ᐅ First water from the tap is stagnant and contains limescale.
Created on: 15 Jan 2024 07:31
U
Ubibubi
Hello everyone,
We have been living in our newly built house for a few months now and have noticed that the first cold water in the morning from any tap (whether in the kitchen or bathrooms on the ground or upper floor) always tastes very stale and has a strong presence of limescale, despite having a water softener installed. When I let the first 300-400 ml (10–14 fl oz) run, the taste normalizes and the limescale content gradually decreases. I wonder if this is normal due to the standing water in the pipes overnight or if there is something wrong with the plumbing installation. The water hardness test kits also recommend letting the water run for a minute before testing. However, in daily life, this is not very practical and leads to considerable water waste. My expectation would actually be water quality similar to sparkling water and a normal taste right away. What do you think could be the cause?
By the way, the water softener installed is a BWT Perla One. We also have a Conel CLEAR 2.0 backwash filter. Activating the filter freshly does not seem to affect the issue described above. We also use a Grundfos Comfort PM recirculation pump, which runs once a day for a few minutes. The domestic hot water storage tank is a WAS ECO 165 l (44 US gallons), integrated with our Weishaupt LS8-B heat pump.
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
We have been living in our newly built house for a few months now and have noticed that the first cold water in the morning from any tap (whether in the kitchen or bathrooms on the ground or upper floor) always tastes very stale and has a strong presence of limescale, despite having a water softener installed. When I let the first 300-400 ml (10–14 fl oz) run, the taste normalizes and the limescale content gradually decreases. I wonder if this is normal due to the standing water in the pipes overnight or if there is something wrong with the plumbing installation. The water hardness test kits also recommend letting the water run for a minute before testing. However, in daily life, this is not very practical and leads to considerable water waste. My expectation would actually be water quality similar to sparkling water and a normal taste right away. What do you think could be the cause?
By the way, the water softener installed is a BWT Perla One. We also have a Conel CLEAR 2.0 backwash filter. Activating the filter freshly does not seem to affect the issue described above. We also use a Grundfos Comfort PM recirculation pump, which runs once a day for a few minutes. The domestic hot water storage tank is a WAS ECO 165 l (44 US gallons), integrated with our Weishaupt LS8-B heat pump.
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
J
jens.knoedel15 Jan 2024 20:57Ubibubi schrieb:
I measured it. At the beginning, it is about 6-7 degrees dH and then settles at the target value of 3-4. Why do you reduce the water hardness so drastically? Is there a specific reason for that?
jens.knoedel schrieb:
Why are you reducing the water hardness so drastically? Is there a specific reason for this?4° dH is just the standard target value for softened water. Basically, we have the system because we have sensitive skin.
A
Allthewayup15 Jan 2024 21:41We installed a separate cold water line for the kitchen sink before the water softener to preserve drinking water quality. Bathrooms, dishwasher, and other fixtures run through the softening system. For each degree of German hardness (dH) removed, 8.2 mg/l of sodium is added to the water through ion exchange. Considering that infant formula should only be prepared with water containing a maximum of 20 mg/l sodium, it’s clear what softening water from 17 dH to, for example, 8 dH means for the body’s sodium balance—not only for infants or young children. Our water hardness here is 21 to 22 dH. Drinking water softened down to 8 dH over the long term would indeed be unhealthy.
Allthewayup schrieb:
We had a separate cold water line installed for the kitchen sink before the water softening system to maintain drinking water quality. The bathrooms, dishwasher, etc., are supplied through the softener. For every degree of German hardness (dH) softened, 8.2 mg/l of sodium is added to the water through ion exchange. Considering that infant formula should only be prepared with water containing a maximum of 20 mg/l sodium, you can understand what softening 17 dH water down to, for example, 8 dH means for the body's sodium balance—not just for infants or toddlers. Our water measures 21, sometimes 22 dH. Drinking water softened down to 8 dH over the long term would really be unhealthy. You’re right, you definitely have to be careful with babies. But for everyone else, it’s not a concern. Here we have 12° dH, going down to 4° dH, which means 8 × 8.2 mg = 65.6 mg. The tap water itself contains between 20 and 30 mg/l sodium depending on the source. So overall, we’re below 100 mg and still quite far from the safety limits.
It’s certainly an interesting subject, but I would return to the original question of why the first half liter after a longer standstill tastes musty 😕
I have to say that it is precisely for this reason:
This 300-400 ml (10-14 ounces) is used many times over elsewhere without calling it waste.
Ubibubi schrieb:...that I learned it from my mother...
because of the standing water in the pipes overnight
Ubibubi schrieb:...to do exactly that.
When I let the first 300-400 ml (10-14 ounces) of water run
This 300-400 ml (10-14 ounces) is used many times over elsewhere without calling it waste.
Ubibubi schrieb:...but, for example, one could compensate for this waste by showering 5 seconds shorter.
quite a waste of water
R
RotorMotor16 Jan 2024 12:49Or use the first 500ml (0.5 quarts) to water the plants.