Water reaches earth via precipitation. Before it hits the ground, it is very soft: hardness of rainwater is close to zero.

Then it seeps away and finally collects as ground water. On its way through different layers of earth and rock, it dissolves various mineral salts. The composition of these rock layers determines the hardness of the water. If a large amount of calcium and magnesium salts gets into the water, it becomes hard. This is particularly the case in areas with a lot of limestone or chalk.

Depending on the application, different mineral solutions can be used, which are added to the drinking water in very small quantities with an appropriate dosing pump. The dosing pump reacts precisely to each water movement. Even at the lowest water flow an exact and even addition is achieved. The dosing pump achieves this through its electronic control system, which automatically monitors all operating processes and switches the unit off automatically in the event of a malfunction.

Minerals used to combat rust and brown water form a firmly adhering protective layer on the inside of the water pipes. Corrosion is thus prevented. Corrosion protection dosing is a recognised procedure in the current state of the art. Expensive damage caused by rust formation is effectively prevented – the water gradually becomes clearer.

Other minerals serve to stabilise lime. This means: they ensure that lime contained in water cannot settle. This means, pipes’ and heat exchangers’ surfaces are optimally protected.

If brown water occurs only once, for example after a repair or after a long period not using the installation, there is usually no reason for concern.

However, if discoloration occurs again, more often, or after a short time, there is a need to take action. Because these signs indicate rust in the drinking water installation. This can lead to serious damage to the pipes in the long term. There is also the risk of contamination through bacterial growth.

In that case, drinking water pipes should be protected. This can be achieved by adding a mineral solution. This forms a protective layer into the pipe wall, which effectively protects the pipe from corrosion. This protective layer can also be formed in pipe that are already corroded, provided the corrosion process has not yet progressed too far.

Rusty water has an aftertaste and is anything but aesthetic. It is not harmful to health if the water contains small traces of iron. However, it is possible that other, less harmless heavy metals besides iron may dissolve and enter the drinking water.

In any case, you should make sure that no long-standing water is used to prepare drinks or food. This means: if possible, do not use hot water, as it may have been a long time in the water heater, and let cold water drain a little before taking it out.

In the drinking water installation, however, rusty water can cause fatal damage. In corroded pipes, rust particles often come off and are flushed with the drinking water. The consequences are clogged fittings or malfunctions in technical equipment – including pipe breakes. And that can quickly become expensive. In addition, rusted pipes with their irregular inner surfaces are a breeding ground for bacteria. Hygiene problems are imminent.

Phosphates are used for JUL mineral dosing. These are harmless to health, tasteless and permitted according to international drinking water standards. For the human organism, phosphates are vital substances, that are needed for various body functions. They are contained in large quantities in many foods, for example in bread, sausages, processed cheese, fish, eggs or milk.

Moreover, the amount of phosphate in properly treated drinking water is so small that one litre of drinking water contains a maximum of 5 mg of phosphate – a bar of chocolate contains around 90 mg. The daily intake of phosphate from treated drinking water accounts for only a very small part of the human daily phosphate intake of approx. 6,000 mg and is, therefore, negligible.

Not much, actually. The dosing pump works automatically. If the container for the JUL mineral solution is empty, the device shows this, for example with a buzzing sound or via a LED display. You can change the container yourself. An inexpensive and packaging-saving alternative: mineral tablets with which you can mix the appropriate solution on the spot.

The dosing pump is installed in your domestic water installation. It must be installed after the water meter in any case. If, in addition, a leakage protection system and/or a protective filter are installed, the dosing pump will find its place behind it. So in the third place.

Like all work on your drinking water installation, the installation of a dosing pump is a job for professionals. Your plumbing installer will carry out this task for you – without much effort. He will also explain to you how to operate the device. Simply ask your drinking water expert – he will be happy to help you.

Often, the reason is very a low hardness: if drinking water is very soft, it usually is very agressive. This has no effect on stainless steel and plastic pipes, but in pipes made of other materials, it can cause surface corrosion. Corrosion can also be caused by the interaction of various natural water constituents, foreign particles that have been washed in and oxygen. Branched pipe installations with low water movement and “mixed installations” favour rust formation. This rust in turn colours the water brown.