magnetic water treatment

{{Short description|Unproven method of supposedly reducing the effects of hard water}}

Magnetic water treatment (also known as anti-scale magnetic treatment or AMT) is a disproven method of reducing the effects of hard water by passing it through a magnetic field as a non-chemical alternative to water softening. A 1996 study by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found no significant effect of magnetic water treatment on the formation of scale. As magnets affect water to a small degree, and water containing ions is more conductive than purer water, magnetic water treatment is an example of a valid scientific hypothesis that failed experimental testing and is thus disproven. Any products claiming to utilize magnetic water treatment are absolutely fraudulent.

{{cite journal

|last1=Krauter |first1=PW

|last2=Harrar |first2=JE

|last3=Orloff |first3=SP

|last4=Bahowick |first4=SM

|year=1996

|title=Test of a Magnetic Device for Amelioration of Scale Formation at Treatment Facility D

|url=http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/567404-bQ4DwB/webviewable/567404.pdf

|journal=Internal Report

|publisher=Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

|access-date=2009-12-11

|osti=567404

|doi=10.2172/567404

}}

Vendors of magnetic water treatment devices frequently use photos and testimonials to support their claims, but omit quantitative detail and well-controlled studies. Advertisements and promotions generally omit system variables, such as corrosion or system mass balance analyticals, as well as measurements of post-treatment water such as concentration of hardness ions or the distribution, structure, and morphology of suspended particles.

{{cite journal

|last = Keister

|first = T

|year = 2008

|title = Non Chemical Devices: Thirty Years of Myth Busting

|url = http://www.wcponline.com/pdf/0804Keister.pdf

|journal = Water Conditioning & Purification

|access-date = 2009-12-11

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120417131247/http://www.wcponline.com/pdf/0804Keister.pdf

|archive-date = 2012-04-17

}}{{cite journal

|last=Powell

|first=MR

|year=1998

|title=Magnetic Water and Fuel Treatment: Myth, Magic, or Mainstream Science?

|journal=Skeptical Inquirer

|url=http://www.csicop.org/si/9801/powell.html

|volume=22

|issue=1

|access-date=2007-10-26

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727010107/http://www.csicop.org/si/9801/powell.html

|archive-date=2009-07-27

|url-status=dead

}}

{{cite web

|last=Lower |first=S

|title=Magnetic water treatment and pseudoscience

|url=http://www.chem1.com/CQ/magscams.html

|publisher=Chem1Ware Systems Limited

|access-date=2009-10-25

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501194133/http://www.chem1.com/CQ/magscams.html

|archive-date=2008-05-01

}}

{{cite journal

|last1=Limpert |first1=GJC

|last2=Raber |first2=JL

|year=1985

|title=Tests of nonchemical scale control devices in a once-through system

|journal=Materials Performance

|volume=24 |issue=10 |pages=40–45

|osti=6089699

}}

{{cite web

|last1 = Smothers

|first1 = KW

|last2 = Curtiss

|first2 = CD

|last3 = Gard

|first3 = BT

|last4 = Strauss

|first4 = RH

|last5 = Hock

|first5 = VF

|date = 15 June 2001

|title = Magnetic Water Treatment

|url = http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/ARMYCOE/PWTB/pwtb_420_49_34.pdf

|work = Public Works Technical Bulletin 420-49-34

|publisher = U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111215092211/http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/ARMYCOE/PWTB/pwtb_420_49_34.pdf

|archive-date = 15 December 2011

}}

{{cite journal |title=Magnetic Water Treatment |date=2000

|doi=10.1016/S0304-8853(99)00648-4

|last1=Coey

|first1=J.M.D

|last2=Cass

|first2=Stephen

|journal=Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

|volume=209

|issue=1–3

|pages=71–74

|bibcode=2000JMMM..209...71C

|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222834605 |accessdate=August 23, 2023

}}