NEUTRALIZER MAINTENANCE TIPS

Neutralizers are used to raise the pH of acidic water by dissolving a small amount of calcium carbonate “calcite” media into the water stream.  The media must be replenished or “topped off” periodically. 

If blue green staining appears, your calcite level may have dropped too low and you should call for a recharge.  If blue green staining remains after a recharge, make sure all ball valves and bypass valves are in the proper position.  An ongoing problem may mean that the neutralizer is not large enough for the water flow rate or acidity of your water.  In addition, the presence of chlorides (usually from road salting) can aggravate a corrosive condition, leading to blue green staining even when a neutralizer is present.

An upflow neutralizer, which is a non-backwashing neutralizer, will be configured with a post filter to trap any media fines that may loft up during water use.  Sometimes the cartridge will load up quickly with fines after a recharge, leading to a pressure drop.  Change the cartridge and pressure should return. 

After many years in service, and with certain water chemistries, the media inside an upflow neutralizer can be comprised of many very tiny particles.  If this leads to an unacceptable pressure drop, the filter may have to be “rebedded” where the old media is removed and fresh media installed.