Ecological Solution to Hard Water Problems on Dairy Farm
Huybers Dairy Farm Limited in Milford Station, Nova Scotia, is benefiting from reduced salt and chemical usage following the installation of the computerized, electronic, water-conditioner Scalewatcher® from Scalewatcher North America. The Scalewatcher system, which is treating the water supply from the well to the barn, milking parlor and house, has substantially reduced scaling problems.
When water flows over gypsum rock (calcium sulfate) part of the rock is dissolved into the water causing limescale precipitation, which blocks pipes and reduces the life expectancy of water-fed equipment. The area around Milford Station has a gypsum seam running through it, which causes hard to extremely hard water with some areas experiencing a hardness factor of over 100 GPG (Grains Per Gallon).
Scot and Stacy Veno, owners of Huybers Dairy Farm Ltd, contacted Richard Metcalfe, the proprietor of local company, Waterman, when their water treatment system failed and needed replacing. Mr. Metcalfe explained that by installing an appropriately sized Scalewatcher system instead of a new water softener the farm would save money on the purchase price as well as on the ongoing costs of maintenance, chemicals and salt.
Once the system was installed, the original TDS reading of 28 GPG increased during the first two weeks, indicating old scale layers were being dissolved. After this period it was monitored and it was noted that the high TDS reading was gradually reducing to the original level, indicating pipes were scale free Since the Scalewatcher was installed in February 2011, the milk parlor equipment has remained clean and free of scale deposits and corrosion.
It was decided to keep a second water softener located in the house. However, the Scalewatcher system will substantially reduce the salt usage and backwash times.
"Huybers water hardness measurement of 28 GPG would normally be considered as hard", said Richard Metcalfe. "However, I am also working with farms with very hard measurements of 90/128 GPG. In such cases we have installed a Scalewatcher system alongside water treatment, which reduces the levels of salt and chemicals needed to control the problems associated with such hard water".
Long term testing is currently being carried out to determine if it is possible to reduce the amount of chemicals used to clean and sterilize the milking equipment and milk storage system. This will not only save the farm money but also reduce the environmental impact of chemicals entering the wastewater. In previous tests carried out in milking parlors, it has been found that when a Scalewatcher system is installed onto the milk line prior to the bulk tank, the bacteria count has dropped by up to 75%.
The environmentally friendly Scalewatcher provides a permanent solution to hard water problems without the need of chemicals, salt or maintenance. It works by producing a varying electronically applied force field, induced by a coil wrapped around the outside of the pipework, which keeps the minerals in suspension and thus prevents limescale forming. The water's increased solubility enables it to dissolve existing scale which is gradually flushed away.
Scalewatcher models are based on continuous research and over 20 years experience and expertise as market leaders in electronic scale control with countless units sold worldwide. The patented Scalewatcher systems are capable of treating pipe sizes from one to 80 inches. All Scalewatcher systems come with a full performance guarantee and include free shipping throughout North America.
