How Much Soda Ash Should Be Injected To Raise the pH of my well water from 5.0 to 7.5?

Generally, you want to inject 100 to 200 mg of soda ash for each liter of water (mg/L). Milligrams per liter is the same as parts per million (PPM).

Soda ash systems are commonly used to raise the pH of acidic water sources, ensuring effective water quality management. Soda ash plays a crucial role in these systems by neutralizing acidity and preventing corrosion.

Mix Up the Soda Ash Solution

Soda ash is a powder mixed with water to form a saturated solution. You can make the solution stronger or weaker. At a water temperature of 50F, it is easy to keep a 10% soda ash solution dissolved in water, and this is what we recommend you start with.

To make a 10% solution, mix 4 lb of soda ash powder for every 5 gallons of water, which is approximately a 10% solution by weight. For best results, use warm purified distilled or reverse osmosis water. However, if your untreated well water is very low in total dissolved solids and other minerals, you can generally use it to prepare the solution.

Start with a couple of gallons only in your solution tank and test the pH to see how it works.

Set the Pump Output

We will use the Stenner pump as an example since the 85MHP-40 pump is suitable for residential well water applications.

Set the Stenner pump “Feed Rate Dial” to 5 (which means that it is set to pump 50% of its output).

Run the water and test the pH to ensure it is at the desired 7 to 8.0 pH range.

You don’t have to change the solution or the Stenner pump setting if the pH is fine. Otherwise, if the pH is still too low, you can first try turning up the Stenner pump adjustment ring to 10, which means 100%.

Formulation for Understanding Stenner Pump Sizing

For most residential setups, the Stenner 85MPH40 pump delivers the right amount of soda ash solution to raise low pH water into the ideal 7.0–8.0 range. It can inject up to 40 gallons of solution per day.

To raise pH to around 7.0–7.4, you typically need to inject 100–400 ppm of a 10% soda ash solution. For example, dissolving 4 lbs of soda ash in 5 gallons of water creates a 10% (100,000 ppm) solution.

If your well runs at 10 gallons per minute (GPM) and you want to inject 150 ppm, the formula is:

150 ppm × 10 GPM × 1440 ÷ 100,000 = 22 gallons/day.

This means your pump should inject 22 gallons of solution during well operation each day. Since the Stenner 85MPH40 can handle up to 40 gallons/day, setting the feed dial to 55% will meet your needs.

Keep in mind, most well pumps run only 30 to 60 minutes a day, so you may only use 1 gallon of solution daily. You may also need less than 150 ppm—often 50 ppm is enough to reach the target pH. Always test your water after setup to confirm.

What is Sodium Carbonate?

Soda ash, or sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), is a naturally occurring mineral used in many industries, including water treatment. Acidic water (pH below 7) can corrode pipes and fixtures, so it’s important to neutralize it for safe use.

Sodium carbonate is a strong alkaline compound. It’s highly effective at raising the pH of acidic water. By increasing pH, soda ash reduces corrosion risks and makes water safer to drink.

It also helps soften water. Soda ash removes carbonate hardness by causing calcium and magnesium ions to form solids that can be filtered out. Its versatility makes it a key component in many water treatment systems.

Soda Ash Systems for Water Treatment

Soda ash systems are designed to treat acidic water. They use sodium carbonate to raise the pH, making water less corrosive and safer to use.

These systems also reduce water hardness. Soda ash causes dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium to solidify and drop out of the water. This helps protect pipes, appliances, and fixtures from scale and damage.

Because of these benefits, soda ash systems are used in both homes and industries to improve water quality and extend the life of plumbing systems.

Using Soda Ash for pH Adjustment

Soda ash raises pH levels by releasing sodium and carbonate ions into the water. These ions react to form bicarbonate and hydroxide, which increase alkalinity.

This reaction also helps soften hard water. The carbonate in soda ash bonds with calcium and magnesium to form solids that can be filtered out.

Using soda ash for pH adjustment makes water less acidic and easier on plumbing systems. It’s an efficient way to protect your home or facility from scale and corrosion.

Water Softening with Soda Ash

Soda ash also plays a key role in water softening. When paired with lime, it reduces both carbonate and non-carbonate hardness.

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause scaling and reduce the lifespan of plumbing and appliances. Soda ash neutralizes them by forming insoluble compounds, which are easy to remove through filtration.

This not only softens the water but also protects your system from future damage. Soda ash can also help stabilize chlorine disinfectants, like sodium hypochlorite, boosting their ability to kill bacteria and viruses.

Heavy Metals Removal

Soda ash is also an effective agent for removing heavy metals from water, addressing a critical concern in water treatment. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can enter water supplies through environmental pollution and pose significant health risks.

Soda ash precipitates heavy metals out of the water, forming insoluble compounds that can be easily removed through filtration. This process makes the water safer for consumption and helps meet regulatory standards for water quality.

You can also use soda ash alongside other water treatment methods, such as activated carbon adsorption, to enhance contaminant removal and ensure comprehensive water purification.

Read more:

Simple Solution for Acidic Well Water and Corrosion

Advantages of Using Soda Ash

There are numerous advantages to using soda ash in water treatment processes. One of the primary benefits is its effectiveness in adjusting pH levels and softening water, making it a versatile solution for various water quality issues.

Additionally, soda ash is a relatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly option compared to other water treatment methods. It is a safe and non-toxic substance for drinking water and wastewater treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does soda ash do in water treatment?

Soda ash (sodium carbonate) raises the pH of acidic water. This helps reduce pipe corrosion and improves the effectiveness of filters and disinfectants like chlorine.

2. Is soda ash safe for water treatment?

Yes, soda ash is commonly used in drinking water treatment. When properly dosed, it’s safe and effective for neutralizing acidic water.

3. Where to buy soda ash for water treatment?

Soda ash for water treatment can be purchased online, from water treatment suppliers, or at pool supply stores. Look for food-grade or NSF-certified products for potable water systems.

4. What are the disadvantages of soda ash in water treatment?

Some downsides include potential overcorrection of pH, scaling in pipes if overdosed, and the need for regular maintenance of the injection system.

5. What is the use of soda ash in water treatment?

Its primary purpose is to neutralize acidic water (low pH) to help prevent leaching of metals like lead and copper from pipes into drinking water.

6. How do you inject soda ash for water treatment?

Soda ash is typically mixed into a solution and injected into the water system using a chemical feed pump. A retention tank may be used to allow the solution time to neutralize the water.

7. What is the difference between soda ash and sodium hydroxide in water treatment?

Both raise pH, but soda ash increases alkalinity as well, which provides buffering capacity. Sodium hydroxide raises pH more sharply and is often used when minimal alkalinity increase is needed.

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