Well Water or City Water for End-of-Season System Washing/Preserving

[Conococheague]

I live in a rural area like most but our processing takes place inside the borough of Mercersburg, PA. The season is over for us this year and it’s time to put the RO’s away. I plan to use the RO wash followed by RO preservative. I only saved enough permeate from the last boil to do a startup flush which is a small fraction of what I’ll need for the wash/preserve. The water at the boiling site is town water so chlorinated. I live miles out of town and I’m on a well with a water softener but my outside spigots bypass the softener. Can I use water from any of these sources to do either or both of these processes (softened well water, straight well water, treated city water)? Thanks

Conococheague

[Bucket Head]

The answer is maybe for all three.
Softened water might work, but I have no experience with those systems, so I don't know how "soft" it gets. Well water would work providing it was extremely mineral free. I'd shy away from it, though. (My well water is so hard you can just about walk on it) City water will work but it has to sit for a while so the chlorine dissipates. Some guys on here have used it, maybe they could chime in on how long they gave it before using it.
I do know hydroponic outfits use the Municiple Water, but they circulate and aerate for a while to get the chlorine out. Saw that process myself. Maybe if you have the space and could get a spare tank you could do that. Then you would always have a supply of RO safe water.

Steve

[DRoseum]

At times I have used treated city water, but ALWAYS use an active carbon block filter to remove the chlorine. Of you can let that water sit forst for a couple days, it will also off-gas the chlorine (if top left semi open)

[maple flats]

While I store enough during the season for all cleaning needed including final cleanup on the RO, I still need water to start the next season. I use municiple water. I put in into my permeate tank and let it set for at least 3 days, by then enough if not all chlorine has evaporated off and I flush the membranes, then do my full RO prep using that water. I do a full soap wash, rinse, then a 1 day acid wash, then a final rinse using the "city water". No problems.
However I would not use it if it hadn't "rested" for 3 or more days.

[Ghs57]

I had to use my well water at the start of the season this year as the permeate tank was froze solid (still is!). I've done this before without any adverse effects. My water is in the middle of the hardness scale, and I don't have a water softener.

[Conococheague]

Thanks for the replies. It seems like the consensus is that dechlorinated city water (3 days rest time) is preferred over softened well water or virgin well water if I understand correctly. Next year I’ll plan ahead a little better and keep enough permeate to do the end of season chores. Thanks again,

Conococheague