■Is water quality different for each well? Groundwater generally has good water quality, while unconfined groundwater is more susceptible to the influence of surface water, and confined groundwater has unique characteristics derived from the geology surrounding the aquifer. The variation in water quality is due to the depth of the well and the aquifer being tapped. The main items to investigate in groundwater are as follows: 1. Properties: Water temperature, pH value, color 2. Dissolved components: Corrosive free carbon dioxide, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, iron, manganese 3. Microorganisms: Iron bacteria, bacteria, etc. ■Be mindful of arsenic and organic solvents In some regions, attention should also be paid to arsenic and fluoride, and there are many cases of contamination from organic solvents such as trichloroethylene. ■What are the treatment methods for each component? Treatment methods include aeration or alkaline treatment for corrosive free carbon dioxide, and crystallization softening or coagulation precipitation for hardness. Hardness components can precipitate on heat transfer tubes when concentrated in a boiler, so special care is needed for process water. Aeration is effective in raising the pH by removing free carbon dioxide from water with a low pH value. The treatment of iron and manganese will be addressed on another page.

■Can water that is safe to drink also be used in boilers? According to the water quality standards for tap water, the hardness (calcium, magnesium, etc.) should be below 300 mg/L. In contrast, the water quality standards of JIS B 8223 indicate that for multi-tube special circulation boilers that use softened water with a normal operating pressure of 1 MPa or less, the water supply should have a hardness of 1 mg/L or less as a guideline. Even well water that meets drinking water standards may require treatment such as softening for boiler water supply. ■Some areas require permission for water extraction! Under the Industrial Water Law, in designated areas specified by government ordinance, if groundwater is extracted from wells with a discharge cross-sectional area exceeding 6 square cm for industrial use, permission from the governor of the prefecture (or the mayor in designated cities) is required for each well. There are also areas where local ordinances restrict extraction. ■Points to check before installation 1. Purpose: Drinking, boiler, cooling, or cleaning 2. Analysis values of the source water: hardness, iron, manganese, pH, etc. 3. Regulations on extraction in the area Torii offers not only filtration systems and water softeners but also chemicals for boilers. Please feel free to consult with us first.