Atlanta Area Water

[timeconsumer]

Me again,

Alright so I've tentatively figured out which Craigslist special is going to be my new tank. I've also tentatively figured out where I might be living, at this point it looks like Douglasville (any opinions on this area?). What I need to know is the water quality. I hear the Atlanta Metro area uses chloramines on and off. Anyone have any trouble with using a standard 4-stage RODI unit? I plan to purchase this:

 

[crew]

I've read lots of reports that say carbon removes chloramines (and others that say it doesn't). If I were you, I would just test the water after it's run through the filter and then go from there.

 

[lsu_fishfan]

Brs also sales a replacement filter that specifically removes chlorine and chloramine

 

[timeconsumer]

Yeah, I've always gone off RHF's article from 2003 here:

 

[raz0945]

When you know the area you are considering moving to give the water dept a call, they can tell you if It is chlorine or chloramine. I called the Lawrenceville water dept when I moved here and they transfered me to the lab and they were very helpful. I did the same a few months ago when we bought a house in N Ga. I have had the BRS RODI system and have been pleased with them. They make one with special filters for chloramine. Holley:yes:

 

[sewer urchin]

It's a tricky question to answer because it depends on many factors. Water in our region tends to be very soft. I'm a bit North of you and we have a couple of springs on the property and served by a well... so no treatment. The FEED water to the RODI is usually 50-60 ppm. That's not to bad.

Best bet would be to contact the municipality ( I guess you might be a bit more used to a Parrish) that supplies the water once you settle in.
It seems that every city does things slightly differently, up here most counties aren't willing or can't afford to develop the infrastructure and permitting. For example, Clarkesville GA pulls water out of the Soque River a tributary of the Chattahooche but also pulls some water out of well to serve a couple of communities at a higher elevation. So you could be getting either of them or a mix. The municipality has to test the water and publish those reports so I would guess that they would be the best source of info.

Hope that helps

 

[willie1983]

The water in Douglasville is pretty good i can't tell you exact numbers but its better than the city water

 

[timeconsumer]

50-60ppm sounds a lot better than the 280ppm I had here in New Orleans. We were loaded with nitrates, phosphates, and copper too. Our water came from the Mississippi so it was full of runoff from other cities and lots of farms. I was using a BRS 5 stage with buckeye field supply pre-filters (catalytic GAC and chloramine block) and a Spectrapure 99% membrane, so it was really a hodgepodge. But it worked well. Unfortunately I sold it when I broke down the 75g.

Depending on my conversation with the water board I'll see if I need a 5 stage. I'm probably sticking with Spectrapure, I liked their products a lot. Pretty tough to beat this one:

 

[jennm]

Georgia uses chlorine. Florida uses chloramine.

The coconut shell carbon blocks commonly available for RO/DI units remove chlorine but not chloramine.

Catalytic carbon removes chloramine. If you suspect chloramine, use a cartridge that states it does address chloramine, such as the Pentek Chlorplus10 https://www.h2odistributors.com/chlorplus-10">https://www.h2odistributors.com/chlorplus-10</a>

The vendors mentioned in timeconsumer's post, buy their stuff from me where I work ;) You can get all that locally.

Jenn

 

[timeconsumer]

Well I am both Timeconsumer and the original poster, but yeah I'll definitely check out your store for both dry and live goods.

BTW, can you get captive-bred fish? My upcoming tank I plan on doing all captive bred so will be looking for some ORA watchman gobies, ORA yellow assessors, captive banggais, etc.

 

[timeconsumer]

Well, several phone calls later to the water and sewage authority and no answers. Lots of holds, lots of transfers to incorrect people, couple of answering machines. Seems like your run-of-the-mill government operation.

Anyone happen to live in douglasville with a free chlorine and total chlorine test kit?

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

I'm not sure if you have seen the information at this links:

http://www.ddcwsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Consumer_Confidence_Report_2015.pdf">http://www.ddcwsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Consumer_Confidence_Report_2015.pdf</a>

[IMG]http://www.ddcwsa.com/customer-services/education/water-quality-reports/">http://www.ddcwsa.com/customer-services/education/water-quality-reports/</a>

[IMG]http://www.ddcwsa.com/about-us/water-quality-importance/">http://www.ddcwsa.com/about-us/water-quality-importance/</a>

I hope this information is helpful. Maybe someone is Douglasville, GA has recently submitted a sample of their tap water to be tested. I live in Middle Georgia; about 95 miles south of Atlanta and about once a year a company will leave a small plastic bottle with information of getting your tap water tested. The company usually leaves the plastic bottle attached to everyone's mailbox in the neighborhood. I'm not sure if they do this in Douglasville, GA.

Wannabee

 

[timeconsumer]

Yeah, I read the reports. But it makes no mention of whether or not ammonia is added to the chlorine.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Here's another link: http://www.paulding.gov/index.aspx?NID=945">http://www.paulding.gov/index.aspx?NID=945</a>

Bottom of webpage has e-mail for two people under the water and sewage department. Try and e-mail both of them. I did see where the links I provided earlier had a 1.8 out of 5 stars with 12 responders. That maybe part of the run around your currently getting while trying to get the information you are requesting. Good luck.

Wannabee

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Maybe you can get someone whom lives in the Douglasville GA area to test the water. I would ask what brand of test kits they are using. I've read different opinions here at ARC of which brand test kits are accurate and have quality measurements, while others are ......

Wannabee

 

[timeconsumer]

Well I sent an email to the general communication line: mailto:askwsa@ddcwsa.com">askwsa@ddcwsa.com</a>. I heard back that Douglasville does NOT use chloramines, only free chlorine.

So it looks like I can get away with a cheap 4-stage unit like this guy: [IMG]http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Aquarium-RO-DI-Starter%20Kit-Includes-RODI-System-Replacement-Filter%20Kit-TDS%20Meters-Chlorine-Test-Kit">http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Aquarium-RO-DI-Starter%20Kit-Includes-RODI-System-Replacement-Filter%20Kit-TDS%20Meters-Chlorine-Test-Kit</a>

 

[bulkrate]

Honestly nowadays it's probably best to pop the extra money for the filters rated to handle chloramines... although Roswell also states they don't use anything but chlorine there's still all the high-density developments going in not to mention just routine break-fix & proactive water line replacement.

If you see a public works crew digging, there's a good chance they'll flush the line with something localized to prevent/mitigate contamination, likely ammonia... and presto. Suddenly the extra spent on that higher-grade carbon block is worth its weight in gold.

 

[chris s]

Douglasville here. Free chlorine only. Good water quality. I usually get around 20 tds readings on my supply but it does vary a little.

 

[jennm]

For clarity - the RO/DI stuff is from my "real" job - PM for details.

The Fish Store carries some, but not all.

As for livestock, call the shop or email for details - I am not in the store.

Jenn

 

[jullian811]

I Need To Get Me an RODI Unit... I Still Fill Up 5 Gal Jugs at The Local Grocery Store!