Private Well - Acidic water corroding copper fittings

[Jack The Lad]

Our shower was dripping a few months ago, so I replaced the seals.... worked for a while, then started dripping again. I presumed I'd just botched the job like a true amateur, so I called in a plumber. He took one look at the shower fittings and pointed out that they had turned green, and explained that our private well water was acidic and actualy eating the copper.

We sent a water-sample to be tested, and sure enough it had a pH of 5.2.

I've been getting quotes up to €2000 for a treatment filter... which sounds way too much to me.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or does anyone have any advice on a cheaper solution?

Thanks

 

[bertson]

Re: Private Well - Acidic water corroding copper fittings!!

Our treatment system was 1800€ 3 years ago.
You need to make sure and take your water sample to an independent tester, not the company selling the treatment system.

Where in the country are you?

 

[Jack The Lad]

Re: Private Well - Acidic water corroding copper fittings!!

Wexford.

The test was independent, so the result should be dependable.

Ok, €1,800. Looks like my quotes are not far off the mark. What sort of system do you use? We're being sold a system that slow-releases a liquid into the water to neutralise the acidity. Don't know if I like the sound of it, as far as drinking water is concerned.

 

[bertson]

Re: Private Well - Acidic water corroding copper fittings!!

Ours is to remove Maganese and colour, includes a Salt container, a Carbon Filder and another filter,

Send you water results to a few folks

 

[ajapale]

Re: Private Well - Acidic water corroding copper fittings!!

...... it had a pH of 5.2.......

Hi Jack,

Yes 5.2 is very acidic the EU drinking water regulations indicate a minimum pH of 6.5.

I would not drink the water until the problem is resolved. Boiling will not help as it will only concentrate the copper (or other metals) which has been stripped out by the acidity.

You should get your water tested for the full range of chemical, metal and bacteriological tests. This should not cost more than €100. You should repeat the tests every year to assure your self that the water is good and that whatever treatment/filters you are using are working properly.

You should hand the results to several water treatment contractors. You can get their names from the golden pages.

If pH is the only problem with your water then you will need a pH corrector. The contractor will need to asses all the results in order to propose the best solution.

As far as I know, if you are away from a mains supply of water and your house is over 7 years old then you might be entitled to a grant of 75% of the cost up to €2,000 to do the work. You should contact your local authority.

Good Luck and stick to the Ballygowan for the present!

 

[Jack The Lad]

Re: Private Well - Acidic water corroding copper fittings!!

As far as I know, if you are away from a mains supply of water and your house is over 7 years old then you might be entitled to a grant of 75% of the cost up to €2,000 to do the work.

...that's something I hadn't heard before! I'll be making some calls first thing Monday. Nice one, thanks!

 

[ajapale]

Re: Private Well - Acidic water corroding copper fittings!!

Ask for "Well Grants" and download page from Wexford Co Co. and have a look at it first.