How to Budget for a Water Treatment System

How to Budget for a Water Treatment System

The folks at Clean H2O Pros recently put out an article all about budgeting for a water treatment system, and it's packed with some good info. The article breaks down the costs of different systems, from basic water softeners that might run $400 to $1,000, to RO setups that can cost over $1,500. The team is transparent about installation costs too, warning that professional install jobs can tack on another $300 to $1,000. The article talks about ongoing expenses, like filter changes and system checks, suggesting folks should plan for about $100-$200 a year in maintenance. They point out how water softeners can save big bucks on plumbing repairs down the line by preventing scale buildup, and they touch on how these systems can boost a home's resale value.

Nanofiltration Membrane Wins Sustainability Tech Award

DuPont's FilmTec Nanofiltration (NF) membranes just snagged a new award, 2024 Sustainable Technology of the Year, at the Global Sustainability & ESG Awards. In a press release, DuPont talked about why they think this tech is such a big deal. They say, and we’re paraphrasing, that NF membranes are like super-filters that clean water without guzzling energy. Their press release talks about how these filters are not just for making tap water taste better, but also for other jobs like helping reuse industrial water and pulling lithium out of the ground. The folks at DuPont are pretty excited about it, especially since the membranes can handle tricky stuff like separating different dissolved materials in water.

Endotoxin Tests

Absolute Water Technologies, an Ohio-based company that makes water purification systems, recently shared an article about testing for harmful bacteria in water. The team defines Endotoxin Tests as “a diagnostic procedure used to detect bacterial endotoxins, toxic substances found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.” The article focuses on the need for extremely clean water in hospitals and drug companies, and mentions that the ultra-pure water business is booming. They also talk about the different ways to test water including the LAL test, which uses blood from horseshoe crabs to find dangerous bacteria, and newer tests like the rFC assay and a test that uses human cells.

From Reddit: Resources for Well Owners

This week on Reddit someone shared what they believe are the best resources for new owners of private wells. They list several free resources that they say are valuable to know about:

• The Private Well Class for free online courses and webinars

• WellOwner.org offers guidance on maintenance and testing

• KnowYourH2O hosts a large library of well-related resources

• Water Systems Council runs a hotline for personalized (and free) advice

• EPA and USGS pages give official information on water quality

The post also talks about the importance of annual water testing, recommending checks for metals, bacteria, pH, and nitrates. And it advises against relying on DIY test strips, instead suggesting the use of certified labs for accurate results.

What else is happening:

• Mizzou researchers are designing a filter that can be “attached to a faucet so it can remove microplastic and lead at the same time from tap water”

• Canadian researchers found that when wood chips soaked in an iron chloride solution are burnt, they can capture and destroy forever chemicals

• This week’s WQA Podcast titled “WQA’s Rich Legacy” is a conversation with two former WQA Executive Directors and gives a history lesson on how the WQA got to where they are today

• Florida Pure Water Solutions writes about what makes RO, UV, and UF water purifiers different

• Arizona-based Clean H2O Pros writes about how to activate water treatment bypass mode