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Archive for the ‘Water Usage’ Category

Will Californians follow rules set forth due to the severe drought?

Posted by Ken Christopher

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.

Protecting and Preserving our Water

Posted by Ken Christopher

So many people talk about the environment and how we are polluting it at an alarming rate, but are there actions behind their impassioned words?  Our environment is comprised of many different things, but the most simplistic ingredients are water, air and non-living organisms.  When even one of these components is compromised, it puts our entire eco-system at risk.  All living things depend on a healthy environment so what can we, as individuals, do to ensure we are both protecting and preserving our environment.

As a water treatment company, we work with one of these vital components on a daily basis.  We so often see how water is either being wasted or contaminated so we thought we would look at ways in which we can protect and preserve this precious commodity right in our own homes.

There are many areas that are faced with some serious water contamination issues.  We encounter nitrate and arsenic contamination as well as hard water and mineral deposits in many of the homes we go into, so the first step is to determine the quality of the water your family is using and drinking so you can know the best way to treat it.  Then the next step is to determine which water treatment system will cure your water issues in the most eco-friendly way possible.

If a water softener is what your home needs, you might want to consider using a salt-free water conditioning system.  It reduces chlorine, removes any minerals that are causing problems, improves the taste and odor of your water and provides cleaner, clearer water from every faucet in your home.  This is the same as any other water softener, but with one huge eco-friendly advantage – No salt consumption and no wastewater contamination.  Water softeners in general are eco-friendly; they help preserve the integrity of your appliances, so there is no need to replace them as frequently.  But, how much better would it be if you could eliminate the wastewater contamination part by using a salt free conditioner?

Next, let’s look at water filtration systems.  Unfortunately, we encounter arsenic and nitrate water contamination all too frequently when we test water in homes; the only way to remove these chemicals as well as others that might be lurking in your drinking water is to employ a water filtration system.  Not all water filtration systems are eco-friendly however; in fact some are downright wasteful.  A typical reverse osmosis system does a fantastic job of filtering water; it removes harmful chemicals and other contaminants found in drinking water, but it wastes a TON of water in the process.  In fact, it can waste as much as 8 gallons of water just to produce 1 gallon of filtered drinking water.

A much more eco-friendly choice would be an ion-exchange water filtration system such as the LINX Drinking Water System.  Not only will it supply an almost endless amount of filtered water, but does so at a 90% water waste savings.  So for virtually no water waste, you are able to remove all of the same, plus more, chemicals and contaminates as a typical reverse osmosis but in a much more eco-friendly way.

This is just a sampling of the small steps you can take in your home to be more environmentally conscious, but if we are all willing to make even small changes, we can collectively make a huge impact on our environment.

Forecast predicts tough times for Southwest water supply

Posted by Ken Christopher

Water Tech Online has predicted a grim forecast for some states in the Southwest United States, including California, this year when it comes to drought conditions and a dry water supply. Whether you have a drinking water system in your home or not, water conservation is a topic that we urge all residents to become familiar with these days. Water waste must be avoided due to drought conditions and less snowpack than average. Some models of water filters or RO systems waste a large percentage of the water they use during the filtration process, but not having a home drinking water system can also pose health risks due to drinking water contamination. Meanwhile, bottled water leads to a large percentage of toxic landfill waste and could be avoided by making an eco-friendly choice. The article mentioned above discusses data in a press release from the USDA National Water and Climate Center NWCC. There is some positive news for some states though, as Washington, most of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the northern parts of Colorado and Utah are expected to have near normal or above normal water supplies through the rest of the summer, according to the forecasts. However, far below normal stream-flows are expected for the southern parts of Oregon and Utah, southwestern Idaho, California, Arizona, New Mexico and western Nevada. Areas like Arizona have been more drought conscious due to their naturally dry climates. For example, Phoenix water softener systems are becoming more and more common. As stated in the article, many of these areas are in the nearly 500 counties across the country experiencing drought, according to USDA disaster designations. Some experts have found that 100% of California is under drought conditions with water supplies in high demand but limited quantity. Officials and experts are scrambling to find ways to save water and limit its use. Our drinking water systems can help residents do their part in this water crisis and save on water waste thanks to our advanced water filtration technology. Household demand for water doesn’t always decrease even though our water supply has here in Irvine. That is why a water filter at the tap may be perfect for your family; water conservation meets high quality drinking water with reduced contamination. Not only is this a cost-effective solution for you, but it is also an eco-friendly solution for our area. Every little bit counts and unfortunately, we just do not have enough water supply to waste what little we do have. So, are you a California resident interested in conserving water? We are here to help with our many California locations in both Northern and Southern California. If you need a salt-free system in San Diego, a drinking water system in Los Angeles, or a water softener in San Jose . Call us today to schedule a free water test!

What is a Salt-Free Water Conditioner?

Posted by Ken Christopher

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.

Actionable and Essential Water Conservation

Posted by Ken Christopher

Water conservation has been a hot topic the last several years as many southwest states continue to experience one of the worst droughts in the past century.  There have been reports of wells running dry and drinking water shortages and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.  Some experts are even saying that California is on the verge of a mega-drought, which is defined as a drought that lasts for a decade or longer.  In order for California and other drought plagued parts of the US to have enough water to sustain living conditions, as well as the huge agricultural production in the region, there must be a change in how water is consumed. As the lakes and streams get lower and lower, it becomes even more imperative that any sort of water waste must be eliminated.  There are already restrictions in place regarding unnecessary outdoor water usage such as washing of sidewalks and driveways, limited irrigation times, no dumping and refilling of pools, spas or outside fountains with many more restrictions to come.  In many areas, restaurants are required to only give drinking water to customers upon request and residents are required to fix any leaks and plumbing issues immediately.  Some of the hardest hit communities are even rationing home and business water usage with substantial fines for those who don’t comply. Even though much of California is described as having a Mediterranean climate, with winter rains and hot dry summers, there is also a large part of the southern portion of the state that has desert-like conditions.  Considering that their infrastructure of irrigation is second to none however, the nice green grass and vegetation does not attest to the desert-like conditions.  California is first in line to get their allotment of the Colorado River and residents can usually enjoy a surplus of water resources, which unfortunately tends to perpetrate water waste. One way to combat water waste is to install high efficiency appliances. Sure there is an upfront cost, but in the long run they will save you money while conserving energy and precious water in the process.  One area where high efficiency appliances are most often overlooked is in drinking water systems.  Reverse osmosis (RO) is probably the most common way to treat drinking water, but it wastes a huge amount of water in the process. Huge as in up to 12.5 gallons of municipal water go down the drain just to produce one gallon of drinking water.  In fact, RO systems are probably the biggest waster of water you will find in a household.  Upgrading to a high efficiency drinking water system, such as the LINX 140 or 160 systems, can save an average household over 7,000 gallons of water per year. With no end in sight for this pervasive drought, California and its neighbors need to start thinking outside the box for ways to conserve this precious commodity.  Adhering to water restrictions is a good start, along with installing low flow toilets, faucets and shower heads and being conscious about how much water is actually being used; but are these measures enough?  There are many sources of hidden water waste that most individuals don’t even recognize and those are the ones that might just tip the scale into actionable and essential water conservation.

Save Water Inside and Out!

Posted by Ken Christopher

water filter or other type of drinking water system  could actually be wasting water right in your home. Using our state-of-the-art technology and following some of these easy-to-do tips will help you save water inside of your home and outside, too. Inside your home, you can start by taking shorter showers, fewer baths, using less water in the bathroom in general and immediately fix leaks. If your toilet has a leak, you could be wasting about 200 gallons of water every day. That would be like flushing your toilet more than 50 times for no reason! Try this experiment: test for leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak! Another neat idea is to put a bucket in the shower while you’re waiting for the water to warm up, and use the water you catch for watering plants, flushing the toilet or cleaning. There are also some things you can do outside which will conserve water too. For example, using a broom to sweep dirt and leaves and not use the hose. You will no doubt need to cut back on how often and how much you water your landscape, but for many people they may not know when to water their plants optimally and this, too, can create the issue of using more water than necessary. Experts suggest watering your yard in the early morning or late evening when it’s cool outside. Watering when it’s hot and sunny is wasteful because most of the water evaporates before the plants have time to drink it. In addition to saving on your water bill, you can feel good knowing that you’re doing your part to conserve water. The state is in dire need of protecting water sources and simply cutting back. Some industries need water to thrive, but as a consumer we can certainly all do a better job of saving water. If you have a drinking water system in your home, be sure to use one which will require smaller amounts of water to do the trick. Household water consumption is one of the easiest ways to consume water in a short amount of time, especially in such desperation.

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. 

Winter Watering: What You Need to Know

Posted by Ken Christopher

There are two very important things we want you to consider saving more of this winter; money and water. When it comes to winter watering and desert landscaping, there are a few tips you can try that will help you do a better job controlling your winter irrigation habits. According to the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association AMWUA, many businesses and homeowners are watering throughout the winter, as if it were still 110 degrees outside. We know that the other seasons, especially summer, require us to water our plants a little more and a little more often, but water conservation is still crucial to the well-being of the Southwest and Western United States. Like many other homeowners in our area, desert-adapted plants can make it through the winter months with little or no water. Overwatering is just a waste of water and money. Experts agree that even rye grass can thrive with a watering every week or two. There is no need to water each and every day during the winter months. Water efficiency and efficient and eco-friendly water treatment systems are at the heart of what we do, so we wanted to pass along ten important things to know about winter watering straight from the water efficiency professionals at AMWUA:

  1. You can reduce your “sewer fee,” or part of your monthly water bill, as it is based off of your average water use during the winter months. Lower next year’s sewer fees by cutting back on water this winter.
  2. Overwatering can kill desert-adapted plants, whose roots need the soil to dry out between waterings, so they can absorb nutrients from the soil. Soggy soil prevents plants from pulling in essential elements, such as nitrogen and iron, and can suffocate the roots. This leads to yellowing leaves, poor health and even death.
  3. Sometimes, overwatering some types of shrubs and vines in the early winter months will make them too vulnerable to colder temperatures and susceptible to frost damage.
  4. Cactus plants suffer less frost damage if they have not been watered for several months before cold temperatures set in. They hold their water in their cells.
  5. Overwatering could lead to pools of water in your lawn that won’t evaporate as quickly as in the summer heat. These puddles and winter temps could breed mosquitoes.
  6. There are tools available to learn just how much water your specific plants and landscape need in the winter to thrive and survive.
  7. Rye grass is now established by the winter so no need to water as frequently. You are no longer germinating from seeds.
  8. Discuss these concerns and tips with your landscaper and don’t assume they know all about winter watering.
  9. Test once in a while for leaks in your irrigation system. You don’t want to be overwatering and not even know it.
  10. Trees should be watered deeply but far less in the winter months.

All of these tips can really help to save you water and money. 50-70% of a homeowner’s water usage happens outside. If we can lower our total usage during the winter months, it will really help with water conservation and making sure our region has enough water supplies should drought-like conditions hit us again in the future. If you are interested in conserving water in Arizona, we provide Phoenix water softener solutions. Are you located outside of Phoenix? We are proud to offer Scottsdale water softener solutions as well. Whether you need Phoenix water softener solutions or Glendale water softener installation, or a water filtration system in Scottsdale…we have you covered. To check out our water-saving appliances, visit our website or give us a call.

How to Make Water Conservation a Way of Life

Posted by Ken Christopher

Living with Less Water in California Water Conservation CA Drought Here in California, we have had to learn how to live with less water while still trying to maintain the same quality of life. While it has been no easy feat, Californians have done a pretty decent job of conserving water during the last several years of drought. Most of that was probably due to the restrictions that came from state officials. Now that those restrictions have been lifted however, the question is:

Have Californian’s committed to making water conservation a way of life? It is much easier to commit to short term changes – long term changes are another matter altogether. Limiting water waste in our homes must be a lifelong commitment. We live in an arid climate and even if the drought conditions subside, water is always going to be at a premium here. Historically, Californians have been some of the biggest water wasters around, with some areas not even monitoring water usage at all! Californians have been known for their lawns and landscaping. That takes water, water we desperately need to be responsible with.

What can we do? A recent article in the Washington Post, by author Darryl Fears, discusses water conservation trends as a way of life. Too often, we see water wasted as it runs down sidewalks instead of grass, or watering at the wrong time of day when the grass won’t drink it up as much. Tracy Quinn, a water policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council, has seen enough.

There could be some dramatic changes in store for the state when it comes to how residents use their water. A water management plan that could be finalized early this year, is designed to make water conservation “a way of life.” In the past, the Governor forced the state’s 410 water agencies to dramatically reduce their water use. The new plan would instead give each water agency a budget for how much water its customers are allowed to use. Many agencies will be required to purchase technology that detects even the smallest leaks in water lines and to hire data analysts to record and report water use. While this is positive, and most residents are understanding of the changes that need to be made, there are some things that everyone can do to reduce their own water waste within their home.

Change is Good! One thing Californians struggle with is their water quality; from nitrates to arsenic and pretty much everything in between! This is why so many residents opt to filter their drinking water. Unfortunately though, too many neglect to factor in the need for water conservation when choosing a water filtration system. There are new products on the market today, with advanced water filtration technology, that drastically reduces the water waste seen in a typical reverse osmosis systems. Traditional reverse osmosis systems are known to waste water. It doesn’t have to be that way if you invest in a better product. Change is good, and this case, water conservation is for the benefit both us and our state. This drought seems to be never-ending, and who knows if things will ever return to normal. All we can do is be responsible with the water that we do have. We can make better choices in how we use our water, how much water we use and even how we choose to filter our drinking water. Are you a Californian interested in water purification systems? We are here to help! Here at Rayne Water, we have many California locations ready to serve you. From commercial drinking water softeners & filtration systems in Santa Barbara all the way to water softener installations in San Jose …we have you covered. Call today!

PE Tank Service: The Smart Solution For Water Conservation AND Hard Water

Posted by Ken Christopher

Water conservation has long been a hot topic among environmentalists and politicians alike. This is especially true in California, where densely populated areas combined with adverse environmental conditions have made potable  water scarcer than ever. It’s no surprise then, that the water conservation topic leads the headlines wherever you look.

New water conservation laws

Over the last few years, many municipalities and water authorities have taken the problem of conservation efforts into their own hands and begun water saving programs to help make a difference. More recently, however, the state government has stepped in and passed new laws that make certain water saving measures mandatory, not optional.

On a personal level, new California water conservation laws provide regulation regarding how many gallons of water each individual can use on a daily basis – the current goal is to reduce water usage to 55 gallons per person per day within the next few years, with another 5 gallon per day reduction coming in the future. In addition, outdoor water use by individuals and communities will be regulated. Regardless of how you feel about governmental control over such things, the bottom line is that water conservation affects us all and we should take it seriously.

Water saving solutions

We believe water conservation efforts can start at home, and that includes what type of water softener you use. Traditional water softeners are salt-based and can be harmful to the environment due to chemical contamination of waste water, a problem that is leading many localities to enact water softener bans. With much of California having hard water, however, there is still a high demand for water softening solutions. One treatment for hard water is a Portable Exchange (PE) Tank Service.

Rayne technicians simply deliver tanks of clean and soft water to your home or business with a frequency depending on your usage. The equipment does tanks do not require electricity or a drain, meaning no salty waste water gets discharged into the environment. When empty, the tanks are returned to a state-of-the-art facility where they are regenerated under controlled conditions. With little installation or maintenance, these tanks are an easy solution. 

PE Tank Service is an excellent solution for not only preventing waste water contamination but also conserving water overall. Give us a call today to see if this service makes sense for your home or business and together, we can lead the water conservation efforts in our own communities.