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+--- Thread: Low pH in catchment tank (/showthread.php?tid=12968)
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Low pH in catchment tank - tjackson - 01-11-2014
So I appear to have copper stains in my bathtub, and I am assuming that my catchment water is somewhat acidic, and that the water is eating away at my copper pipes. I have read about adding baking soda to the tank to help neutralize the pH, but I would prefer a method that would require less monitoring of the waters pH and adjusting by constantly adding banking soda. Has anyone used a calcite water filter?
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - terracore - 01-12-2014
The engineer who inspected our system told us it was because of the vog. He said older copper pipes eventually develop pinhole leaks but that the process takes decades. He talked about adjusting the pH but also that it was extremely difficult due to the fact that a good rainstorm will flush out all your adjusted water and replace it with water that needs to be tested and adjusted. His advice in the end was, don't worry about it.
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - riverwolf - 01-12-2014
A concrete watre tank (lime) helps lower the acidity. Throwing a cup of baking soda into the tank once a month ( or after a heavy downpour) is very low maintenance.
Changing out the copper for "Pex" also solves most of the problems.
The minimal upkeep a catchment system requires still out weighs the cost of piped watre and with a U.V. system attached, which I consider
a must, you have a better quality watre system.
riverwolf
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - Seeb - 01-12-2014
A mesh bag full of broken up sea shells will keep it from spiking to low- it's Kind of self regulating
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - seekir - 01-30-2014
I have an upwind neighbor who's apparently burning trash which emits a stinky scorched rubber-plastic fragrance. Didn't think too much about it till I realized that my water later smelled like stinky burned rubber-plastic. Lovely.
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - kalakoa - 01-30-2014
Open burn requires a permit; report your neighbor to HPD and/or HFD.
The "live and let live" posture is fine ... until the fumes/runoff are toxic/hazardous.
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - seekir - 01-30-2014
The difficult and defensive neighbor I believe to be responsible denies any burning and it's not a simple thing to verify here where the forest is thick and lots are square three acre parcels. The smoke may be originating elsewhere nearby, but I can't always go walking into neighboring lots to see what exactly is going on. Hopefully who ever is responsible will find some better way to dispose of their trash. I don't expect to be able to ignore the burning if it continues to contaminate my water supply.
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - kalakoa - 01-30-2014
Drones are cheap, and legal for non-profit activities up to 400 feet AGL.
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - seekir - 01-31-2014
I actually have an (un-indulged) interest in drones for fun and photography and have considered the notion of using one to narrow down the smoke source. Too bad they're so noisy and easily lost in forest landscapes.
RE: Low pH in catchment tank - kalakoa - 01-31-2014
Weather balloon. Long tether.