Groundwater constitutes as one of the major sources of water in Dubai. Groundwater accounts for 44 percent of the total used water resources. There was a significant drop in groundwater levels of about 10 meters per decade until the mid-1990s, and 70 meters since then. The UAE is currently using groundwater reserves more than 20 times faster than they can be recharged. The benefits of using groundwater can be listed as follows:
- Groundwater usually contains no suspended matter.
- Groundwater very rarely contains pathogenic bacteria; generally, it contains microbes native to the formation, unless contaminated by human activity.
- Groundwater is clear and colorless unless tainted with anthropologic material.
- The temperature of groundwater is relatively constant and is equivalent to, or greater than, the mean air temperature above the land surface. Temperatures can be altered by human influence.
However, groundwater includes high total hardness and alkalinity. Hardness of water can be defined as the amount of calcium and magnesium ions in water. These dissolved ions give hard water its characteristics. Alkalinity refers to the capacity of water to neutralize acid. In uncontaminated water, alkalinity is primarily a measure of dissolved bicarbonate and carbonate; concentrations of other acid- consuming solutes such as hydroxide, silicate, borate, and dissolved organic compounds are usually small compared to the amount of bicarbonate and carbonate.
One of the major issues with hard water is that it interferes with all types of cleaning tasks. Cleaning problems arise when the cleaning agents do not fully remove dirt and grime. Through time, clothes washed in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Soap scum is difficult to remove from sinks, showers, bathtubs, and other appliances. Scale deposits also accumulate to plug plumbing fixtures and build up in other appliances such as coffee pots and dishwashers, thus affecting their performance. Dishes and glassware washed in dishwashers using hard water may be spotted when dry. Hard water causes films on glass shower doors, walls and bathtubs. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. After showering in hard water, skin will feel rough and scratchy. This feeling is especially noticeable in the winter when the air’s relative humidity is low. Water softeners are a good treatment solution to resolve these issues.
This article provides a brief overview of the Kinetico Premier Series Water Softeners that are available in the market to offer the best home treatment solution for hard water.
KINETICO PREMIER SERIES WATER SOFTENERS
The Kinetico Premier Series offers dual benefits – filtration and softening in one device. There are two types of combination systems from Kinetico:
- Premier Series XP Q850 and Q850 OD -Activated Carbon
This series includes a high efficiency water softening system with two tanks of activated carbon for whole-house de- chlorination. Reducing chlorine in the water facilitates odor-free showers, eliminates the skin-drying effects of chlorine, and prevents premature fading/bleaching of clothing and linens.
- Premier Series XP Q850 OD -Chloraban™
This series includes a high efficiency water softening system with two tanks of Chloraban for whole-house dechlorination. Reducing chloramine in the water helps in preventing skin and eye irritation, corrosion of house plumbing, taste and odor issues, and deterioration of rubber in household appliances.
Working Principle
Ultraviolet (UV) light treatment process involves inactivation of drinking water pathogens or the oxidation of micropollutants. During the oxidation process, it is commonly used in combination with hydrogen peroxide as a part of an advanced oxidation process. UV disinfection or oxidation is a physical process that utilizes UV light and does not require use of any chemicals. This technology is very effective for germicidal properties mainly inactivating microorganisms (i.e. bacteria, viruses, algae, etc.) including chlorine-resistant pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium. Because of safety issues associated with the reliance of chlorination and improvement in the UV technology, UV has experienced increased acceptance in both municipal and household drinking water treatment systems
FIGURE 1 – WATER SOFTENING PROCESS KINETICO PREMIER SERIES
TABLE 1 – SPECIFICATIONS OF KINETICO PREMIER SERIES WATER SOFTENERS
Water softeners can be a great solution for houses that have groundwater or well water as their primary source of drinking water.
Saniwater can help customers choose the best available water softeners that meet their requirements. The technicians at Sani Water will help with the installation process and clarify any questions the customers may have about the water softener devices.
REFERENCES
- https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-Water
- https://www.ead.ae/SitePages/Home.aspx
- https://www.environmentalatlas.ae/resourceOfLife/waterFuture
- https://water.fanack.com/uae/water-quality/
- https://www.scad.gov.abudhabi/Release%20Documents/ADStats_GP_Publication_Annual_Annual_2016_v5.pdf
- https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/hardness-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
- https://www.ngwa.org/what-is-groundwater/About-groundwater/dissolved-mineral-sources-and-significance
- https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/home-farm/water-softening-ion-exchange#section-0
- https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/a28280250/water-softener/
- https://www.kinetico.com/water-softeners/kinetico-premier-series/
- https://www.kinetico.com/media/259768/16528_performance_datasheet_premier_xp_softeners_0218.pdf
- https://www.kinetico.com/media/259764/16522_manual_owners_premier_series_xp_02142018.pdf
