water heater in Mexico with foreign matter

[moisheh]

I have to explain our water system before I ask for advice. We live in Mexico and have "town" water. We are in the desert. The town well usually lasts 4 or 5 years and then gets salty. It is now 6 years old. There is a lot of "stuff" in this water: algae, silt, sand dirt and minerals. No rust! Because the water is turned off at nite everyone has a tinaco (plastic cistern) on the roof. We have a 1100 litre tanks and a jet pump with pressure tank. It pumps the water from the tank to my water softener and then to the house. My water heater is 5 years old. It is a gas heater, Rheem, but Mexican made with USA components. None of the heaters in Mexico have anodes or even a place to install same. Because of the salt and other minerals the inside of the water heater is full of white goo. We have a dish wsaher and the dishes come out with white powder on them. I flushed the heater: drain, fill drain and fill. This helps but still problems. Is there anything I can safely pour into the heater to clean it out? Is that a dumb idea? Maybe CLR or something similar. We clan our roof top tank every year and have to use muriatic acid to clean the inside walls. We do not drink this water. It is clear, although that means nothing. I use 2 filters to remove the big stuff. Any help appreciated and sorry for the long post.

Moisheh

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

Maybe a routine schedule of draining the water heater? I would say replacing the water heater in the near future, then proceeding to drain the tank once every two months. A filter before entering this water heater would prove problematic since it sounds like buildup is such a problem.


Sounds like bad water all the way around. What are your neighbors doing to get around this problem?

[Gary Slusser]

You need a water analysis including TDS, chlorides, sulfates and hardness at least. Also ask the water company what chemicals if any that they treat the water with. They may not tell you but your question may lead them to check the volume and see if it is proper. If you find high levels of the above, they can all be reduced/removed with water treatment equipment.

[moisheh]

Thanks for the replies. The water company does test the water but they will not release the data. I do know that flouride is a problem. Occurs naturally in this desert. I will take a sample back to the usa and have it tested. I also know that we need a new well. Too much salt in the water. My neighbours do not have a dish washer. If you do dishes by hand and wipe them right away they appear OK. In the dishwasher the residue cooks onto the glasses. I will try flushing the tank again. Sure wish I could add something to clean the tanks. Muriatic acid?? I think if I buy a new tank iot will be a tankless heater. They are available in Mexico and reasonable in price. From $200 to $300. Thanks again

Moisheh