House filters.

[JaiLai]

As per subject, can anyone share their knowledge.

1. I assume filters go at the pump out let, if this is correct do you lose water pressure to faucets / showers?

2. How often do filters need changed, are they expensive?

3 .What brand / model are common & recommended?

I'll be using from a bore hole, not government supplied, don't know if this is more or less harsh to filter?

Any info appreciated.

[Crossy]

Do you know what you want to be filtering for? If it's just crunchy bits a simple cotton filter will cost a couple of k Baht, replacement elements are cheap. Pressure does drop off when the element clogs.

Personally I would pump from the bore to a tank, with primary filtering on the tank inlet. You can then run a demand pump direct from the tank with nothing to clog or reduce your pressure, also provides a backup supply if your bore is a bit reluctant during the dry season.

If you intend drinking the water I'd go for a Reverse Osmosis system which feeds a single outlet in the kitchen, cost 8-15k Baht.

Do you have your bore yet, if so get the water tested at a lab, if you post your location someone may be able to recommend. You'll then know if there's anything nasty that needs removing too.

[Longtooth]

Do you know what you want to be filtering for? If it's just crunchy bits a simple cotton filter will cost a couple of k Baht, replacement elements are cheap. Pressure does drop off when the element clogs.

Personally I would pump from the bore to a tank, with primary filtering on the tank inlet. You can then run a demand pump direct from the tank with nothing to clog or reduce your pressure, also provides a backup supply if your bore is a bit reluctant during the dry season.

If you intend drinking the water I'd go for a Reverse Osmosis system which feeds a single outlet in the kitchen, cost 8-15k Baht.

Do you have your bore yet, if so get the water tested at a lab, if you post your location someone may be able to recommend. You'll then know if there's anything nasty that needs removing too.

Yes. Large cartridge filters run in parallel work good. Have the lab check for arsenic if you intend to drink it. There are spots and levels in Thailand that have the arsenic at a bad level. You can always just buy the 15 liter drinking bottles delivered for about 12 baht a piece. I had that checked as well. You have to take in the whole bottle with seal still attached to the cap. Oddly, I had some trace arsenic in my 120 meter deep bored well, but the bottled water did not have any. If you google around about arsenic even a tiny trace will give you a one-in-a-million improved chance of cancer. A really good local water lab on the Chiangrai University grounds sent my water to Bangkok for the super sensitive testing. It is called "O" Lab, number is: 053776054. They might be able to direct you to a lab local to you. You see the testing company first to test your own water, and they will give you a sterile sample bottle to use. I had mine checked for arsenic, bacteria of different sorts, different chemicals used on the rice fields, etc. 4500 baht per sample, for all the tests. So 9000 baht for my two samples. One time, and then you know.

[Bpuumike]

Do you know what you want to be filtering for? If it's just crunchy bits a simple cotton filter will cost a couple of k Baht, replacement elements are cheap. Pressure does drop off when the element clogs.

Personally I would pump from the bore to a tank, with primary filtering on the tank inlet. You can then run a demand pump direct from the tank with nothing to clog or reduce your pressure, also provides a backup supply if your bore is a bit reluctant during the dry season.

If you intend drinking the water I'd go for a Reverse Osmosis system which feeds a single outlet in the kitchen, cost 8-15k Baht.

Do you have your bore yet, if so get the water tested at a lab, if you post your location someone may be able to recommend. You'll then know if there's anything nasty that needs removing too.

Yes. Large cartridge filters run in parallel work good. Have the lab check for arsenic if you intend to drink it. There are spots and levels in Thailand that have the arsenic at a bad level. You can always just buy the 15 liter drinking bottles delivered for about 12 baht a piece. I had that checked as well. You have to take in the whole bottle with seal still attached to the cap. Oddly, I had some trace arsenic in my 120 meter deep bored well, but the bottled water did not have any. If you google around about arsenic even a tiny trace will give you a one-in-a-million improved chance of cancer. A really good local water lab on the Chiangrai University grounds sent my water to Bangkok for the super sensitive testing. It is called "O" Lab, number is: 053776054. They might be able to direct you to a lab local to you. You see the testing company first to test your own water, and they will give you a sterile sample bottle to use. I had mine checked for arsenic, bacteria of different sorts, different chemicals used on the rice fields, etc. 4500 baht per sample, for all the tests. So 9000 baht for my two samples. One time, and then you know.

Good thinking.

Chemical polluted run-offs from rice fields could be something to check.

[JaiLai]

The water will not be for drinking, just for showers / cooking / laundry etc etc, should I still have it tested?

If the filters are installed upstream of tank I'm guessing that should be threaded higher pressure rated tubing as opposed to the blue PVC?

Maybe it's worth just getting these filters that go at the kitchen for water that's used to cook, anyone with any experience with these, good or bad?

TY

[Crossy]

You can still use the blue PVC, just ensure you have the higher rated stuff (not sure of the designation, someone will come up with it I expect).

Just for showering etc. then a cotton filter on the tank inlet to keep the big stuff out will do the job, but see below.

I would still get your water tested, things like dissolved iron can leave rusty marks on washing and lead to odd smells. Filters to remove these impurities are available, but are somewhat more expensive then the simple ones.

[kamalabob2]

I'm not sure where the OP is located. If a home owner or renter was concerned with water quality and wanted real advise and written costs of various water filter options they might seek out which "Pump Shop" is the "go to" place in their community. The Hospitals, Government Buildings, Universities, Sports Stadiums and well to do Thai citizens do not ignore water quality. In Buriram Province the same "Pump Shop" that set up and maintains the water pumps, water filtering and water storage at my modest home also sends the same crews to the Buriram Government Hospital Complex, and various other notable buildings. In Buriram Province if you go in person and bring 500 ml of water in a plastic bottle with a cardboard box suitable for mailing, the owner of Ruangsangthai Hardware on Highway 2074, Pichai Ruangsuksriwong, will at his expense, send the water to be tested by a private lab in Bangkok and give you a written lab report in English in 10 days. I suspect other "pump shops" in other provinces provide a similar service as they want the edge to sell, install and service whatever water filters, water tanks, water pumps you think will best serve your needs. Note the "stickers" placed on the water filters, pressure tanks, water pumps at the better Government Hospitals in your province. That same Buriram Builders Merchants just installed Grundfos water pumps in a three story "Election Commission Building" very near the Buriram Makro on Highway 218. The Thai Business people who run successful hotels, restaurants and businesses in each community could tell you which water pump specialists they rely on for safe dependable water. It is not going to be a chain store or franchise, it will be the local high volume water pump shop with the significant Government contracts.

The 2800 baht a year "Health Insurance for Foreigner" is issued in Buriram on the 2nd floor of the Buriram Government Hospital Building near gate #2. That office does have caring, helpful staff who understand English well enough if you use "short words". They can set you on the simple process to pay for the 600 baht physical, 2200 baht year's Health coverage as long as you have enough documentation to make it simple for them. You need NOT be married as a condition to this 2800 baht a year health program. You do not have to fill out ANY forms, the staff will do all the paperwork. You do not need to bring a native Thai speaker to the office on the 2nd floor where the process begins. The usual current 1" BY 1" photo, original and copies of various Passport Pages, a longer stay Visa and some real proof of your address in the Thai language will make it go smooth. I was "Papered up" with the yellow house book, but that might NOT be necessary, if you had your address in Thai on some Government document the staff was comfortable with. I did not cancel my BUPA Platinum in patient Health insurance, but this 2800 baht a year plan made sure my information was in the "Government Hospital Computers". In Buriram Province, quite often the better equipment and more qualified medical professional might be at the large Government Hospital rather than the private hospital at a given time of need. In Buriram, the medical test is done on one day, and you return a week later for the results and to see a Doctor in that two story smaller building, then you receive the card on a third visit. But you will receive the parasite medication from the pharmacy, as a foreigner on your 2nd visit.