Water filitration system

[Kelena]

The water filtration system on, ahem, a certain house just has a sediment filter, nothing else. One flaming filter (I have no luck on this issue, none). For scared-of-catchment guy (me), that probably won't cut it. What is the current standard for a filtering system and how much do you think it will run to install such a system. My guess is we are talking 3 filters and a UV.

[jdirgo]

That's what I have -- 2 standard 10-inch sediment filters (20 and 5 micron), then a 20-inch activated charcoal filter and then a UV. Adding the two additional filter and the UV ran me about $1,500 for the equipment and the plumber to install them. He also installed shutoff valves between each filter to make them easier for me to change the filters.

The UV light has to be replaced annually at a cost of roughly $90. The standard filters are just a few bucks at Ace. The activated charcoal filters have to be replaced about every 6 months (less often if I'm good and diligent about replacing the filters before it) and they cost about $45-50 each time.

I usually just buy the UV and 2 activated charcoals once a year and save myself the time.

John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Aloha Coast Realty, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com

[morganlady]

These filters allow you to drink and cook with your catchment water, is that true? I don't think everyone there wants to treat all the water they collect. It doesn't have to be that pure to wash clothes, cars, shower, flush away, water plants, and do dishes.
I see water for sale outside of Walmart that is for drinking/cooking - I believe folks buy that and use their collected water for household use.
Now, how safe to drink is the county water that is piped across the island?



Edited by - morganlady on 07/13/2007 15:06:35

[Kelena]

Thanks, John and Congratulations on Aloha Coast. Its a bold step and I am sure you will be successful, as you sow aloha whereever you go.

Do you have a plumber recommendation. You can e-mail me privately if you don't want the plumber to be booked up through 2010!

[macuu222]

We filter (county water) from the faucet just to be safe. Taste better also with no chlorine smell or taste.

[Kelena]

That leads me to a further question. Do most people feel comfortable with the water that is collected at the County water sites, such as the one near the main highway just before Pahoa?

What about the container. Is it necessary to sterilized the container and if so, how?

[jdirgo]

I had no hesitation in drinking and using my water for cooking, etc. You don't have to filter ALL the water, its true, but for the relatively small one-time expense, I didn't see any reason not to do it for all the water.

Glen, I emailed you the plumber's info and where I got my equipment.

John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Aloha Coast Realty, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com

[Les C]

quote:

---

These filters allow you to drink and cook with your catchment water, is that true? I don't think everyone there wants to treat all the water they collect. It doesn't have to be that pure to wash clothes, cars, shower, flush away, water plants, and do dishes.
I see water for sale outside of Walmart that is for drinking/cooking - I believe folks buy that and use their collected water for household use.
Now, how safe to drink is the county water that is piped across the island?

---

Your skin is quite an "organ" that absorbs a lot; it seems to make sense to be sure that the water you shower with is purified, too. As John D. points out, it's not a large cost to clean all of your water.

County water may be considered safe, but I sure don't like the taste. When our catchment tank was rebuilt, the tank was partially filled to give us some water to start with. We couldn't wait for that water to get diluted by rainwater! It had such a chemical taste.

[lquade]

Glen, cost depends alot on how handy you are. none of the filters are complex and can easily be done by a homeowner. i run 2 lines of 3 filters that then converge back into one line simply to keep up the water pressure, 2 sediments and a charcoal. i have no expensive fancy uv stuff and do have a micron filter right on the kitchen sink for further drinking water filtration. cost for everything couldnt have been 500$. i have had my home and drank the water since 1982 and i am not dead yet....linnette

[Robin C]

When we bought our house we had just one sediment filter. We've added a second sediment filter (5 micron) and the UV light. We did the install ourselves and it wasn't hard (and we're not all that handy).
We have to replace the 5 micron filter a lot (every couple of weeks) so I'm thinking of trying to install a first flush system to reduce sediment in the tank.

Upgrading your water filtration is a fairly easy change. Definitely not a reason to pass on an otherwise good house.

Robin