I am having a new house built and have opted to put in a sediment filter and water softener. I would like to have the home "preplumbed" for these items so that I can more easily install them once Im in the home. Is this a good diagram to submit to the plumber for what I need done? I have read on here prior something about needing 10 feet between the softener and the hot water heater to prevent hot water out of the heater into the softener during regeneration? How necessary is this or are there plumbing check valves that would prevent such a thing? [url]http://webpages.charter.net/bpm/plumbing.jpg[/url] Thanks, BPM

ACID A substance which releases hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. Most acids will dissolve the common metals, and will react with a base to form a neutral salt and water. ACTIVATED CARBON A granular material usually produced by the roasting of cellulose base substances, such as wood or coconut shells, in the absence of air. It has a very porous structure and is used in water conditioning as an adsorbent for organic matter and certain dissolved gases. Sometimes called "activated charcoal." ABSORBENT A substance which has the capacity to adsorb. ADSORPTION The process in which matter adheres to the surface of an adsorbent. ALKALINITY The quantitative capacity of water or water solution to neutralize an acid. It is usually measured by titration with a standard acid solution of sulfuric acid, and expressed in terms of its calcium carbonate equivalent. A moderate amount of Alkalinity in your water is desirable because it reduces the effect of corrosion. The EPA has not set a level for Alkalinity, but a level greater than 100 ppm is recommended. ALUMINUM Aluminum can be found as a natural forming mineral or as a by product of water that is corrosive or aggressive. Aluminum in the water may cause a discoloration or cloudy appearance. The EPA maximum contaminant level for aluminum in water is 0.2 ppm. ANION A negatively charged ion in solution, such as bicarbonate, chloride, or sulfate. ANION EXCHANGE An ion exchange process in which anions in solution are exchanged for other anions from an ion exchanger. In demineralization, for example, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate anions are removed from solution in exchange for a chemically equivalent number of hydroxide anions from the anion exchange resin. AQUIFER A layer or zone below the surface of the earth which is capable of yielding a significant volume of water. ATOM The smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or in combination with similar particles of the same element or a different element. ATTRITION The process in which solids are worn down or ground down by friction, often between particles of the same material. Filter media and ion exchange materials are subject to attrition during backwashing, regeneration, and service. BACKWASH The process in which beds of filter or ion exchange media are subjected to flow opposite to the service direction to loosen the bed and to flush suspended matter (collected during the service run) to waste. BACTERIA Unicellular micro-organisms which typically reproduce by cell division. Although usually classified as plants, bacteria contain no chlorophyll. BASE A substance which releases hydroxyl ions which when dissolved in water. Bases react with acids to form a neutral salt and water. BED The ion exchange or filter media in a column or other tank or operational vessel. BED DEPTH The height of the ion exchange or filter media in the vessel after preparation for service. BICARBONATE ALKALINITY The alkalinity of a water due to the presence of bicarbonate ions (HCO3 -). BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND The amount of oxygen consumed in the oxidation of organic matter by biological action under specific standard test conditions. Widely used as a measure of the strength of sewage and waste water. BRINE A strong solution of salts(s), such as the sodium chloride brine used in the regeneration of ion exchange water softeners; also applied to the mixed sodium, calcium, and magnesium chloride waste solution from regeneration. CALCIUM One of the principal elements making up the earth's crust; its compounds, when dissolved, make the water hard. The presence of calcium in water is a factor contributing to the formation of scale and insoluble soap curds which are a means of clearly identifying hard water. CALCIUM MAGNESIUM Two of the principal elements making up the earth's crust; its compounds, when dissolved, make the water hard. The presence of calcium and magnesium in water is a factor contributing to the formation of scale and insoluble soap curds which are a means of clearly identifying hard water. CAPACITY An expression of the quantity of an undesirable material which can be removed by a water conditioner between servicing of the media (i.e., cleaning, regeneration or replacement), as determined under standard test conditions. For ion exchange water softeners, the capacity is expressed in grains of hardness removal between successive regeneration's and is related to the pound of salt used in regeneration. For filters, the capacity may be expressed in the length of time or total gallons delivered between servicing. CARBONATE The CO3- ion. CARBONATE ALKALINITY Alkalinity due to the presence of the carbonate ion. CARBONATE HARDNESS Hardness due to the presence of calcium and magnesium bicarbonates and carbonates in water; the smaller of the total hardness and the total alkalinity. CARBON DIOXIDE A gas present in the atmosphere and formed by the decay of organic matter; the gas in carbonated beverages; in water it forms carbonic acid. CATION An ion with a positive electrical charge, such as calcium, magnesium and sodium. CATION EXCHANGE Ion exchange process in which cations in solution are exchanged for other cations from an ion exchanger. CAUSTIC Any substance capable of burning or destroying animal flesh or tissue. The term is usually applied to strong bases. CAUSTIC SODA The common name for sodium hydroxide. CHELATE To form a complex chemical compound in which an ion, usually metallic, is bound into a stable ring structure. CHELATING AGENT A chemical compound sometimes fed to water to tie up undesirable metal ions, keep them in solution, and eliminate or reduce the normal effects of the ion. CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND The amount of matter, both organic and inorganic, in a water or waste water which can be oxidized by boiling with a strong oxidizing acid under standard test conditions and expressed as the equivalent amount of oxygen; often used as a measure of the strength of sewage and waste water; includes materials not oxidized in the BOD test, and thus does not correlate with BOD. CHLORIDE Chloride is a natural forming mineral found in water. High levels of chloride can impact taste and also be associated with corrosion or high Sodium content. Water with excessive amounts of chloride can be very toxic to most plants. The EPA maximum contaminant level for chloride is 250 ppm. CHLORINE A gas, C12, widely used in the disinfection of water and an oxidizing agent for organic matter, iron, etc. CHLORINE CONTENT Chlorine is added to water as a disinfectant to kill harmful organisms or bacteria. Even though Chlorine is used in providing safe drinking water, when it is in excess, it is the most common cause of taste and odor problems. Also when Chlorine is combined with ammonia as a disinfectant called chloramines, a byproduct as Trihalomethanes are formed, which cause cancer. The EPA does not have a level for Chlorine but a concentration of 0.1 to 0.2 ppm is recommended and a level of 1.0 or greater is considered very high. CHLORINE DEMAND A measure of the amount of chlorine which will be consumed by organic matter and other oxidizing substances in a water before a chlorine residual will be found; the difference between the total chlorine fed and the chlorine residual. COAGULANT A material, such as alum, which will form a gelatinous precipitate in water, and cause the agglomeration of finely divided particles into larger particles which can then be removed by settling and/or filtration. COAGULANT AID A material which is not a coagulant, but which improves the effectiveness of a coagulant, often by forming larger or heavier particles, speeding the reactions, or permitting reduced coagulant dosage. COAGULATION The process in which very small, finely divided solid particles, often colloidal in nature, are agglomerated into larger particles. COLLOID Very finely divided solid particles which will not settle out of a solution; intermediate between a true dissolved particle and a suspended solid which will settle out of solution. The removal of colloidal particles usually requires coagulation to form larger particles which may be removed by sedimentation and/or filtration. COMPENSATED HARDNESS A calculated value based on the total hardness, the magnesium to calcium ratio, and the sodium concentration of a water. It is used to correct for the reductions in hardness removal capacity caused by these factors in cation exchange water CONDUCTANCE A measure of the ability of a solution to carry electricity; the reciprocal of the electrical resistance. The unit of conductance is the mho (reciprocal ohm). CONDUCTIVITY The quality or power to carry electrical current; in water, the conductivity is related to the concentration of ions capable of carrying electrical current. COPPER Copper in water is a common problem in many households. Copper is present due to the corrosion of plumbing materials from Acidic (low pH) or Aggressive water (low TDS). Common problems associated with copper due corrosion are leaks in the plumbing system or blue-green staining. High copper content can also cause some health concerns by effecting the stomach and intestines. The EPA has set a maximum contaminant level of 1.3 ppm. CORROSION The destructive disintegration of a metal by electrochemical means. CYCLE A series of events or steps which ultimately lead back to the starting point, such as the exhaustion-regeneration cycle of an ion exchange system; sometimes incorrectly used in reference to a single step of a complete cycle. DE IONIZATION The removal of all ionized minerals and salts (both organic and inorganic) from a solution by a two-phase ion exchange procedure. First, positively charged ions are exchanged for a chemically equivalent amount of hydrogen ions. Second, negatively charged ions are removed by an anion exchange resin for a chemically equivalent amount of hydroxide ions. The hydrogen and hydroxide ions introduced in this process unite to form water molecules. The term is often used interchangeably with demineralization. DEMINERALIZATION The removal of ionized inorganic minerals and salts (not organic materials) from a solution by a two-phase ion exchange procedure; similar to deionization, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. D.I. OR DI Abbreviation for de-ionization. DIALYSIS The separation of components of a solution by diffusion through a semi-permeable membrane which is capable of passing certain ions or molecules while rejecting others. DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE The difference in pressures at two points in a water system; may be due to differences in elevation, or to friction losses or pressure drops due to resistance to flow in pipes, softeners, filters or other devices. DISINFECTION A process in which pathogenic (disease-producing) bacteria are killed; may involve disinfecting agents such as chlorine, or physical processes such as heating. DISSOLVED SOLIDS The weight of matter in true solution in a stated volume of water; includes both inorganic and organic matter; usually determined by weighing the residue after evaporation of the water at 105 or 1800C. DISTILLATION The process in which a liquid, such as water, is converted into its vapor state by heating, and the vapor cooled and condensed to the liquid state and collected; used to remove solids and other impurities from water; multiple distillations are required for extreme purity. EFFICIENCY The ratio of output per unit input; the effectiveness of performance of a system; in an ion exchange system, often expressed as the amount of regenerant required to produce a unit of capacity, such as the pounds of salt per kilo grain of hardness removal. ELECTRODIAYSIS A process in which a direct current is applied to a cell to draw charged ions through ion-selective semi-permeable membranes, thus removing the ions from the solution. ENDPOINT The point at which a process is stopped because a predetermined value of a measurable variable is reached; the endpoint of an ion exchange water softener service run is the point at which the hardness of the softener effluent increases to a predefined concentration, often 1.0 grain per gallon; the endpoint of a filter service run may be the point at which the pressure drop across the filter reaches a predetermined value; the endpoint of a titration is the point at which the tit-rant produces predetermined color change, pH value, or other measurable characteristic. EQUIVALENT PER MILLION A unit of concentration used in chemical calculations, calculated by dividing the concentration in ppm or mg/1 by the equivalent weight. EXHAUSTION The state of an ion exchange material in which it is no longer capable of effective functioning due to the depletion of the initial supply of exchangeable ions; the exhaustion point may be defined in terms of a limiting concentration of matter in the effluent, or in the case of demineralization, in terms of electrical conductivity. FILTER Specifically, a device or system for the removal of solid particles (suspended solids); in general, includes mechanical, adsorptive, oxidizing and neutralizing filters. FIXTURE UNIT An arbitrary unit assigned to different types of plumbing fixtures, and used to estimate flow rate requirements and drain capacity requirements. FLOCCULATION The agglomeration of finely divided suspended solids into larger, usually gelatinous, particles; the development of a "floc" after treatment with a coagulant by gentle stirring or mixing. FLOW CONTROL A device designed to limit the flow of water or regenerant to a predetermined value over a broad range of inlet water pressures. FLUORIDATION The quantity of water or regenerant which passes a given point in a specified unit of time, often expressed in gallons per minute. FLUORIDE Fluoride can be found in water as natural mineral or as an additive to public or municipal supplies. Fluoride can cause a discoloration or teeth known as Fluorosis when in excessive levels in water. The EPA maximum contaminant level for Fluoride in water is 2.0 ppm. FLUSH TANK A tank or chamber in which water is stored for rapid release to flush a toilet or water closet. FLUSH VALVE A self-closing valve designed to release a large volume of water when tripped, to flush a toilet or water closet. FOULING The process in which undesirable foreign matter accumulates in a bed of filter media or ion exchanger, clogging pores and coating surfaces, thus inhibiting or retarding the proper operation of the bed. FREE AVAILABLE CHLORINE The concentration of residual chlorine present as dissolved gas, hypochlorous avid or hypochlorite, not combined with ammonia or in other less readily available forms. FREEBOARD The vertical distance between a bed of filter media or ion exchange material and the overflow or collector for backwash water; the height above the bed of granular media available for bed expansion during backwashing; may be expressed either as a linear distance or a percentage of bed depth. GPG Abbreviation for grains per gallon. GRAIN (gr.) A unit of weight equal to 1/7000th of a pound, or 0.0648 gram. GRAIN PER GALLON (gpg) A common basis for reporting water analysis in the United States and Canada; one grain per U.S. gallon equals 17.12 milligrams per liter (mg/1) or parts per million (ppm). One grain per British (Imperial) gallon equals 14.3 milligrams per liter or parts per million. GRAM (g) The basic unit of weight (mass) of the metric system, originally intended to be the weight of one cubic centimeter of water at 4oC. GREEN SAND A natural mineral, primarily composed of complex silicates, which possesses ion exchange properties. HARDNESS A characteristic of natural water due to the presence of dissolved calcium and magnesium; water hardness is responsible for most scale formation in pipes and water heaters and forms insoluble "curd" when it reacts with soaps. Hardness is usually expressed in grains per gallon, parts per million, or milligrams per liter, all as calcium carbonate equivalent. HARDNESS CONTENT Hardness is a measurement of naturally occurring dissolved minerals Calcium and Magnesium, hard water can inhibit the sudsing of detergents and soaps. Hard water can scale pipes and decrease the life of appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers. Hardness can also cause spotting of fixtures, tiles, dishes, or glassware. The EPA has not set a limit for hardness, but if your hardness is greater than 7 grains per gallon (gpg) then you should consider installing a water softener. HARDNESS LEAKAGE The presence of a consistent concentration of hardness in the effluent from an ion exchange water softener, often due to high concentrations of hardness or sodium in the water being treated (see Leakage). HARD WATER Water with a total hardness of one grain per gallon or more, as calcium carbonate equivalent. HEAD A measure of the pressure at a point tin a water system: expressed in pounds per square or in the height of a column of water which would produce the pressure. HEAD LOSS See Pressure Drop. HYDRAULIC Referring to water or other fluids in motion. HYDRAULIC CLASSIFICATION A process in which particles of the same specific gravity may be graded according to size by backwashing or other relative upward flow of water; the smallest particles tending to rise to the top of the bed, and the largest particles tending to sink to the bottom, due to variations in weight to surface area ratios. HYDROGEN CYCLE The cation exchange cycle in which the cation exchanger is regenerated with acid, and cations are removed from the solution treated in exchanged for hydrogen ions. HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION The concentrations of hydrogen ions in moles per liter of solution; often expressed as pH (see pH). HYDROLOGIC CYCLE The water cycle, including precipitation of water from the atmosphere as rain or snow flow of water over or through the earth, and evaporation or transpiration to water vapor in the atmosphere. (see Transpiration). HYDROLYSIS The reaction of a salt with water to form an acid and a base. HYDROXIDE A chemical compound of an element or elements with the hydroxyl (OH) anion. (see Hydroxyl). HYDROXYL The chemical group or ion (OH) which is neutral or positively charged. HYPOCHLORITE The "OC1" anion; calcium and sodium hypochlorites are commonly used as bleaches and disinfecting agents. ION An atom or group of atoms which functions as a unit, and has a positive or negative electrical charge, due to the gain or loss of one or more electrons. (see Ionization). ION EXCHANGE A reversible process in which ions are released from an insoluble permanent material in exchange for other ions in a surrounding solution; the direction of the exchange depends upon the affinities of the ion exchanger for the ion present, and the concentrations of the ions in the solution. (see Base Exchange). ION EXCHANGER A permanent, insoluble material which contains ions that will exchange reversibly with other ions in a surrounding solution. Both cation and anion exchangers are used in water conditioning. IONIZATION The process in which atoms gain or lose electrons and thus become ions with positive or negative charges; sometimes used as a synonym for dissociation, the separation of molecules into charged ion in solution. IONIZATION CONSTANT A constant, specific for each partially ionizable chemical compound to express the ratio of the concentration of ions from the compound to the concentrate of un-ionized compound. IRON An element often found discolored in ground water (in the form of ferrous iron) in concentrations usually ranging from zero to 10 ppm (mg/1). It is objectionable in water supplies because it can effect water taste and cause unsightly colors produced when iron reacts with tannins in beverages such as coffee and tea. Iron causes staining after oxidation and precipitation, as ferric hydroxide (yellow, brown, and red on clothing, dishes, fixtures, and bathroom tile). Iron can also be found in a bacterial form which will appear as black or brown slime and can effect the odor of your water. Iron is a common water problem throughout the United States, it can be found in well water and municipal water. The EPA has set a maximum level for Iron of 0.3 ppm in water, iron concentrations at this level or higher can cause staining. IRON BACTERIA Organisms which are capable of utilizing ferrous iron (either from the water or from steel pipe) in their metabolism and precipitating both ferric hydroxide in their sheaths and gelatinous deposits. These organisms tend to collect in pipe lines and tanks during periods of low flow, and to break loose in slugs of turbid water to create staining, taste, and odor problems. JACKSON TURBIDITY UNIT (JTU) A quantitative unit of turbidity originally based on the comparison of a liquid (such as water) with a suspension of a specify type of silica, using the turbidity measure in a Jackson Candle Turbidimeter. KILO: A prefix used to indicate 1000 of the succeeding unit. (Kilo is also sometimes used as an abbreviation for kilogram.) KILO GRAIN (Kgr) One thousand grains. KILOGRAM (Kg) One thousand grams. LANGE LIER'S INDEX A calculated number used to predict whether or not a water will precipitate, be in equilibrium with, or dissolve calcium carbonate. It is sometimes erroneously assumed that any water which tends to dissolve calcium carbonate is automatically corrosive. LEAD Lead in drinking water is a common problem, it comes from lead pipes, solder, and brass fittings. Water that has a low pH or Total Dissolved Solids will provide corrosive properties that can leach from your plumbing system. Lead can cause learning and physical disabilities in children and also Hypertension in adults. The EPA action level for Lead is 0.015 ppm. LEAKAGE The amount of contaminant or hardness remaining in water after filtering or other treatment. LIME The common name for calcium oxide (Ca); hydrated lime is calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. LIME SCALE Hard water scale containing a high percentage of calcium carbonate. LIMESTONE A sedimentary rock, largely calcium carbonate, usually also containing significant amounts of magnesium carbonate. LITER The basic metric unit of volume; 3.785 liters equals one U.S. gallon. One liter of water weighs 1000 grams. MAGNESIUM One of the elements making up the earth's crust. Magnesium compounds, when dissolved in water, make the water hard. The presence of magnesium in water is a factor contributing to the formation of scale and insoluble soap curds. MANGANESE An element sometimes found in ground water, usually with dissolved iron but in lower concentrations. Manganese is a typical natural occurring mineral found in municipal and well water. Manganese effects the taste and the color or water. Manganese can also cause staining of clothes and dishware and black stains and other problems similar to iron. The EPA has determined that concentrations greater than 0.05 ppm can cause these aesthetic problems. MANGANESE GREEN SAND Green sand which has been processed to incorporate in its pores and on its surface the higher oxides of manganese. The product has a mild oxidizing power, and is often used in the oxidation and precipitation of iron, manganese and/or hydrogen sulfide, and in their removal from water. MEDIA The selected materials in a filter that form the barrier to the passage of certain suspended solids or dissolved molecules. MEDIUM Singular form of media. MG/L The abbreviation for milligrams per liter. MICRON A linear measure equal to one millionth of a meter. MICRON RATING The term applied to a filter to indicate the particle size of suspended solids that will be removed. As used in industry standards, this is an "absolute" not nominal rating. MILLIGRAM PER LITER (mg/l) A unit concentration of matter used in reporting the results of water and waste water analysis. In diluted water solutions it is practically equal to the part per million, but varies from he ppm in concentrated solution such as brine. As most analysis are performed on measured volumes of water the mg/l is a more accurate expression of the concentration, and is the preferred unit of measure. MILLI MICRON A unit of length equal to one thousandth of a micron, often used to express the wavelengths of colors of visible light in colorimetric analytical procedures. The symbol for the millimicron is "mu". MINERAL A term applied to inorganic substances (such as rocks and similar matter) found in the earth strata, as opposed to organic substances such as plant and animal matter. Minerals normally have definite chemical composition and crystal structure. The term is also applied to matter derived from minerals, such as the inorganic ions found in water. The term has been incorrectly applied to ion exchangers, even though most of the modern materials are organic ion exchange resins. MOLE The molecular weight of a chemical compound expressed in grams. MOLECULE The simplest combination of atoms that will form a specific chemical compound; the smallest particle of a substance which will still retain the essential composition and properties of that substance, and which can be broken down only into atoms and simpler substances. MOST PROBABLE NUMBER (MPN) The term used to indicate the number of organisms which, according to statistical theory, would be most likely to produce the results observed in certain bacteriological tests; usually expressed as a number in 100 ml of water. NEGATIVE CHARGE The electrical charge on an electrode or ion in solution due to the presence of an excess of electrons. NEUTRAL In electrical systems, the term used to indicate neither an excess nor a lack of electrons; a condition of balance between positive and negative charges. In chemistry, the term used to indicate a balance between acids and bases; the neutral point on the pH scale is 7.0, indicating the presence of equal numbers of free hydrogen (acidic) and hydroxide (basic) ions. NEUTRALIZATION In general, the addition of either and acid or a base to a solution as required to produce a neutral solution. The use of alkaline or basic materials to neutralize the acidity of some waters is a common proactive in water conditioning. NITRATE NITROGEN Nitrates are commonly found in well water from agricultural areas. It comes from fertilizers, industrial wastes, septic systems, and animal wastes. High amounts of nitrate effect the bloods ability to carry oxygen. Most susceptible are infants where nitrate poisoning can cause death by a health diagnosis known as "The Blue Baby Syndrome." The EPA has a set maximum contaminant level of 10 ppm for Nitrate Nitrogen. NON CARBONATE HARDNESS Water hardness due to the presence of compounds such as calcium and magnesium chlorides, sulfates or nitrates; the excess of total hardness over total alkalinity. Sincerely. Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice, TCB4U2B2B Business Management Enterprises. Web Site Host, Forums Manager, Monitor, Hiring Agent & Multiple Topics Moderator.