About the water softener system
WATER CONDITION INFORMATION
IRON
Iron in water can cause stains on clothing
and plumbing fixtures. It can negatively affect
the taste of food,drinking water, and other
beverages. Iron in water is measured in parts
per million (ppm). The total* ppm of iron, and
type or types*, is determined by chemical
analysis. Four different types of iron in water
are:
Ferrous (clear water) iron
Ferric (red water) iron
Bacterial and organically bound iron
Colloidal and inorganically bound iron
(ferrous or ferric)
Ferrous (clear water) iron is soluble and
dissolves in water. This water softener will
reduce moderate amounts of this type of iron
(see specifications).**Ferrous (clear water)
iron is usually detected by taking a sample of
water in a clear bottle or glass. Immediately
after taking, the sample is clear. As the water
sample stands, it gradually clouds and turns
slightly yellow or brown as air oxidizes the iron.
This usually occurs in 15 to 30 minutes.
When using the softener to reduce Ferrous
(clear water) iron, add 5 grains to the hardness
setting fore very 1 ppm of Ferrous (clear
water) iron. See "Set Water Hardness Number"
section.
Ferric (red water), and bacterial and organically
bound irons are insoluble. This water softener
will not remove ferric or bacterial iron. This
iron is visible immediately when drawn from a
faucet because it has oxidized before reaching
the home. It appears as small cloudy yellow,
orange, or reddish suspended particles. After
the water stands for a period of time,the
particles settle to the bottom of the container.
Generally these irons are removed from water
by filtration. Chlorination is also recommended
for bacterial iron.
Colloidal and inorganically bound iron is of
ferric or ferrous form that will not filter or
exchange out of water. This water softener will
not remove colloidal iron. In some instances,
treatment may improve colloidal iron water.
Colloidal iron water usually has a yellow
appearance when drawn. After standing for
several hours, the color persists and the iron
does not settle,but remains suspended in the
water.
SEDIMENT
Sediment is fine, foreign material particles
suspended in water. This water softener will
not remove sediment. This material is most
often clay or silt. Extreme amounts of sediment
may give the water a cloudy appearance. A
sediment filter installed upstream of the water
softener normally corrects this situation.
* Water may contain one or more of the four
types of iron and any combination of these.
Total iron is the sum of the contents.
** Capacity to reduce clear water iron is
substantiated by WQA test data.
CHLORINE
Softener resins may degrade in the presence
of chlorine above 2 ppm. If you have chlorine
in excess of this amount, you may experience
reduced life of the resin. In these conditions,
you may wish to consider purchasing a GE
Appliances point-of-entry household filtration
system with a chlorine reducing filter.
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