CALL (414) 425-3339

Request a Site Survey
Troubled by Weird Water Quality?
Favorite this: 

Who do you call when you get weird water? Watertech of America of course! 
Part of my job is to field calls from technicians whose water just turned weird. Troubleshooting these strange situations is one of my favorite tasks in water treatment. The purpose of this post is to help boiler and cooling maintenance technicians have a better understanding of what to do when they encounter unusual events and how to assess when it is necessary to sound the alarm and seek help.
 
When your water gets weird it is good to be acquainted with the normal readings for each component in your boiler or cooling system – testing for criteria such as the level of the dissolved solids, pH, total hardness, and alkalinity. Obtaining these readings quickly and accurately when experiencing weird conditions provides critical clues to solving the mystery. Boilers, closed loops, and cooling towers all have certain parameters for water quality.
Failure to maintain these parameters, and to keep contaminants out, will certainly cause you to have ‘weird’ water.
Common causes of weird water:
  • No chemical treatment or improper treatment
  • Pre-treatment equipment failure (softeners/reverse osmosis/filters)
  • Major water loss causing excessive makeup water (leads to added oxygen as well)
  • Process contamination
  • Microbiological activity
  • Reduced system operation leading to stagnant water
What can you do to resolve the problem?
You basically have 3 options when issues arise, and a quick remedy is needed:
 
1.  Call in a water treatment expert
  • If you currently don’t have one, finding the right one could take some time
  • There could be added costs for them to conduct an analysis
  • The problem will be identified relatively quickly, and a solution would be recommend
2.  Test the water yourself
  • You need to know where to sample
  • You need to possess the proper testing equipment·
  • You need to know what tests you are running
  • You will still need someone to help interpret the results and provide a solution
3.  Send a sample of the water to a lab or water treater
  • You need to determine the best place to send the sample
  • Some parameters are time sensitive and require special bottles
  • A good water treatment company will likely test the water for free
  • You will still need someone to help interpret the results and provide a solution
Some locations to pull water samples and what to use for testing.
 
The yellow circles below show some recommend locations to pull water samples from basic cooling and boiler systems. 
 
 
COOLING SAMPLE SITES
 
 
BOILER SAMPLE SITES
 
Below are pictures of some basic and inexpensive test kits you could carry with you to obtain some of the high-level parameters a water treater would start with. 
 
Iron test kits identify potential corrosion issues and the source of colored water
 
 
Test Strips are inexpensive and easy to store and use. A great way to obtain quick answers in the field when troubleshooting. Strips can be used for a variety of tests such as total hardness, free chlorine, pH, iron and many other constituents.
 
Conductivity or TDS meters let you know if the level of "stuff" dissolved in your water has changed.
 
By having a few testing tools on hand, the next time you encounter abnormal water conditions you will be prepared to provide the critical information needed to help find a resolution to the problem.
 
Do you need help with testing?
If you run across weird water and do not have the ability to run some basic tests – Watertech can provide you with sample collection bottles to send in for professional analysis. Detecting problems early can help avoid costly fixes. Contact us today for sample collection bottles and return mailing label. Simply fill out the form below and leave a brief note about what you are experiencing in the comment field and one of our technical engineers will be in touch.
 
Do you need better diagnostic tools?
If you are a mechanical contractor, project engineer, or maintenance person that runs into “weird water” on a regular basis – let us know and we can help provide the diagnostic tools to communicate with us so we can help you return things to normal.
 
For more information, click the link below and fill out the form. Mention “Free Test Kit” in your comments to be entered for a chance to win a free starter test kit!   
 
 
Ed Dimler | Territory Manager - Iowa 
Ed has worked in the water treatment industry for 31 years and has experience in boiler, cooling, and wastewater chemical treatment programs. Ed leads educational training events and seminars to promote better water management and improve safety. He is a member of ISHE and holds a BA from St Mary's College. Contact him directly at 563-419-8106, edimler@watertechusa.com or follow him on LinkedIn. 

 
X
Sign In:
Don't have an account? Sign up:
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Forgot your password? Click here
X
Enter your email address. If an account exists with that address, an email detailing how to reset the password will be sent to it.
X
Create Account

Already have an account? Log in:
LOG IN
Knowledge Center
Filter Show Filter...
Watertech Knowledge Center
Welcome to the Knowledge Center.
To store favorites or access our entire library, create an account.
SIGN IN
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
X
Filters
Sort
Group by Document Type
Keywords
Topic
Favorites Only
Document Type
Articles
Blogs
Brochures
Calculators
Case Studies
Company News
Manuals
Newsletters
Presentations
Product Information
Technical Documents
Test Procedures
Videos
Watertech Employees
Application
Boiler Water
Cooling Water
Wastewater
Potable Water
Industry
Commercial
Dairy
Energy
Food & Beverage
Healthcare
Manufacturing
Waste to Energy
 
Articles
Welcome Connor Keast – Water Treatment Sales Engineer
Welcome Connor Keast – Water Treatment Sales Engineer 
Welcome Mike Spaeth - Sales Manager
Welcome Mike Spaeth - Sales Manager 
Welcome Rebecca Goss - Procurement Manager
Welcome Rebecca Goss - Procurement Manager 
Welcome Dominic Cavalieri - Field Service Technician
Welcome Dominic Cavalieri - Field Service Technician 
Welcome Tina Grimmer - Controller
Welcome Tina Grimmer – Controller 
Big Cup Golf - Ukraine Benefit
Happy to sponsor and be part of the Big Cup golf event to benefit Ukraine 
Watertech Collects 504lbs for Feeding America
Watertech Supports Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin 
Welcome Jake Morrison
Welcome Jake Morrison, Equipment Product Manager 
Welcome Ed Dimler
Welcome Ed Dimler, Watertech Sales Engineer, Northeast Iowa 
Welcome Bill Holzbach
Welcome Bill Holzbach, Watertech Applications Specialist – Pretreatment Equipment 
Save up to 15% on energy costs. EndoTherm can be installed into ANY hydronic heating, process, and chilled loop system. 
Technical document with tips for reopening a building after closure. 
Welcome Dennis Kwasny
Welcome Dennis Kwasny, Central WI Territory Rep 
An article from Water Conditioning & Purification that highlights various filtration media, their performance properties and best applications. 
Tufts University School of Medicine found that more than 617,000 hospitalizations from 1991 to 2006 were related to three common opportunistic waterborne pathogens. 
Download the annual surveys from the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network. 
Watertech is Proud to Support CW4K
Watertech is Proud to Support CW4K 
CMS says WMP's are necessary to be compliant. 
CMS Memo to State Survey Directors 
This toolkit is designed to help people understand which buildings and devices need a Legionella water management program to reduce the risk for Legionnaires’ disease. 
3 Key factors to consider when feeding an emulsion polymer. 
Legionaires' Disease – A problem for health care facilities. 
WTeService Learn More About v3.0
Exciting new updates to WTeService. 
CWT Brochure
When you see CWT you have one of the industry’s best working for you. 
Certified Water Technologists Code of Ethics 
AWT Environmental Statement
AWT Environmental Statement The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) is an association of over 500 U.S. and international water treatment companies that provide water treatment programs for many diverse institutional, commercial and industrial water users. 
An article from Forbes addressing the importance of water to utility industry executives. 
A guide describing a process for assuring that building design intention matches actual energy consumption. 
Map of the U.S. identifying the hardness of water in milligrams per liter in specific locations. 
Guidelines to improve boiler performance allowing you to achieve more cost effective maintenance of a steam system. 
Five examples of how a plate heat exchanger can provide benefits for process heating applications. 
Legionella guide from the World Health Organization. 
Environmental Protection Agency rules governing large and small boilers used at area source facilities. 
Causes and solutions to fouling in heat exchangers.  
Strategies to optimize heat exchanger efficiency. 
Identifying problems that a good water management system can control. 
Boiler logging will reduce accidents, downtime, and equipment loss. 
Scale in boiler water systems is a very common issue. Consult with water treatment specialists to treat and prevent it.  
A list of instrument readings to be taken daily and recorded in your boiler log. 
Energy management basics that should be a part of your everyday checklist routine. 
Partial listing of sizing and installation highlights for steam pressure system safety valves. 
Guide to achieving 50% energy savings toward a net-zero energy building. 
A guide to understanding chemical water treatment in cooling and boiler water systems. 
A brief guide to better understanding boiler water conductivity. 
Information for proper fall shutdown of cooling equipment. 
Decrease your energy costs by using these proven effective guidelines. 
Solutions for water use and energy reduction in order to increase your bottom line and protect the environment. 
Ideas to limit water use in ethanol production utilizing a "reduce, reuse, recycle" frame of mind. 
Understanding our water footprint in order to better conserve water. 
Filtration using step-down particle retention can help reduce operating costs and achieve cleaner solutions. 
Innovative chemistries, optimization of systems and water conservation as these topics relate to scale, corrosion and microbiological prevention. 
Benefits of online benchmarking systems for facilities management. 
Knowing the cost of steam to improve your bottom line. 
Understanding energy metrics to limit energy use. 
New ways to save water in dairy processing. 
Energy reduction strategies for optimizing your bottom line. 
Five helpful tips for integrating environment, health and safety into company culture. 
Different selections of pumps for boiler water applications. 
Reduce your blowdown need to zero and cycle water without limit. 
Identifying key components of the boiler system and how water chemistry relates to Key Performance Indicators.  
Piping dead-legs, source of plant maintenance and safety incidents. 
Necessary steps that need to be taken prior to starting boilers after a lay-up period. 
Ice control and different ice formations in various types of cooling towers. 
Important connections and opportunities between water and energy. 
Guidelines for maintaining optimal water quality in evaporation cooling equipment. 
A checklist for monthly cooling tower maintenance. 
Table of conversion factors. 
10 ways that you can save time and money, prevent litigation and illness, and maybe even save a life as they relate to Legionella.  
Free cooling helps you reduce refrigeration energy consumption by using evaporative cooling equipment to produce chilled water in cool weather. 
Explaining the different types of boiler logs, what these logs can tell you, and who is all responsible for these logs. 
Benefits of using liquid polymers in water-treatment applications and accommodating their unique characteristics. 
Criteria you should consider when evaluating your next cooling tower purchase. 
Tips from Chemical Processing to make fullest use of its hot water, and thus cutting energy consumption. 
Part 1 - Describing some potentially catastrophic events that power and recovery boilers are prone to if not properly maintained. 
Part 2 - Describing some potentially catastrophic events that power and recovery boilers are prone to if not properly maintained. 
Part 3 - Describing some potentially catastrophic events that power and recovery boilers are prone to if not properly maintained. 
General water management guide for facility managers. 
Strategies for reducing energy savings in large office buildings by up to 50%. 
Sustainable and operational benefits of molded, HDPE cooling towers. 
Maintenance requirements to prevent scale from occurring in your boiler. 
Optimization efforts taken by several chemical manufacturers to reduce their water footprint.  
Understanding the key components of cooling towers and how to improve water efficiency. 
How to prevent/minimize Legionella in your water systems. 
Blogs
Watertech's Knowledge Center is a one-stop resource for anyone involved in water treatment. 
Filtration is a vital part of both cooling tower operation. 
Sludge containing extra water increases your disposal costs. 
The Hidden Benefits of a Fresh Perspective in Water Treatment. 
Few things are as important as water. 
Corrosion coupons are a good predictive maintenance tool. 
Watertech leverages AI to manage data, but strives to maintain a personal connection. 
Aquassist is a groundbreaking smart water testing tool that will revolutionize how you validate your system’s water quality.  
Seasonal maintenance helps maintain equipment and improve efficiency. 
An account audit helps maintain the success of a water treatment program. 
The importance of becoming a Certified Water Technologist 
Maximize the Potential of Pretreatment 
Aquafilm 1284C treats metal surfaces and not the water to help solve corrosion issues in closed loops.  
Watertech's Polydose line of products improves the efficiency and maintenance of cooling water systems. 
If you want to be the MVP at your facility, huddle up and collaborate with your team.  
RO systems require regular maintenance to maintain their efficiency and effectiveness. 
How to handle large volumes of FOG in your waste stream. 
Learn how Aquafilm effectively treats systems and helps save on energy and water usage.  
Several items should be considered when specifying the proper side stream filtration system. 
5 Things operators ignore, then look to blame on their water treater. 
When working with chemicals, it is important to understand safety procedures and what to do in the event of a chemical release.  
The food and beverage industry is growing, and the demand for water treatment is growing with it.  
This is a great time to review accomplishments and plan for the new year.  
A few adjustments to your boiler or cooling system can save a significant amount of energy.  
Phosphonates can make meeting phosphorus discharge limits even more challenging. 
Learn what to do when you encounter unexpected results with your system's water quality. 
Learn about the negative effects of sub cooled condensate in your heat exchanger.  
Kinetic leaders can help their organization easily pivot and respond to challenges. 
Now is the time to work with your provider to come up with a contingency plan for supply chain challenges. 
Biocides can be used for many applications including healthcare, food & beverage, industrial, and commercial. Choosing the proper disinfection technology is critical. 
Advanced water treatment sensors can improve system performance. 
Cooling tower cleanings are essential for maintaining a safe and healthy cooling system.  
Boiler inspection time is validation time. This is the best opportunity to see how your water treatment program is working.  
Now is the time to ensure your system's HVAC coils are freeze protected and working properly. A frozen coil not only causes water damage, there is also the replacement cost and downtime for repairs when it is least convenient. 
If you want to achieve predictable results from your water treatment program, you need a 3-pronged approach. 
EndoTherm is an additive that is proven to reduce energy usage in heating and cooling closed loop recirculating systems.  
Being proactive and thorough in your approach to maintenance saves time and money in the long run.  
How to manage bacterial growth in cooling towers. 
Aquafilm-V delivers some dramatic results and improvements. 
Many businesses are experiencing delays, shortages and price increases in the wake of the pandemic. 
The regulations are coming. What are you going to do about PFAS / PFOS? 
If you are relying on a municipal water source a dechlorination process may be necessary prior to discharge. 
Is Your Plant’s Pre-Treatment Equipment A Top Priority? For Watertech, it is!  
Guidance and recommended actions for returning water systems to regular use. 
Watertech offers a complete range of flexible business solutions to manage our customers’ needs.  
Watertech offers products and solutions to help meet your sustainability efforts.  
Use these calculations to help determine if it might be time to consider using an Anti-Scalant. 
HVAC cooling tower shutdown and cleaning recommendations from Watertech, OSHA, CDC and CTI.  
Stagnant water in a plumbing system can drastically increase the risk of exposure to Legionella and other harmful water borne pathogens. 
Watertech: Swipe right to build a great vendor relationship! 
What is the Impact of an RO System on a Boiler Water Treatment Program? 
Improving condensate return can save on water, energy and chemicals. 
The Impact of Stagnant Water on Industrial and Potable Water Systems 
Why should water treatment automation be a top priority? 
Happy 40th Anniversary Watertech! 
How to manage your boiler system when results are out of range.  
Give Thanks for Water 
5 Deaerator problems to watch for to help ensure high quality feed water. 
Learn how the salt you choose can have a significant impact on system performance. 
Filming agents prevent scale and corrosion by forming a protective layer on all metal surfaces. 
Tips to keep sensors clean and working effectively to help avoid operational challenges that are costly to correct.  
The number one threat to business development is access to fresh water. This has prompted more to seek careers in the water industry. 
How to manage your cooling system when results are out of range.  
Advancements and innovations in water treatment equipment and controllers make life easier, but more importantly, provide ways to achieve better and more accurate results. 
When boiler water turns to steam solids are left behind. Bottom blowdown and surface blowdown are two methods to reduce solids and help maintain your system. 
Side stream filtration is an important but often overlooked component of an effective cooling water treatment program. 
January is a great time to reassess business strategies and include some water treatment resolutions that could improve the health of your company. 
Water and energy are very much interrelated and dependent upon one another, this co-dependency is called the Water-Energy Nexus. 
Are you considering a chemical-free, cooling water treatment solution? It is important to fully understand your system design and the unique characteristics of your application when making a decision. 
Canned Water for Kids (cW4K) is a great local charity that is making a global impact to help ensure all children have access to clean, safe drinking water. 
Ordering and receiving a glycol delivery should be a fairly straightforward and easy process; however, it takes some insight and planning to avoid complications.  
Making changes in how you use salt in your facility can help protect our fresh water resources, and potentially reduce your operating costs.  
Softeners are a critical component to the water treatment system. They help remove minerals to reduce scale and build-up in piping and heat transfer equipment. 
Sloppy sludge is a challenge in wastewater treatment. It pays to be informed on treatment equipment and how chemicals can impact this process. 
Having a team that has been trained in proper safety procedures and practices ensures not only their own safety, but also the safety of customers. 
The water characteristics of Waukesha’s existing water supply and Lake Michigan water are quite different and will require users to consider how they manage their boiler and cooling water water treatment.. 
Learning how to properly install and maintain your boiler conductivity electrode will help improve the performance of your boiler.