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Frequently Asked Questions

Your quest for knowledge is our quest for knowledge! We love to educate our clients.
Take a look around our frequently asked questions section and if you don’t find the information you need simply call or email and ask one of our experts.

Environmental Protection Agency Documents
  •    EPA Drinking Water from Household Wells
  •    EPA Water & What you need to know
  •    EPA What to do after a flood
  •    EPA Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water

Troubleshooting FAQ's

Why isn't my softener using salt?

Answer
  • If your water softener is a late model it may be operating efficiently and seem to not be using salt. A good indicator is the water quality at the tap. A rough feel or staining confirms your softener may need regular maintenance service.

  • If your water softener is an early model it may need regular maintenance service to bring it back to optimum working condition.

When should I change my Whole House filter?

Answer
  • There is no set maintenance frequency that applies to all filters, however there are some general guidelines.

  • Replace the filter after one year to help keep your water system sanitary.

  • If a loss of pressure is noticed in the home, replace the filter.

  • If the filter serves a specific purpose such as removal of Iron or Sulfur and those contaminants become noticeable at the tap, replace the filter.

  • If your system has an automatic shut-off valve that closes. Replace the filter before resetting the valve.

When should I replace my Reverse Osmosis filters?

Answer
  • Replace the filter after one year to help keep your water system sanitary.

  • If a loss of pressure or water production is noticed replace the filters.

  • If replacing the filters does not resolve the problem, replace the RO membrane.

  • Replace the filters whenever the RO membrane is replaced.

Is there a no salt option for my Water Softener?

Answer
  • Potassium Chloride is a 99.9% sodium free alternative to sodium chloride (typical water softener salt). Potassium Chloride is available at Matsu Water.

How do I change my filter?

Answer
  • Turn off the water supply valve.
  • Turn off the valve after the filter leading to the house.
  • Depressurize the filter housing by depressing the pressure relief button.
  • Remove the filter sump with the wrench supplied with the filter housing.
  • Remove the used filter and clean the housing if required.
  • Put new filter in sump and screw sump back on to housing cap.
  • Slowly open water supply valve until housing is fully pressurized.
  • Slowly open valve leading to house.

I can't get my filter open.

Answer
  • Make sure the filter housing is depressurized.
  • Filter may have been over-tightened when replaced. Call Matsu Water for service.

I have a Water Treatment system but don't know what to do to maintain it.

Answer
  • Call Matsu Water for detailed instructions and service.

My water quality seems to be getting worse.

Answer
  • If you have used the troubleshooting information outlined herein, there may be another more complicated problem. Call Matsu Water for service.

My water pressure is lower than usual.

Answer
  • Replace your filter(s)
  • If the loss of pressure seems to be one location such as a single faucet, check the aerator screen.
  • If you have used the troubleshooting information outlined herein, there may be another more complicated problem. Call Matsu Water for service.

My well pump runs a lot.

Answer
  • Check for a leak in the home such as a running toilet.

  • If your filter was installed in front of the pressure tank it could be the cause and should be relocated to after the pressure tank.

  • If you have used the troubleshooting information outlined herein, there may be another more complicated problem. Call Matsu Water for service.

My Brine Tank is full of water.

Answer
  • If the brine tank is more than half full of water your system requires maintenance service to bring the system back to optimal operational condition. Call Matsu Water for service.

When should I add Pot-Perm to my Greensand system?

Answer
  • This will depend on your specific circumstances including raw water quality, number of people in the home, and the size of your Greensand system. Call Matsu Water for detailed information or service.

I want to buy parts and do-it-myself.

Answer
  • We are happy to provide parts for the do-it-yourselfer. Simply call and we will be happy to help!

Whats in Alaskas water?

Answer
  • Alaska’s water contains many of the contaminants on the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA’s) list of Primary (Health related) and Secondary (Aesthetically related) contaminants.

  • CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EPA’S LIST FO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONTAMINANTS

What should I test for?

Answer
  • Testing for all contaminants can be costly and is not usually necessary.

  • At a minimum an analysis for Coliform Bacteria and Arsenic should be performed.

  • Nitrates are less prevalent than Arsenic and Coliform Bacteria but have been found in high quantities in Alaska and therefore should be considered.

  • There are Comprehensive Analysis packages available for home use or from local state certified labs Link>Analytica Well Safe Click here to review the packages.

  • Matsu Waters FREE test does NOT include analysis for harmful contaminants.

  • Our Water Analysis page provides detailed information on the analysis available.

Do I need a water softener?

Answer
  • Water softeners do not fix every water problem; in fact there is no one system that covers all water problems. Matsu Water must perform a water analysis to determine which type of system is required.

How does a water softener work?

Answer
  • Water softeners use a special media that catches and holds hard mineral ions and releases soft mineral ions. The hard ions are held until the system regenerates and the process starts over again.

Can I drink soft water?

Answer
  • Yes! The majority of water softener users may drink soft water. For every hard ion removed, two soft ions are added to the water. The soft ion may be sodium or potassium. The higher the hardness of the raw water, the higher the amount of sodium or potassium will be added to the water.

  • Matsu Water includes a Reverse Osmosis (RO) drinking water system with all of it’s package systems. The RO process reduces overall mineral content by 95% which includes sodium and potassium.

  • For those whom have doctors orders to be on a low-sodium diet, potassium chloride should be used in conjunction with an RO system for best results.

Is water softener salt bad for my septic?

Answer The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), points out the following:
  • High concentrations of calcium and magnesium in the softener backwash water have no deleterious effect on the biological function occurring in the septic tank and may, in some cases, be helpful.

  • The additional volume of wastewater generated is added slowly to the wastewater stream, and does not cause any hydraulic overload problems.

  • Soil structure in the soil absorption field is positively affected by the calcium and magnesium ions in water softener effluent.
Click for full article or check out the CAI Website

How do I read my water analysis?

Answer Your Water analysis may include 4 primary pieces of information for each anaylite;
  • The Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL, set by the EPA
  • The minimum level detectable
  • The Level detected
  • The Method used for testing
Call Matsu Water for assistance with interpreting your water analysis.

Can I install my own system?

Answer
  • You are able to install your own water treatment system. This will require some plumbing knowledge and you may need to shut your water system down for a time period. Matsu Water carries the special fittings and knowledge to help the Do-It-Yourselfer!

Will Matsu Water use my water test results from another company?

Answer
  • Matsu Water will be happy to use the results of another company’s water analysis. Just have the results with you when you call or stop by.

Why do I need a drinking water system if I have a whole house system?

Answer
  • Drinking water systems like our Reverse Osmosis systems are designed to make your water as clean and safe as possible for consumption by purifying your water much further than a typical whole house filtration system

  • Whole house water treatment systems make water that is excellent for general utility use, however they do not remove the dissolved solids and other organic contaminants that remain and cause poor taste

How do I find information on my well water?

Answer Information on your well may be found readily in two places;
  • The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (Link)
  • The well driller that drilled your well should have a well log

How do I find information on my well water?

Answer Information on your well may be found readily in two places;
  • The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (Link)
  • The well driller that drilled your well should have a well log

Is there a salt free water softener?

Answer
  • No. There is currently no system that removes hardness from water other than a water softener

  • There are a few systems that change the charge of the hard mineral to prevent the hard mineral from sticking to mechanical systems and plumbing fixtures.

  • They do not remove the hard mineral from the water.

  • These systems are called “Physical water treatment” systems and though they are a newer technology, they do have merit for certain applications

Can my system safely freeze?

Answer
  • Freezing will damage your system if there is water in it. Systems may incorporate an air valve that may be used to push water from the system or may be disassembled to remove water

  • Contact Matsu Water for detailed instructions based on your system

Do magnets fix Iron and Hardness problems?

Answer
  • No they do not. We have not found a system that uses magnets that has a significant impact on water quality

What problem does my symptom indicate?

Answer

Symtom

Indication
White Scale Buildup Hard Mineral
Red/Brown Staining Iron
Bubbles in the Water/Flammable Methane
Grey Buildup Silt
Egg Odor Hydrogen Sulfide Gas
Color in Water Tannin/Organics
Popping in Hot Water Heater Hard mineral
Slimy or Gelatinous Coating Bacteria
Swampy Odor Organics or Bacteria

Are parts available for my system?

Answer
  • Matsu Water knows the importance of having parts available for repairing rather than replacing.

  • For this reason we try to use only systems that are repairable and parts for these systems are either in stock or may be ordered.

Aren't the minerals in my water good for me?

Answer
  • The minerals in your water may be good for you. Unfortunately there may also be contaminants that are not healthy.

  • Matsu Water recommends a balanced diet that includes clean safe water and lots of fruits and vegetables

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Answer
  • Check Out our page on Reverse Osmosis

Why not drink Tap Water that comes from my municipality?

Answer
  • Tap water in the United States of America is very safe for consumption due to our strict regulatory agencies such as the USEPA.

  • If your water supply comes from a municipality it is regulated for dangerous contaminants and should be safe to consume

  • Tap water must meet certain criteria set forth by the USEPA in order to be deemed safe, however there is still a lot of “stuff” such as disinfection by-products and chlorine in tap water that may be removed to make the water much more pleasant for consumption

  • Aesthetic standards for bottled water are much more stringent than the esthetic standards set forth for tap water

How should I maintain my well pump?

Answer
  • Submersible well pumps do not require any regular maintenance.

  • Jet pumps may require new pump seals as the pump ages.

  • To prevent damage to your well system, keep the well properly capped and sealed and do not store chemicals, vehicles, or any hazardous material near-by.

  • If you suspect there is a problem with your pump, contact Matsu Water for recommendations

Should I disinfect my Well, plumbing, storage tank system?

Answer
  • Your well, storage tank, and plumbing system should be disinfected regularly to keep the water quality as good as possible

  • Disinfection may be performed any time the water quality seems to be getting worse, when major maintenance has been done to the well, or when a positive bacteria result has been received or bacteria is suspected

  • Atmospheric storage tanks should be disinfected annually as they are prone to nuisance bacteria and algae
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