Significant lesson learned using TDS hardness water tester

[GON]

A buddy lent me his TDS hardness water tester. With the TDS tester I tested post water softener tap water, outside non softened water, RO home filtered drinking water, and store bought bottle water.

Here are the results with the TDS tester:
- post softener tap water= 52 grains
- outside spicket not going through softener= 48 grains
- RO water going using municipal water= 15 grains
- store bought bottle water= zero grains

After the above results, I replaced the resin in the softener, and like results. I rebuilt the Fleck controller with new piston and injector, like results.

I did the same tests using a Aquax hard water test kit, and the results came out very different. The post softener water returned little hardness. I bought my own TDS tester, thinking maybe my buddy's tester was defective, same results using my own TDS tester as my buddy's tester. Finally, I used some harness only test strips- results equaled the Aquax results- no hardness post water softener.

Started to dig into why the TDS tester is not only showing hardness post water softener, but actually a slightly higher level of hardness than not softened tap water. Here is what I came up with. The TDS tester includes chlorine in its tests. I speculate it measures and reports chlorine the same as it would report calcium or iron. My conclusion, the TDS tester is good for well water, but not a good tester for municipal water that adds chlorine to the system.

If I had a chlorine filter pre water softener, the TDS tester would work better, but as

the RO system reports, the TDS will be "fooled" by any chlorine in the water.

 

[Cujet]

Note: A water softener does not reduce the TDS because it swaps one ion for another. Calcium for sodium as a typical example.

Note2: A good RO system that follows a good softener should show zero or very near zero on the TDS meter. Although 15 is generally fine, if mine gets that high, the RO system needs cleaning.

 

[AZjeff]

Send a water sample to a reputable lab then you know. Worth the cost.

 

[GON]

Send a water sample to a reputable lab then you know. Worth the cost.

Yes, will do that. Vacation ends Monday, so in the immediate window I can't send off the water to a lab, but definitely on my intermediate to do list.

 

[jtwrace]

Send a water sample to a reputable lab then you know. Worth the cost.

Please send it to Blackstone for giggles. I'd love to see their inconsistent results with water as tested for oil

 

[doitmyself]

If you are only concerned about hardness, the Hach 5B test kit is standard for water conditioner pros in the U.S.. It is similar to the AquaX kit you used.

The well monitor guys at my workplace use the Hach Sofchek # 27452-50 to do a quick-and-dirty confirmation that the softeners are working.

A good lab test will show other stuff in your water besides the normal hardness ions, such as iron, contaminants, etc..

Yes, TDS is tricky and if my memory serves, there are different algorithms used by various groups that calculate the electrical signal into total dissolved solids. My brain is starting to hurt just bringing back some memories about studying it.

 

[himemsys]

the RO system reports, the TDS will be "fooled" by any chlorine in the water.

Kind of like Blackstone getting fooled by a 380° flashpoint.

 

[Delta]

Have you thought about adding a stand alone filter to remove the chlorine such as this one for example?

https://aquasureusa.com/products/aq...ystem-1-000-000-gallon?variant=31777982709819

They recommend one if you're on city water to remove the chlorine to extend the life of your softener. I'm going to probably be adding one to my system. I'm on a well, but after changing the filter I have so much sediment I need something extra.

 

[97prizm]

A buddy lent me his TDS hardness water tester. With the TDS tester I tested post water softener tap water, outside non softened water, RO home filtered drinking water, and store bought bottle water.

Here are the results with the TDS tester:
- post softener tap water= 52 grains
- outside spicket not going through softener= 48 grains
- RO water going using municipal water= 15 grains
- store bought bottle water= zero grains

After the above results, I replaced the resin in the softener, and like results. I rebuilt the Fleck controller with new piston and injector, like results.

I did the same tests using a Aquax hard water test kit, and the results came out very different. The post softener water returned little hardness. I bought my own TDS tester, thinking maybe my buddy's tester was defective, same results using my own TDS tester as my buddy's tester. Finally, I used some harness only test strips- results equaled the Aquax results- no hardness post water softener.

Started to dig into why the TDS tester is not only showing hardness post water softener, but actually a slightly higher level of hardness than not softened tap water. Here is what I came up with. The TDS tester includes chlorine in its tests. I speculate it measures and reports chlorine the same as it would report calcium or iron. My conclusion, the TDS tester is good for well water, but not a good tester for municipal water that adds chlorine to the system.

If I had a chlorine filter pre water softener, the TDS tester would work better, but asView attachment 297986 the RO system reports, the TDS will be "fooled" by any chlorine in the water.

That looks suspiciously like a Zero Water tds meter that comes with their pitchers. I use a zero water filter as they last 3-5 months depending on use and are $12-$15 to replace vs my Whirlpool fridge filter thats $50

 

[blain450]

I love it when people investigate the environment around them.
Yes, it can lead to chasing rabbits. But I'd rather know something for sure, than just eat what I've been dished up.
"Knowledge" can help you sleep better at night, keep you up at night, make course corrections and guide you along the path.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Please send it to Blackstone for giggles. I'd love to see their inconsistent results with water as tested for oil

It would probably come back in the 12cSt range @ 100*C, knowing them…

 

[alarmguy]

Carbon removes chlorine.
Example would be your refrigerator water filter. Assuming you change the filter every 4 months or so.
A chlorine test on the refrigerator water will show 0 as it does at our house.
Water from the kitchen faucet shows 0.8 or sightly higher.

Our county as of right now, for all intent purposes has the second largest reverse osmosis system in the country for our public water supply. Behind schedule it is in operation however the contractor is behind completion of the entire system which is being built for the future massive growth of the county.

From my faucet I get 0 iron, 0 copper, 0.8 chlorine, Total Hardness 0, Total Alkalinity 0, Carbonate approx 20 or 30, ph looks very low between 6.2 and 6.8 averaged to 6.5

Tests where with test strips so not an exact science. I have no knowledge of home water systems except carbon. I never lived in an area with hard water or anything that needed further treatment so would be curious if any of the home tests measure for what I mentioned. Would love to hear some comments form those who test home water with or without reverse osmosis.

https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=364&ARC=1120