What are the methods to raise pH of well water?

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I am a homeowner in rural Maine with a dug well with 24 inch tiles. The pH of the water is approximately 6.2. Is it possible to raise the pH by placing a block of marble (calcium carbonate) in the well, or will I need to install a system that has to be backwashed? Water use is a concern as the well gets low during dry spells.

I would like to raise pH as the water appears to be slowly dissolving the pipes in my home. (blue-green staining, pinhole leaks) . Your help will be highly appreciated. Regards.

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9 Answers

  2. Perhaps plan B?

    Thank you all for your expertise and assistance. Unfortunately, it sounds as though the simple addition of some calcium carbonate will not have the desired result.

    On the other hand, I just heard about something call a soda-injection system that doesn't require backwashing. Is anyone familiar with these systems? Would one be appropriate in this situation?

     

  3. Marble in the well is likely a short-term fix

    Terrence, I'd be reluctant to put a chunk of marble in the well.  That may work for a little while, but I don't think it is a long-term solution to your problem. There's not much surface area with a single piece of stone, and surface area is needed to make the neutralization reaction go.  A common issue when using limestone to neutralize acidic water is that the surface of the limestone becomes coated with precipitates and stops working.  The geochemists call that passivation, and I think it could happen to your cube of marble.  The cube of marble may end up just sitting at the bottom of the well, while the water further up in the well is unaffected.  Then you'd put another chunk of marble in the well, then another... 

    The above-ground treatment systems are probably a better choice in the long run.  You can replace the solid material and backwash when needed.  Don't use lime - it is a different chemical (calcium oxide) than limestone (calcium carbonate).  Too much lime can make your pH very high, which also can cause corrosion issues.  Limestone can't get natural water much above a pH of 8.3 or so.  

    The calcium carbonate will likely make your water harder than it already is.  That can cause scaling and buildups in your pipes and your plumbing fixtures. It might be worthwhile to talk to a local water-treatment guy and see if adding a softener would make sense, or using something other than limestone to bring the pH up to 7 or so.

    Good luck!

  4. We must correct the cause, not the consequence

    Hi, Your solution is good, but expensive at first sight in time. I give some explanation: the water contents in the reservoir is acid in reaction to a first element.

    To correct the consequence will be expensive because the water is going to eat away your whole piping and a part of the tank.
    If it is about a superficial accumulator of water, it is can be because the ground is some sand?
    Either they are maybe concrete tiles ?
    In this case, it would be necessary better isolated and retained the water by a cover in PEHD (plactic high density).
    You can contact me to have better one analyze of the situation.

  5. It is important to keep in mind that the corrosiveness of the water can be increased by the installation of water softeners, aeration devices, increasing hotwater temperatures, chlorinating the water and improper matching of metal pipes. Some water treatment equipment such as softeners and aeration systems can aggravate corrosion. Softeners remove the protective calcium and magnesium, and introduce highly conductive sodium into the water.See this website for more details http://www.water-research.net/corrosion.htm

  7. Calcite

    Generally for residential applications people use granular calcite (calcium carbonate) in an up-flow contactor. You use granular material to get good hydraulic flow and to get enough surface area to actually dissolve the mineral. If you use too fine a granule they glue themselves together in a mass and then the system won't work. Firms like Kinetico or Culligan (just to name some common ones) are your best bet as they have pre-engineered systems that will do this. The ability of your water to dissolve the mineral will be based on temperature, time and "aggressiveness" meaning how corrosive the water is.  

     

     

  8. It would be good to talk to your county extension agent after you get a water quality analysis done (many state departments of health will provide an analysis at low cost). The marble may work, perhaps you can add it and experiment with marble and some water, running pH each day to see how quickly it will dissolve. There are other forms of calcium carbonate that can be added like powdered lime and you would need information on how much water approximately you will be treating. Many times pinhole leaks and the color you describe are the result of copper pipes corroding. The pH for copper should be above 7.4. The water quality analysis and county extension agent may be able to give you some tips for well water pH increase. Hope this helps.