Are you experiencing low water pressure throughout your water supply and plumbing appliances at home in Wanaka or Queenstown? It could be caused by didymo or ‘lake snot’.
Didymo – also known as ‘lake snot’ – is a type of algae. It can form massive blooms on the bottom of streams, rivers and lakes. Some Wanaka and Queenstown water supplies to businesses and households are affected by the presence of didymo.
Didymo has an effect on various plumbing appliances and systems within Wanaka and Queenstown homes:
Household Plumbing
Low Water Pressure – Check your water filter if you notice a significant drop in water pressure at home as this can be caused by didymo clogging your water supply.
Plumbing Appliances
Appliances experience blocked filters, depending on the size of the filter mesh installed in the appliance. Most modern appliances have a very fine mesh and can be more prone to blockage.
Irrigation systems
Didymo can affect irrigation systems in several ways; from clogging intake screens and sprinkler nozzles to the choking of races.
How to Mitigate the Effects of Didymo on your Household Plumbing:
There’s currently no means available of eradicating Didymo from our natural rivers and therefore our water supply; however, there are ways to mitigate their effects on our household plumbing.
If you are experiencing issues with low water pressure throughout your home and its most likely caused by algae you should consider installing additional filtration.
Appliances and fittings that benefit from having a filter include direct electric and gas water heaters, under bench and bench top filters, dishwashers, washing machines and irrigation fittings.
A commonly used solution in Wanaka is to install a disc filter at the mains water supply point located immediately after the toby at the property boundary. This will remove the algae before the supply enters the household.
How Do I Clean A Disc Filter?
Most filters require cleaning once you notice the water pressure is affected. The process is relatively simple and your plumber can demonstrate how to do this once it is installed.
Cleaning a disc filter requires closing the toby valve at the boundary and releasing the pressure by opening a tap briefly then closing the valve on the downstream side of the filter to prevent draining the household system. The filter cover is then removed so the discs are accessible. The discs are loosened and while covering the filter with a plastic bag remove the discs. The discs are then thoroughly rinsed in clean water then reassembled.
If you would like advice on installing a disc filter or other filtration on your water supply contact Optum, the plumbing specialists in Wanaka, Queenstown and Surrounding Areas.
Call: 03 443 5718
Email: admin@optum.co.nz