WATER...

ruilourosa · Oct 15, 2019

Hello
I´m planning a darkroom and i have well with lots of water, i send the water for analisys and the result is that the water is contaminated with bacteria and with nitrates. I talked with the analist and he doesn´t know if the water is proper for photography but he told me that the pipes could have some biofilm formation after a few years. The water is good for watering plants and washing cars... he said.

I do not know if i should use it... what kind of filtering should i use...
i have company water but the use of the well could represent some savings,

Thanks in advance for some help!

AgX · Oct 15, 2019

Nitrates are no problem and the bacteria should not be an issue too. Those biofilms are typical for water pipes.

Metal-ions can be a problem.

AgX · Oct 15, 2019

Economy:
I know about water-deficits and respective prices, but what price do you pay that your darkroom becomes a financial issue waterwise?
I pay about 1.60€ per m3, let's add the same amount for effluent cost. That is an issue for me concerning watering the garden, maybe the daily shower, but not for the darkroom.

Arklatexian · Oct 15, 2019

ruilourosa said:
Hello
I´m planning a darkroom and i have well with lots of water, i send the water for analisys and the result is that the water is contaminated with bacteria and with nitrates. I talked with the analist and he doesn´t know if the water is proper for photography but he told me that the pipes could have some biofilm formation after a few years. The water is good for watering plants and washing cars... he said.

I do not know if i should use it... what kind of filtering should i use...
i have company water but the use of the well could represent some savings,

Thanks in advance for some help!

Are you able to buy distilled water? If so, I would mix my chemicals in distilled water and use your well water only for washing film and paper, only if filtered. I use water from our city to wash film and prints with but only after it has gone through a filter. Why take chances?........Regards!

AgX · Oct 16, 2019

Arklatexian said:
Are you able to buy distilled water? If so, I would mix my chemicals in distilled water and use your well water only for washing film and paper, only if filtered.

That makes no sense. If one would be concerned at all... one should substitute the last rinse water instead.

mshchem · Oct 16, 2019

Biofilms form in every city water system. This is very common. Biofilms are harmless to humans. Maybe try to find a simple particulate filter.

It used to be very common to collect rain water into underground cisterns. People used this water for all sorts of things.

Silver is a natural biocide, still best to use the cleanest water and a wetting agent or a biocide final rinse after washing your negatives.

Neal · Oct 16, 2019

Dear ruilourosa,

I am also on a well with all sorts of dissolved minerals and biological components. I have no issues but I only mix chemicals with distilled water (other than HCA) and I have a water softener.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

guangong · Oct 16, 2019

I also use distilled water to mix developers, etc., but use water from my well for fixer, washing, etc. I live on rather high land surrounded by forest, however water does contain some iron. Consistency when mixing and using chemicals is more important than trace trace elements in water.

AgX · Oct 16, 2019

What is your idea behind using destilled water for the developer, but not for the rest?

WATER...

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