Lead in Drinking Water

The widespread presence of lead pipes in some areas of pre -1970s housing stock is still substantial after 50 years.

Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in:

• Behavior and learning problems
• Lower IQ and hyperactivity
• Slowed growth
• Hearing problems
• Anemia

In rare cases, ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma and even death. (source USEPA )

In recognition of this, all UK Drinking Water companies continue to dose orthophosphate as a mitigation where risk exists. Last year according to the DWI there were 69 failures to the standard of 10μg/l. That's over 1 a week.

That's where Watson-Marlow's QDos range of dosing pumps come into their own. The wide dynamic range means that the dose rate of Orthophosphate can be met without manually adjusting the pump set up. Traditional diaphragm dosing pumps often need their stroke length adjusted to provide an accurate dose against the varying pressure found in the carrier water.

The QDos 60 pump offers dose rates of of 0.1 - 2000ml/min into pressures from 0 - 7 Bar, without adjusting the pump set up due to varying pressures. So the dose is accurate in both low and high demand times of supply.

Speaking of accuracy, the QDos range offers  ±1% accuracy all the way through that 20000:1 flow range,

Is there a cost to this? Well studies have shown that the installed cost of a QDos pump is comparable to a traditional diaphragm pump, that's because you don't need the ancillary equipment such as foot valves, pulsation dampeners (and all those extra potential leaks with all the extra connections to these devices). The time it takes to change a pumphead is under a minute.

I know of some customers who have would have spent the money it costs for a new QDos pump in two sets of diaphragm pump spares kits over a period of 1 year.

If you want to find out more about the QDos range of dosing pumps, including it's own dedicated chemical compatibility page, please visit https://www.wmftg.com/gb-en/range/watson-marlow/chemical-metering/

ps. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water supply check out your water companies web page and they usually have information to guide you on the necessary action to take in your home.