Neutralization of drinking water with pH values lower than 7 is critical to consumer health. Low pH water can cause potential leaching of copper, lead and other metals. Homeowners should be aware of greenish stains in ceramic bowls caused by leaching of copper piping.
Calcium carbonate or calcite is commonly used to treat acidic water. Urbans Aqua stocks a variety of safe and easy to use calcite products to increase the pH of drinking water.
Product Links –
- XO White Specifications
- Z White Specifications
- Imerys Brochure
- NSF Link to Approved Imerys Products
- Imerys XO Neutralizer Media aka Georgia Marble
- 50 pound bags (0.5 cubic feet)
- Neutralizes and filters down to 20 microns
- Quick acting neutralization
- For use on water with pH of 6-7
- Imerys Z White Neutralizer Media aka Georgia Marble
- 50 pound bags (0.5 cubic feet)
- Neutralizes and filters down to 40 microns
- Quick acting neutralization
- For use on water with pH of 6-7
- Pro Products Neutralizer Blend NB50N
- 50 pound bucket (0.5 cubic feet)
- For use on water with pH of 5 to 5.5
- Thomasville Water Neutralizer
- 50 pound bag (o.56 cubic feet)
- Dissolves faster, may require more frequent tank refill
- More competitively priced
- For use on water with pH of 6-7
- FloMag PWT 12×40 Magnesium Oxide
- 50 pound bag
- Blend with calcite neutralizer media to enhance ability to increase pH
- When blended use on water with pH greater than 4.
Using Acid Neutralizer Media
- The system should have a gravel sub-fill.
- It requires periodic backwashing to prevent packing of the media.
- Neutralizer tanks generally include a “dome hole” to enable water treatment professionals to refill the system.
- We recommend using an almond or natural fiberglass tank.
- The consumer can simply shine a flashlight against the tank to measure the height of dissolving calcium carbonate rather than waiting for the green stain to come back.
- All calcium carbonate (calcite) products – Georgia Marble, Neutralizer Blend and Thomasville, will increase hardness. Post treatment with a water softener may be necessary.
- Dealers should have consumers with neutralizers on a strict maintenance schedule to avoid the effects of low pH
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- Tank Size & Volume Data
- 10×54 2.2 cubic feet 3 bags (1.5 cf)
- 12×52 2.97 cubic feet 4 bags (2 cf)
- 13×54 3.6 cubic feet 5 bags (2.5 cf)
- Tank Size & Volume Data
Features & Benefits of Neutralization Media
Georgia Marble – In stock
Georgia Marble is a high quality, potable water grade calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate increases the pH of acidic water.
- The chief advantage of the Georgia Marble neutralizer media is its ability to dissolve slowly and not overcorrect the pH.
- Calcium Carbonate is also known as Calcite.
Pro Neutralizer Blend – NB50N – In Stock
Pro Neutralizer Blend NB50N is a unique blend of highly alkaline compounds designed to neutralize extreme acid water.
- Enhanced blend of Georgia Marble Calcite and magnesium oxide in easy to use 1/2 cubic foot buckets.
- Neutralizes acid water with pH of 5 to 5.5.
Oldcastle Water Neutralizer, formally known as Thomasville. – In Stock
- Lower cost alternative to Georgia Marble products.
- Dissolves slowly and does not overcorrect the pH.
FloMag PWT (Magnesium Oxide) – In Stock
- “Mag Oxide”, on a per weight basis, can neutralize five times more acidity than calcium carbonate.
- It is combined with Georgia Marble (calcium carbonate) in applications where the starting pH is lower than 5.5.
- The combination of the two is generally referred to as “Low pH Mix” and comes in a variety of ratios.
- Mag Oxide will increase hardness. Post treatment with a water softener may be necessary.
- Upflow service is recommended when hardness exceeds 5 grains.
- Downflow service works when mag oxide is combined 5:1 ratio with calcium carbonate (Georgia Marble).
- Use an in-line filter ahead of an upflow system to prevent plugging of the lower distribution screen.
- Backwash frequently to prevent possible cementing.
Alternate to Neutralization Media – Using Chemical Injection Systems to Increase pH
Chemical injection systems are installed by dealers who want more control over the neutralization process. Traditional limestone or calcite neutralization systems are designed for ease of use however, higher flow rates can result in inconsistent treated pH levels. To get even correction of variable flow rates, installation of a chemical feed pump system, such as Stenner, is recommended. This is especially important for commercial and industrial applications. Sodium carbonate, soda ash, Pro Products Nutra 5 and Nutra 7 (NSF certified – Neutra 7 NSF Link)are suitable for residential use. Potassium carbonate is also used but very expensive. Sodium hydroxide may be used in industrial settings where chemicals are safely handled.
Special consideration has to be taken with chemical handling. Soda Ash should be kept in clearly marked containers and out of reach of pets and children. Proper safety equipment is mandatory when handling soda ash- safety glasses, appropriate gloves and clothing. Refer to the manufactures directions before handling.
Features
- Ability to treat pH as low as 4.
- Consistent correction of variable flow rates.
- Does not affect water hardness.
- Suitable for commercial and industrial applications
Operation
- A typical residential application requires a chemical feed pump with a maximum setting of 30-50 gpd (gallons per day) and a suitable chemical storage tank with a childproof cap.
- Chemical feed solution strength:
- The saturation point of soda ash is 1 pound per gallon of water.
- Start with 1/2 pound of soda ash per gallon of water.
- Set chemical feed pump at 50% of the maximum feed rate.
- Run water and test pH downstream of the injection point.
- Adjust chemical pump feed rate based on test results.
- Installation tips:
- Do not offset injection point. It’s critical to inject directly into the water stream.
- Installation of a retention tank or contact tank is highly recommended to give soda ash time to react with the untreated water.
- Retention tanks can range from 40 – 120 gallons, application dependent.
- To save time mix soda ash with warm water (70-80 deg.F) so it dissolves more quickly.
- Use a tank mixer (automatic stirrer) to keep the soda ash completely dissolved.
- Adhere to a strict maintenance schedule to avoid the effects of low pH.