Soda Ash Water Treatment

How Much Soda Ash Should Be Injected To Raise the pH of my well water from 5.0 to 7.5?

Generally, you want to inject 100 to 200 mg of soda ash for each liter of water (mg/L). Milligrams per liter is the same as parts per million (PPM).

Soda ash systems are commonly used to raise the pH of acidic water sources, ensuring effective water quality management. Soda ash plays a crucial role in these systems by neutralizing acidity and preventing corrosion.

Mix up the soda ash solution

Soda ash is a powder mixed with water to form a saturated solution. You can make the solution stronger or weaker. At a water temperature of 50F, it is easy to keep a 10% soda ash solution dissolved in water, and this is what we recommend you start with.

To make a 10% solution, mix 4 lb of soda ash powder for every 5 gallons of water, which is approximately a 10% solution by weight. It is best to use warm purified distilled or reverse osmosis water to make your solution, although if your untreated well water is very low in total dissolved solids and other minerals, you can generally use the untreated water to make up the solution.

Start with a couple of gallons only in your solution tank and test the pH to see how it works.

Set the Pump Output

We will use the Stenner pump as an example since the 85MHP-40 pump is suitable for residential well water applications.

Set the Stenner pump “Feed Rate Dial” to 5 (which means that it is set to pump 50% of its output).

Run the water and test the pH to ensure it is at the desired 7 to 8.0 pH range.

You don’t have to change the solution or the Stenner pump setting if the pH is fine. Otherwise, if the pH is still too low, you can first try turning up the Stenner pump adjustment ring to 10, which means 100%.

Formulation for Understanding Stenner Pump Sizing

For most residential soda ash applications, the Stenner 85MPH40 injects a proper amount of soda ash solution to raise the pH to the 7.0 to 8.0 pH range. The pump has a maximum output of 40 gallons of solution pumped in a 24-hour period.

For the soda ash feeder, one generally has to inject about 100 to 400 ppm of a saturated soda ash solution into the water to raise the pH to 7.0 to 7.4.

For instance, say it was set up to inject it into your pipe before the pressure tank, and your well water flowed at 15 gallons per minute.

You can use 4 lbs of soda ash powder dissolved in 5 gallons of water. Water weighs 8.34 lbs, so 5 gallons of water weighs 41.7 lbs, or about 42 lbs. That makes your solution a 10% solution, which is the same as 100,000 parts per million.

Say you had 10 gallons per minute and wanted to inject 150 ppm of soda ash.

150 ppm X 10 gpm X 1440 (minutes in a day) divided by the solution strength of 100,000 = 22 gallons per day. This means that you would inject 22 gallons of soda ash solution every 24 hours after the well pump has turned on and pumped.

NOTE: Your well pump likely only runs 30 minutes to an hour a day. So, if it ran for one hour a day, you would use about one gallon of solution daily.

Therefore, if your well flow rate were 10 gallons per minute, you would need a metering pump that pumped 22 gallons in 24 hours or “22 gallons per day.” The Stenner 85MPH40 will work fine because you can set the Feed Rate Dial to 55%. 22 divided by 40 is 55%.

Note that your water may not need 150 ppm of the 10% soda ash solution; it might only need 50 ppm to bring up the pH to the 7.0 – 8.0 range. You will be able to know immediately after turning on the system by checking the pH.

What is Sodium Carbonate?

Soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), is a naturally occurring mineral compound that plays a crucial role in various industries, including water treatment. Acid water, which has a pH less than 7, can lead to corrosion in pipes and fixtures, making it essential to neutralize it for safe drinking water. This powerful alkaline substance is highly effective in adjusting pH levels, making it an essential component in the treatment of acidic water. By increasing the pH, soda ash helps to neutralize the acidity, making the water safer for consumption and reducing the risk of corrosion in pipes and equipment. Soda ash also effectively reduces carbonate hardness by precipitating calcium and magnesium ions, which helps soften the water. Its versatility and effectiveness make soda ash a staple in water treatment processes, ensuring that water quality is maintained at optimal levels.

Soda Ash Systems for Water Treatment

Soda ash systems are a specialized type of water treatment system designed to address the challenges posed by acidic water. Utilizing sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), these systems effectively adjust the pH of water, making it less acidic and more suitable for various applications. One of the key benefits of soda ash systems is their ability to remove dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which are common culprits in water hardness. By precipitating these minerals out of the water, soda ash systems improve water quality and protect plumbing and appliances from the damaging effects of scale and corrosion. This makes soda ash systems a popular choice for residential and industrial water treatment applications, ensuring water is safe, soft, and free from harmful acidity.

Using Soda Ash for pH Adjustment

Soda ash is a highly effective alkaline substance used to adjust the pH of acidic water. Soda ash dissociates in water into sodium ions (Na+) and carbonate ions (CO3^2-). These carbonate ions then react with water to form bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydroxide ions (OH-), which work to increase the water’s pH, making it more alkaline. This chemical reaction is particularly beneficial in treating hard water, as the carbonate ions precipitate out calcium and magnesium ions, forming insoluble compounds that can be easily filtered out. By using soda ash for pH adjustment, you can ensure that your water is less acidic and free from the hardness that can cause scaling and damage to your plumbing system.

Water Softening with Soda Ash

In addition to pH adjustment, soda ash is widely used in water treatment processes to soften water. Soda ash is also effective in reducing non-carbonate hardness when used in conjunction with lime treatments, providing a comprehensive solution for water softening. Hard water, which contains high levels of magnesium ions and calcium ions, can cause scaling and corrosion in pipes and equipment. Soda ash reacts with these ions to form insoluble precipitates, which can then be removed through filtration. This process reduces the hardness of the water and minimizes the risk of damage to plumbing systems and appliances. By using soda ash to soften water, you can ensure a more efficient and longer-lasting water system, free from the detrimental effects of hard water.

Additionally, soda ash can stabilize chlorine-based disinfectants like sodium hypochlorite, enhancing their efficacy in eliminating harmful microorganisms in water.

Heavy Metals Removal

Soda ash is also an effective agent for removing heavy metals from water, addressing a critical concern in water treatment. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can enter water supplies through environmental pollution and pose significant health risks. Soda ash works by precipitating these heavy metals out of the water, forming insoluble compounds that can be easily removed through filtration. This process makes the water safer for consumption and helps meet regulatory standards for water quality. Additionally, soda ash can be used alongside other water treatment methods, such as activated carbon adsorption, to enhance the removal of a wide range of contaminants, ensuring comprehensive water purification.

Advantages of Using Soda Ash

There are numerous advantages to using soda ash in water treatment processes. One of the primary benefits is its effectiveness in adjusting pH levels and softening water, making it a versatile solution for various water quality issues. Additionally, soda ash is a relatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly option compared to other water treatment methods. It is a safe and non-toxic substance, suitable for drinking water and wastewater treatment. By incorporating soda ash into your water treatment regimen, you can improve your water's quality and safety while benefiting from a cost-effective and sustainable solution.