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Archive for the ‘Impurities Found in Drinking Water’ Category

How Does Water Become Contaminated?

Posted by Ken Christopher

Have you ever considered the fact that the water on the Earth right now is the same water that was on the Earth millions of years ago? National Geographic is quoted as saying “The water the dinosaurs drank millions of years ago is the same water that falls as rain today.” How amazing is that? When we stop and think about this fact, it makes us want to keep our water as clean and unpolluted as possible for future generations. While we can certainly take steps toward this goal, there are times when our water supply becomes contaminated due to circumstances beyond our control. One of those circumstances is natural events such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides and here in California lately, wildfires.

One of the byproducts of wildfires is the tremendous amount of debris that is generated. This debris tends to end up in our water reservoirs, lakes and streams, causing increased sediment and turbidity in the water supply. This sediment can be so extreme that the contaminated water can be unpotable for several years. Another byproduct of wildfires is the vast amount of chemicals that find their way into the water chain. Water quality studies have shown that after a wildfire, there is a significant increase in the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous found in the surrounding water; some studies have even shown a tenfold increase in nitrates as much as three years post fire.

Earthquakes are another concern that Californians face and can also be a source for water contamination. When a significant earthquake occurs, municipal water lines can be damaged or broken and underground wells can be dislodged or disrupted from the shaking. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) earthquakes have a direct impact on groundwater. Water wells have been known to become turbid, dry or even begun flowing again, new water springs have been formed, old water springs have dried up and both well and surface water quality suffer from varying degrees of degradation.

Our water supply can become contaminated from a variety of sources, those in our control and those beyond our control. A water filtration system can help eliminate the risk of ingesting contaminated water; it adds that extra layer of protection for homeowners and their families. The Centers for Disease Control (CDS) rates reverse osmosis (RO) systems with very high effectiveness for removing protozoa, bacteria, viruses, sodium, chloride, copper, chromium, lead, arsenic, fluoride, radium, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nitrates and phosphorous. Whatever the initial quality of your water, you can be assured that filtered drinking water is going to be as safe and contaminate free as possible

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Posted by Ken Christopher

Drinking water is essential to good health, but how much water should we be drinking? There are so many conflicting reports on the topic that it’s hard to decipher an exact amount; there are some common guidelines however that can help. While eight glasses of water per day has been the recommendation in the past, many dieticians are now saying it depends on your body weight and activity level; eight glasses may not be enough for some people. As a general rule, it is recommended to drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight, especially if you are moderately active. More sedentary individuals should drink at least half an ounce of water per pound of body weight and extremely active individuals should drink at least an ounce and a half per pound. Your body is probably the best gage to determine if you are drinking enough water however; the following signs are a good indication that you need to increase your water intake:

Our bodies are mostly comprised of water, so it makes sense that it needs water to function properly. Every single organ is affected when we aren’t drinking enough so the first thing you should do when you aren’t feeling well is to reach for a tall glass of water – who knows it just might cure all your ills!

Removing Chlorine from Drinking Water

Posted by Ken Christopher

Chlorine is probably the most widely utilized disinfectant around the house and certainly the most commonly used disinfectant in our water supply. If your drinking water  comes from a municipal water company, the odds are that chlorine or one of its compounds such as chloramine will be found in your drinking water. It is important to have clean, safe drinking water and while the Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers small amounts of chlorine safe for consumption, it is often unpalatable or produces an unpleasant odor in the water. Oftentimes the chlorine used to treat our water reacts to the pipes or faucet fittings and can cause an unpleasant or metallic taste to the water. Coffee and tea are particularly sensitive to chlorinated water and their taste can be dramatically altered. In order to alleviate this problem you can take the time to boil the water first before making your morning libation, however it is much more convenient to simply filter it out before it ever reaches the tap. There are a few different options available for chlorine filtration; a water conditioner or a drinking water system  are the most favored options. A salt free water conditioner will produce cleaner, clearer water from every faucet in your home. In addition, it has the added benefit of not only filtering out chlorine but also avoiding the addition of sodium to your drinking water and waste water. Salt free conditioners will also provide scale and corrosion protection for your fixtures and water using appliances without the hassle and expense of water softener salt. Your water will taste and smell significantly better and you should get the maximum life capacity out of all your water using appliances.   There are several different options for drinking water filters; a reverse osmosis system or an ion-exchange drinking water system are your best bets. While a reverse osmosis drinking water system can produce superior quality water, filtering out chlorine and its components, many RO systems waste an inordinate amount of water to do so. With so many water restrictions in place in and around the southwest, a high efficiency drinking water system might be a better option. The LINX Drinking Water System  offers the latest technology for water filtration and uses up to ninety percent less water than a reverse osmosis system to operate. The water reservoir will fill up in minutes for a continuous supply of fresh, great-tasting water. Another great option with this type of drinking water system is that it offers a Dial-A-Taste control where the consumer is able to customize the taste of their drinking water, dialing in the amount of mineral content they find most palatable. If the taste and smell of your drinking water is affected by the municipal water disinfection process, contact us  and we will help you find the right water filtration system to fit your unique needs and budget. No one should have to be subjected to bad tasting water!

Feeling Helpless Against Copper Pipe Leakage?

Posted by Ken Christopher

Municipal water facilities use a variety of processes in order to make our drinking water safe for consumption. Many water districts, specifically in Orange County, are now using chloramines to treat their water supply. Chloramines  are comprised of a mixture of chlorine and ammonia that work together to extend the disinfecting power of chlorine. They ensure that the water supply is free of bacteria, viruses and other disease causing pathogens. While chloramines are highly effective in this regard, the downside of this disinfection process is their harmful effect on copper piping. Since the switch was made to chloramine disinfectant, there have been thousands of reports of pinhole leaks in copper pipes. California is one of several states which restricts the use of plastic piping, while promoting the use of copper piping  in their plumbing systems. According to the California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors (CalPASC) there is currently an epidemic of copper pipe leaks in the state and it is being attributed to this shift to the use of chloramine. Needless to say, homeowners are greatly distressed by the added expense to replace damaged pipes. There is a solution to the problem however; the Rayne Chloramine Buster. The Rayne Chloramine Buster 1500  and the Rayne Chloramine Buster 2000 were specifically designed to considerably reduce the damaging effects of chloramines and other compounds such as hydrogen sulfide before they enter into the home’s plumping system. Installed at the home’s water main, they remove chloramine and other noxious sulfides before they have the opportunity to enter the plumbing system and cause damage. Both the Rayne Chloramine Buster 1500 and Rayne Chloramine Buster 2000 are equipped with a custom media application produced from high quality coconut shell carbons. This media modification allows for superior water treatment  capabilities right at the source. They are able to remove much larger quantities of not only chloramine, but other organic species which may also be present in the water. Homeowners no longer have to feel helpless against copper pipe failure, by just installing a chloramine buster they not only have peace of mind that their pipes are not going to develop leaks, but also know they are potentially saving thousands of dollars in water and pipe damage. 

How to Choose a Drinking Water System

Posted by Ken Christopher

Drinking water systems are becoming the gold standard in many homes today. Water quality and safety are one of the top concerns among homeowners. Couple that with the fact that buying bottled water is not only expensive, but has a huge environmental impact, and you can see why drinking water systems and water filters are quickly becoming a requirement for many homeowners. But how do you choose from all the different drinking water systems on the market today? Knowing what contaminants you want to filter out of your water is the first step toward choosing the correct drinking water system. Most systems will filter out the major contaminants such as chlorine, copper, lead, parasites etc., but there are drinking water systems that filter out some contaminates better than others. Our LINX Drinking Water Systems for example, can reduce nitrates down to a zero detect level whereas most other systems can reduce nitrate levels, but not down to the zero detect level. If you happen to reside in an area with a higher nitrate contamination, the best choice would be a system with superior nitrate filtration.    If your water filtration needs are fairly simple, then most standard drinking water systems would do the trick. A reverse osmosis (RO) system would be a good choice in this instance; they do a fantastic job at water filtration and will produce great tasting water at the tap. There are RO systems that can produce up to 50 gallons of drinking water a day, or if you don’t require as much, there are smaller options as well. Another consideration when choosing a drinking water system is their environmental impact. With many counties in our area under heavy water restrictions due to drought conditions, it would make sense to choose an environmentally friendly system. Unfortunately, a reverse osmosis isn’t the best choice when it comes to preserving water; the water waste created by a RO system can be pretty dramatic. It can take almost eleven gallons of water to make just one pot of coffee, so needless to say, water conservation is definitely not a top priority with a RO. Our high-efficiency LINX Drinking Water System, on the other hand, is a fantastic choice for water conservation.  It can operate with up to 90 percent less water waste than an RO and still provide superior filtered drinking water. Another great feature is that it comes equipped with a water saving automatic shut-off built right into the system. The LINX system also has the ability to provide virtually unlimited filtered water; the tank can regenerate in minutes versus hours for an RO. If you are still unsure, and have more questions on what type of drinking water system is right for you, give us a call and we will answer any questions you have, while helping you make the best decision for your home.

How to deal with potential groundwater threats

Posted by Ken Christopher

If you watch the news, you have probably seen drinking water stories from around the country making the cut more frequently than ever. Between Mother Nature and industrial events, groundwater has issues not visible to the human eye making it a concern amongst many living without a water filter or other home drinking water system. Groundwater is a pretty amazing thing; it isn’t a lake or river flowing underground. Rather, it is composed of tiny droplets of water whose combined volume is greater than the volume of all the lakes and rivers of the world combined. Wow! But even more impressive than the volume of the groundwater that serves us is its influence on California drinking water. For more than 100 years, groundwater has provided a substantial and essential resource for California’s agriculture, its industries, and its cities. Groundwater in California is crucial in ensuring that people have access to drinking water and enough of it. Between 25 and 40 percent of California’s water supply in an average year comes not from surface streams or reservoirs but rather from beneath the ground.  California groundwater, however, is not immune to issues like most groundwater around the country. Experts admit that groundwater stored in underground aquifers is “fragile” and at times can be found to contain above average levels of contaminants. Expensive treatment is possible or the water should be not and usually is not used. However without human intervention, the National Resources Defense Council admits that contamination not only results in a reduction in the amount of immediately usable water, but may also result in human exposure to hazardous levels of contaminants. Do you know if your household is exposed to contaminants through your drinking water? While many contaminants are tested for and treated for, there are several others found in groundwater that we cannot tell. Since they are not visible, many homeowners are simply left wondering if their groundwater turned tap water is even safe. When you have a home drinking water system, water is filtered and you won’t have to give a second thought to the potential groundwater issues in your area. We like to assume that all Irvine drinking water is completely safe, but most findings conclude that is not the case and due to costs and time management, that is the long-term reality. Better to install a water filter for your tap water than spend your days wondering if groundwater contamination is exposing you to potential dangers. Are you ready to purchase a water softener system ? We have many California locations in both Northern California and Southern California! Whether you need a reverse osmosis system in San Diego or a water softener installation in San Jose , we have you covered.  Contact us today to be safe and secure when it comes to your drinking water.

Uranium in Your Drinking Water… Now What?

Posted by Ken Christopher

Uranium in drinking water can happen anywhere. Unfortunately, it is a naturally-occurring element in the groundwater of some areas in our country but there is still limited information about where and why uranium is found in our groundwater. Uranium gets into drinking water when groundwater dissolves minerals that contain uranium. When you don’t have a water filter or drinking water system installed to help protect your tap water, it can cause fear and panic. As one small town in California learned, uranium is nothing to mess with when it comes to consuming it. At least, that’s what they think it means… Uranium is meant for nuclear fuel for power plants and atom bombs, however is increasingly being found in drinking water systems in major farming regions of the U.S. West — a natural though unexpected byproduct of irrigation, drought, and the over-pumping of natural underground water reserves. Naturally occurring uranium has very low levels of radioactivity, but for most people, any level is too much. However, the chemical properties of uranium in drinking water are of greater concern than its radioactivity. Most ingested uranium is eliminated from the body. However, a small amount is absorbed and carried through the bloodstream. According to experts, studies show that drinking water with elevated levels of uranium can affect the kidneys over time and cause cancer too. Bathing and showering with water that contains uranium is not a health concern, thankfully. In a trailer park found in California’s San Joaquin Valley, uranium in drinking water is now a major concern. There’s a danger in their drinking water and though many of the families in this trailer park speak only Spanish, English signs have been posted warning them of the dangers of drinking their water since it has – you guessed it – traces of uranium.  Without any other explanation, one man interprets the threat as “you can drink the water — but if you drink the water over a period of time, you can get cancer.” This working-class family has no choice but keep drinking and cooking with the tainted tap water. They live with the danger of their drinking water every day. With a drinking water system, you don’t have to. If you get your tap water from a well, you’re responsible for testing for uranium. For public tap water, it is monitored but residents are still encouraged to prepare for the “what-ifs.” One of the best options is reverse osmosis, which works by forcing water filtering through a membrane that prevents the uranium from passing through. Our  home water treatment systems can effectively remove uranium from drinking water. They will give you the peace of mind you cannot get living with contaminated water or threats of drinking water contamination. It’s more widespread than we once thought. Nearly two million people in California’s Central Valley and the U.S. Midwest live within a half-mile of groundwater containing uranium over the health limits, University of Nebraska researchers said in a study in September. To read more from the article discussed above, click here http: https://www.msn.com/en-us?ocid=wispr. 

Another Unnoticed Water Contamination Issue

Posted by Ken Christopher

Flint, Michigan’s problem with lead contaminated drinking water has made headlines across the nation. Residents in the area complained about the odor, taste and appearance of their water soon after state officials switched its supply source from Lake Huron to the polluted Flint River. Their complaints went largely unnoticed and unanswered for nearly TWO YEARS before officials finally acknowledged the lead contamination problem.

The state Department of Environmental Quality admitted their mistake of failing to require the addition of corrosion-control chemicals to the water which lead to the contamination. Now the city of Flint is in a state of crisis; President Obama even pledged five million dollars in federal aid to assist in the effort to provide much needed water filters and other water filtration supplies for Flint residents.

Lead contaminated drinking water can lead to permanent brain damage, especially in children … and unfortunately the damage is irreversible. Pediatricians fear that the Flint children found with elevated lead levels will suffer lifelong consequences from this problem. Lead poisoning is also associated with gastrointestinal problems, headaches, irritability, fatigue, kidney dysfunction and high blood pressure in both children and adults. So how could something this serious go either unnoticed or unacknowledged for so long?

Many fingers have been pointed at the Department of Environmental Quality as well as to Governor Snyder. Bottom line however, an attempt to cut costs was the main catalyst for this crisis. This type of problem is not unique; companies looking to save a few dollars have dumped toxic chemicals into the water supply leading to water contamination and others have cut back on safety measures which has led to chemical spills. It happens way too frequently, which makes water filtration all across America a necessity, now more than ever before.

A water filtration system, such as an RO system or a LINX Drinking Water System can filter out lead and other harmful contaminates before they have the opportunity to reach the tap. They can help homeowners filter out known contaminates, but they are also an extra step of protection for those unknown contaminates that may sneak into the water supply. While the water contamination problem would have still existed in Flint, the lead poisoning residents are seeing in their children would have been completely avoided if they had access to a drinking water filtration systems.

How to Drink More Water and Avoid Kidney Stones

Posted by Ken Christopher

Have you ever had kidney stones? Do you know someone who has? If so, then you probably know that they’re in no way enjoyable whatsoever. The good news is that drinking water can help! The key is to know how to drink more water during the day and to monitor your intake properly. Once you make drinking more high quality drinking water part of your daily routine, or you use a water filter to remove harmful contaminants in order to increase your water intake, you’ll be feeling better and hopefully can reduce your chances of having kidney stones.

A recent article from the University of Chicago gives some very helpful tips for drinking more water and making it a part of your healthier lifestyle all while avoiding severe risks of kidney stones. The article begins by giving ways to drink more; start increasing your daily water intake slowly but surely. Don’t try to overdo it the first day or even the second. While drinking more water is a simple way to reduce the risk of kidney stones, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Set new goals each week or each month to increase consumption. It’ll easily and slowly become a part of your normal routine. The article then says to be willing to spend time using the restroom. Most people avoid drinking water to avoid having to use the restroom. This is not a good excuse – better hydration means less risk of kidney stones. Would you rather spend a little extra time in the bathroom or in the ER with a kidney stone? Lastly, be willing. Make the time to drink water and reap the consequences and don’t wait until you are out of work to drink all your water. Intermittent dehydration can be a real problem. Drink water throughout your day, even if you are at work. Plus, input doesn’t always match the output. Four factors make the answer of how many times you’ll be running to the restroom harder to come by: sodium intake, geographical location, occupation, and exercise.

Other tricks which can help you drink more water include investing in a fancy water bottle, adding fruit to your water like lemons, watermelons, raspberries and grapes, downloading an app to help you track progress, eating your water through fruits and vegetables, using a straw, and also investing in a home drinking water system. As you increase your water intake to reduce kidney stones, you’ll want to ensure that the water you’re drinking is safe and pure. A home drinking water system will filter out harmful contaminants and also provide you with safe, great-tasting drinking water. If your water tastes good, then you’ll want to drink it! Contact our water treatment company today to learn which of our drinking water filters would work best for your new healthier lifestyle. Making a commitment to your health and avoiding painful kidney stones starts with drinking more water! Day by day, we can work together to support your kidney health! To read the full article, click here http://kidneystones.uchicago.edu/how-to-drink-enough-water/.

Do Counter Top Water Filters Work?

Posted by Ken Christopher

We are fortunate to live in a country where we have somewhat unlimited access to clean, healthy, drinking water.  That being said however, there are still impurities in our water supply system that can be harmful for human consumption. From heavy metals to bacteria to pharmaceuticals, many of these contaminates find their way into our drinking water which is why we need to be vigilant in making sure we are filtering out these contaminants to protect us and our families. There are numerous different water filtration systems  on the market today, ranging from a pitcher in the fridge to high end drinking water systems; does it really make a difference which one you buy? The short answer is YES, it definitely makes a difference! It would be wonderful if we could just all go out and purchase an inexpensive counter top water filter or install a simple water faucet filter, but unfortunately they have limits on what they can do. The biggest concern with a basic single stage water filtration system is that they give a false sense of security; homeowners think they are protecting their family from water contaminates  when in fact they aren’t really filtering out much at all. Due to the fact that most of these types of water filters rely on carbon filtration only, they are ineffective in filtering out a whole host of contaminates. Carbon filtration will filter out chlorine and some other minor contaminates, but they leave behind some pretty major ones.    Counter top water filters, water faucet filters and your basic filtration pitcher are not able to filter out many dangerous contaminates; arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, radium, asbestos, bacteria, human viruses, chromium, microbes, perchlorate and uranium can all penetrate past these simple water filters and can cause some serious illnesses and even death. They are also ineffective in filtering out inorganic minerals and pharmaceuticals which more and more are making their way into our water supply every day. For truly effective water filtration, homeowners must look to reverse osmosis filtration  or ion-exchange water filtration. Both types have the ability to filter out over 99 percent of these harmful contaminates, leaving you with the cleanest, safest drinking water available. While both are equally effective, choice tends to come down to preference and efficiency. RO systems provide superior tasting water, but with a significant amount of water waste. LINX Drinking Water Systems provide equally superior water, but with the ability to customize taste and without the water waste seen in RO systems. Whichever way a homeowner decides to go, they will be assured that their water is safe to drink.