Borehole water treatment
IS WATER TREATMENT REQUIRED?
If you are using a water supply other than mains then water treatment of some kind will most probably be required. Supplies that have been used for generations may become suspect and natural water can become unsafe to humans.
Authorities have recognised this and legislation has made greater demands on purity for a wholesome drinking supply. Local Government requires that your supply meets these stringent conditions and parameters to continue to use it as a primary potable source. It can be condemned and if no treatment carried out you may be forced to discontinue its use as a supply.
The primary reasons are that scientific evidence has shown that ill health, infections, sometimes not so severe are caused by consuming suspect poor quality water, especially infants, elderly and infirm. Putting up with water that is not only sub-standard but dangerous to long term health may be a major problem.
WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED PROBLEMS?
Water dissolves small amounts of almost anything with which it comes into contact with. It may have absorbed contaminants from the atmosphere, gases from industry etc.
Once on the ground it may pick up bacteria from animals, in grazed areas it most certainly will. Water may enter aquafers where after percolation through rocks on the ground picks up and absorbs minerals, iron, manganese which gives a poor taste and unpleasant taint causing problems of staining laundry, sinks, baths and appliances etc. Calcium and Magnesium salts may be present which give hard water with the resultant scale deposition problems.
Low pH or acid waters from upland peat areas are corrosive, particularly to copper pipes and as well as staining a health hazard.
Appearance may be a less serious side effect but unpleasantness such as sediment, dirty, discoloured or very strong odour waters may be a bigger problem.
REMEDIAL ACTIONS
The supply of a water however poor may be treated effectively. However, it may take more than one single treatment to be effective and the treatment used appropriate to the specific problem.
Wherever possible the treatment will be as least complicated as to be achieved both efficiently and economically. Adequate sizing is imperative with flows, temperatures and storage all to be considered. It is far easier to reduce a flow through a treatment than increase it beyond its capability.A water sample should be taken and preferably a site survey, although not always necessary.
Information required should be as comprehensive as possible by the client to the water treatment company.
Water Analysis | (Problem Identified) |
On Site | (Supply, Well water, Tank) |
On Site | (Pipework required) |
On Site | (Plantroom or Housing) |
On Site | (Electrical and Plumbing) |
Design Flows | (Volume of water expected) |
Site Pressures | (Pumped supply or Natural feed) |
Maintenance | (Throughlife support/Spares) |
TYPES OF TREATMENT
A very varied collection of single to multiple problems may be solved from Chemical, Mechanical and Physical treatments.
Pre-treatment
These are normally Filters to enable the major problem to be effectively assisted before final polishing of quality. Booster pumps for flows to site.
Post-treatment
Bacteria removal or taste improvement, storage of water with pump for site supply.
Problems arising | Remedial Action |
BACTERIA | Ultra Violet (U. V.) Disinfection |
LOW pH/ACID WATER | pH raising Filter Unit |
IRON/MANGANESE | Media Filter Unit |
SEDIMENT/TURBIDITY | Media Filter Unit |
ORGANICS/COLOUR/TANNIN | Carbon Filter Ion Exchange |
TASTE/ODOUR | Carbon Filter |
TOXIC PESTICIDES | Carbon/Anthracite Filter |
HARDNESS | Water Softener |
NITRATES | Nitrate Removal Unit |
HYDROGEN SULPHIDE | Aerated Filter/Ozone |
ALUMINIUM | Specific Dedicated Filter |
LEAD | Specific Dedicated Filter |
HEAVY METALS | Specific Dedicated Filter |
MINERAL REDUCTION | Reverse Osmosis |
HydroChem staff have the experience to advise on installation requirements, however the clients needs are noted and acted upon.
Larger pieces of equipment may require a total floor area or approximately square metre and an outside housing, shed, lean-to may be necessary. Some equipment may fit inside a cellar or utility room. The smaller U.V. units and point of use filters adjacent to the drinking water tap.
Maintenance will be required to change filters, lamps etc. and servicing therefore provision must be made for this.
COSTS
The variables are great, however it is usual to have a full breakdown of costs before hand with options and alternatives.
A comprehensive package may consist of Pre-treatment with Booster pumps, Filters and final polishing unit with U.V. disinfection. Some may just be a filter. Costs vary between £50.00 to upwards of £2000 and above for larger schemes and multi occupancy uses and shared properties. Grants may be available with funding from Local Authorities.
HydroChem offers site visits with full analysis and a detailed report with schematics for any water related problem that may exist to remedy and improve poor water quality with a guaranteed quotation.
THROUGH LIFE SUPPORT
This is important the servicing and spares are fundamental to good practice and ensure the longevity of the unit and quality of the water. This also covers. older equipment that may have been added onto.
HydroChem has many types and makes of equipment that enables a full through life support package to allow the client to have best spares and repair facility available.
BENEFITS
Once the water is clean, sterile, taste free the health implications are removed. Both humans and mechanical appliances operate better.
Next to Oxygen, Water is the most important element in life, a body may live for weeks without food but not without water.
You are what you drink!
Find out more contact HydroChem (UK) Limited.
Water is a very serious business……..Thats why we make it our business.
Complete solutions for Water Treatment.




Private Water Supplies Regulations
These regulations say the Water must be wholesome to drink – defined by a list of bacterial and chemical parameters – see below. The allowed concentration of sodium is 200 mg/I, there is no mention of softened water. There are extra parameters for supplies over 10m3/day.
Drinking Water Quality Standards
Parameter |
Max Concentration |
|
Escherichia coli (Ecoli) |
0 | per 100 ml |
Enterococci |
0 | per 100 ml |
Acrylamide |
0.1 | µg/L |
Antimony |
5 | µg/L |
Arsenic |
10 | µg/L |
Benzene |
1 | µg/L |
Benzo(a)pyrene |
0.01 | µg/L |
Boron |
1 | µg/L |
Bromate |
10 | µg/L |
Cadmium |
5 | µg/L |
Chromium |
50 | µg/L |
Copper |
2 | µg/L |
Cyanide |
50 | µg/L |
1,2 dichloroethane |
3 | µg/L |
Epichlorohydrin |
0.1 | µg/L |
Fluoride |
1.5 | µg/L |
Lead |
10 | µg/L |
Mercury |
1 | µg/L |
Nickel |
20 | µg/L |
Nitrate |
50 | µg/L |
Nitrite |
0.5 | µg/L |
Pesticides |
Max Concentration |
|
Aldrin |
0.03 | µg/L |
Dieldrin |
0.03 | µg/L |
Heptachlor |
0.03 | µg/L |
Heptachlor epoxide |
0.03 | µg/L |
other pesticides |
0.1 | µg/L |
PAH |
0.1 | µg/L |
Selenium |
10 | µg/L |
Tetra & Trichloroethane |
10 | µg/L |
THM |
100 | µg/L |
Vinyl chloride |
0.5 | µg/L |
National Requirements |
Max Concentration | |
Aluminium |
200 | µg/L |
Chloride |
250 | mg/L |
Colour |
20 | mg/L pt/co |
Iron |
200 | µg/L |
Copper |
2000 | µg/L |
Manganese |
50 | µg/L |
Lead |
10 | µg/L |
Sodium |
200 | µg/L |
Sulphate |
250 | mg/L |
Nitrate |
50 | mg/L |
Trichloromethane |
3 | µg/L |
Turbidity |
4 | NTU |
pH |
6.5-9.5 | |
Conductivity |
<2500 | µg @ 20degC |
Water consumption figures
Human (average) |
160 Litres per day |
Bath (average) |
80 Litres |
Shower (5 Min) |
35 Litres |
Power Shower (5 Min) |
125 Litres |
Wash |
5 Litres |
Tap (running) |
6 Litres per minute |
Toilet |
6-9 Litres |
Washing Machine |
45 Litres |
Dish Washer |
20 Litres |
Hosepipe |
9 Litres per minute |
Note – the above figures are estimates
Horses |
40 Litres per day |
Sheep |
40 Litres per day |
Dry Cow |
50 Litres per day |
Milking Cow |
75 Litres per day |
Dairy Calf |
9 Litres per day |
Chickens per 100 |
20 Litres per day |
Pigs |
9 Litres per day |
Turkeys per 100 |
75 Litres per day |
Hog |
15 Litres per day |
Goats |
7 Litres per day |
Llama / Alpaca |
19 Litres per day |
Donkey |
22 Litres per day |

Contact us
To learn more about our services and products, or to get advice or more details, just get in touch.
The full range of HydroChem Services:

Water Treatment - Industrial
We are leading supplier of Legionella compliance services, water hygiene risk assessment, water treatment, installations and maintenance.

Water Treatment - Domestic
Assessing systems that may pose a risk to exposure to legionella, including humidifiers, air washers, emergency showers and indoor ornamental fountains.

Risk assessment
Ensuring all commercial premises have a statutory duty to control the risk of legionella bacteria in water systems.

Water Hygiene
Protecting the public from hazards associated with bacteria in water systems particularly Legionella.

Chemicals
We offer an extensive range of water treatment chemicals to suit all processes and requirements.

Chemical Cleaning & Disinfections
We have dedicated teams of experienced engineers to diagnose and give site specific recommendations.

Plant & Equipment
We offer a vast range to ensure that processes are effectively operated to their maximum advantage and costs.

Remedials
After a Legionella risk assessment, it is likely that corrective or improvement works are required to bring your system up to compliance.

Mould, Air & Surface Remediation
Our protocols allow a building or site be kept clean, environmentally sound and free of contamination.

Borehole Water Treatment
We offer an extensive range of borehole water treatment options to suit all processes and requirements.

