DOMESTIC WATER SYSTEMS

Definition

Domestic water systems deliver potable water to a facility. Some systems pump water from a well on the property. Other systems pump water from a source such as a lake or river. More commonly, domestic water pumps receive water from a municipality and deliver water through the facility.

Treatment Concerns

  • Scale Corrosion

    Every domestic water supply can be characterized as either scale forming or corrosive. Two commonly used indices to determine this are the Ryznar Index and the Langelier Index. A water supply will be scale forming if the mineral content (particularly calcium, magnesium and alkalinity) is very high. If the mineral content is lower, the water may be naturally corrosive.

  • Water Safety

    Most municipalities treat the water they supply to facilities to control biological activity. Some well water or river water supplies may not be treated. In any event it is a good idea (and in some parts of the country it is mandated) to insure that the domestic water supply is safe for human consumption.

Treatment Recommendations

  • Scale and Corrosion Control

    If the water is high in mineral content and naturally very scale forming a water softening system will be recommended. Most water softeners use a cation exchange resin that exchanges sodium (from sodium chloride used for softener regeneration) for scale forming calcium and magnesium. Water softeners are sized based on the incoming water hardness and facility usage in gallons per day.

    If the water is naturally corrosive, corrosion inhibitors acceptable for use in potable water systems may be fed. These are typically silicate or phosphate-based and are fed in proportion to water pumped into the facility.

  • Water Safety

    A water safety plan is the best way to insure that the potable water used in your facility is safe and that every reasonable step has been taken to minimize the potential for waterborne pathogens to cause some type of illness. That plan may be as simple as verifying that the municipality is effectively treating the water supplied to your facility. The plan may include a plan for periodic sampling and biological analysis. It may also include a treatment program to more effectively control biological activity.