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Acid Neutralizer Systems

Two ways to raise low pH in well water: soda ash injection, which Penguin Water recommends, or a calcite backwashing filter. Both protect your plumbing and stop blue-green stains on fixtures.

Choose Your Acid Neutralizer

Both systems raise the pH of acidic well water to protect pipes, fixtures, and appliances. Penguin Water recommends soda ash injection for most homes. A water test tells your dealer which one fits your well.

Penguin Water pH Booster soda ash injection system with solution tank, metering pump and water meter Recommended
Option 1

Soda Ash Injection (pH Booster)

pH below 6.0 Varying or high flow No added hardness

How it works: a water meter signals a metering pump each time water is used, and the pump feeds a soda ash solution into the line in proportion to the flow. The pH stays where your dealer sets it, at high flow or low.

Choose it when: your pH is below 6.0, your flow rate varies, or you don't want to add hardness to your water. There is no media to replenish; you refill the solution tank as needed.

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Penguin Water backwashing filter with Bluetooth and Stream Shield control valves
Option 2

Calcite Backwashing Filter

Mildly acidic water No chemicals Self-limiting

How it works: water passes through a bed of natural calcite (calcium carbonate) media, which dissolves slowly and raises the pH to neutral. An automatic backwash keeps the bed working evenly.

Choose it when: your water is mildly acidic and you want a simple system with no chemicals to mix. Calcite adds a little calcium hardness, and the media is topped up as it dissolves.

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Penguin Water pH Booster Injection System

Option 1: Soda Ash Injection

Penguin Water recommends soda ash injection for most acidic wells. The Penguin Water pH Booster Injection System feeds a soda ash solution into your water line in proportion to the flow, so the pH holds steady whether one tap is running or the whole house is. Soda ash raises pH without adding hardness, and there is no media tank to backwash or replenish. You refill the solution tank as needed.

pH < 6
Suited to pH Below 6.0
Any Flow
Dose Follows Water Use
No Hardness
Adds No Hardness
35 gal
Solution Tank

Soda Ash Injection Features

A metering pump, a water meter, and a 35-gallon solution tank, working together.

Proportional Injection
The water meter sends a pulse to the pump as water flows, so the pump runs only when water is used and doses in step with the flow. That keeps the pH accurate and avoids wasting solution.
Handles Lower pH and Higher Flow
Suited to water below pH 6.0 and to homes where flow rates vary through the day.
No Added Hardness
Soda ash raises pH without adding the calcium hardness that a calcite filter adds.
No Media to Replenish
There is no media bed to top up or backwash. The upkeep is refilling the solution tank, and its 35-gallon size means longer stretches between refills.
Adjustable Dose
Your dealer tests the pH at a sample port downstream of the injection point and turns the pump rate up or down until the pH is right.
Durable Components
A chemically compatible 35-gallon storage tank and an accurate water meter with durable Noryl construction.
Penguin Water Backwashing pH Neutralizer with Bluetooth and Stream Shield control valves

Option 2: Calcite Backwashing Filter

Acidic water passes through a bed of natural calcite media, which gently raises the pH to a neutral 7.0 or above. Calcite is self-limiting, so it does not over-correct, and there are no chemicals to mix or handle. A programmable control valve backwashes the bed automatically. Choose a Bluetooth or Stream Shield control valve, in 10 or 20 GPM models.

pH 7.0+
Raises pH to 7.0+
No Chemicals
Natural Calcite Media
Auto
Automatic Backwash
Easy
Top Up Media as Needed

Calcite Filter Features

Simple, reliable pH correction using natural calcite media.

Calcite Media
Natural calcium carbonate media dissolves slowly into the water, raising pH gradually and safely without overshooting. Corosex blend available for extremely low pH.
Automatic Backwash
Programmable control valve automatically backwashes the media bed to prevent channeling and maintain consistent performance.
Corrosion-Resistant Tank
Heavy-duty polyglass mineral tank resists the corrosive effects of acidic water for long service life.
Simple Media Replenishment
As calcite dissolves, simply add more through the top of the tank — no tools or professional service required.

Calcite Filter Specifications

Specification AN-10 AN-13 AN-15
Tank Size 10" x 54" 13" x 54" 15" x 65"
Service Flow Rate 7 GPM 10 GPM 14 GPM
Media Type Calcite (Corosex blend available for pH below 5.5)
pH Range Raises pH from 5.0–6.5 to 7.0–7.5
Backwash Control Automatic, programmable timer
Pipe Connections 3/4" or 1" 1" 1" or 1-1/4"
Bedrooms / Bathrooms 1–3 / 1–2 3–5 / 2–3 5+ / 3+
Warranty Lifetime on tank, 7-year on valve

Why Neutralize Acidic Water

Protects Pipes & Fixtures
Stops acidic water from corroding copper pipes, preventing pinhole leaks and costly plumbing repairs.
Eliminates Blue-Green Stains
No more unsightly blue-green copper stains on sinks, tubs, toilets, and shower walls.
Better Tasting Water
Eliminates the metallic, sour taste caused by low pH water for better drinking and cooking water.
Extends Appliance Life
Protects water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances from corrosion damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Penguin Water recommends soda ash injection for most acidic wells. It handles pH below 6.0 and changing flow rates, adds no hardness, and has no media to replenish; you refill the solution tank as needed. A calcite backwashing filter is a simple, chemical-free choice for mildly acidic water. Its calcite dissolves as it works and is topped up from time to time, and it adds a little calcium hardness. The right choice depends on your water, so start with a water test: your Penguin Water dealer will recommend the system that fits.

Common signs of acidic water include blue-green stains on sinks and tubs (from dissolved copper), pinhole leaks in copper pipes, metallic taste, and premature failure of water heaters and appliances. A simple water test from your Penguin Water dealer can confirm your pH level. Water below pH 7.0 is considered acidic.

Check the solution level in the tank and refill it as needed. A refill is soda ash mixed with water, and your dealer will show you how during installation. How often you refill depends on your pH and how much water you use. There is no media to replace and no backwash. The pump's internal tube and the injection check valve are wear parts that your dealer inspects and replaces from time to time.

Calcite media is consumed as it neutralizes acidic water. Most homeowners need to add media every 6–12 months, depending on pH level and water usage. It's a simple process — just pour calcite in through the top of the tank. Your dealer can show you how during installation and supply media refills.

Calcite is naturally self-limiting. As water reaches a neutral pH, the calcite stops dissolving, which prevents the pH from going too high. For extremely low pH water (below 5.5), a Corosex/calcite blend is used and carefully calibrated by your dealer to ensure proper balance.

With soda ash injection, your dealer sets the dose. They test the pH downstream of the injection point and adjust the pump rate until it is right. Because the pump doses in proportion to the water flow, the pH stays at that level as your water use changes.

Soda ash injection does not: it raises pH without adding hardness. The calcite filter does, slightly. Because calcite is calcium carbonate, it adds a small amount of calcium to the water, which can increase hardness by a few grains per gallon. If your water is already hard, your dealer may recommend installing a water softener downstream of the calcite filter. This is a common and effective pairing for well water.

Manuals & Documents

Stop Acidic Water Damage Today

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