Looking through the recent headlines, the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, has Americans throughout the country asking serious questions about the condition of their municipal water systems and the quality of their drinking water. Addressing infrastructure upgrades and water shortages are important issues, and they often seem insurmountable concerns for many municipalities. However, one Alabama town has recently shown that even the smallest city can improve their drinking water with the right technology and a proactive attitude.
The small town of Harpersville located in Shelby County, Alabama, has a growing population, which at the last census was 1,620. Its water system, from well water, has a hardness rate of between 16 to 18 grains per gallon (gpg). With the US Geographic Survey classifying very hard water at 10.5 gpg, Harpersville water is extremely hard with high levels of calcium and magnesium. Hard water leads to scale forming in pipes, boilers, heat exchangers, and water-fed equipment, such as kettles and washing machines, which result in poor water flow and the early renewal of capital equipment.
Top: With a growing population, Harpersville sought to improve its water quality immediately.
Middle: Harpersville’s water system, from well water, has a hardness rate of between 16 to 18 grains per gallon (gpg), well above the US Geographic Survey classification of very hard water at 10.5 gpg.
Bottom: Within weeks of the Scalewatcher installation, residents started commenting on the improved water standards, reported Theoangelo Perkins, mayor of Harpersville.
A POSITIVE RESPONSE
The population of the small Alabama town of Harpersville is enjoying improved water quality, with less limescale corroding pipework and water-fed equipment, following the installation of the award-winning Scalewatcher® computerized, electronic water conditioner. Within two weeks of the industrial Scalewatcher system being installed, local residents were contacting Harpersville Water Board to comment in the improvement to the water supply.
“We did not advise or inform the public that we had installed Scalewatcher,” says Theoangelo Perkins, mayor of Harpersville. “However, within weeks, customers started commenting and asking questions about the water. ‘Have you all done something different to the water?’ “The water is not as hard.’ ‘There is less lime in the water.’ ‘I don’t have to clean my shower door.’ ‘The water tastes better.’”
Local company, Water Processing and Well Supply, which has been operating within the water industry in Alabama for over forty years, suggested to the mayor that the Scalewatcher system would help alleviate Harpersville’s hard water problems, which regularly resulted in pipe corrosion, leaks and additional use of chlorine.
Following a site survey, Al Chatham of Water Processing and Well Supply installed an Industrial Scalewatcher system onto a 6-inch pipe leading from the town’s well supply. Chatham had done business in the Harpersville area for many years and had built a solid professional reputation for his business. His endorsement of the Scalewatcher system was crucial for Harpersville to adopt the plan.
AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND PERMANENT SOLUTION
The environmentally friendly Scalewatcher provides a permanent solution to hard water problems without the need of chemicals, salt or maintenance. It works by producing a varying electronically applied force field, induced by a coil wrapped around the outside of the pipework, which keeps the minerals in suspension and thus prevents limescale forming. The water’s increased solubility enables it to dissolve existing scale which is gradually flushed away.
“We are pleased with the Scalewatcher results and the services of Water Processing and Well Supply,” says Mayor Perkins. “We plan to install two further units when funds become available.”
About the Author:
Jan de Baat Doelman is president of Scalewatcher North America Inc. The Scalewatcher is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and mechanical descaling. Launched in the 1980s it has successfully treated hard water problems for industrial manufacturers as well as water companies, oil producers, farmers, horticulturists, shipping companies, shopping centers, school, universities and government establishments. For more information, call 610.932.6888, email sales@scalewatcher.com, or visit www.scalewatcher.com.
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MODERN PUMPING TODAY, May 2016
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Eco-Friendly Solution Takes Root Down South
