Where can I get information about drinking water contaminants and standards?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has contaminant-specific fact sheets for many drinking water contaminants on their Webpage:
Drinking Water and Health - What you need to know!
Click on “What are the health effects of contaminants in drinking water?” This page also addresses the standards for levels of contaminants in drinking water under the heading Drinking Water Standards Program.
These drinking water standards were developed by the EPA after considering information on the occurrence and distribution of the contaminant, the health effects of the contaminant at various concentrations, and the economic costs for treatment to remove the contaminant.
More information can be obtained from the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
Water Tip of the Month: Drink Water to Lose Weight
Losing weight and having a healthier lifestyle are usually top picks for New Year’s Resolutions. Drinking more water can help.
People who drink enough water accelerate their metabolism and help prevent overeating. A scientific study found that people who drank 17 ounces of cold water saw up to a 30 percent increase in their metabolic rate for nearly an hour and a half.
Our bodies expend more energy digesting cold foods and beverages. Drinking water helps people maintain a healthy weight because thirst is often mistaken for hunger. One study found that drinking one glass of water before bed squelched the midnight hunger pangs of 100 percent of its participants.
The National Institutes of Health recommends drinking a glass of water before eating as a “healthy eating habit”.
Scientists at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society were told that people who drank two 250ml glasses of water before each main meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories during that meal. It’s a fairly simple science, according to study author Brenda M Davy, PhD, RD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The “water diet” is most likely effective because it fills the stomach up with a zero-calorie substance. “We found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about five pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake,” she said. “People should drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks.”
What Does Softened Water Really Mean?
Softened water
Any water that is treated to reduce hardness minerals to 1.0 grains per gallon (GPG) or 17.1 parts per million (ppm) or one (1) milligram per liter (Mg/L) or less, expressed as calcium carbonate. Hard water is probably the most common water problem found in the home.
According to the Water Quality Association of the United States, hard water is water that contains dissolved hardness minerals above 17 ppm (parts per million). The most common hardness causing minerals are Calcium and Magnesium that are dissolved in a water supply.
Levels of hardness Grains per gallon
- Less than 1 Soft
- 1 to 3.5 Slightly Hard
- 3.5 to 7.0 Moderately hard
- 7.0 to 10.5 Hard
- Greater than 10.5 Very hard water
Any Water Softener, Reverse Osmosis, Carbon Filtration, Electronic Wave, Ceramic Media can be called a Water Conditioner.
But is it a Water Softener?
No!
Only a Water Softener can be called a Water Softener. Unless a Water Conditioner actually reduces the total hardness to less than 17 PPM or 1 Grain per Gallon it cannot legally be called a water softener. Conditioned water can be soft but not all water Conditioners are able to soften the water.
While we offer a plethora of systems and technologies on water hardness the U.S. EPA states only a Cation Exchange water softener can accomplish this.
You are advised to be certain that you understand exactly what benefits are claimed before you purchase any water conditioner device.
Does Physical Water Treatment Work? “Apparently Not” according to:
The National Water Quality Association (WQA) Magnetics Task Force Report in 2001
The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Public Works Technical Bulletin #420-49-34, 2001
Also check with the Gallery of water-related pseudoscience at the water Bunk-House here: Gallery of Water-Related Pseudoscience
Call the Arizona Water Quality Association at 480.947.9850 before ever investing one penny with any alternative company and ask their thoughts on “HOW-TO” soften water.
Also the United States CDC says only a Cation Exchange Water Softener can actually get your water below 1 grain of hardness.
This is the only technology that actually softens hard water. Softeners do not use salt…they use resin to remove hardness and NaCl (Salt) or KCL (Salt) or HCL (Acid) to simply clean the resin.
Water is used to rinse the salt down the drain (just like a clothes washer and soap). You Don’t Drink Salt.
You live in the SALT RIVER VALLEY…SALT is a natural mineral and is not a pollutant. The whole valley has a salt deposit .5 to 3 miles thick from the far West Valley to the East Valley from the Salt River stream bed to Deer Valley Road.
Resources:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
The National Sanitation Foundation
Underwriters Laboratories, UL Labs
You can live without soft water…but it’s hard
Hard Water Is Hard On Appliances
Let’s take a look at some of the issues that hard water will bring to each of your appliances:
Clothes Washers
Many complaints received by service technicians concerning poor washing results can be traced directly to hard water.
Minerals interfere with the cleaning action of soaps and detergents. As a result, larger amounts of cleaning agents are needed to counteract the hard
water, and even then, laundry results are not as effective as in soft water. The hardness minerals also react with carbonate builders commonly found in phosphate-free detergents.
The resulting product is a white precipitate, calcium and magnesium carbonate that make fabrics stiff and rough. Colors tend to appear faded and streaked.
Precipitates also build up in the washer tub and on the lint screen. A build-up of carbonate on the pump mechanism and other moving parts can cause early failure of the
appliance. Major appliance manufacturers realize this serious problem and recommend installation of a Water Softener as a practical solution.
Dishwashers
A prime cause of poor results in the cleaning of tableware by an automatic dishwasher is hard water.
Spotting, staining and often just unsatisfactory cleansing action can be attributed to the chemical action of minerals found in untreated hard water. Cleaning powders cannot achieve their full potential when hard water interferes with their designed purpose.
Water droplets that dry on glassware leave behind a film of mineral scale. It has also been observed that the mineral deposits on glassware when subjected to the high temperatures of the drying process can permanently etch the glass.
Eventually all glassware will have a dull, cloudy look that cannot be reversed. Soft water and low drying temperatures eliminate this problem. The intricate and often delicate mechanism of the modern dishwasher can become fouled with calcium and magnesium carbonates.
This will considerably lessen the life of even the best-engineered appliance.
Water Heaters
Water heaters operating on untreated (hard) water consume significantly more energy than units operating with softened water. The calcium and magnesium found in hard water forms a rock-like scale when heated. The scale forming primarily in the areas where heat is greatest acts as insulation to prevent the energy source from performing efficiently.
The mineral build-up is a poor conductor of heat and causes the water heater to use greater amounts of energy to treat the same amount of water.
In one case, almost 40 pounds of sediment were found in the ten-year-old water heater. In addition to the handicap of scale formation on water heaters, hard water interferes with most cleaning tasks.
Bathing, personal grooming, dishwashing and laundering all have diminished results with hard water.
Ice Makers, Electric Irons, Coffee Makers
Without exception, all appliances that use or process water are less efficient with hard water.
The shortened life of equipment due to mineral build-up is a major cause of service calls. Most products are built to exceed their warranty lifetime by a wide margin under normal conditions.
Undue strain is placed on appliances that use hard water reducing the effective life span of the unit. In many cases washers will leave clothes dingy no matter how much soap is used when using hard water.
The Solution
Is, quite simply, replace the hard water with soft water. Not only will you have the advantages of increased appliance life and less repair bills, but the very real cost savings are almost too numerous to list.
The amount of soaps, detergents and cleaning agents can be reduced up to 2/3 with the use of soft water. Clothes last longer and look better without deposits of minerals embedded in the material.
Energy costs go down with clean soft water flowing through the water heater and pipes.
Just as important, if not in monetary terms, are the very real advantages of bathing and grooming in soft water and the ease of keeping fixtures and bathrooms clean in conditioned water.
Of the many waysthat water plays a part in our lives, virtually all will be improved with soft, conditioned water. Do yourself a favor, check the advantages of installing a Water Softener. With the increased sophistication of modern appliance, it really makes more sense now than ever before.
Visit us often for more information, follow the various links and view the resources that we provide on the rightside of this page…
Enjoy your week!
How Much Water Do We Really Need To Be Drinking?
There are a variety of reasons to drink plenty of water each day.
Adequate water intake prevents dehydration, cleans out the body, and promotes healing processes. Substituting water for beverages high in calories can also help control weight.
Follow the steps below to make sure you’re getting enough of this most basic necessity:
- Drink water before, with and after every meal; it will help you to prevent overeating and obesity.
- Eat slowly, drink water and you will get satisfied with less food. Determine how much water you need.
- You’ve probably heard the “8 by 8″ rule – drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (2 quarts, 1.8 liters) – but the amount of water a person needs varies depending on his or her weight, activity level and climate.
- Another way to determine your specific recommended water intake is to divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., strive to drink 75 ounces of water daily. For those who use the Metric system, divide your weight (in kilograms) by 30 (ex. somebody weighing 70 kg is going to need 2.3 liters per day). Keep in mind that these recommended intake numbers are controversial and some experts believe they are a gross exaggeration. See “warnings” below for more information.
Measure your daily intake of water. Do this for a few days. If you find that you’re drinking less than the recommended quantity, try some of the following tips:
Learn to acquire a taste for water. Carry water with you everywhere in a bottle or other container.
Keep a glass or cup of water next to you whenever you’ll be sitting down for a long time, such as when you’re at your desk. Drink from it regularly as you’re working.
Try wearing a digital watch that beeps at the beginning of each hour. Use that as a reminder to pour yourself a glass of water. Vow to drink that water before the next beep. If you drink only one small (6 ounce or 180 ml) cup per hour, you’ll have consumed 48 ounces (1.4 liters) by the end of an 8-hour workday.
You may find that tap water leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Add a lemon or lime to your water. This makes it taste better and makes you want to drink more of it. Be careful not to make it too sour; just a splash of sourness should do the trick. Cucumber slices can also be added to a glass of water. Some mint leaves can be added to a pitcher of water which should be allowed to sit overnight.
The above suggestions are cheap alternatives to the bottled flavored water. If you do choose bottled flavored water, check the ingredients, as these are likely closer in form to lemon- or limeade than they are to water.
Eat water rich foods like watermelon which is 92% water by weight. Blend up some seedless fresh watermelon flesh with some ice and place a few sprigs of mint (optional) – one of the most refreshing drinks, especially for the summertime.
Cranberry juice is also another option which has a bitter taste. Patients suffering from urinary infection caused by insufficient intake of water should drink cranberry juice and eat watermelon if not plain water every day.
A tomato is 95% water. An egg is about 74% water. Always drink water before with and after your meals it will help you eat slowly and prevent overeating. Keep water cold if it tastes better for you. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator at home. Add ice or freeze water in a sports bottle before taking it with you, it will eventually melt and stay cold. Bear in mind that cold water takes energy for your body to regulate the temperature, and does burn some calories.
Room temperature water is better if you’re dehydrated. Your body can absorb the room temperature water immediately, instead of the body having to raise the temperature of the water first in order to process it.
Climate can drastically change how much water you need. If you find yourself outside on a hot day you should drink more water to counteract the fluids you lose when you sweat. This not only keeps your body hydrated, it can prevent heat-related illness. Just as important (but often overlooked) is consuming enough fluids in cold & wet conditions.
The human body works much more efficiently (including heating and cooling) when properly hydrated. Inadequate water intake affects the brain’s function first, which can become very dangerous (especially in extreme conditions). Purchase a bottle the size of your water goal. Purchase a water bottle that holds the amount of water you wish to drink each day. Try to drink the water slowly throughout the day. If you don’t drink it all, don’t try to chug it at the end of the day. This will allow you to easily see how much water you are consuming.
Tip: Herbal tea, seltzer water and soup broth can count as part of the daily water intake. Make refreshing flavored water by filling a pitcher with filtered or tap water and then adding a few slices of citrus fruit, or a tea ball with herbs such as peppermint. Refrigerate for 4-8 hrs. Remove fruit slices or herbs, so the flavor doesn’t get too strong.
Make sure you always have a glass of water at the table for every meal, you will be satisfied with less food. If your urine is clear, you’re drinking enough water.
Warning: Increasing your water intake may cause you to have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. To avoid this, you may want to stop drinking water a few hours before bedtime. If you live in a place with a lot of heat (i.e. Arizona) you will have to drink extra water.
If you plan on doing heavy prolonged exercise, be sure to alternate sports drinks with regular water to keep your electrolytes in balance. Three glasses of water to one glass of a typical sports drink is ideal if you rely on sports drinks for electrolytes during very heavy prolonged exercise, such as a marathon. Gatorade and other sugary electrolyte drinks also contain acetic acid which can increase rates of tooth decay.
It is not recommended that you reuse plastic water bottles that are intended for one time use, specifically number one plastics. These bottles leach chemicals into your water after multiple uses. The bottle, if not properly cleaned, may harbor bacteria from your mouth. If you wish to always have water around, use a glass or aluminum water bottle. Glass Bottles or stainless steel canteens are now more favorable due to the risk of chemical leaching when using plastic products.
Thank you for visiting with us, please come back for more information about the water you drink….
Options for Improving Your Water
The good news is that there are a number of options available for improving your drinking water:
Bottled Water
Although it’s no longer the most popular drinking water alternative (41 percent of WQA survey respondents use home water treatment devices while 39 percent use bottled water), bottled water remains a strong second. Unfortunately, the variety of bottled waters (spring, purified, distilled, etc.) can make it difficult to make a decision. And bottled water is expensive, often costing more than $1 per gallon, and cumbersome to carry home from the store.
Carbon Filters
Activated carbon is used in a number of devices including filter carafes, faucet-mounted filters, countertop units and undersink systems to reduce chlorine, VOCs, tastes, odors and, in some cases, lead, MTBE and cysts. Systems of this type normally treat only your drinking water and don’t filter the water used for washing dishes, hands, etc. at the kitchen sink. Filter cartridges must be changed regularly to ensure continued contaminant reduction. Choose a system that measures your water usage and shuts off to prevent filter overuse and alert you when a filter change is necessary. Most systems can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
Reverse Osmosis Systems are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the EPA as one of the most effective ways of protecting residential drinking water. These very popular, professionally-installed systems utilize a semipermeable membrane to reduce contaminants. When water is forced against the membrane, a portion of it passes through, while impurities are left behind to be carried away.
Reverse osmosis is effective against dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved chemicals and a wide variety of other contaminants that cannot be seen by the naked eye. When choosing an RO system, look for a unit with a high efficiency rating. Certain systems also employ a membrane rinse feature that cleans the membrane with the high quality water produced by the system to prolong its life and ensure that it continues to produce only the best quality water. Systems that do not clean themselves or that only clean themselves with untreated water are not as effective.
One of the most important considerations and one of the best indicators of overall system quality is the RO membrane warranty. Look for a system that offers a full membrane replacement warranty (not just a pro-rated warranty) that covers membrane performance for several years.
Look for certified products.
NSF International and WQA certify water treatment devices and ensure that they perform according to manufacturers’ claims. Look for the NSF and WQA seals on the products you’re considering and review the list of contaminants the systems are certified to remove as well as the system performance data. Use the information from several products, as well as the product warranties and features to make an educated purchase decision.
~Bob Villa
Stay with us for much more important information about your water…
Don’t Be Afraid of the Water
A primer on drinking water, hard water and problem water concerns and solutions.
| Water plays a huge role in our everyday lives. We can live for weeks without food but only days without water. As a matter of fact, there’s a little water in just about everything. Since water is such an important part of our lives, many people are becoming more and more concerned about its quality.
According to the 2001 National Consumer Water Quality Survey commissioned by the Water Quality Association (WQA), 86 percent of respondents have concerns about their home water supply and nearly half believe federal laws governing the quality of drinking water are not strict enough. Reports from the media have done much to heighten awareness about water quality issues. Even Hollywood has contributed by producing movies such as Erin Brockovich and A Civil Action, both of which dramatically detail real-life results of water contamination. It’s no wonder that many savvy consumers are choosing drinking water alternatives, such as bottled water and home water filtration systems. DRINKING WATER Water treatment professionals can have your water tested by certified laboratories and help you decipher the results. If you are supplied with water by a local water utility, you will receive an annual Consumer Confidence Report that shows the levels of various contaminants found in your water supply. Some people judge the quality of their water by its taste or appearance. Unfortunately, our senses aren’t the best contaminant detection devices. While bad odors, unusual colors or metallic tastes usually indicate a drinking water problem, some go undetected. Lead is tasteless, odorless, and colorless and can find its way into your water via soldered pipe connections. Lead-based solder was used in homes built as recently as the late 1980′s. And even though cities generally use chlorine to disinfect water to prevent illness and disease, chlorination is not a foolproof disinfection method. Unexpected outbreaks of certain microorganisms can still occur. Cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite, caused several hundred thousand people to become ill in Milwaukee in April 1993. Although it’s disinfected, city water may encounter contaminants once it leaves the treatment plant and travels through miles of distribution lines before it reaches your home. What You Can Find in Your Drinking Water • Chlorine Taste/Odor – generally caused by chlorine used by municipalities to disinfect their water supplies. • Musty, Earthy, Fishy Tastes/Odors – caused by algae, molds and bacteria that live in water and can multiply within a home’s plumbing system. • Cloudiness/Turbidity – results from suspended particles of sediment. • “Rotten Egg” Smell – comes from hydrogen sulfide in water. • Color – linked to decaying organic matter (tannins) and metals such as iron. • Metallic Taste or Odor — caused by elevated levels of iron and other metals. • “Lighter Fluid” Taste or Odor — can be caused by methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive that’s recently come under public scrutiny may be phased out Other problems that cannot be easily identified include: • Toxic Elements – such as hexavalent chromium, arsenic and lead. • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – include commercial chemicals and pesticides. • Microorganisms – include cysts, bacteria and viruses that can live in water. The above contaminants are not necessarily in your water. The only way to be certain is to have your water tested.
~Bob Villa |
Kinetico Water Systems
Welcome to Kinetico Quality Water, your local source for information on water treatment options in Central and Southern Arizona.
