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Frequently Asked Questions

Water Quality Questions
 
Why is my dishwasher brown? Stains found in the dishwasher are usually from high levels of manganese. Manganese that is dissolved in water can stain when the level is above .05mg/l. The dishwasher is a perfect mechanism to oxidize it because it heats it, agitates it and mixes the water with air. To clean a stained dishwasher run it through a cycle with Tang or iron out. Manganese can also stain clothes in the washing machine, due to the same reasons. If bleach is added staining is worse. The best method of treatment to reduce levels of manganese from well is water softening.
 
Why does my water stain everything brown? One of the most common water treatment problems found in well water is iron. Iron can be found in 3 different forms.
      Ferrous iron (dissolved) – Although not visible it is the most common type of iron. Later
        when oxygen is mixed with ferrous iron it stains sinks, toilets and laundry especially
        when bleach is added. To reduce levels of ferrous iron, either softening, aeration or a 
        combination of both is performed. Aeration involves injecting air into the water to oxidize
        the iron into a particle.
   
        Ferric Iron (suspended) – Ferric iron or brown water iron is oxidized and forms floating
        particles. Once settled down, the particles can be seen in a glass of water. Treatment
        methods include cartridge filters or a back-washing filter.

       Iron bacteria and organic iron – Iron bacteria and organic iron leaves a slimy growth or
       build up in toilet tanks and sometimes clogs filters, softeners and pipes. Treatment
       methods include shocking the well with chlorine or a feed pellet dropper followed by
       mechanical filtration and chlorine removal.
 
I need a softener, but I don’t want to add a lot of salt to my water. How much salt will it add? In most cases the added salt from drinking softened water is a small fraction of the salt that is consumed in the foods we eat. The amount of salt added to soften water is directly proportional to the level of hardness in the raw water. Water softeners work on the ion exchange principal. What goes into a softener as hardness goes out of it as sodium. If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, all possible sources of sodium should be evaluated in relation to the limit set by your physician. As an alternative to sodium, potassium chloride can be used to regenerate your water softener. Your water softener will then ion exchange potassium instead of sodium.
 
Is my water softener going to ruin my septic system? This is a very controversial question and evidence can be supported that it does and does not damage them. Eastern Water Treatment would rather backwash the water elsewhere through the sill, under a deck, in a gutter drain or a dry well. In Massachusetts, under title 5, water filtration devices are prohibited from back-washing into septic systems. If your system does backwash into your septic system, call us and we can re-route the water elsewhere.
 
I have a new well and my faucets are plugged and the cold water in my washing machine is down to a trickle. What do I do? It is very common for bedrock wells to produce sediment or silt. 25% of wells need to have a sediment filter installed but all systems would benefit from one. The sediment or debris that accumulates can damage and clog plumbing fixtures throughout the home. Sediment filters can range from 10" cartridge filters to large back-washing filters. Sediment can come in different sizes. Fine sediment can be trapped better in cartridge filters. Very large sediment can be screened at the well by installing a pvc pump screen.
 
How do I improve the quality of my city water? Most municipalities disinfect their water with chlorine. This can leave an undesirable taste in the water. Granular activated carbon (GAC) is very efficient in removing chlorine and its harmful by-products. Treatment devices come in all sizes and forms; Brita filters and cartridge filters for point of use, whole house filters and large back-washing filters.
 
Why does my water smell like rotten eggs? Hydrogen sulfide gas is a naturally occurring contaminant which gives water a disagreeable rotten egg odor or taste. This usually indicates the presence of some form of non-harmful mineral reducing bacteria in the well. Testing is very difficult because it is a gas and it comes out of solution very quickly. There are no known health effects; however hydrogen sulfide can also make the water somewhat corrosive. Treatment methods would include aeration, carbon, KDF and chlorinating.
 
Why does my water leave blue green stains?  This indicates that the water is corrosive and usually acidic. Acidic water can leach metals from pumps, piping and fixtures. If left alone without treatment it can cause leaks in copper pipes and fixtures. Acidity is measured on a scale of 0-14 with 7 being neutral, less than 7 is acidic and above 7 is basic. Treatment methods are pH-neutralizing filters or chemical feed systems that add alkalinity to the water.
 
What is hardness?  Hardness is the amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in water. These minerals create numerous household-cleaning problems like soap curd, bath rings, hard water stains and spots. They also create problems with hot water tanks and heating systems by creating a ceramic calcium coating over heating coils. This can destroy hot water heaters or greatly increase operating costs. The treatment method of choice would be water softeners.
 
What is reverse osmosis?  Reverse osmosis uses a semi permeable membrane to filter contaminants from the water. In reverse osmosis, pressure is used to force a heavy solution through a membrane leaving behind molecules that are too heavy to pass through it. These spent molecules are then rejected and sent down the drain. R.O. systems make very pure water and can reject about 95% to 97% of TDS from water. R.O. systems are used to filter sodium and nitrates.
 
What form of treatment is used for radon removal? We use the Bubble Up radon removal system. This system has a 99+% removal rate. The Bubble Up is smaller than your average size washing machine, which saves valuable floor space. Installation is done in one day.
 
Can arsenic be removed from my water?  Yes. Arsenic comes in many forms.  Arsenic 3 and arsenic 5 are the most common forms found in drinking water. The system we offer is an arsenic specific system that will remove both forms, unlike other systems available. This system will reduce the arsenic to below 2 parts per billion (the new EPA allowable limit is 10 parts per billion). The process is achieved through adsorption. The arsenic binds itself to the media, therefore there is no backwashing of this system, unlike other systems on the market. Once bound to the media the arsenic will not be released back into the environment. You can either treat the whole home (point of entry) or individual faucets (point of use).

For additional facts and information go to www.des.state.nh.us/ws.htm
Call 1-866-291-7960 or E-mail us.
 
 
Pump & Tank Questions
 
D&B Water Systems designs and installs the correct pump system to assure you continuous water pressure. Whether it is the installation of a new pump system, service on an old pump system or you have no water, our  service trucks are like shops on wheels. They are fully stocked and ready to solve your water supply problems. The following are commonly asked questions regarding the quality of water:
 
How long does a pump last?  Submersible pumps, which are located in the well generally last 8-10 years before they need to be replaced, however they can last a lot longer.
 
Does my pump need routine service? Pumps in general are not serviceable, however it is in your best interest to have the water tank and pressure switch inspected every 5 years.
How will I know when my pump is failing or has failed? In most cases you will not receive a warning that the pump is failing. The pump will just stop running and you will loose all water pressure. Should your water stop and then start again is a sign of possible pump failure, therefore should be looked at by a service technician.
 
What do I do if I have no water?  Just pick up the phone and call D&B Water Systems. We provide service 365 days a year. Arrangements will be made to get a service technician out to you.

How long will it take to repair? Within a half an hour of arriving on site, we will diagnose the problem and give you an approximate estimate. The average service time is 2-4 hours from start to finish.
 
How can I get more water pressure? Most water systems will operate between 40 and 60psi. An adjustment can be made to increase the pressure. The maximum water pressure would be 50 to 70psi. A professional should make the adjustment to the system.
 
Tired of low water pressure? We now offer variable speed technology for your well.  We install a pump system that virtually eliminates pressure fluctuations. The pump will speed up and slow down as your water demand changes. For example, the shower pressure will not drop when someone flushes a toilet.
 
Could it be my pump that is causing my electricity to double? Your pump may be running non-stop, thus consuming more electricity. There may be a broken water pipe or you may have a worn pump. A service crew can determine the problem and make the proper repairs.
 
Why does my water pressure surge? Most likely there is a problem with your water storage tank. The air charge in the tank has decreased, causing the pump to cycle rapidly. This problem can cause your pump to burn out prematurely. This situation should be addressed immediately.
 
How long will my water storage tank last? A water tank will generally last 10-15 years. It will begin to short cycle as a sign that it is failing.
 
Can I increase my town water pressure?  Yes you can. During the summer when people are using water for their lawns, the water pressure may be lower than desired. Installing a booster pump and tank will increase your water flow and pressure.   

CALL OR E-MAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WATER SYSTEMS
1-866-291-7960