Q: At our place in High River, Alta., we have a 4,000 gallon (18,160 litre) cistern that gets its water supply from a well. The water is untreated but safe. We have it tested twice a year.
Our concern is algae or bacteria growth.
Is there something we can add to the tank to control algae and bacteria and ensure the water is safe? The cistern supplies our house, barn and livestock waterers.
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A: To keep the cistern free of bacteria, I suggest you periodically add chlorine to the cistern. You should try to keep a chlorine residual of one part per million in the cistern at all times. This would ensure bacteria-free water. To initially disinfect 4,000 gallons of water, I suggest adding one or two cups of 12 percent liquid chlorine. I also suggest you buy a chlorine test kit that costs about $15 to monitor the residual.
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Too much alkali
Q: We would like some information about our drinking water. Is it safe for our health?
Our well is about 20 feet (six metres) deep with about 12 (3.6 m) feet of galvanized cribbing. The bottom of the well has no cribbing for the first five to six feet (two m) because it’s solid shale.
Recently, we had quality problems with our drinking water. It contains so much alkali that when we need a large quantity for cooking we boil the water first, let it settle and then use.
We also have a one gallon Brita container for our drinking water and coffee making. We still find alkali in the bottom of our coffee cups, usually about a half teaspoon per cup.
The elements in the water heater tank have not lasted long due to all the alkali that settled in the bottom of the tank.
A: The problem you are experiencing with the sediment on the bottom of your pot when you boil the water is either from hard water or a high mineral content.
This also can cause a problem in the corrosion of heating elements in water heaters.
I suggest that you have the water tested to determine the amount of hardness and total dissolved solids.
To remove most of the scale that builds up in the hot water heater and the sediment that occurs when boiling water, a water softener should be installed to remove the calcium and magnesium, the two hard rock minerals.
I also suggest you install a reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water. Drinking water that has been purified by the reverse osmosis process will also be healthier for you.
If you are experiencing a high mineral problem and would like to control it throughout the entire house, then a commercial reverse osmosis system will have to be installed.
If you have a specific water problem and would like advice, write to the Water Clinic, attention Philip Stadnyk, 850-47th St. E. Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 0X4, e-mail philip@thewaterclinic.com or phone 800-664-2561. Stadnyk is president of the Water Clinic and a member of the Canadian Water Quality Association. His views do not necessarily reflect those of The Western Producer.
