Has anyone ever encountered bacterial growth in the softener Brine tank. It would seem to me that the salinity would be so high that only halophiles could grow. Would halophiles present a hazard?

Chieftex. I attended a water treatment seminar 2 years ago put on by Ameriwater and their recommendation was to sanitize the brine tank every 3-4 months. I cannot say that I have implemented this recommendation, let alone what bacteria testing method to use. Sounds like a question that Florian could have an answer to.

question # 2
about 4 years ago a fmc-na rtm
told me - that you should put 10 to 15 cc bleach in the brine tank every 4 to 6 months to control bacteria?
is this a good idea

Ohmygolly. That may be ok if your water softner is pre carbon. In my case, the softner is post carbon so I would have to bypass it, do a disinfection, rinse until there is no residual bleach, then bring it back on-line.

I attended the AmeriWater class, and the instructor recommended disinfecting the brine tank every three to four months with one to two cups of bleach.

I have seen the black foamy sludge mentioned in the class. Bacteria supposedly cause this sludge.

I would not perform this procedure without a written and approved policy and procedure from my company.

The black sludge is from the salt not being pure. I have found anything less then 99% pure written on the bag,will produce a dirt slime on top of the water in the brine tank.

Most bacteria will not live in such a high saline solution. The high salinity causes fluids in the bacteria cell to be drawn out (called osmosis); similar to how drinking salt water will dehydrate a person. Adding bleach is not a bad thing. When the salt is rinsed out of the softener; the bleach will be rinsed out also.

Bacteria likes a temperature or 86 - 104F, therfore room temperature is ideal. Bacteria does not like temperatures below 50F or above 122F. Bacteria needs a source of food to grow. TOC in the water is a good source of food, therefore bacteria may be more of a problem in water with high TOC. Bacteria also likes a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 therefore, most city water is ideal.

You should not see black sludge in the water. I know it exists; I have seen it myself. But you are not supposed to see water in a brine tank. The salt should ALWAYS be above the water level. Water that is above the salt may not get salty enough, causing you to have an insufficient regeneration.

Forgive my ignorance, -but would someone tell me what TOC is?

TOC = Total Organic Carbon

I thank you! ......learn something new everyday!.......course I forget half of it by the following day!.......Oh well......-live and learn ....and forget some too!

PUT I CUP FOR SMALL BRINE TANK, 2 CUPS FOR LARGE. RUN FULL BACKWASH, YOU CLOSE FEED VALVE POST SOFTENER. ALL BLEACH SHOULD RINSE OUT OF BRINE TANK , CHECK REFILLED BRINE TANK FOR BLEACH. IF PRESENT RUN ONE MORE BACKWASH. I HAVE DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. ANY RESIDUAL BLEACH IS MIN. AND IN BRINE TANK ONLY.GE ( MAR-COR) HAS PROCEDURE.

I know this is an older post, but why would you take a bacteria sample of your brine tank pre-carbon? Only thing I was told to sample PRE-RO is the feed Via Post Carbon.

Never heard of sampling brine! Unless of corse you can't find where your bacteria is spawning. 26 years and never had to sample a brine tank.

quote:

question # 2
about 4 years ago a fmc-na rtm

quote:

that you should put 10 to 15 cc bleach in the brine tank every 4 to 6 months to control bacteria?
is this a good idea

We take our tanks out, pour all the salt out, rinse out with city water, refill with salt and water, and place back in operation. (Our softner is pre-carbon). Never have I taken a sample from the brine tank. Is this a reg? Or a choice?