Water Quality in Plumbing & HVAC

A water treatment system extends the life of a home’s or business plumbing piping, fixtures and water-using appliances (ie: hot water tanks, tankless water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines). Properly treated water will assist with maintaining equipment efficiency and save on energy costs, which are negatively affected by water quality scaling or adhering which prevents flow and proper heating transference in systems. When considering water treatment equipment, testing the water for four common parameters is a good practice to identify potential issues such as scaling, discolouration, systems failures and costly maintenance calls for service. This practice is not commonly conducted and can have significant impacts in rural areas with no municipal water services. 

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) <500 mg/L / ppm 

TDS refers to the amount of minerals, metals, organic material, and salts that are dissolved in a certain water volume expressed in mg/L or parts per million (ppm).

TDS in water can come from many sources, including but not limited to: natural water springs, chemicals used during treatment of municipal water supplies, runoff from roads, industrial wastewater, agricultural fields, from plumbing distribution systems. This is usually calcium, magnesium, sodium, road salts, potassium, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate and nitrates. 

This can present an issue for consumers, as it is stated that “High TDS levels (above 500 mg/L) result in excessive scaling in water pipes, water heaters, boilers and household appliances”.1

Hardness is most commonly expressed as milligrams of calcium carbonate equivalent per litre (mg/L). Another common method of measuring water hardness is known as grains per gallon or GPG. 

Hard water is generally found in areas that are composed of limestone. Calcium and magnesium are absorbed into the water as it comes in contact with the limestone. Over time, these minerals can accumulate and form a layer of scale inside appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. 

Scaling restricts water flow, reduces energy efficiency, and can result in breakdowns and repairs. Most manufacturers specify hardness requirements for proper operation efficiency. 

To understand water hardness values in greater detail, the commonly accepted value of less than 7 gpg is widely used by manufacturers of appliances, heating devices and some water treatment equipment in order to ensure proper operation. 

Iron (Fe) <0.1 mg/L / ppm 

Deposits of iron can accumulate in pressure tanks, water piping and water heaters. If significant amounts are present, they should be drained or flushed regularly to remove the deposits. This is critical in plumbing disinfection systems. The Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines indicate: “This includes minimizing the iron concentration entering the distribution system and distribution system maintenance (main cleaning). It is particularly important to maintain stable chemical and biological water quality conditions throughout the system and minimize physical and hydraulic disturbances that can release iron corrosion by-products.”2 

 pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is. It is expressed as a number from 0 to 14. Neutral water, which is neither acidic or basic, has a pH of 7. As pH values decrease from 7 to 0, the acidity of the water increases similarly, pH values from 7 to 14 show increasing basicity. Acidic water will attack exposed metal surfaces, slowly dissolving the metal into the water. Constant exposure to corrosive water will noticeably shorten the life of household plumbing, eventually causing pin-holes to appear in the pipes. Corrosion will occur at any place in the water system where water contacts metal. 

By creating a barrier at the bottom of your water heater’s tank, hard water and sediment will significantly decrease the efficiency of your water heater or heat exchanger. This is due to the fact that your unit will have to work harder and longer to keep your water warm. This leads to an increase in water heating bills and can also mean that water won’t be hot enough when required for use in homes and businesses. 

The stress that poor water quality places on water heaters, appliances and piping takes its toll over time. Not only will you likely need to make more repair calls throughout their lifespan, but they will likely require replacement due to a failure in a quicker fashion. 

Particulates 

Sediment (such as sand, silt, or rust particles) can impede valves, filters, and water lines. This effectively results in restricted water flow and puts unnecessary strain on water based appliances and equipment, leading to reduced efficiency and potential breakdowns. 

The Corrosive Factor 

Corrosive water can cause the deterioration of internal components, leading to leaks, malfunctioning valves, and premature failure of appliances. Over time the risk of flooding is greatly elevated due to the degradation of piping which often starts as “pinhole” leaks. 

Calcification buildup in piping can result in reduced water flow at fixtures and adherence to water heater elements and heat exchangers. 

When cumulative over long periods of time, this can result in failure of the appliance or water device; replacement units are often having to be installed well before the manufacturer’s suggested life expectancies. 

Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening form of pneumonia (commonly referred to as Legionnaires disease).The bacteria are found naturally in water and can grow and multiply in systems such as hot water tanks, cooling towers and large plumbing systems. 

When these systems are not properly maintained and disinfected, the bacteria can thrive and be spread through the air in the form of small droplets or mist. 

Understanding the water source in an application is important to identify the potential risks adverse water quality may present. Some municipal water sources contain excessive levels of hardness which contribute to scaling. Do not assume that because a water supply originates from a regulated source that it does not contain hardness. As an example, the region of Kitchener-Waterloo has some of its water supplied from drilled wells with elevated hardness levels that vary throughout the region.3 

Rural water sources without any regulation or jurisdiction have a greater likelihood of the presence of bacteriological, particulate or scaling elements. Water testing results can be obtained directly through municipalities, laboratories and water treatment dealers. Rural water sources should always be sampled prior to the start of any installation or plumbing work in buildings. 

When properly installed, water treatment equipment such as softeners, filter vessels, ultraviolet disinfection and chemical injection systems are all designed to assist with the treatment of sediments, scale, accumulation of biological growth and corrosion. With proper testing practices and correct treatment design, installed water treatment devices can assist with overall water quality, preventing inefficiencies, additional costs and unnecessary replacement of fixtures, water heaters or boilers.

Volume 7 – Issue 6 Wahl H2O - Water Awareness

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Contact Jeff via email: [email protected]