>
>
> But anyway Russ, what do you use a gallon a day for? Something we should
> know? I did try distilled water (store bought) in a few photo processes
> that normally use tap water -- NOT an improvement. In a couple it was
> decidedly worse, including first wash water for VDB... But then my tap
> water is sweet, clear, delicious eau de New York City...
>
In Portland OR, the humidity is comfortable but the underground water forcing
its way through my basement walls is the why the dehumidifier is a necessity.
Water for photography is just a by-product. The domestic water supply is is
fine until it hits the rusting iron pipes in the house so I avoid using it for
mixing chemicals or drinking without filtration. Until I repair or replace my
house I can rationalize use of this water source. Due to midnight urges to work
in the darkroom when the distilled water store is closed I resort to this water
source (procrastination and poor planning are a factor).
The primary use is for photogravure i.e. sensitizing the tissue, degreasing and
brightening the copper (sodium hydroxide & acetic acid) and diluting the ferric
chloride etch. All of the silver based photographic processes leading up to the
copper etching are done in the high tech digital environment where I work
(color separations and digital pre-press services). I like to think of it as a
convergence of the 19th and 21st centuries and skipping the the 20th (with the
exception of my dehumidifier).
Russ