Joel Makower of GreenBiz, “company awareness about water risk” is vital. The good news for the situation (and about the only good news) is that scarcity and risk drive innovation and new products on the market, and there’s a mini-boom taking place in water tech — everything from “filtration and desalination to sanitation and efficiency.”
Conservation is the key. In order to both protect yourself from impurities and harmful contaminants as well water waste, consider one of our eco-friendly drinking water systems which can filter your water and reduce water waste. Our advanced water filter technology can save you up to 90% more water than traditional reverse osmosis systems and will allow you to do your part to conserve when this nation needs it most.
In recent years it has become increasingly evident that expecting mothers must be extra cautious as to what they expose their unborn child to. Some doctors have noticed the correlation between everyday chemical exposure and conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and lower IQ points. As technology continues to advance, we find ourselves exposed to chemicals almost everywhere; the food we eat, water we drink, air we breathe, clothing we wear, vehicles we drive, our everyday environment is inundated with chemical exposure and it is adversely affecting our children.
Studies have shown that certain chemicals and water contaminants are considered toxic to the developing brain. Fortunately, some of them are banned in the US, however there are many that are not. For example; lead, arsenic, fluoride in high concentrations, insecticides such as chlorpyrifos, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) used as a flame retardant found in children’s pajamas, furniture and electronics. Doctors believe expose to these chemicals in utero can cause defects in the developing brain with effects ranging from a few lost IQ points to children suffering from severe autism.
Just because a mother might not feel the effects of low-dose exposure to these chemicals doesn’t mean that the developing baby won’t. The brain is such a complex organ and in a vulnerable state during development so even small doses of exposure can cause potentially devastating results. Considering the fact the scientists know very little about the effects of more than 99% of the chemicals currently on the market, it just makes sense to avoid them whenever possible, especially during pregnancy.
Some suggestions to take into consideration during pregnancy is to eat organic food whenever possible, stay away from paint thinners, strong cleaning agents and pesticides, get checked for lead exposure, and drink only filtered drinking water. It is amazing how many of these chemicals can be leaked into our water supply and not all water filters are capable of removing them to the level where they are safe to drink. If you are expecting, make sure you are taking extra precautions to what you are exposing your baby to. If you are looking for a water filtration system that will effectively remove these harmful chemicals from your drinking water, give us a call and we will get you started on the right track to a healthier you and a healthier baby.
Water Technology recently published an article on recycled wastewater and potable water reuse that we found fascinating and thought really addressed our existing water crisis needs. The majority of our Earth is covered in water so it shouldn’t seem as though we would ever have to worry about a water shortage. The reality of the situation however is that of the 326 million trillion gallons of water in or on the earth, less than 1 percent (about 0.72 percent) of it is actually usable. Then there is the additional dilemma of water not being located in adequate amounts in some parts of the world, even though others have an overabundance of freshwater. Some states have begun looking at the possible ways in which we can recycle our wastewater; Southern California in particular has been a leader for many years in this regard. Because of this recycled wastewater, household water filtration & salt-free water softeners in Orange County are becoming increasingly common.
While many states have completely overlooked the fact that wastewater is a fantastic source of essentially 100% reuse, there are others that have developed large scale projects looking at ways to convert wastewater into drinking water. Currently, there are potable reuse technologies in the works that are more thorough than conventional treatments. However, water softeners in the San Fernando Valley and other large Southern California cities are still recommended until wastewater technology becomes more widespread. Even though the process begins with wastewater, they are ultimately able to produce even higher quality drinking water than conventional treatment plants that begin with “clean” surface water. Utilizing multiple treatment configurations, they can essentially remove all microbial and chemical contaminants (including industrial and bio-chemicals) with exceptional effectiveness; conventional treatment plants are not capable of this type of water filtration.
Wastewater contains nitrogen, phosphorous nutrients and biosolids that can be used for agriculture as well as oils and grease that can be recycled as biofuels. Technology is currently available that can convert even the most contaminated water into safe high quality drinking water, however many consumers are still leery of drinking recycled wastewater. We agree – it is hard to overcome the perception and stigma of wastewater even though it is readily available and can be successfully converted into safe and reliable quality drinking water. We believe it is essential to look at alternative ways to conserve, recycle and reuse our existing water supplies. Drinking water systems and water filters have seen some amazing advances these last few years and if we can overcome the perception of recycled water, it would go a long way toward solving the water crisis in the world.
Water Technology Online, experts in California have warned that the state’s drought conditions could actually lead to contaminated groundwater, putting our drinking water at risk. There are currently ten rural water systems where people with private wells have been identified by the California Department of Public Health as being at risk of running out of drinking water in 60 days because of drought. It is said that the drought has caused some contaminants already present in the groundwater to become concentrated, contaminating wells in these areas. With a normal level of rainfall, contaminant levels could be considered safe and measured under the limits, but the drought has created the risk of high levels of arsenic and other chemicals. State and public health officials promised to truck in water to the affected communities when necessary, but how long could this last?
Since private well owners are often left to their own testing, unlike public water systems. Residents have to monitor regularly for contamination, but there may be an easier solution to rely on. Would you make an investment in your water to ensure it is contaminant-free and protect your home? Our drinking water systems are eco-friendly and waste less water than traditional reverse osmosis systems. Our advanced technology allows residents access to a full amount of safe drinking water- even those residents who have wells. Give your family the tools to protect and conserve the water you have right now and prepare your home for the water you may have in the future. Contact us today to learn which of our drinking water systems would be best for your home.
If you are in the process of installing a water conditioner, you are probably curious about how they work. Does this system facilitate reverse osmosis? Does it remove chlorine, chemicals and other heavy metals from tap water?
Most water conditioners remove chemical contaminants from your water, while some also alter the minerals in water so they don’t cause scaling, but how long does this process take to work? Let’s dive into the question of “how does a water conditioner work” and determine whether its function is a good fit for you!
How Does a Water Conditioner Work?
Water conditioners work in different ways depending on what contaminants you want to be removed from your water. Many water conditioners remove chemical contaminants from water. These include chlorine, chloramines, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals and compounds alter the taste and smell of your water.
Some water conditioners also provide soft water benefits. Water conditioners achieve this feat through a process known as nucleation. To do this, water conditioners utilize special resin beads known as template-assisted crystallization (TAC) media. On TAC media are printed catalytically activated sites known as templates.
As water moves through these water conditioners it passes over the TAC media beads. A small proportion of the dissolved minerals in water come into contact with the template sites printed on the beads, where they are encouraged to come together in an ordered crystalline pattern. These initial steps form what is called a seed-crystal, which is a tiny crystal.
Once the seed-crystal has been formed it attracts other dissolved mineral ions that contribute to water hardness. The dissolved mineral ions prefer to attach and build the existing crystal rather than attach to other surfaces your water may come into contact with. Although your water conditioner only physically alters a small proportion of the mineral ions in your water, those changes are sufficient to encourage the remaining mineral ions in your hard tap water to change as well. This physical change in the mineral structure helps answer the question of what is a water conditioner.
One thing to note about the water conditioners that provide soft water benefits we’ve described here is that they specifically rely on TAC media to function. You might be wondering about electronic water conditioners. Do they work? The answer is complicated. Some studies have shown a decrease in scaling associated with magnetic or electronic water conditioners, while others have not. Unlike electronic water conditioners, water conditioners using TAC media provide repeatable, consistent results.
How Long do Water Conditioners Take to Work?
Now that we’ve outlined the different results water conditioners can provide, you’re probably wondering how long does water conditioner take to work? The good news is that conditioning water happens very quickly. You shouldn’t notice a decrease in flow rate, and water conditioners are capable of conditioning as much water as you need. This could mean gallons and gallons of water!
Whether you are using a water conditioner to remove chemicals altering the smell or taste of your water, or are using a water conditioner that provides some soft water benefits, water conditioning happens immediately. This allows you to condition water on-demand, rather than having to wait for it.
Why Consider a Water Conditioner?
Aren’t sure whether a water conditioner is right for you? Let’s take a look at a few of the top advantages of water conditioning systems.
Energy Efficient – Water conditioners operate passively and are incredibly energy efficient. This means your ongoing costs are lower when compared to other alternatives and you’ll have less of an environmental impact while making tap water safe.
No Brine – Do you live in an area with brine restrictions? If so, certain types of water conditioners, as opposed to water softeners, is the best alternative for treating water hardness.
Better Tasting and Smelling Water – Water conditioners remove many of the chemicals and compounds that alter the taste and smell of your water. If you are tired of smelling like chlorine after your shower or drinking water that has an odd taste, then a water conditioner may be right for you!
Closing Thoughts
How long does conditioned water take to work? No time at all! Water conditioning happens on demand.
Most water conditioners remove chemicals and compounds that give your water an unpleasant taste or smell. Additionally, some water conditioners can also provide the benefits of soft water without the use of salt! While these types of water conditioners don’t remove hard minerals from water, they do alter it in a way that reduces the impact of hard water around your home or business.
Aren’t sure whether a water conditioner vs water softener is right for you? Our specialists at Rayne can help! These two types of systems function in different ways and produce different results, so understanding what you want out of your water treatment system is crucial.
The Clean Water Act was initiated to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our drinking water and it has certainly made a positive impact on the water industry in our country. It is not a perfect system though and that was made abundantly clear with the West Virginia chemical spill back in January. Freedom Industries spilled 10,000 gallons of toxic chemicals into West Virginia’s water supply. They failed to immediately report the chemical leak and thousands of residents were subjected to tainted water before it was made public.
Not only was their drinking water affected, but residents were unable to even come
in contact with the water it was so bad. Then the problem was compounded when Freedom Industries admitted that there was second chemical that was included in the initial spill almost 2 weeks later. The fact that this second chemical went undetected, despite intensive water testing is quite alarming and reveals a significant deficiency in how water companies test drinking water quality.
The EPA currently requires water companies to test for 80 different contaminants in drinking water supplies but it doesn’t require daily, weekly or even monthly testing of many of them. Some tests are only conducted every 6 months or even up to a year apart. If there is a problem during this time, residents would be drinking contaminated water – for months – without ever knowing about it.
Another flaw in this system is that while they do test for 80 different contaminants, there are tens of thousands of chemicals in use. Water companies can only find contaminants they are actively looking for; there is no comprehensive screen for these other potentially harmful contaminants, which is why the West Virginia American Water Company was unable to detect the other chemical involved in the spill. They were not required to test for it so they didn’t.
This has raised some major concerns as to the actual safety of the water we are drinking. We tend to take it at face value that municipal water companies are providing safe, contaminate free drinking water, but now we must question whether or not they really are. Consumers who drink water from a well know the importance of making sure it is filtered because of what contaminants they might ingest. Now it makes even more sense for residents on a municipal water supply to have a second line of defense in their homes with a water filter system. Water filtration systems are able to filter out many harmful chemicals that municipal water companies don’t detect as well as other chemicals they put into the water to kill what bacteria and viruses they know about.
Minimizing water pollution from your own tap is one of the many reasons households are installing home water filters at a rapid pace. A drinking water system has an important job and you deserve the best product out there to do all it needs to do. After all, your water filter will be protecting your family from the adverse effects of many contaminants and minimizing your exposure to water pollution. You should pick the best drinking water system when it comes to the safety and quality of your tap water. Don’t settle for anything less than the best.
A drinking water system is also an investment and nobody wants to pay for something when it isn’t effective. Although some towns and cities have policies or have set up recycling programs to minimize environmental pollution, drinking water contamination is still an issue for much of the nation’s tap water. Water filters can remove heavy metals and contaminants to provide people with clean and softer water without the effort of hauling bottles from supermarkets, too.
When selecting a drinking water system, we recommend that you choose one that has a Gold Seal designated from the Water Quality Association (WQA). This program is dedicated to providing public health and safety services throughout the USA and globally, while maintaining expert service, superior reputation, and fair pricing. The Gold Seal Program offers certification of all products and chemicals that contact drinking water.
Our drinking water systems have this certification and others because it has been proven to be one of the best on the market in multiple categories. Wasting up to 90% less water than traditional reverse osmosis systems, our products are as eco-friendly as they are efficient. Our advanced water filtration technology represents one of the greatest moves in the drinking water industry since the introduction of reverse osmosis and as we face various reasons for need home water filters, let us do the work for you.
The drought here in California has caused many issues for residents, business owners, farmers and government officials who are now staring down the barrel of a gun. The drought is forcing all parties to make decisions and set precedents when it comes to water conservation and water filtration. But without the proper drinking water system installed in your home, are you prepared to deal with both contamination and restrictions? Whether or not Californians will follow new rules is unknown, and even more alarming is whether the new rules will prove sufficient to meaningfully curb California’s water use — which won’t be clear for a while.
According to a recent article from New Republic discuss some devastating news that keeps the situation looking bleaker by the minute. Last week, The Association of California Water Agencies released a list of water-saving measures that local governments have rolled out in response to the drought. Unfortunately, what is listed in their report is beginning to define California and the era we live in. Everyone in the state—including homeowners, farmers, and environmentalists—has failed to make the tough choices when it comes to water conservation that now stare them in the face.
Why is the crisis so severe? Well after decades of dealing with the pressure of dwindling water resources, the drought is starting to force life-changing choices. Some estimate that half a million acres of farmland will go fallow in California this year, and the reduction in farming already is raising food prices in much of the nation.
Change is imminent. In January, Gov. Brown called on Californians to curb their water use by 20 percent. Implementation of other ideas like the use of “recycled,” or used, water—something that makes many people cringe because of the health impact.
How can you protect your own household? Our drinking water systems will filter water efficiently and waste much less water than traditional reverse osmosis systems. You can simultaneously conserve water and filter water, both two important answers in coping with our drought situation in California. Contact us today and starting conserving water tomorrow.
Let’s face it, water is an essential and vital component to sustain life, but in order for drinking water to provide its full range of health and household benefits, it often must be treated. The question most often asked is, “which water treatment system is the best?”
We wish there was just one answer to that question, it would make it so much easier for homeowners to know what to purchase, however that is not the case. The type of water you have in your home, as well as the local regulations and your own personal preference will determine which type of water treatment system will water conditioner work best for you.
Today, we are going to look at salt-free water conditioners; their pros, their cons and why they would or wouldn’t work for your situation. First, we need to understand how a salt-free water conditioner works. Unlike a water softener, which removes calcium and magnesium in the water and replaces them with sodium ions, a salt-free water conditioner leaves the minerals in the water but changes their form so they will not adhere to surfaces. When homeowners make the decision to treat hard water, it is usually to eliminate mineral buildup in their pipes and appliances which can damage and shorten the life of water using appliances as well as drastically reducing water flow in pipes. A salt-free water conditioner works great in this instance since it breaks up the minerals in such a way that they will not adhere to surfaces.
If homeowners want to eliminate the minerals in their water and enjoy the luxurious feel of mineral-free water, then a water softener would be a better option. The fact that salt-free water conditioners do not remove calcium and magnesium is actually a positive aspect of their features. Numerous studies have been done that tout the health benefits of both calcium and magnesium. In fact the World Health Organization (WHO) did an in-depth study of why calcium and magnesium should be left in our water. Inadequate intakes of calcium have been associated with increased risks of osteoporosis, kidney stones, colorectal cancer, hypertension and stroke, coronary artery disease, insulin resistance and obesity. Low magnesium levels have been implicated in hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mellitus and metabolic syndrome. When left in drinking water, it is much easier to get adequate amounts of both these beneficial minerals.
Another consideration to take into account is how your water treatment decision affects the environment. A salt-free water conditioner not only does not waste any water, it also eliminates the addition of sodium into groundwater. Certain cities have already banned the use of salt water softeners; however, salt-free water softener systems in Santa Clarita and the other cities are legal. Sodium has been declared as one of the biggest contaminates affecting water supplies in the nation and around the world. It has become so prevalent that it is beginning to destroy crops and affect groundwater across the globe. In fact, many states now have communities which have banned the sale of some types of regenerative water softeners since they flush sodium back into the ground.
As we said earlier, there are many factors to take into consideration before choosing a water filtration system. The best way to start the process is to have your water tested to see what issues you need to address. Next, do your research; evaluate each water treatment system on the market to see which one fits your needs and the needs of the environment while still providing the best tasting, healthiest water possible.
Water testing is something that all homeowners should take into consideration, especially if you rely on a private well for your water supply. Drinking water can quickly and easily become contaminated and if not caught right away can cause some serious health concerns. It is recommended to have municipally supplied water tested periodically, however well water should be tested at least once every year.
Bacteria is one of the biggest concerns with well water; in fact, approximately 40 percent of private wells tested, come back positive for bacteria. Every year you should at least test for bacteria (total coliforms), nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. Testing for arsenic, chloride, pesticides, metals and hardness is also highly recommended as they are often found in well water as well.
If you notice any change in your water, such as taste, smell or appearance, have your water tested at once. This could definitely be a sign that something is not right. Some other warning signs to look for are:
Your well is close to a septic tank.
Your well is in an area where livestock are kept.
Your well in near an area where pesticides and other chemicals are used.
You notice water stains on your fixtures or clothing
You are pregnant, or have a child under six months old (nitrates can cause a fatal condition in young children)
You notice recurring gastrointestinal distress in you or your family members
You have a newly installed well
Your property is near a gas station, mining operation, dry-cleaners, chemical plant, heavily salted roadway, an oil / gas drilling company or junkyard
Knowing the condition of your water and having it tested as recommended is the first step in preventing any potential health concerns. The Environmental Protection Agency has a link on their website you can use to find certified testing labs in your state. Most home improvement stores have a basic water test, however it is very limited as to what contaminants it can detect. A certified lab is the best route to go since are able to provide a much broader scope of testing.
Once you determine the condition of your water, you are in a much better position to choose a water filtration system that will compliment your unique water concerns or whether you need one at all. Keeping tabs on your water regularly will help prevent any health issues before they arise.
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