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in Northern Bruce Peninsula
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In which we tell you about ...
Our Water Heating and Treatment System
During the ten years we have lived here, the standards for water treatment have steadily risen for those who serve the public in their homes, as we do, just as concern about the "carbon footprint" and the costs of electricity and fuel have risen. When we began, our water was treated only by an iron filter (installed by the previous owners), and heated by a conventional electric water tank, all this installed in the basement crawl space, where it was practically impossible to maintain regularly, especially for someone of Paul's height.
When the first wave of improvements was demanded, we installed a UV light. Then we needed a particle filter and a water softener in order for the UV light to function properly. This machine was too small for the crawl space, and the system began to sprawl. At the same time, we were both becoming more conscious of the need to supervise and maintain all this equipment properly, and more interested in the potential of solar power for hot water, especially in summer when our consumption is greatest.
In 2010, therefore, we first constructed a Water Shed to make the equipment accessible and give ourselves more space, and then a state-of-the-art solar water heater with an electric coil backup.
Paul is now certified as a small water system operator, and we are up and running. On sunny days we get all the hot water we need, and the big tank carries us through the night. And even without sun, in winter or prolonged cloudy weather, the new hot water tank is more efficient than the old one, being better insulated and of a more efficient size and design.
The water comes from our well, drilled 120' down into the limestone, from which it is pumped by a submersible pump into the pressure tank, and from there into the treatment system which consists of:
• Iron Filter;
• Water Softener;
• 2 particle filters, one fine and one super-fine;
• UV Light
We are assured that this system will ensure that you are consuming clean water. But just to make doubly sure, we conduct regular testing on a schedule approved by the Grey Bruce Health Unit in accordance with regulations set by the Ontario Ministry of Health.