High Quality Water Solutions for Healthcare, Hospitals and Biopharmaceutical

Posted on July 26, 2012 by wate3079

Medical and industrial water quality is critical. Culligan provides matrix solutions for industrial and medical applications including hospitals, healthcare and biopharmaceutical operations. Do you require:

  • Multi megaohm ultra-pure water
  • UV sanitization and sterilization
  • Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT, IQ, OQ, PQ)
  • Validated Acceptance Testing (VAT)

Call your Culligan Man to find the right solutions for your medical, healthcare or industrial operation.

From the Culligan International Site we learn:

Fully Validated Systems for Ultra Pure Water

Bio-pharmaceutical producers demand high quality water with the fewest dissolved solids possible, for consistency in a variety of processes. Culligan Matrix Solutions modules include technologies that process water through Softeners, Filters, Reverse Osmosis, and Continuous Electro-Deionization. These modules can produce multi megohm-cm, or ultra pure water for consistency in lab experiments. Systems also feature UV sanitization and sterilization to reduce contamination and microbiological growth.

Flexibility to Successfully Meet the Highest Standards

Culligan Matrix Solutions is and end-to-end complete water treatment system, because the modular design can be customized to meet your exact requirements. Culligan engineers design a solution by first conducting a site and water analysis. Results are verified by Culligan’s own NELAP-accredited analytical laboratory. These results are considered along with your requirements for feed water, production, material and site requirements. This helps us design a water treatment solution, which performs at the level and quality you require.

Advanced Electronic Capabilities for an Integrated Solution

Culligan Matrix Solutions systems use cost-effective historical operating data logging, remote monitoring and telemetry to help customers monitor and trend the performance of their water treatment equipment. With this information customers can respond proactively to alarms to promote consistency of production while reducing business risk.

Depend on Our Consultative Approach and Reliable Service

The revolutionary, modular design provides a complete, end-to-end solution for your particular set of needs. With the periodic maintenance checks and ongoing service available from Culligan, we can help you operate at improved efficiency.

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High Efficiency Water Softener for Commercial Use Introduced by Culligan

Posted on May 26, 2012 by wate3079

This announcement is republished in its entirety from Culligan International Company -

Culligan Introduces High Efficiency Water Softener for Commercial Use

Feature Rich Softener Meets Wide Range of Customers’ Water Quality, Operational Efficiency Needs 

CHICAGO, IL – July 21, 2011 – Culligan, a leading global innovator of advanced filtration and water softening solutions for more than 70 years, unveiled its innovative High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener as part of its Culligan Matrix Solutions™ water treatment systems, which provide greater flexibility, speed to market and cost savings to commercial and industrial companies.  Culligan’s HE Water Softener offers commercial users a range of advanced features and options based on their unique water usage and quality requirements. Its unique design addresses the most common user concerns such as: operating, labor and maintenance costs, as well as the impact of poor water quality on operational efficiency and customer service levels.

“Selecting the right pre-treatment solution is the first step commercial users can take to help reduce scale, extend the life of their equipment, reduce maintenance costs and promote consistent production,” said Kerry Quinn, Vice President Engineering, Culligan International. “The Culligan HE Softener can help users achieve accelerated return on investment and improved operational efficiency.”

Advanced Product Options to Meet Every Need

The Culligan HE Water Softener is among one the most efficient commercial water softening solutions available. Users can customize the system with these exclusive product features:

  • Aqua-Sensor®: Culligan’s patented digital Aqua-Sensor adjusts to influent water conditions and signals the need for regeneration based on resin bed exhaustion and controls the duration of the regeneration cycle. As a result, customers are able to reduce operating costs and accelerate return on investment through significant water and salt savings.
  • Brine Reclaim: Users can cut their salt consumption up to 25 percent with Culligan’s brine reclaim feature. With this feature in place, the system can be designed based on a user’s overall water management and wastewater minimization needs, as well as their sustainability goals.
  • Culligan Smart Controller: The exclusive Culligan Smart Controller allows users to monitor their water treatment equipment’s performance; consumable usage and equipment maintenance needs at a single site or across multiple ones 24 hours a day. With this feature, users can reduce labor costs associated with maintaining the system.
  • Telemetry: With telemetry options, users can connect the system via landline or cellular phone to qualified Culligan service technicians. This allows Culligan to monitor the system centrally and service it locally.  Monitoring options include: days since last regeneration, brine line blockage and number of salt days remaining.

Additionally, the Culligan HE Water Softener also addresses common ease-of-use challenges.  Its remote display can be placed up to 200 feet away from the softener, making it easy to monitor the system even if it is located in an area that is difficult to access or far from a manager’s office. Additionally, the system’s five year battery back-up retains programming parameters and historical data, which eliminates the need to reset parameters after a power outage.

Delivers the Benefits of Soft Water Across Multiple Commercial Applications

As part of Culligan Matrix Solutions advanced line of water softeners, the Culligan HE Water Softener reduces the accumulation of harmful scale in equipment caused by iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese ions. Softened water can reduce  the impact of poor quality water in a range of commercial applications, such as:

  • Decreased water usage and improved softness when cleaning hotel linens
  • Lowered maintenance and operating costs associated with the cleaning and sanitization of food service equipment
  • Improved consistency of results in lab projects
  • Improved efficiency of manufacturing process applications
  • Reduced utility costs associated with boilers and hot water pre-treatment in education facilities

Available Today

With 800+ Culligan dealers in more than 90 countries, Culligan’s highly skilled field professionals are readily available to assess customer needs, and then design, manufacture, install, train and service its customers’ Culligan HE Water Softener over the lifespan of the equipment.  For more information or to contact a Culligan dealer near you, visit www.culliganmatrixsolutions.com or call 1-877-816-5103.

About Culligan 

Culligan a leading global innovator of advanced water softening and filtration solutions for more than 70 years, has redefined industrial water treatment with its Culligan Matrix Solutions.  Businesses today require end-to-end water treatment systems that are faster, better and more cost-effective.  Culligan Matrix Solutions deliver on all three with its single-source, comprehensive water treatment technology platform for virtually any industry and almost every application – from process water and ingredient (product) water to capture, re-use and recycle, and more.  Additional information about Culligan Matrix Solutions can be found at www.culliganmatrixsolutions.com or by calling 1-877-816-5103.

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Better Water Pure and Simple for Texoma with Culligan

Posted on January 29, 2012 by wate3079

Pure and simple – better tasting, better smelling and better looking water with Culligan Texoma.

Texoma has hard water… so … How does hard water affect you and your household or your business.
True to its name, hard water can hit you – and your pocket – hard. It works against you in most indoor uses, such as bathing, washing dishes, and shaving. It can clog plumbing in appliances, cutting down on efficiency and hiking up energy and maintenance bills.Make better coffee with Culligan Filtered Water or Bottled Water

Treated water means less housework:

  • Cleaner sinks, bathtubs, fixtures and tile
  • Cleaner, brighter laundry
  • Less time spent scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom

The difference between softening water and filtering water.

What happens when you filter or soften water? Filtering water involves separating mineral particles, like manganese, iron, hydrogen sulfide or other organic matter, from pure H2O with a treatment process. Our treatment process involves passing water through a “filter bed,” or “media bed,” these granular particles are trapped – and clean, purified water passes through the bed.

Softening water involves something called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese and these can’t be trapped in a filter bed. Softeners use fresh resin beads with sodium attached to the resin so that as water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin. The resin passes up the sodium in exchange for the dissolved chemicals and the water is then rid of these impurities.

Which do you need?
Whether you use a filter or a softener depends on whether the contaminates in your water are particles or dissolved minerals. Culligan® Water Filters remove the substances from your water that can cause staining, foul odors, and the need for excessive cleanup. Household chores become easier because your water is working with you, not against you. To find out what’s ailing your water, contact your local Culligan Man Rolf Berg for a free water analysis.

Easier living with softer water:
* Softer, smoother skin
* Shinier hair
* Softer, fluffier laundry
* Easier household cleaning
* Less soap, shampoo, and detergent use
* Water heating bills reduced by up to 29%

Choosing the water quality improvement system that’s right for you and your family does not have to be a chore.  Your local Culligan Man Rolf Berg can help you with solutions for your water problems.

Contact us through this site or by phone at (903)465-6644, Toll Free (800)903-9903

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Bottled Water or Drinking Water is Better with Culligan Texoma

Posted on January 29, 2012 by wate3079

Culligan Water Makes Life Better All Over Your Home.

Investing in a Culligan water treatment solution is one of the most beneficial upgrades you can make to your Texoma home or business.Soft Bottled Drinking Water Tip

Benefits of a Drinking Water System  

  • Clean, pure and refreshing drinking water for your entire family.
  • Better taste in everything including more flavorful coffee and drinks.
  • Have great water at home that is less expensive and less hassle than buying and carrying bottled water.
  • Send less waste to the Texoma area landfills.
  • A greener, more environmentally friendly solution to plastic bottles.

Benefits of Water Softening 

  • Imagine Cleaning the tile and fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms with much less work.
  • Enjoy cleaner, softer laundry, using less detergent and less fabric stiffening residue.
  • Healthier, smoother, more luxurious skin and hair while using less shampoo and body wash.
  • Water heaters, dishwashers and other appliances work more efficiently and last longer

Committed to the Environment and the Community. Culligan Texoma Bottled Water

Social Commitment – At Culligan Texoma, and as part of both the Texoma and Culligan community we are “committed to delivering environmentally friendly products and solutions that minimize the impact on the environment while bringing benefits to our customers”. We can tell you more about Culligan’s recent innovations including the Culligan High-Efficiency series of water conditioners and Culligan’s ENERGY STAR rated Bottle-Free® coolers that help businesses reduce the use and disposal of plastic bottles.

Culligan Cares™ – Culligan participates in disaster relief programs globally and locally. Culligan International has partnered with Convoy of Hope in Haiti to provide clean water in an eco-friendly way, using portable filtration systems instead of plastic water bottles. In Japan, we provided bottled water to residents affected by the tsunami. The local Culligan Man participates in his community, supporting local events, providing water in an emergency, and leading in local water issues.

A Smart Choice for Your Home, Your Health and the Environment.

Our drinking water and soft water treatment solutions offer a number of environmentally friendly benefits and these include:

  • Reduce the harsh chemicals you use around the house.
  • Reduce energy use. Culligan’s products are energy-efficient, and our Culligan Bottle-Free® coolers are ENERGY STAR rated.
  • Contribute to water conservation by minimizing dirty water discharge. Your dishwasher and washing machine will use less detergent and soap and reduce the amount of surfactants in the wastewater treatment process.
  • Clean up our Texoma landfills. Drink fewer single-serve bottles of water, saving thousands of bottles from ending up in landfills.
  • Recycle. Culligan recycles or reuses 5-gallon water bottles, which saves even more landfill space, emissions and oil.

 

 

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Common Water Problems – Culligan Texoma General Guide

Posted on January 22, 2012 by wate3079

This chart is from the Culligan Texoma main site and is intended to serve only as a general guide for determining the cause of problems with water and some solutions you can use to treat water that does not taste good, leaves scum on surfaces, shortens the life of your water heater and other water quality issues.  In some cases, these symptoms may indicate a serious problem, or even a safety issue,  in others, only the taste and smell may be affected. Culligan cannot guarantee the exact cause of any water quality problem. For more information and a free water evaluation contact Your Texoma Culligan Man Rolf Berg at (903)465-6644 or Toll Free (800)903-9903 or use our contact us form.

Symptom
Possible Cause
Possible Health Effects
Means of Treatment
Soap scum in sinks & bathtub
Calcium (limestone) and magnesium salts. (Hard Water)
Aesthetic only
Water softener
Abrasive texture to water when washing or residual left in sink.
Excessively fine sand, silt in water.
Various — sand could trap contaminants leading to health risk.
Point of use Sediment filter or whole house filter
Musty, earthy or wood smell.
Generally, harmless organic matter.
Aesthetic only
Activated carbon filter or reverse osmosis
Chlorine smell.
Excessive chlorination.
Could occur from formation of disinfection byproducts
Dechlorinate with point of use activated carbon filter or whole house filter
Rotten egg odor – tarnished silverware.
1. Dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas.

2. Presence of sulfate reducing bacteria in raw water.
Various effects

1. Manganese greensand filter – constant chlorination followed by filtration/ dechlorination.

2. Constant chlorination followed with a point of use activated carbon filter or whole house filter

Hot water, rotten egg odor.
Action of magnesium rod in hot water heater.
Various Effects
Remove magnesium rod from heater
Detergent odor, water foams when drawn.
Seepage of septic discharge into underground water supply.
Disease-causing microorganisms may be present

1. Locate and eliminate source of seepage – then heavily chlorinate well.

2. Activated point of use carbon filter or whole house system will adsorb limited amount
Gasoline or oil (hydro-carbon) smell.
Leak in fuel oil tank or gasoline tank seeping into water supply.
Fuel components may be toxic or carcinogenic
No residential treatment. Locate and eliminate seepage
Methane gas.
Naturally occurring caused by decaying organics.
Various effects
Aeration system and repump
Phenol smell (chemical odor).
Industrial waste seeping into surface or ground water supplies.
Various — compounds may be carcinogenic
Point of use activated carbon filter or whole house system will adsorb short-term.
Salty or brackish.
High sodium content.
Aesthetic only

1. Deionize drinking water only with disposable mixed bed – anion/cation resins; or

2. Reverse osmosis ; or

3. Home distillation system.
Alkali taste.
High dissolved mineral containing alkalinity. (Stained aluminum cookware.)
Aesthetic only
Reduce by reverse osmosis
Metallic taste.

1. Very low pH water (3.0-5.5).

2. Heavy iron concentration in water above 3.0 ppm Fe.

3. Leaching of lead and copper
Various — depends on cause

1. Neutralizing calcite filter down to pH of 5.5, or

2. Calcite/ Magnesia – oxide mix (5 to 1) for higher flow rate and to correct very low pH water.

3. Soda ash chemical feed followed by filtration.

For Iron
1. A water softener can remove 0.5 ppm of Fe+ for every grain/gal of hardness to 10 ppm with a minimum pH of 6.7.

2. Over 10 ppm Iron, chlorination with sufficient retention tank time for full oxidation followed by filtration/ dechlorination.

3. In warm climates residual aerator and filtration will substantially reduce iron content.
Dirt, salt, clay.
Suspended matter in surface water pond, stream or lake.
Turbid water may contain disease causing microorganisms
“Calcite” or Neutralize (media) type filter – up to 50 ppm
Sand grit, silt or clay substances.
Well sand from new well or defective well screen.
Turbid water may contain disease causing microorganisms
Sand trap and/or new well screen
Rust in water.
Acid water causing iron “pick-up.”
Turbid water may contain disease causing microorganisms
Neutralizing calcite filter to correct low pH acidity and remove precipitated iron
Green stains on sinks. Blue-green look to water..
Water which has high carbon dioxide content (pH below 6.8) reacting with brass and copper pipes and fittings.
Could lead to health effects if acid water causes leaching of lead and copper

1. Neutralizing calcite filter down to pH of 5.5, or 

2. Calcite/ Magnesia – oxide mix (5 to 1) for higher flow rate and to correct very low pH water.

3. Soda ash chemical feed followed by filtration.
Gray string-like fiber.
Organic mater in raw water algae, etc.
Turbid water may contain disease causing microorganisms
Constant chlorination followed by a point of use activated carbon filter to or whole house system to dechlorinate.
Brown-red stains on sinks or clothing. Water turns brown-red when used for cooking.
1. Dissolved iron in influent (more than 0.3 ppm Fe+) water appears clear when first drawn at cold water faucet. Above 0.3 ppm Fe causes staining.
Various effects

1. A water softener can remove 0.5 ppm of Fe+ for every grain/gal of hardness to 10 ppm with a minimum pH of 6.7.

2. Over 10 ppm Fe+ chlorination with sufficient retention tank time for full oxidation followed by filtration/ dechlorination.

3. In warm climates residual aerator and filtration will substantially reduce iron content.
Brown-red stains on sinks or clothing. Water turns brown-red when used for cooking.
2. Precipitate iron (water will not clear when drawn).
Various effects
1. Up to 10 ppm iron removed by manganese greensand filter, if pH 6.7 or higher, or;

2. Manganese treated, non-hydrous aluminum silicate filter where pH of 6.8 or higher and oxygen is 15% of total iron content.

3. Downflow water softener with good backwash, up to 1.0 ppm Fe. Above 1 ppm to 10 ppm use calcite filter followed by downflow water softener.

Calcite media type filter to remove precipitated iron.
Brownish cast does not precipitate.
Iron pick-up from old pipe with water having a pH below 6.8. Organic (bacterial) iron.
Various effects

1. Treat well to destroy iron bacteria with solution of hydrochloric acid then constant chlorination followed by a point of use activated carbon filter or whole house system to for dechlorination.

2. Potassium permanganate chemical feed followed by filtration.
Reddish color in water sample after standing 24 hours.
Colloidal iron.
Various effects
Constant chlorination followed by a point a of use activated carbon media filter or whole house system for dechlorination.
Yellowish cast to water after softening and/or filtering.
Tannins (humic acids) in water from peaty soil and decaying vegetation.
Various effects

1. Adsorption via special macro-porous Type I anion exchange resin regenerated with salt (NaCl) up to 3.0 ppm.

2. Manganese greensand or manganese treated sodium alumino-silicate under proper set of conditions.
Cloudiness of water when drawn.

1. Some precipitant sludge created during heating of water.

2. High degree of air in water from poorly functioning pump.

3. Excessive coagulant-feed being carried through filter.
1. Various effects

2. Aesthetic only

3. Various effects

1. Blow down domestic or commercial hot water heater tank periodically.

2. Water will usually clear quickly upon standing.

3. Reduce coagulant quantity being fed, service filters properly.
Blackening and pitting of stainless steel sinks.

1. Excessive salt content.

2. High temperature drying creates high chloride concentration accelerating corrosion.
Various effects

1. Use other chloride resistant metals.

2. Reduce total dissolved solids by reverse osmosis .
Posted in Culligan Water, Filtration Systems, Reverse Osmosis, Water Quality, Water Testing, Water Treatment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

WasteWater and Energy Production – Biofuels and Clean Water

Posted on January 22, 2012 by wate3079

We at Culligan of Texoma are primarily concerned with providing cleaner and better tasting water for you and your family in your home and at your business, in this article we discuss biofuels and wastewater treatment.

In June of 2010, Columbia University in New York City posted an article entitled Prof. Banta Q&A: Genetic Engineering for Creating Biofuels.

The federal government has awarded Scott Bantaa $543,394 grant to launch new research on using genetic engineering to create less expensive, more efficient biofuels.

 Banta, an associate professor of chemical engineering, has had significant success collaborating with colleagues in other departments in the School. He has worked with Professor Barclay Morrison III, of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, on a project seeking to create specific cell penetrating peptides that can cross the blood-brain barrier and target specific brain cell populations.
On this project Banta is working with two co-principal investigators: Kartik Chandran, an assistant professor of earth and environmental engineering, and Alan West, professor of chemical engineering.
Vice President Joe Biden announced the award as part of a $106 million program funding 37 energy research projects around the country. The Recovery Act Funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA–E) is administered by the Department of Energy (DOE).

In a separate article we read:

The team aims to use genetic engineering to devise a new metabolic pathway for a bacterium called N. europaea, which is commonly used in wastewater treatment, with the ultimate goal of reducing the cost of butanol production. The cost factor is important because right now ethanol has the advantage on price, but butanol has properties that would make it easier to integrate into the existing distribution and transportation network.

From the Columbia University article, the key question asked of Dr. Banta is “What is new about this research”.

Prof. Banta – Other researchers have worked on engineering organisms to make biofuels, but this will be the first time that an ammonia-oxidizing organism has been used for this purpose which places this research at the nexus of two critical global challenges – energy and water.

Clean energy production and clean water for your home, family and business goes hand in hand. Dr. Banta’s site provides the following information on Protein Engineering and Biofuel Cells:

It is becoming increasingly clear that our current global reliance on petroleum for transportation and other energy needs is not sustainable. As we explore other energy sources to meet ever rising energy demands, we will also need to explore new energy carriers and energy distribution systems. Fuel cells offer significant advantages in that they have the potential to convert chemical energy directly to electrical energy with minimal environmental impact. A standard fuel cell consists of an anode and a cathode, such that electrons are extracted from the fuel using a catalyst on the anodic side, and after passing through the external electrical circuit, they are combined with oxygen using a catalyst on the cathodic side, resulting in the production of water. Ideally, the catalysts should be robust, stable, specific, and highly active. Precious-metal based catalysts are very stable and active, but their use can be hampered by specificity issues. On the other end of the spectrum, the most specific and active catalysts known are enzymes, but these biological molecules do not have the stability of metal catalysts. Enzymes have already been naturally evolved to promote the transfer of electrons between substrates with an exquisite level of specificity. Unfortunately, they have not been evolved to operate in biofuel cells, and thus they will need to be further engineered in order to perform in this artificial environment.

Energy research, energy production and keeping out water distribution, treatment and transportation systems clean so we have better tasting water in our homes and available to our businesses and food production industry has been demonstrated to be tightly correlated in our own home state of Texas. Petroleum industries require water for their production and must maintain production control standards in order to keep our potable water supply pure. Developing new energy sources through research on wastewater treatment and energy production may provide even better water treatment.

If you are concerned about the quality of your water for your family and your business. Contact us, just call and say “Hey Culligan Man”!

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Your Texoma Home – Dishwasher Detergent, Phosphates and Hard Water

Posted on January 12, 2012 by wate3079

Did you know that there is a movement in place to ban phosphates in dishwasher detergent? In 2010, there were thirteen states plus the District of Columbia that had either passed legislation or have legislation pending that would ban phosphates in automatic dish detergent.Soft Bottled Drinking Water Tip

A few states, including Washington, Massachusetts and Maryland have already adopted restriction on phosphates in residential dish detergents. A federal bill was also introduced (S.3022) to prohibit the sale of dishwashing detergent in the United States if the detergent contains a high level of phosphate.

Below is some feedback/information on the use of eco–friendly dishwasher detergent. Many people were shocked to find that the eco–friendly dishwasher detergent left their dishes encrusted with food, smeared with grease and too gross to use without rewashing them by hand. The culprit was hard water.

Several manufacturers of the eco–friendly dishwasher detergent recommend using a water softener on hard water. The Washington Lake Protection Association has launched a campaign to encourage people to give the environmentally friendly brands a fair chance. The group suggests consumers experiment with different brands or install water softeners to help the green detergents work better.

Consumers can be even greener using less soap. Hard water requires considerable more soap than soft water to get the same lathering effect. That means they’re dispensing more detergent back into the environment, even if it is a low phosphate brand.

Consumers use less water to get the same cleaning results. The attached article states that using hard water with a low phosphate detergent requires up to 5 gallons more water, which isn’t environmentally friendly, either. This concern is even more acute for regions that have water shortage issues to begin with.

How can you find out how to be more environmentally friendly? Say ‘Hey Culligan Man’ and let’s do the soap comparison test with their customers using the eco–friendly dishwasher detergent. You will see for yourself the benefits of softened water and the need
for a water softener in your home.

Having a water softener will assist in complying with state laws banning phosphate detergent while experiencing the full benefits of sudsy lather that thoroughly cleans.

Contact Us to find our more!

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Water Quality for Private Wells Near Fracking Operations – Part 2

Posted on January 8, 2012 by wate3079

Part 2 on Water quality for homeowners with private water wells was discussed in a recent article from H2O Quality Magazine by Marianne R. Metzger, GPG Business Manager, National Testing Laboratories, Ltd. This is the second post on this subject.

Texoma residents that are concerned about their drinking water quality for their homes and business, whether from private wells or public sources, can have their water tested by certified laboratories. In this post we provide the information from the above mentioned article relating to lab certification and water sample collection particularly in respect to private wells near fracking or hydro-fracking gas drilling operations.

Lab Certification – When testing is intended to meet a regulatory requirement or may be sued in potential litigation, it should be done by a certified laboratory. Ideally the lab should be certified by the state in which the testing site is located. Each state has their own set of requirements for certification, with 12 states participating the in National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. The certification programs are broken down into various segments, for example there are certifications for the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Given that it is drinking water we are concerned with, you might speculate that you want a lab certified under the SDFW program. However, many of the contaminants you might test for in the groundwater are contaminants not regulated under the SDWA, so no certification may be available for things such as methane and ethane. With this in mind there may not be a single lab that has all the certifications and also certification may not exist in some states.

Chain of Custody and Sample Collection – While testing may be used for litigation it is important to establish and maintain a chain of custody. Chair of custody refers to the “paper trail” of documents which outline the chronological order in which the sample was collected, received and transferred. It is a good idea for a homeowner to have the sampling done by a trained sample collector, who is a third party. This could be someone from the laboratory or a trained and/or certified sample collector. This means the samples will be documented and collected properly. It is important that the person collecting the sample properly document the sample event. This includes documenting the condition of the sample area, for example if the sample was taken in a basement which was filled with old paint cans and other chemical containers, this may have an effect on the results. Additionally, the sampler should also document the age, depth and location of the well using GPS if possible. There should also be documentation of any treatment equipment being used. It is the responsibility of the sample collector to properly preserve sample when needed and make arrangements for the lab to have the sample within the proper time frame and within the proper temperature, so samples should be packed in ice.

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 provides guidance for drinking water contaminants that are known or expected to cause harm to humans and provides for a level of regulation but acceptable levels are not always defined or known. To evaluate acceptable risk levels, begin with regular testing and maintain a water treatment system that provides information to your about your drinking water from your private well or water distribution and supply system. The economic costs must be weighed and considered with respect to the risks as different individuals tolerate risk in very different ways. Regulations attempt to balance the feasibility of an intervention, the cost of intervention and the risk to the community and individual. Your risk tolerance for your private well or water supply and distribution may be different than the regulations provide.

When you have questions about water quality, water treatment and water supply and distribution in Texoma, just say “Hey Culligan Man” and contact us at 4431 W Crawford St #101  Denison, TX 75020 903.465.6644.
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Texoma Water Quality and Fracking

Posted on January 7, 2012 by wate3079

Water quality for homeowners with private water wells was discussed in a recent article from H2O Quality Magazine by Marianne R. Metzger, GPG Business Manager, National Testing Laboratories, Ltd.

It is important for all Texoma area residents to be aware of their water sources and water quality in and around the Red River and Lake Texoma. The processes used in “hydro-fracking” or fracking to drill natural gas, and even agricultural land use in our area may somehow contaminate the our lakes, aquifers and water sources.

The article entitled “Gas Drilling & Water Quality – The Legalities” outlines the major points of testing the water and “potential legal ramifications associated with gas drilling”.  The following quotes includes some of the suggestions that were made:

What should you test for? First you will need to determine what the water should be tested for. Each state involved with gas drilling has their own recommendation on what should be tested in private wells, so you should look at what your state recommends. Minimally, you should be testing for the following:

  • Sodium
  • Barium
  • Chloride
  • Bromide
  • Total dissolved solids
  • Foaming Agents
  • Methane
  • Ethane

These are the parameters that would likely change if the fracking fluid somehow contaminated the aquifer. Additionally, one should consider testing for items that are already known to occur int he well like aesthetic contaminants such as iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide and hardness. Documenting the problems that currently exist will protect the homeowner is these problems worsen as a results (sic) the drilling operations. This also means that any samples collected should be taken prior to any treatment equipment. Also consider in addition to the fracking fluids contaminating the aquifer, drilling means more equipment, trucks and traffic which can lead to other environmental incidents including accidental spills and fuel leaks. Having a water analysis prior to the drilling activity which shows there were no volatile organics in the water helps prove that the drilling activities led to the contamination. If you do not test for these types of contaminants, you have no proof that the contaminants weren’t there before any drilling began.

Oil & Gas Companies Responsibilities – Establishing a baseline of water quality for water well owners is not only in the interest of the homeowner, but also the gas driller. Gas companies commonly test drinking water prior to drilling to protect themselves. For example, Chesapeake, on of the largest drillers offers free testing to anyone within a 2,500 foot radius. This is to protect them from homeowners claiming their water went bad when there was already a pre-existing contamination. Chesapeake just recently released some of the water testing data done in PA, OH and WV and the data was alarming. The tests showed that methane was present in 11-25% of well water samples from the various states.

Testing Recommendations – If gas drilling is to occur in your area consider having the water tested. Most state requirements for testing recommends wells within 300-2,500 feed be tested, but wells as far as 2-5 miles away can be effected (sic). Test your well for key indicators of the fracking fluid, and document any known problems. Additionally it is a good idea to document that no volatile organic chemicals exist in the water. If you are within the radius that the gas company is required to test, you should let them perform their analyses, but it is in the best interest of the homeowner to have their own analysis done. Testing should be done at least 60 days prior to drilling and about 30 days after drilling has stopped. Some water quality issues may take time to develop, so testing should be done if there is any noticeable change in color, odor or taste. Homeowners may consider using and in-line TDS meter which could record the TDS levels and when levels exceed a certain threshold an alarm could be triggered indicating there could be a water quality issue. There are many things to take into consideration when testing for legal purposes before things can get difficult to navigate. Your laboratory can be a good source of information for testing drinking water in ares where gas drilling is happening.

Other articles on this blog will provide information about Lab Certification and Chain of Custody and Sample Collection from this article. If you have questions about the water quality for your private well, municipal water systems, water quality or Lake Texoma and Red River drinking water sources and water quality, just say “Hey Culligan Man” by contacting Culligan Texoma 903.465.6644.

Important Links:

Texas Groundwater Protection Committee – Groundwater Contamination

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality – Chemical Analysis of Private Water Wells

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Reverse Osmosis for Better Water Quality in Your Texoma Home or Business

Posted on December 4, 2011 by wate3079

Culligan Texoma installs water treatment equipment in light commercial business or residential home settings and recommends reverse osmosis (RO) as one of the essential and popular water filtration options as one of the key water treatment steps.

Pure Drinking Water from Culligan Texoma

Pure Drinking Water from Culligan Texoma

Reverse osmosis systems owners benefit from low maintenance and the quality results derived from these units. Homeowners and business owners alike have become aware and informed about this technology and seek experts in water quality treatment options and installation. Culligan Texoma provides free evaluations and consultations and can help you select the right combination of equipment to best serve your home or business.

Before you have a Reverse Osmosis water treatment system or equipment installed, know and understand the conditions of the water and the level of pressure that is delivering the water to the facility. There are three things that greatly affect how a reverse osmosis system performs

  • Pressure
  • Temperature
  • Water Conditions

Further, if the water’s total dissolved solids, or hardness or contamination is a problem, then pretreatment should be considered to protect the RO system units and membranes. your Culligan Man is an expert and can help you understand what systems work in your home or business environment to treat your water effectively. In Texoma, the water from Lake Texoma may have both high levels of total dissolved solids and be ‘hard water’, or have some contamination, as can some of the well water in the area due to high levels of agricultural product runoff such as pesticides and fertilizers.

Water hardness, above 12 grains per gallon (gpg), as well as high total dissolved solids will impact the useful life of the membrane used in the reverse osmosis process. Protection of the reverse osmosis membrane is critical and reduced lifespan could become costly for customers. Rely on your Culligan Man to advise you in selecting the appropriate system as pretreatment expertise and knowledge about the water conditions from each of the water distribution sources in Texoma is an important factor for cost savings and efficiencies in the water treatment system that will be installed. Culligan Texoma will provide a free evaluation and testing of the water in your home or commercial business facility and provide this advice. (903)465-6644 or Toll Free (800)903-9903

Keep in mind that chlorine levels will also affect the useful life of reverse osmosis system membranes. Since high levels of chlorination may occur several times each year in Texoma water suppliers, this is important to keep in mind and your Culligan Man from Culligan Texoma can provide his expertise with this process as well. A typical Reverse Osmosis system will also include at least one carbon block filter that eliminates chlorine from the water before it enters the unit, and your Culligan Texoma advisor can also evaluate whether chloramines are present as well and whether the chlorine block will be effective or if another process is required.

Light duty Reverse Osmosis systems are designed to provide high-quality water for residential (home) and commercial (business) applications at low cost. The base models are fully functional reverse osmosis systems and there are options to support monitoring and control requirements. System controllers are very reliable and help to lower or control production costs.

Under-sink residential filtration units can add an increased level of security for those that are concerned about potentially unsafe levels of the carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (chromium-6). These levels have been found in the drinking water of 31 American cities. Under-sink reverse osmosis systems may be an option for some home and commercial applications and some are certified to significantly reduce the presence of carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (chromium-6).

Call your Culligan Texoma Culligan Man for your free evaluation today!

(903)465-6644 or Toll Free (800)903-9903

Posted in Culligan Water, Filtration Systems, Reverse Osmosis, Texoma, Water Quality | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off