Adsorption

Adsorption is a chemical process in which an ionic filter media is use. The filter attracts water contaminants and encourages these contaminants to break their bond with the water molecules.

Alachlor

Alachlor is an odorless, colorless solid, used as an herbicide for grasses and other broadleaf plants. Ingestion of Alachlor in drinking water can increase risk of cancer and cause liver and/or kidney damage.

Atrizine

Atrizine is a white, solid crystalline compound. It is currently the most widely used pesticide chemical. Ingestion of Atrizine can cause cancer and damage the cardiovascular system.

Benzene: Benzene is a colorless, aromatic liquid that is widely used in producing rubber, plastics, and other synthetic materials. Ingestion of Benzene can lead to cancer and/or chromosome aberrations.

Chlorine

Chlorine is a yellowish, poisonous gas with a pungent odor, widely used as a disinfectant in drinking water. Ingestion of chlorine can lead to bladder, rectal, and/or breast cancer.

Cryptosporidium: Cryptosporidium is a protozoan microbiological contaminant that is resistant to the disinfecting capabilities of chlorine. Ingestion of cryptosporidium generally leads to gastrointestinal illness.

Cysts

Cysts are chlorine-resistant microorganisms. When ingested in drinking water, they most commonly cause gastrointestinal illness, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.

Lead: Lead is a metal contaminant that occurs in drinking water as a result of the corrosion of pipes in a plumbing system. Ingestion of lead can cause severe developmental delays in children and kidney failure and/or stroke in adults.

Distillation

Boils water and recondenses the purified steam.

Used in: Countertop point-of-use or whole house/point-of-entry units; can be combined with a carbon filter.

Gets rid of: Heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and mercury, as well as arsenic, barium, fluoride, selenium and sodium.

Filtration

Filtration systems can be configured in many ways, and specific filters have varying degrees of capability to reduce specific mechanical (particle) or chemical contamination in your water.

Although some filters are designed to filter water for the whole house (also called Point of Entry or POE systems), most are designed to treat water coming from a single tap (also called Point of Use or POU systems). Manual filter systems such as pitchers must be filled as the water is used. Faucet filters and undersink systems are attached directly to the plumbing and treat water as it comes through the tap.

Depending on the design of the filter and the filtration media inside the unit (the physical material the water is filtered through), filters are able to reduce many types of contaminants, including those that affect the water’s taste, colour, or odour, and those that may cause health effects, such as chlorine, chlorination by-products, lead, and cysts.

Sediment Filtration

Water that appears cloudy or turbid is caused by particulates (such as rust, sand, or clay) found in the water. Sediment filters remove these particulates from water by trapping them either on the filter surface (e.g. pleated filter) or on-and-below its surface down to a centre core (e.g. stringwound or meltblown filter).

Sediment filters are rated by a “micron” number, referring to the particle size that will be trapped by the filter. For example, a 50 micron filter traps particles of 50 microns or larger, while a 2 micron cartridge traps particles of 2 microns or larger. NSF also certifies drinking water systems, via its Standard 42, for particulate reduction when a unit has shown, through independent testing, that it will reduce specific sized particles. These ratings will help you select the filter proven to meet your specific filtration needs.

Used in: Undersink units, prefilters for reverse osmosis systems, and whole house (POE) systems.

Gets rid of: Sediment, making water appear cleaner and clearer.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filtration

Positively charged and highly absorbent carbon in the filter attracts and traps many impurities. There are two filter types offering different filtering capabilities:

Granular activated carbon filters are generally inexpensive and effective at filtering aesthetic contaminants, those that affect taste or smell, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Solid block activated carbon filters are designed to be more effective at filtering biological contaminants (check to be sure that the filter “pore size” is smaller than 2 microns) and heavy metals including lead and mercury.

Used in: Pitcher, faucet and refrigerator/icemaker filters, and undersink units.

Gets rid of: Bad tastes and odors, including chlorine. NSF Standard 53-certified filters also can substantially reduce many hazardous contaminants, including heavy metals such as copper, lead and mercury; disinfection byproducts; parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium; pesticides; radon; and volatile organic chemicals such as methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), dichlorobenzene and trichloroethylene (TCE).

Grey Water Treatment Systems (or Graywater)

Grey water treatment systems collect and treat (some disinfect) the water to various levels of purity and hygiene. Several stages are involved in the treatment of water, such as:

Filtration of solids (lint and hair)
Removal of pathogens and unwanted chemicals (such as salts and nutrients) using either micro-organisms or chemical treatment
Disinfection by chlorination or UV light, though not all systems do this.

Treated water can be used in washing machines, and toilets, as well as on the garden.

Langelier Saturation Index

The Langelier Index is an approximate indicator of the degree of saturation of calcium carbonate in water. It is calculated (58 KB) using the pH, alkalinity, calcium concentration, total dissolved solids, and water temperature of a water sample collected at the tap.

Lindane

Lindane is a white, crystalline powder that is commonly used as a chemical in pesticides. Ingestion of Lindane can result in liver and/or kidney damage.

MCLG

MCLG stands for the maximum contaminant level goal, as set by the EPA. The MCLG is the amount of a particular contaminant that may be present in drinking water before any adverse health effects will occur.

Micron Rating

A Micron is a unit of measure in the metric system equal to 1 millionth of a meter in length. The average cross section of a human hair is 50 microns. The human eye cannot see anything smaller than 40 microns in size.

A Micron Rating is used to indicate the ability of a liquid filter to remove contaminants by the size of the particles.

Standard Micron ratings for filters are:

1 micron
5 micron
20 micron

Micron Comparisons

Substance Microns

Table Salt 100

Human Hair (average diameter) 50 - 70

White Blood Cell 25

Talcum Powder 10

Cocoa 8 - 10

Red Blood Cell 8

Bacteria (cocci) 2

http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com.au/water-glossary/

MTBE

MTBE is a chemical compound, typically used as a fuel oxygenate or additive to unleaded gasoline. The specific health risks of MTBE are currently pending EPA investigation.

National Resources Defence Council

The National Resources Defence Council (NRDC) is a political action group that seeks to protect the environment and the nations natural resources.

National Sanitation Foundation

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is a non-profit organization designed to assess the safety of consumer products that are specifically related to food, water, air quality, and the environment.

Oxidation

An oxidizing agent such as chlorine or potassium permanganate is used to oxidize the iron or manganese to an insoluble form, which can then be filtered out of the water. The filter must be backwashed and the oxidizing agent must be replenished regularly.

Used in: Whole house/point-of-entry systems.

Gets rid of: Excessive levels of iron, manganese, or hydrogen sulfide.

pH

pH is the measure of the general acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 being neutral.

Phthalate

Phthalate is a chemical typically used in the production of plastic materials. When ingested in water, phthalate can lead to cancer, miscarriage, premature birth, and asthma.

ppm

ppm is an abbreviation for “parts per million”. It can also be expressed as mg/L or milligrams per Litre. This measurement is the mass of a chemical or contaminant per unit volume of water.

Purification

The removal of contaminants from something

Redox

Redox, or reduction-oxidation, is a process in which an exchange of electrons occurs between two chemical elements. Reduction refers to the loss of an electron while oxidation is the acquisition of an electron.

Reticulation Water

The piped-water network supply. Also referred to as Mains water.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

RO uses pressure to force water with a high concentration of a contaminant through a semi-permeable membrane. The water can pass back through the membrane, but the contaminant cannot, thus removing the contaminant from the water.

These systems produce a significant amount of wastewater and filter water very slowly. A pressurized storage tank is usually installed in the home so that water is available to meet the demand for drinking and cooking, with special faucet installed at the kitchen sink.

Used in: Undersink units, often in combination with a carbon filter or UV disinfection unit. This method is often used to treat brackish or saline water.

Gets rid of: Metals and minerals from water, including sodium, chloride, and heavy metals such as copper, chromium, and lead. In addition, some of these systems can also reduce contaminants such as microorganisms, arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, and other chemicals.

Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration (UF) is a membrane separation process that allows removal of suspended solids based upon pore size. The pore size of UF membranes varies widely depending upon the material, manufacturing process, and intended use/application of the membrane.

Used in: Whole house/POE systems, Reverse Osmosis feed water pre-treatment

Gets rid of: Turbidity, cysts, bacteria, viruses, and suspended solids that might “break through” conventional filters.

Sanitisation

Making something sanitary (free of germs) as by sterilizing

SOCs

Synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs) are man-made chemicals that can make their way into drinking water. Ingestion of SOCs in drinking water has been linked to at least four types of cancer.

Sterilization

Refers to any process that eliminates (removes) or kills (deactivates) all forms of life and other biological agents

TCE or Trichloroethylene

This chemical compound is a halocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent.

TCE is a liquid chemical, similar to chloroform, that is often used as a degreasing agent. Ingestion of TCE in drinking water can lead to problems with the liver and increased risk of cancer.

Trickle Feed/Constant Flow water supply

A Trickle Feed/constant flow area is an area where the service water provider will restrict the flow rate at the water meter to 2-4 Litres per minute. This is normally performed at the completion of dwelling construction, or where water pressure/flow rates are inadequate.

Water Supply for the premises will normally incorporate both the Trickle Feed from Water Mains (reticulated system), and stored potable water from rainwater tanks. A pump is typically installed.

Trihalomethanes or THMs

Trihalomethanes are chemical compounds in which three of the four hydrogen atoms of methane are replaced by halogen atoms. They are also referred to as THM’s, and find uses in industry as solvents or refrigerants.

THMs are chemicals that occur in drinking water as a by-product of water chlorination. They are highly carcinogenic and can affect nervous system, kidney, and liver functioning.

Normal advice from councils and non-water industry departments is to use Chlorine as a solution to disinfect water supplies. This has the potential to lead to THMs as they are the by-product of chlorination of water that contains natural organic matter.

Following are some of the most common THM compounds:

Dibromochloromethane (CHCIBr₂)
Bromoform (CHBr₃)
Chloroform (CHCl₃)
Dichlorobromomethane (CHCl₂Br)

The sum of these 4 compounds is referred to as Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

PWS uses AqueousPro™50™ as a water purifying product, instead of chlorine. It is approved under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), for potable water treatment. See section 4.2 of this module for details.

Ultra Violet Filtration System

Ultra-Violet water purification systems use special lamps that emit UV light of a particular wavelength that have the ability to disrupt the DNA of micro-organisms. A UV water purification system effectively destroys 99.9% of waterborne microorganisms. UV lamps remove microorganisms but do not remove contaminants such as heavy metals, salts, chlorine or man-made substances like petroleum or pharmaceuticals. UV water filtration has proven to be one of the most reliable, quick, and cost-effective methods for disinfecting water. Especially when paired with filters for other contaminants.

Ultraviolet Disinfection

Ultraviolet light is one of natures’ powerful disinfectants. Used at the right wavelength and intensity, UV light can destroy microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. The water flows around a clear UV bulb, and the light destroys the genetic material of the pathogens, thus preventing it from reproducing. Some systems are designed for the treatment of specific types of bacteria only; so you’ll want to check to be sure the system you purchase will meet your specific needs based on your water analysis. The efficiency of any UV system is affected by the clarity of the incoming water supply, so you may need to treat your water to remove solid particles through filtration prior to treatment via the UV system. Dirt, metals, and chemicals cannot be reduced through a UV system.

Used in: Whole house/point-of entry and undersink/point-of-use units, often in combination with a carbon and/or sediment prefilter.

Gets rid of: Bacteria (including e. coli and other coliform bacteria, streptococcus, salmonella, staphylococcus), viruses (including influenza), fungi and algae. (Note that UV systems are NOT effective in treating certain types of parasites, including cryptosporidium and giardia lamblia).

Later evidence suggests that UV is effective against cysts, but requires contact time. Pristine recommends pre-filtration to 1 micron to remove cysts prior to UV sterilisation.

Cation Exchange / Softening (Water Softeners)

Cation exchange reduces the level of hardness (“softens”) water through the use of a material called a “cation exchange resin.” An ion is an electrically charged atom or group of atoms, and a cation is a positively charged ion. The material used in most home water softeners contains sodium or potassium “cations,” which can exchange with the hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) in your water as it passes over the resin. This exchange process removes the harness ions and leaves them in the resin. The resin must be regenerated or “recharged” by passing a concentrated brine of sodium chloride or potassium chloride through the system. This process replaces the calcium and magnesium ions previously filtered out of the water with positively charged sodium ions, so the resin bed is ready to use again.

Used in: Whole house, point-of-entry units. (Note: A bypass valve is used to allow water to flow to the house when the system is regenerating.

Gets rid of: Calcium and magnesium, which form mineral deposits in plumbing and fixtures, as well as barium and some other ions that can create health hazards.

Underwriters Laboratories

The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a consumer health and certification organization that evaluates products for health and safety risks.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) refer to a large number of chemicals that can occur in drinking water as a result of human industry. These chemicals can cause cancer and affect liver and kidney functioning when ingested in drinking water.

12.0 Glossary of Terms

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Module 1 - The Franchise System

Module 2 - Administration and PODAC/ITF

Module 3 - Technical Information and OH&S

1.0 Background of the Water Industry

2.0 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) Introduction

3.0 Common Water Borne Diseases

4.0 Chemicals and Substances found in Water

5.0 Pristine Water Systems Chemicals and Treatments

6.0 Water Testing/Analysis & Results

7.0 Industry Certifications

8.0 Safe Work Australia / Workplace Health & Safety / Occupational Health & Safety

9.0 Filtration & Ultraviolet Products

10.0 Types of Tanks

11.0 Other PWS Products & Equipment

12.0 Glossary of Terms

Module 3 - Appendix

Module 3 Quiz

Module 4 - Operations - Standards

1.0 Introduction

2.0 The PWS Process

3.0 Planning your Work Schedule

4.0 Planning Product Ordering

5.0 Water Testing

6.0 AqueousPro™ 50 Water Sanitiser

7.0 Water Tank Cleaning

8.0 Filtration / Sterilisation Supply (Assembly)

9.0 Ongoing Service and Maintenance

10.0 PWS Standards

11.0 AqueousAir™ Assembly & Installation Instructions

Module 4 - Appendix

Module 4 Quiz

Module 5 - Sales, Marketing, Quoting & Invoicing

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Advertising & Marketing

3.0 Selling PWS / Selling Yourself

4.0 Assessments & Quoting

5.0 Invoicing

Module 5 Appendix

Module 5 Quiz

Module 6 - Equipment Maintenance

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Vehicle Maintenance

3.0 Equipment Maintenance

Module 6 Quiz

In-Field Quick Reference Guide Content