How to Interpret Water Analyses

　　Thoroughly examine the subsequent water analyses. Afterward, ponder the suggested corrective measures and consider the reasoning behind these proposals. It may be that other effective solutions come to mind. WATER ANALYSIS Example NO. 1Collection Date ……………. 8/14/83Source ………………………….. WellAnalysis Date …………….. 8/23/83Sample Appearance …………. Clear, no odorpH Value …………………… 7.5Iron Content ………………. 0.2ppmBicarbonate Content ……….. 11.3gpgSulfate Content …………… 3.5gpgChloride Content ………….. 1.6gpgTotal Anion Content ……….. 16.4gpgCalcium Hardness ………….. 10.5gpgMagnesium Hardness ……….. 5.3gpgTotal Hardness …………… 15.8gpgCalcium Bicarbonate ……….. 10.5gpgMagnesium Bicarbonate …….. 0.8gpgMagnesium Sulfate …………. 3.5gpgMagnesium Chloride ………… 1.0gpgSodium Chloride …………… 0.6gpg*All values are expressed as CaCO3 equivalents, except for pH and iron levels.Water Analysis No. 1 exhibits a substantial hardness level according to the Water Quality Association’s classification. With a total hardness of 15.8gpg, the total cations sum up to 16.4gpg, with sodium (0.6gpg) accounting for the difference between total anions and total hardness. The concentration of iron is negligible and would not lead to laundry discoloration.An advisable treatment for this water would be to install an ion exchange softener with an adequate capacity on both hot and cold water lines, excluding outdoor faucets and possibly toilets due to the minimal iron presence that wouldn’t cause detectable staining. The required capacity of the unit for installation would depend on the household size and the count of water-consuming appliances, while the model type (manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic) would be subject to the consumer’s preference.In reviewing Water Analysis Example No. 1, it is observed that iron is quantified in ppm, whereas hardness minerals are recorded in gpg. This inconsistency stems from the practicality of reporting mineral concentrations, which significantly differ in water. Water analysis commonly utilizes four units of measure: ppm or mg/L; gpg; epm; and gpg imp. To convert ppm to gpg, divide the ppm value by 17.1, as follows: mg/L or ppm = gpg / 17.1A word of caution: ppm represents one part per million, accurately interpreted as one ounce in a million ounces or one pound in a million pounds of water, not one pound per million gallons without conversion, since pounds and gallons are different units of measurement. Similarly, 1 mg, or 1/1000 of a gram, in a liter of water weighing 1000 grams equals 1 mg/L or 1 ppm.The water treatment industry often expresses hardness in gpg to avoid large numbers, except for trace elements measured in mg/L. It is crucial to recall that the minerals in these analyses are hypothetical combinations equivalent to CaCO3 in terms of gpg or mg/L. For computing the various hardness mineral compounds, ion concentrations must be in equivalent units for straightforward arithmetic operations, similar to converting 113 and 114 to 4112 and 3112 for simpler calculation.Water described as having 10 grains per gallon of minerals as CaCO3 may consist of calcium or magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, chlorides, or a combination of these. Nevertheless, the total concentration is chemically equivalent to 10 grains per gallon of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate serves as the standard due to its molecular weight (approx. 100) and equivalent weight (50). The concentration of mineral compounds as CaCO3 in water can be computed by dividing the mineral concentration by its equivalent weight and multiplying by CaCO3’s equivalent weight. To determine the equivalent weight of any mineral in terms of CaCO3, apply this formula to ascertain its concentration as CaCO3.