Oxidation Water Filtration Systems Whidbey Island WA

Four Technologies

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Dissolved minerals, as well as arsenic, must be oxidized in order to be removed. Oxidation flocculates the elements into larger particles, enabling them to be filtered. In our comparison of water filtration systems, we look at the three whole-house chemical-free technologies available for oxidizing dissolved minerals and one chemical injection system, which uses chlorine or hydrogen peroxide.

Best Choice

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Each system is appropriate within certain parameters. Decide for yourself which system is most applicable for your situation.

AERATION
Advantages:

• Air injection is inexpensive
• and works well with water that has low levels of contaminants. It will reduce the level of dissolved minerals, will settle out any particulates, and will off-gas the sulfur.
• Single tank takes up a small footprint and fits in small spaces

Disadvantages:

• However, it will not kill bacteria,
• will not remove 100% of iron or manganese,
• and will not soften the water.
• The technology relies on the fact that air contains 19% oxygen, and therefore will reduce but not remove all contaminants

CHLORINE INJECTION
Advantages:

• If there there is aggressive iron bacteria in the well, a chlorine system is an excellent option.
• It will kill all bacteria,
• will fully oxidize the dissolved minerals,
• will filter out chemicals and chlorine,
• the water softener will treat any hardness,
• and $3000 is an average price for a basic water system.
• Another advantage is that the flow rate requirement is only 6.5 gpm-9gpm.

Disadvantages:

• Six tanks require ample space
• Chlorine and salt must be purchased and added constantly
• The injection tubing will clog and must be cleaned or replaced periodically
• There is an on-going expense of purchasing salt and chlorine (or hydrogen peroxide, which is more expensive).

OZONE
Advantages:

• Chemical-free
• Ozone is a powerful oxidant and will quickly oxidize dissolved minerals such as iron and manganese
• Ozone can penetrate the cell wall of a bacteria within seconds, whereas it may take up to an hour for chlorine to penetrate it fully
• Unlike chlorine, ozone is not residual and is off-gassed after it has served its purpose
• Nothing is added to the water, but the contaminants are all removed

Disadvantages:

• The ozone pump makes a sound every time water is turned on.
• There are numerous components to the system that will clog, wear out, weaken, or need some sort of servicing.
• The ozone pump will wear down and will need to be rebuilt every two or three years, for about $400. As other parts fail, they also cost.
• Requires at least 8 gpm flow rate, if not 10 gpm.

OXYGEN

Advantages:

• Quiet
• Salt-free
• Chemical-free
• Low-maintenance
• Eliminates iron, manganese, sulfur, hardness, chemicals, bacteria, and even arsenic—all the problems we have here on Whidbey island.
• The price for extended maintenance over time is the lowest long-term price of all the systems.
• If additional systems are required, they will be included at lower than normal prices, or sometimes for no additional cost.
• The system is custom-designed based on the results from a free extensive water test of over 130 contaminants.
• Once installed, it is guaranteed to remove all undesirable contaminants.

Disadvantages:

• Initial cost is higher than other technologies
• Requires at least 10 gpm flow rate