use different gallons per minute of flow. A full circle head uses twice as much water as a half circle head and four times as much water as a quarter circle head of the same radius. Also heads of different radius supply different GPM to supply even coverage throughout the zone. Is some instances heads of different brands can be used if the precipitation rates are the matched by nozzle selection.



     Why are sprinkle systems installed in zones (valves that run at separate times)?

     There are several reasons why sprinklers are installed in zones. Depending on your water pressure and line size there are only so many gallons per minute of water available to run the heads required by your system. If there is more water required by the heads than available the system must be zoned out to allow the heads to operate properly. Different type of landscape have different water needs so zones are installed to supply the proper amount of water to different types of landscape on the system to meet the plants water requirements. Different types of heads (Fixed spray, gear driven, oscillating, drip emitters and other types) used in deferent shape areas have different precipitation rates so like type heads are zoned for even coverage. these are some of the major reasons for zoning a system.