Water quality is highly dependent on the impurities it contains. Engineering systems by which water reaches the consumer are usually long outdated. Pipes rust and, as a result, the concentration of iron increases. But not only pipe corrosion is a problem - metal impurities are also present in the water itself. How to protect yourself and purify water at home?
What is the danger of rust?
When there is an increased concentration of iron in water, it has a characteristic smell, taste and color. The permissible norm is 0.3 mg / d³. If we talk about the harm that rusty water can cause to human health, then this:
- damage to the enamel on the teeth;
- various allergic manifestations;
- skin tightness;
- problems with internal organs and the work of the digestive tract, etc.
Under natural conditions, water contains divalent iron hydroxide, and after contact with oxygen, Fe (OH) уже is already in its composition and precipitates as an insoluble precipitate. An increased amount of iron oxide will have a negative effect on the body. Impurities from the functioning of water heating plumbing are also dangerous.
A harmful suspension settles on the walls of sinks, bathtubs, a toilet bowl, household appliances (boilers, washing machines and dishwashers, etc.). This coating also covers the walls of pipes, faucets and mixers, thereby reducing their service life.
So that rusty water does not cause harm to health, care for its purification has become the work of the consumer himself.
Harm elimination
To solve any problem you need to know the causes of its occurrence. Water pollution is no exception. Otherwise, you can endlessly apply different methods, but never solve the problem itself. As a result, a lot of nerves and finances will be spent, but you still have to find a reason. So it's best to do it right away.
If the reason that rusty water enters the house is the pipeline, then the best thing to do is install plastic pipes. Of course, we cannot replace the entire sewage system through which water flows to our homes, but at least in our own area it is real. In this way, other problems can also be avoided, for example, when the pipes simply begin to crumble from old age and you have to break the walls to change or repair them.
What are the cleaning methods?
So that rusty water does not harm us, there are methods to bring its indicators to normal, which differ in complexity and financial component:
- The first and easiest is water sedimentation. To do this, the liquid is poured into the tank and just wait until the sediment falls to the bottom. The water thus purified is carefully drained. This is the most economical way. The only thing is that it will be difficult to carry out cleaning of a large volume, and the quality is still more suitable for technical needs than for using it inside.
- When rusty water from a faucet enters our home, this is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon. There are problems with washing and even drinking tea or coffee. Boiling water does not eliminate pollution. In this case, mechanical cleaning is the best way. This requires special filters using removable cartridges or backfill. Thanks to this method, particles of rust will be caught. And the degree of this cleaning depends on the mesh size of the cartridge installed on the counter or tap. Filters need to be washed periodically. Expanded clay, sand or coal is used as bulk material.
Poor water and rusty pipes are a very serious and painful problem. People are interested in efficient and inexpensive cleaning methods. This task is not so easy to solve. For example, reverse osmosis. The system is effective, but not cheap. It uses a membrane that allows only water molecules to pass through. No chemicals are used in this cleaning process. Reverse osmosis is considered a safe method that improves the taste of water and eliminates its impurities. But not everyone can place such filters at home. Then what to do? After all, many are horrified when they see that rusty water enters the house from a tap.
What to do first?
A little expensive, but there is no other way - you need to drain the water from the tap. It usually goes very rusty when it has been disconnected for some time. In this case, remove the mesh from the tap and rinse it. You will be surprised - there is so much rust! Immediately even the pressure of the water will change.
Sorption devices using activated carbon are very convenient and easy to use in everyday life. These are ordinary jugs with a replaceable filter. Such cleaning removes metal impurities and harmful substances well enough. The volume of such devices is small, therefore, such water is mainly used for drinking and cooking.
Water can be cleaned of iron impurities using special reagents: chlorine, potassium permanganate, coagulants. Good results are shown by ozone oxidation.
But remember, no matter what cleaning methods you choose, you first need to find out why the water is rusty and eliminate the cause!
Countryside and suburbs
The problems are faced not only by residents of apartment buildings, but also by residents of the private sector, even with an individual well. Therefore, water purification methods in domestic conditions are relevant for everyone.
Water with rust can also come from the well. A third of the samples reveals in it dangerous indicators for health. Often in underground and open water bodies, the samples do not meet the requirements. Drinking water is critically lacking. Therefore, in country houses, wells and wells serve as such sources.
Types of wells: which is better
If in such places water with impurities of rust is found, then they are also primarily looking for reasons. By type of well, they can be sandy (usually up to 30 meters deep) and artesian (up to 200 meters deep).
The soil consists of horizontally lying layers, and water enters the sand well from the upper layer. They often show a rusty liquid. The quality of artesian water is much higher, and rusty impurities are rarely found there.
Where else is rust found in everyday life
Today it is often possible to see pools in private sectors. They, too, are filled from a water supply system or well. If there is rusty water in the pool, then you can’t swim in it! This is especially true for children. The cause of rusting water is most likely due to aging pipes or pool parts. First of all, you need to replace them with brass or plastic. Then wash the tank.
When using water from a well or a well, powerful filters are installed. Then the pool has to be washed less often, which is important for the owners. It is desirable that the composition of the water be optimized. Thus, the likelihood of rust will be minimized.
The following methods are used to purify water in the pool:
- mechanical;
- chemical;
- electrophysical.
