Water Treatment Systems

In the last year, there has been a growing concern about the environmental damage and excess landfill waste caused by the production, distribution and disposal of bottled water. In addition, many news reports have pointed to the notion that more consumers express concern about dangerous chemicals in tap water. Virtually all restaurants and foodservice operators use some form of water filtration and/or softening system to lessen the damage on equipment caused by scale and lime buildup as a result of hard che

By Staff -- Foodservice Equipment and Supplies, 12/18/2007

In the last year, there has been a growing concern about the environmental damage and excess landfill waste caused by the production, distribution and disposal of bottled water. In addition, many news reports have pointed to the notion that more consumers express concern about dangerous chemicals in tap water. Virtually all restaurants and foodservice operators use some form of water filtration and/or softening system to lessen the damage on equipment caused by scale and lime buildup as a result of hard chemicals, and also to improve the quality of coffee and other beverages.

However, many are now wrestling with the question of what type of water to serve their guests. Here is a brief list of new products and systems on the market that take water purification to the next level.

*Some manufacturers offer a water dispensing system from which staff can pour still or carbonated water for their own use, or into reusable, glass carafes for diners at the table. These systems come with optional, more decorative dispensing taps resembling stainless-steel beer or soda fountain taps. The water can also be added with flavored syrups to create a non-caffeinated soda option for diners.

*One manufacturer offers a diagnostic tool to analyze the quality of an operator’s water, and provide customized solutions for treatment. The analysis kit includes disposable dissolved solids and test strips to test the water for TDS, hardness, pH, alkalinity, total and free chlorine, chlorides and iron. After conducting the test, operators input the data into a software program that will provide a free, downloadable analysis of the water along with additional information about solutions.

*With concerns about the safety of fresh produce on the rise following several outbreaks in the last few years, more operators have begun to rinse and clean their own vegetables. Some manufacturers offer water filtration systems that utilize a reverse osmosis filtration process that protects against taste- and odor-causing contaminants while removing dirt, particles and dissolved minerals. The purified water also serves useful with dehydrated and concentrated stocks, soups, gravies and sauces, and the system can hook up to rice cookers, pasta preparation machines and cooking kettles.

*Some manufacturers have improved their filter systems to reduce the number of necessary cartridge changes. This improved technology features a hollow fiber ultra-filtration capable of handling flow rates of up to 10 gals. per minute while reducing particles smaller than .025 microns including cysts and bacteria. Such systems also feature programmable self-flushing capability, which automatically cleans the filter to ensure years of effective operation. The technology also proves useful for operators with excessively dirty or troubled water.

*With the increasing success of Starbucks and other specialty coffee chains, such operators require top-of-the-line water filtration systems in order to provide the highest quality espresso drinks. One manufacturer offers a dual softening and filtration system to reduce lime and scale buildup as well as filter out harmful calcium and magnesium through an ion exchange process. The second stem controls pH levels to prevent acidity, and the final stage involves a more advanced filtration process to further reduce particulates, chlorine, taste and odor bacteria, and chemicals.