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Re: GBlist: Re: Water Quality


Further to the below, we are using a salt-free water softener from a
manufacturer in Calgary Alberta [Stabilized Water of Canada, Brian Ward
(403) 296-1600)]. This may be similar to proposal #4. We chose this water
treatment from a variety of other potential solutions, based on health
and environmental considerations. We drink this water. It basically
reverses the process by which
water becomes hard. Salt water softeners are definitely not inkeeping with
the above criteria. We are also finishing our roof rain water
collection system.
_________________________________________________________
Jorg Ostrowski,  M. Arch. A.S. (MIT), B. Arch. (Toronto), Ecotect 
-  in full-time professional practice since 1976 (Straw Bale since 1978),    
   environmental/architectural design, ecological planning,  consulting   
   on sustainable  buildings/communities. Lectures, seminars, workshops.
   3 demonstration projects in Canada, +80,000 visitors
 - living a conserver lifestyle & working in a sustainable home and office
ACE, ARE, ACT, ASH-Incs., Phone: (403) 239-1882, Fax: (403) 547-2671
Web Site [under construction]: http://www.ucalgary.ca/~jdo/ecotecture.htm
______________________________________________________


On Tue, 6 May 1997, John Salmen wrote:

> 
> There was a discussion on demineralization in Sept.96, on the archives
> at http://solstice.crest.org/sustainable/greenbuilding-list-archive/
> 
> 
> Buzz Burrell wrote:
> > 
> > John Salmen forwarded (?) this, in part:
> > 
> > >> One of my significant findings was that soft water (or demineralized water)
> > >> was generally not a healthy water to drink. I have even gone so far as to
> > >> say that soft water is a health threat under some conditions (like long term
> > >> exposure).  As you know both RO and Distillation systems remove minerals
> > >> from water and I have run into many arguments from people in those
> > >> industries who would not agree with me.  Yet when I have asked them for
> > >> their research notes etc. I have never received a reply.  I would be glad to
> > >> share with you all  (or those specifically who are interested) my research
> > >> summary notes, which are many pages right now.
> > 
> > Who wrote this?  I would definitly like to read this person's research on
> > this topic.
> > 
> > I would also like to echo John's comments (in part):
> > 
> > >I know you posted this message a while ago but I am hoping your offer of
> > >sharing your findings is still valid. I agree with you that water is a
> > >prime element of the interior environment and have had similar
> > >difficulties in gathering information on the potential negative effects
> > >of water treatment....
> > 
> > I am developing 176 acres of rural property, and the water source will be
> > wells.  I had one well drilled last month sort of as a test, and it came
> > in as expected:  extremely high in minerals.  Unlike John, we have no
> > problem with any bacteria, but according to my findings, bacteria is very
> > easy to remove compared with sodium, sulphates and calcium.  This water
> > actually upsets your stomach if you attempt to drink it.
> > 
> > What to do?  I sent an RFP to 8 different water treatment companies, and
> > they were in complete disagreement as to the solution.  Here were the
> > various options:
> > 
> > 1. Water softening.  This is the standard approach.  It uses sodium
> > ("soft") to remove the calcium and magnesium ("hard").  Since it already
> > has too much sodium, I thought this was a terrible idea.
> > 
> > 2. Water softening using a potassium salt instead of sodium.   Some
> > people said this was great, others said it would be no help, and I am
> > clueless.
> > 
> > 3. Reverse Osmosis (sometimes combined with above).  This removes
> > everything, but is costly, actually uses water, and the message above
> > seems to indicate the quality might not be as good as suppossed.
> > 
> > 4. Venturi chamber.  This is really wierd, but one proposal said by
> > "micronizing" the water, the minerals would not be a problem (?).
> > 
> > 5. "Nano" filter.  This is like an RO, but with a larger screen size, so
> > the cost is reduced and less water is wasted.
> > 
> > 6. Anion softener.  This will take out the sodium, but not the calcium,
> > so needs to be used in combination.
> > 
> > 7. Forget the wells, and collect rainwater from the roof.  If we had more
> > than 15" of precipitation/year, this would be the preferred choice.  As
> > it is, we might do this as it will dilute the well water.
> > 
> > 8. Haul water from town.  Not a good long term plan.
> > 
> > Any thoughts, suggestions?
> > 
> > Buzz Burrell
> > Bolder Building
> > Boulder, CO
> > 
> > 
> > __________________________________________________________________
> > This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com)
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> > __________________________________________________________________
> __________________________________________________________________
> This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com)
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> 

__________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com)
and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions
send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
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