Quality Water Filters 4 You

Drinking Water and Natural Disasters: Floods

2011-10-10T08:33:00.000-04:00

During the summer of 2011, flooding became a major issue not only in the US, but around the globe. What many people learned during this unusual period was that one did not have to be in a known flood plane to be affected by flooding. This caught many people off-guard, especially when it came to their drinking water.

When floods occur, drinking water treatment plants are often affected. Most treatment plants are located close to water sources such as lakes, rivers, and aquifers. As the flood waters rise, these plants must shut down for a variety of reasons, including worker safety. Once they go offline, water delivery to your home is iffy at best.

In addition to causing treatment plants to shut down, floods also cause existing water supplies, in some cases, to become contaminated and unsafe to drink. This is especially true if sewage lines or sewage treatment plants are affected by the flood waters. This type of contaminated water can be lethal if ingested!

While stopping floods from happening is impossible, being prepared for such emergencies is not impossible. In fact, a few simple precautions can help you get through flooding events as well as other weather events that may affect your drinking water. Here are some tips on how to become more prepared for such emergencies.

Always obey your local news alert concerning your drinking water. If you are told to not drink the water, obey that advice. If told to boil your water, then do so before ingesting it. This can literally save your life.

If you know in advance that you may be subject to flooding conditions, collect as much water as possible before the flood begins. You can also purchase emergency water purification kits from many online sources as well as camping outlets. Make sure you follow the instructions exactly as this is no time for sloppiness.

If your water supply is cut off for a time, consider adding a good-quality water filter to your tap before using the water once it comes back on. In many flood events, the returning water may contain sediments as well as other types of contaminants. A water filter will remove these impurities.

Good-quality water filters are very affordable and easy to install. They are very useful during times of emergency but are also very useful during normal times as well. As a means of cleaning tap water, they are one of the best options consumers have when it comes to providing clean, fresh water to the home or office.

The time to prepare for such emergencies is now! Don't be misled into thinking that weather events cannot happen in your area. While you may never experience a flood, there are other events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes can, and do, result in the loss of, or contamination of, drinking water. Get your water filters installed now and be prepared for any emergency. You can find a wide selection of quality water filters online, and most are very affordable and highly reliable.

Drinking Water and Exercise

2011-10-05T08:55:00.000-04:00

Clean, fresh drinking water is essential to good health, and this is even more important during exercise. Drinking clean, fresh water during exercise does more than simply quench your thirst. It also helps to regulate the temperature of your body as well as provide a cushion for your internal organs.

Experts agree that normal human muscles are composed of about seventy-five percent water. Water is essential for lubricating joints, spinal cord protection, digestion, and overall hydration. Its importance should never be discounted.

In terms of the human body overall, more than 70 percent is composed of water. When exercising, sweat and urination will deplete the amount of water available for use within the body. This water must be replaced. If water is not replaced, the body's ability to sweat will decrease significantly, and this can lead to serious health issues such as dehydration, heat stress, and heat stroke.

It has also been shown that dehydration can lead to other problems such as a decrease in coordination, muscle fatigue, and decreased energy. These are all counterproductive when exercising. As you can see, staying hydrated during exercise is just as important as the activity itself.

The American Council on Exercise has reported that you should drink 17 to 20 oz. of water before you begin your exercise routine. This should be done about 2 to 3 hours prior to the activity. As you exercise, drink 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes or so. If you exercise for more than one hour, consider drinking an electrolyte drink as well. Keep in mind that the hotter the temperature, the more water you will need to ingest to offset losses due to sweating.

For those who wish to save a considerable amount of money, consider installing a good water filtering system on your home or office water taps. Filtered water cost a fraction of what bottled water cost, and it is every bit as clean, sometimes cleaner, than what you get with store-bought water. A good-quality water filter can produces gallons of clean, fresh water that you simply put into a reusable container for use while exercising.

It is no secret that many people want to be healthier, yet must do so on a budget. Rather than spending a dollar or more for one single-serving of bottle of water, you can have all the water you want for just pennies a serving. Water filters truly are one of the best cost-effective ways to get the hydration you need each and every day.

If exercise or sports activities are a part of your life, remember to include water into your routine. Not only will you be doing your body a favor, but you will also notice better performance levels. Water can help you focus better, keep your joints lubricated, and prevent serious injury such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. And with the use of an in-home water filter you can drink all the water your body needs without having to worry about the cost of the water.

Drinking Water for Better Skin

2011-10-03T09:01:00.000-04:00

The skin care industry brings in billions of dollars each and every year. Today, you can find a cosmetic or dermal preparation for just about any skin condition you can think of. But, did you know that drinking plenty of water on a daily basis can help your skin in many different ways? That's right. Clean, filtered water can help promote clean, healthy skin.

A healthy body is composed of about eighty percent water. When the human body becomes dehydrated due to decreased water intake, one of the organs that suffer the most is the skin. Women need to ingest at least 11 cups of water a day, more during the summer months. Men should consume at least 15 cups of water a day. The reason we suggest the use of a good water filter is because most tap water has a variety of impurities in it. Of course, the more water you drink each day, the more impurities you also ingest. Water filters can remove these impurities.

When it comes to maintaining healthy skin, water hydration is critical. As mentioned above, dehydration can become a severe problem if you lose anywhere from five to ten percent of your body weight in water loss. While this may seem like a lot, it really isn't, especially during the summer months or if you exercise regularly.

Clean, filtered water keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. This allows your skin to remain supple and flexible, which is vital in preventing issues such as crow's feet and unsightly wrinkles. Your skin will look younger as well, which is an important issue for many people. All of this happens because water aids in moisturizing your skin. It also aids in replacing old skin cells and tissue.

Besides improving your skin, proper hydration can also help those who are trying to lose weight. Water can help decrease your appetite as well as increase your metabolism. Both of these are important when trying to lose weight.

When you consider the benefits that water provides to your body and overall health, it is clear that drinking clean, fresh water should be a priority. With water filters being so affordable these days, there really is no reason to not have at least one installed in the home or office. If one takes into account the high price of bottled water, installing a quality water filter is the most cost-effective way to get the clean water your body and skin needs at a fraction of the cost you would otherwise have to pay.

If you want to improve your skin tone and elasticity, make sure you drink the appropriate amount of water each and every day. Over time, you should begin to see positive results, without having to resort to costly cosmetics or skin preparations. Get the best water filter to meet your needs and budget and begin restoring your skin today! It might be the best investment you make for healthier skin.

Drinking Water During Pregnancy

2011-09-26T09:34:00.000-04:00

If you are pregnant, you probably already know that your body needs special care. But, did you know that drinking water is crucial to your pregnancy? It's true, and water filters can play a vital role in keeping you and your baby healthy. Here's how!

While it is true that you need to drink plenty of water while pregnant, it is also important that the water you drink be as free from impurities as possible. Much of what the mother ingests will eventually make its way into the fetus. And this includes impurities found in most tap water. Filtering these contaminants and impurities from the water is therefore very important in protecting the fetus.

During pregnancy you need to take in more water than you normally would. Water is vital in keeping your body hydrated properly. It also helps to flush out certain types of wastes and keeps the kidneys functioning properly for both the mother and the fetus. An adequate supply of clean water also helps to prevent common symptoms associated with pregnancy such as constipation and cramps.

When the mother does not ingest enough water on a daily basis she may encounter health problems such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. You may not know it, but during your pregnancy, your volume of blood can increase by as much as forty percent. This increase in blood volume depends on proper hydration. Also, water will aid in keeping your amniotic fluid at a healthy level. It can also help in preventing uncomfortable swelling in the arms and legs.

For women who experience morning sickness with vomiting, clean, filtered water is vital to replenish the fluids that were expelled. Failure to take in enough water can result in dehydration which is troublesome for both mother and fetus. Many women will find that drinking water early in the morning will actually reduce the symptoms of morning sickness.

The signs of dehydration most often include cracked lips, dry mouth, dizziness and urinating less frequently than normal. If you notice any of these signs, you should increase your water intake and see your doctor as soon as possible.

You should be aware of another health issue associated with dehydration. It is called Braxton Hicks and, in simple terms, are irregular uterine contractions, sometimes referred to as false labor. Braxton Hicks contractions are unpredictable and they do not cause the cervix to dilate. When you drink an adequate amount of water during the day you can help prevent these contractions from happening.

So, how much water should you drink? The American Pregnancy Association suggests that pregnant women drink 3 liters of water a day. If you are exercising, you should add at least eight more ounces per day to the above requirement. Of course, if your pregnancy is during the summer months, you may need even more water each day.

As mentioned above, installing a good-quality water filter at the tap is one of the best, most affordable ways, to get the cleanest water for both you and your child. Water filters are easy to install and can be found online at very reasonable prices. By installing a water filter you can rest assured that your baby is getting the clean fluids it needs to grow and stay healthy.

Distilled Water versus Filtered Water

2011-09-23T08:27:00.000-04:00

It is no secret that drinking water is rarely ever 100 percent pure. Even the best, most expensive water filter cannot achieve that result. Water distillers can come close to achieving that result, but not without some drawbacks. So, which is best for the average home or office in terms of safe drinking water? A water filter or a water distiller?

In most drinking water there are certain impurities. These include chlorine, dissolved minerals, iron, and microbes. Filtration, as well as distillation, will remove these impurities. Each method has its own pros and cons which often determine which method the consumer chooses.

A water filtering system does just that—it filters the water as it comes into and through the filter unit. As the incoming water is forced through the filter's membranes, impurities are removed. The manner in which the water is forced through the membranes can vary from one system to the next. Some units use gravity, others use pressure, and some will use a pump to force the water through the system.

It is important to remember that the overall effectiveness of the water filtering system depends on the type of membrane being used. Membranes that have smaller pore sizes will catch more contaminants than units with larger pore sizes. In addition, some units will also include activated carbon or other types of resins to help absorb various impurities.

The advantages to using a water filtering system include their low price, ease of use, and availability. The most common disadvantage is that the membrane filters have to be replaced from time to time.

In water distillation systems, the incoming water is boiled and the water vapor that is produced is collected and allowed to run down into a cooling chamber. As the water vapor rises, any impurities are left behind, thus producing very clean water.

Water distillation can remove virtually all contaminants, and because the water is boiled, it also removes dangerous microbes. The main advantage to distilling water is the resulting pure water. However, there are many disadvantages.

The disadvantages to distilling water are that it often produces a flat taste which some people do not enjoy. Also, the units are expensive and cumbersome, not easily moved from one place to another, and they do require significant energy during the boiling process. Lastly, the process is very slow.

For the vast majority of consumers, a home or office water filter is the best option. These units are easy to install and are priced very reasonably. When choosing a unit, try to get one that has the smallest pore size that you can afford. You should not buy a unit that has a pore size above 0.1 micron, as this is the size that will remove Giardia and many other contaminants. In other words, this should be the minimum size you purchase.

You can find a variety of water filters online and even order online as well. Read the manufacturer's literature and buy the best unit you can afford. This will ensure that your drinking water will be clean and fresh for years to come.

The History of Fluoride in Drinking Water

2011-09-14T08:19:00.000-04:00

Most consumers already know that fluoride is often added to municipal drinking water. But most of us do not know the reason it is added or who started this trend. Here is a brief of history of how fluoride became a part of our drinking water.

In 1901, a dentist named Frederick S. McKay noticed many of his patients had brown, mottled teeth. The teeth were ugly, to be sure, but they were also very resistant to normal tooth decay.

Dr. McKay began collecting water samples from several areas where the onset of these brown teeth was common. He sent the samples to a lab that used a new technique, spectrographic analysis. The lab reported concentrations of fluoride in the water samples as high as 12 parts per million (ppm), and studies later proved it was this fluoride that caused the brown teeth.

In 1938, it was confirmed that drinking fluorine-contaminated water resulted in less cavities. In 1944, The New York Times reported that the New York State Department of Health would begin fluoridating the city water in Newburgh. NY to a level of one part per million. They would then compare the results with the dental health of those living in Kingston, NY, where the water remained fluoride-free.

By 1951, dozens of other water systems, all across the US, had begun adding fluoride to their water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 60 percent of Americans now drink fluoridated water.

However, many consumers now believe that too much fluoride is being ingested. This is because many toothpaste and mouthwash products also contain fluoride. Too much fluoride will lead to mottled teeth, as mentioned above. Other consumers simply do not want the chemical added to the drinking water at all. For this reason, water filters have been designed that remove fluoride from the tap water.

A good-quality fluoride water filter that is rated for fluoride removal will remove the chemical before it is ingested. These water filters can be found as smaller units which are attached at the point of use or they can be found as whole house water filtering systems which filter all water as it enters the home.

What is Fracking and How It Affects Your Drinking Water

2011-09-12T08:41:00.000-04:00

Fracking? An odd sounding word that is popping up in the news more and more often these days, and usually associated with bad news. Some of the headlines you might see in conjunction with fracking include:

Kitchen Water Tap Explodes! Farm Animals Dying Mysteriously! Tap Water Causing Headaches, Blackouts and Worse!

And these are just a few of the more headlines one can find in association with fracking. So what is fracking and why should you care?

Fracking is a practice used by gas and oil companies as they search shale deposits. The practice is common in areas such as northern New Jersey and Pennsylvania and New York. The practice, however, is also being planned for many other locales, and may be coming to your neck of the woods soon.

Fracking uses large quantities of water to extract natural gas from shale deposits. The word itself is short for hydraulic fracturing. The process involves drilling a hole at least one mile down, then turning the bit and cutting thousands of feet horizontally, followed by pumping millions of gallons of water down into the hole to break up the shale. The water that is pumped into the hole often contains various chemicals and when pumped back out is very contaminated with formaldehyde, benzene, and others chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic at a few parts per million.

To date, more than 1,000 cases of water contamination have been reported and documented near drilling sites all across the nation. In some areas, the local residents can no longer drink the water from their taps. Water taps and even homes have exploded when methane leaked into the water system.

Consumers who live anywhere near a fracking site should seriously consider installing high-quality water filters on all taps that are used for drinking or cooking water purposes. According to studies conducted by the Endocrine Disruption Network, some 25 percent of fracking chemicals that are commonly used can cause cancer, and 40 to 50 percent can also affect the nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems.

Before purchasing your water filters, however, make sure you learn which chemicals you and your family may be exposed to and get the filter that will best protect against those contaminants. You should also read carefully the annual water quality report that your water system is required to send to you each year. If you do not have this report, call your water system and request one.

Dangers of Refrigerator Water Filters

2011-09-09T08:27:00.000-04:00

Many consumers enjoy the convenience of chilled water right from the refrigerator, or the added bonus of ice cubes made and dispensed automatically. The modern refrigerator is a far cry from the clunky machines of old, but these new enhancements are not without their own problems and dangers. And this is where refrigerator water filters come into play.

Refrigerator water filters do one thing and they do this one thing well when they are operating properly. They filter the water that is used in making ice cubes as well as the water that is dispensed through the chilling outlet. Filtering this water is just as important as filtering any other water that comes into the home or office for consumption. Microorganisms, cysts, sediment and chemicals are all potentially present in unfiltered water. If not removed, they become a component of the water that is consumed and ultimately end up inside the user's body.

As is true with any other type of mechanical water filter, the refrigerator water filter must be changed or cleaned on a routine basis. The problem is many consumers forget to perform this important task. The refrigerator water filter is often placed out of sight, and the old adage "out of sight, out of mind" holds true. When consumers forget to replace or clean their frig or ice maker water filters, the filters become clogged with material that can, if ingested, make the user sick. At a minimum, a clogged filter will decrease the efficiency of the refrigerator water dispenser or ice maker and may even cause costly damage to the system.

A properly operating refrigerator water filter will also help to keep the buildup of algae and other annoying material from collecting within the water lines and the cooling mechanism. This buildup, over time, can result in decreased flow capacity as well as cause unsightly greenish or cloudy water being dispensed. None of that is good.

There is good news, however. Replacing refrigerator water filters is usually a simple task, taking only a few minutes of time. Many filters use cartridge replacement filters which are very easy to replace. In addition, replacement filters are normally very affordable and can be ordered online and delivered right to the owner's door.

When it comes to refrigerator water filters, there is no good reason to take chances with possible illness to those who consume the water or ice, or to risk damage to these expensive appliances. Instructions for replacing these important filters are contained within the owner's manual, as well as parts numbers and model numbers for the filters needed. If you have not replaced your refrigerator water filters in a while, now would be a great time to order new ones and perform this vital task.

Drinking Water and Industrial Water Pollution

2011-09-07T08:13:00.000-04:00

Drinking water can become contaminated by industrial water pollution. While the problem is not as severe now as it once was, it’s still a concern for many locales within the US.

The following are some of the more common contaminants found in water once it has become polluted by industrial waste or discharge.

Consumers should understand that long-term exposure to excessive amounts of these chemicals can have a variety of health problems including cancer, anemia, liver and kidney problems, to name just a few.

Asbestos

Drinking water that contains excessive levels of asbestos can increase the risk for benign intestinal polyps.

Benzene

The chemical benzene leaches into water from factory runoff, gasoline storage tanks, and landfills. Benzene has been linked to anemia, decrease in blood platelets, as well to increased risk of cancer.

Carbon Tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride can pollute water as it is discharged from chemical plants and other types of industries. Drinking water that has excessive amounts of carbon tetrachloride can cause liver problems.

Ethylbenzene

Ethylbenzene is usually discharged from petroleum plants. Excessive exposure to ethylbenzene can cause kidney or liver problems.

Monochlorobenzene

Monochlorobenzene is found in dyes and insecticides. It is also known to be used as a solvent. Drinking water that is contaminated with high levels of monochlorobenzene can cause kidney, liver, and central nervous system damage.

MTBE

MTBE is used to increase the oxygen level or content of fuel. MTBE can pollute water supplies when it leaks from storage tanks, pipelines, accidental spills, and marine engine emissions.

o-Dichlorobenzene

o-Dichlorobenzene may be discharged from chemical factories. Exposure to excessive levels in drinking water can cause liver, kidney or circulatory system problems.

Tetrachloroethene

Tetrachloroethene is used primarily in dry-cleaning processes. It usually gets into the water supplies through emissions. Drinking water that is contaminated with high levels of this substance can cause kidney, liver, and central nervous system damage.

Toluene

Toluene is most often discharged from petroleum factories. Drinking water that contains excessive levels of this chemical can cause a variety of health problems including liver, kidney or nervous system problems.

VOCs

VOCs, which are also known as Volatile Organic Chemicals, are actually a group of chemicals that are often used as solvents in many industrial and household products. VOCs enter the groundwater when they are improperly discarded. There are many health issues associated with drinking water containing excess VOC levels. These vary from nausea, headache, confusion, liver damage, and impaired speech.

Using a high-quality water filter can help remove these industrial pollutants from your drinking water and help protect you and your family from harm.

Why Use A Water Testing Kit?

2011-09-02T07:59:00.000-04:00

Do you know what is in your tap water? Honestly, do you really know what you and your family are drinking on a daily basis? For many consumers, the answer is no. They do not know the overall level of quality (or lack thereof) of the water that flows into the home or office.

One of the easiest ways to learn about your drinking water is to purchase a water testing kit. These kits are widely available and are, generally, very affordable. A lot of work and research has been completed on water testing kits over the years, making them very easy to use, with test results that are easy to understand.

Because there are so many different tests available, it is a good idea to start by listing the types of contaminants or materials you want to test for in your home or office. For example, you can purchase water testing kits that measure the levels of metals in your water. These would bring back results on such things as iron, manganese, copper, etc.

You may want to test for certain chemicals in your drinking water. In that case, you would want to buy a testing kit that can measure total chlorine, free chlorine, or any other chemicals you are concerned about having in your water.

Many test kits are available that measure the most common types of substances consumers want to know about. For instance, you can purchase very affordable kits that will test pH, nitrates, nitrites, hydrogen sulfide, total hardness, alkalinity, chlorine levels, iron, sulfate, and other tests.

Most water testing kits do not measure bacteria level. For these tests, you will need to order a kit that specifically says it tests for bacteria. In some case, most actually, you may have to send the sample to a lab for testing and the lab will return the results to you via mail.

Today, however, there are more testing kits available that check for bacteria without having to send the sample off to the lab. Just make sure that the water testing kit you purchase does this if this is an important issue.

In some locales, you may be able to get your water tested free by the water system that supplies you with your water. Give the water company a call and ask if they do residential testing. In many instances, you will find that they do. If not, consider buying a water testing kit to ensure that you know what you and your family are drinking. A testing kit is also a good investment if you plan to install a water filter system in the house. The kit will tell you which contaminants you need to filter out.

10 Reasons for Using a Shower Head Filter

2011-08-31T08:12:00.000-04:00

Here are 10 of the most important reasons to use a shower head water filter in the home. Some of the following facts concerning shower water filters and their effectiveness at reducing or eliminating chlorine may surprise you.

10 Reasons for Using a Shower Head Water Filter:

It has been estimated by the EPA that virtually every household that uses shower heads have elevated levels of airborne chloroform due to chlorine that is released from the shower head.

In most places, municipal tap water will contain as much as, if not more, chlorine than is found in most swimming pools. This same tap water, of course, is what flows out of your shower head.

Did you know that more chlorine enters the body through dermal absorption (through the skin) and inhalation (breathing) while people are showering than is absorbed by drinking tap water?

Chlorine that is found in tap water and that comes out of shower heads has been proven to have a drying effect on both skin and hair. Chlorine, itself, is also a harsh chemical that can affect the luster of hair.

You should know that when you stand under a shower head, the pores of your skin will open wider. This is why dermal absorption of chlorine while showering without an approved shower head water filter is so risky.

Those who may be sensitive to chlorine may also develop a rash or other type of irritation if they bathe without an approved shower filter. An approved shower head filter for this purpose is one that removes chlorine from the tap water before it exits the shower head.

Many people do not realize that chlorine will vaporize faster than water once it exits the shower head. This vaporization is why people breathe in such large quantities of the chemical as well as other types of chemicals while showering. This is especially true during hot water showers.

Once a chemical is inhaled, as is caused by vaporization, the chemical is delivered into the bloodstream almost immediately and there is virtually no way to prevent this from happening except through the use of an approved shower head water filter.

Consumers may not know it but studies show that more water contaminants, including chlorine, are released into the air from the shower than from any other source within the home.

Chlorine has long been a suspected cause of breast cancer in women. Of those women suffering from breast cancer, the vast majority all have 50 to 60 percent more chlorine in their breast tissue than do healthy women.

What is a UV Water Filter?

2011-08-29T08:13:00.000-04:00

UV stands for ultraviolet and these water filtering systems are some of the most modern means of cleaning and purifying water. They work by killing off bacteria that may be found in water; the same bacteria that can cause illness in humans and animals. In some models, the UV component will be part of an overall water filtering process that may include media filters.

For many consumers, those who do not wish to ingest any form of chlorine, the use of an ultraviolet water filter is the best option as this type of water filter does not use any chemicals at all. Because of its effectiveness, UV water filters are often more effective than most filtration systems.

A UV water filter uses lamps to do its work. These sterilization lamps are often capable of killing 99.99 percent of the bacteria in the water supply. When compared to other types of water filters, the UV water filter is more efficient at killing off bacteria and other harmful organisms.

Ultraviolet water filters can kill different types of microorganisms. These include E. coli, coliform, salmonella, and other harmful bacteria. But UV water filters have some limitations that consumers must be aware of before buying.

For instance, a UV water filter will not remove sediment from the water. It will not remove contaminants such as iron. If you want to use a UV water filter for purification purposes but also need to clean up sediment or other annoying compounds, you will need to purchase a combination system that includes the filters needed to remove sediment, iron, fluoride, etc.

Consumers who are seriously considering the use of an ultraviolet water filtering system should consider installing a whole house system which will disinfect all of the water that comes into the house at one single point. In the long run, this type of installation may be less expensive than installing several point of use UV water filters. For those who only want to disinfect a single outlet, the point of use device will do just fine.

When researching UV water filters make sure you take into account the cost of replacement lamps. The price of lamps vary and consumers may want to spend time researching the brand and model that best fits their overall budget, including replacement parts.

If you have questions about UV water filters, contact a reliable water filter vendor who can answer your questions and help you make the best buying decision.

E Coli and Private Drinking Water Wells

2011-08-22T08:26:00.000-04:00

In these modern times, many consumers forget that E. coli is still a clear and present danger, with outbreaks of the microorganism happening all the time. This can be especially dangerous for those who take their drinking water from private wells, which normally are not tested or regulated.

For anyone who uses private well water for consumption, testing the water for bacteria is vital to its safe operation. The simple truth is you simply cannot tell what is in the water without a reliable test. If you draw water from a private well, you can contact your state health department to obtain information on how to have your well tested for total coliforms and E. coli contamination.

If your well water tests positive for E. coli, there are several steps that you should take:

The first step is to begin boiling all water intended for use and consumption. Boiling the water will kill off the bacteria until you have had the well disinfected properly. Boiling is normally a short-term solution.

The next step is to have the well disinfected according to the procedures recommended by your local health department. Once the well has been disinfected it is important to continue to monitor the quality of the water as reintroduction of the bacteria is still possible, and will remain possible until you find out how the contamination took place.

If you discover that contamination is a recurring problem, you should seriously investigate drilling a new well or install a point-of-entry disinfection water filtering unit, which can use chlorine, ultraviolet light, or ozone to keep the water free of harmful bacteria.

If you are not sure how or where to get your well water tested, you can contact your state laboratory certification officer to find out which laboratories have been certified for conducting total coliform analyses. You can also contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 for the address and phone number of these entities.

In many cases, the lab will first test for total coliforms. If the sample is positive for total coliforms, the lab will then determine whether E. coli is also present. If a well is E. coli-positive, you should not drink the water unless it is disinfected.

As mentioned above, installing a point of entry disinfection water filtering system is one of the best ways to protect against harmful microorganisms in private well water.

10 Reasons for Using a Whole House Water Filter

2011-08-19T08:25:00.000-04:00

Here are 10 of the most important reasons for installing a whole house water filter system. Some of these facts may surprise you as most consumers believe that tap water is perfectly safe at all times.

10 Reasons for Using a Whole House Water Filter:

Many consumers do not realize that harmful chemicals are constantly escaping into the air from sources such as the shower, dishwasher, sink, and toilet.

This release of contaminants into the home's air results in poor, and sometimes unhealthy, air quality. Studies have shown that poor air quality is one of the leading causes of bronchitis and asthma. Chemicals released through the shower head often have a harsh, drying effect on both skin and hair.

The use of an undersink, countertop, or shower head water filter will not entirely protect your family from harmful water contaminants as these devices are point-of-use devices, treating only the water at that one source.

While shower head water filters are important to health, they must filter water at extreme temperatures, and are therefore not 100 percent effective at removing all of the dangerous contaminants found in tap water.

Certain types of skin rashes and other irritations are known to be a result of chlorine and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) becoming embedded in clothing that was washed in chlorinated water.

Aside from the shower, the home dishwasher will release more chlorine into the air than any other water source in the home.

To protect the home from all of the above hazards, the use of a whole house water filter is recommended. A whole house water filter system is the best way to protect all of the sources of water in the home, including the shower and toilet.

A good-quality whole house water filtering system will purify water affordably and efficiently. This makes it one of the best values when it comes to protecting the whole home at once.

There are an estimated 2100 known water contaminants that can enter the body. Entry can be made via drinking, skin absorption, and inhalation.

Remember: switching over to bottled water for drinking purposes will not protect you and your family from all contaminants found in water. A whole house water filter system will!

Sediment Water Filters

2011-08-17T08:24:00.000-04:00

Water filters can do more than remove bacteria, they can also remove sediment. Sediment is often a problem in some locales as well as in some older homes. Generally, sediment is not harmful if ingested, but it does give tap water an unsightly appearance that many consumers do not like. A good-quality sediment water filter will take care of this problem.

The types of sediment one might find in tap water vary. Sand, dirt, and rust are three of the most common types of sediment that can travel in water and end up in your drinking glass.

It is important to understand the limitations of a sediment water filter before buying one. For instance, a sediment filter does not remove bacteria from the water. The filter media that is used in a sediment filter is too porous to remove material as small as bacteria or cyst. The filter media for a sediment filter has to be large pored in order to catch the sediment itself without clogging up too rapidly.

Likewise, a normal sediment water filter will not remove chlorine or fluoride or any other chemical from the water. There are filters that will certainly do that for you, but sediment water filters will not. However, if you need to remove particles from your water, then sediment filters are the solution.

As you may already know, particle size can vary depending on what the material is made of. For this reason, consumers should buy the filter that matches the material they wish to remove. Some consumers will do fine with a general purpose sediment filter while others would do better customizing the filter to the material that is in the water.

The best sediment filters will remove the tiniest particles but will cost more. Each water sediment filter will present consumers with its information about the efficiency of the model. This information is provided by the manufacturer.

Consumers should also look at how long the filter media will last before it must be changed. Many models use easy to replace cartridges that the consumer simply removes and replaces with a new cartridge as needed. Keep in mind, though, that water that is more contaminated with particles will need replacement more often than water that has less particulate material in it.

You can learn much more about sediment water filters by visiting a reliable online water filter vendor. Don't forget to match the filter with the material that you want to remove.

What is the Best Home Water Filter?

2011-08-15T08:01:00.000-04:00

All across the world, consumers are turning to water filters to help clean and purify their incoming water. Good-quality water filters can treat a variety of water problems including removing chemicals, odors, colors, and microorganisms. As a result of their effectiveness, many consumers want to know what is the best water filter on the market today?

The answer to this question is that there is no one single answer to this question. The best water filter on the market today for you is the one that most effectively treats the type of water that you have! Let's look at this a little closer as it is an important issue for those wishing to install a quality water filter.

Water filters are designed to perform certain tasks. For instance, some water filters are designed to remove chemicals from the water such as chlorine or fluoride. Other water filters are amazingly good at removing annoying materials such as iron or copper. Other filters are designed to only remove sediment from the water and do not remove microbes or chemicals at all.

The type of water filter that will best suit your needs is the one that will address the problems that you have at your home or office.

For many consumers, the right option in water filters is one that is general purpose in nature. These water filters can handle a variety of common problems and are relatively inexpensive. This option is good for those who want to clean their water above and beyond what their local water company is already doing. Consumers have several choices when it comes to these general purpose water filters and finding the one that meets your desires is often as simple as doing a quick online search.

Consumers who have a particular problem to address, such as iron or hardness in the water, will find that there are many models available today to handle these custom types of problems. The trick, of course, is to buy the water filter that best addresses your individual needs. Again, a simple online search will help to reveal the best models and brands that are capable of handling your problem.

Consumers will also find that today's modern water filters come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small devices that are attached directly to the faucet to large whole house systems that treat all of the water as it enters the building. In addition, consumers can find specialty water filters such as shower head water filters that can dramatically reduce the amount of chlorine that is expelled from the average shower head.

As you can see, finding the best water filter starts by learning what issues you want to address and then matching those needs to any of the many available models. It really is that simple.

Private Well Water: Risk Factors

2011-08-12T08:15:00.000-04:00

While most households get their drinking water from municipal water facilities, others get their water from private wells. Private wells are generally not regulated or monitored by anyone other than the property owners themselves. For this reason, well owners should know the common causes of well pollution.

One of the most common cause for private well water contamination is the household septic tank. Septic tanks are designed with a “leach field” around them. This is usually an area where wastewater flows out of the tank and is absorbed into the soil. This wastewater can also migrate into the well water.

Bacteria and nitrates are pollutants found in both human and animal wastes. While septic tanks can cause contamination into the well water, so can having large numbers of animals living or grazing near the well. Children are at an extra risk when exposed to water-born bacteria. Some adults, those who are elderly or have weakened immune systems, are also at greater risk. Fertilizers can add to nitrate levels in groundwater and are known to cause the syndrome called “blue babies”.

Heavy metals can also find their way into the groundwater and pollute private wells. High levels of certain heavy metals can cause health problems.

Industrial discharges and waste material is also known to leach into the soil and make their way into groundwater sources. The type of pollutants discharged will vary depending on the industry. Some of these discharges can be very harmful to humans if ingested via drinking water.

Leaking underground tanks as well as leaking pipes can cause private well contamination. Again, depending on the type of discharge coming out of the tank or pipe, health problems can arise. Some common types of pollutants include petroleum products, industrial chemicals, and wastes. Steel tanks and piping are known to corrode with age thus resulting in leaks.

Modern landfills are now built and designed to contain leaking liquids, but during heavy rains or flooding, pollutants can leak into the soil and into the groundwater.

Lastly, household wastes when improperly disposed can pollute private wells. Some of the most common products include motor oil, cleaning solvents, paint, and soaps and detergents.

To protect against these problems, private well owners should consider installing a high-quality water filter system. In addition to water filtering, owners should also consider routine testing of the well water.

Protection from E. coli in Drinking Water?

2011-08-10T08:42:00.000-04:00

Did you know that nearly 90 percent of all Americans get their water from municipal water systems that meet all health-based standards? This is good news for those who get their drinking water because public water systems are required to notify you if, for any reason, your drinking water is not safe. But what about that other 10 percent of Americans? And what about those who get their water from municipal sources but are warned against possible E. coli outbreaks?

To begin, fecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence in the water indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. These disease-causing pathogens can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms if they are ingested either through the water itself or through foods that have become contaminated. These dangerous microbes pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems. They can, at times, lead to death.

If you suspect that your drinking water (and water that is used in the preparation of food) is contaminated with E. coli, the EPA suggests that you boil the water for at least one full minute. If you live at a higher altitude, you should boil the water longer. Boiling water will destroy the microbes and is one of the most effective ways of disinfecting suspect water.

For those who get their drinking water from private wells, which can easily become contaminated, installing a good-quality point of entry disinfection system is the best option. These devices use a variety of means to disinfect the water before it reaches the tap. Chlorine, ozone and ultraviolet light are all options for these types of disinfection units.

In an emergency situation, you can add a few drops of non-scented bleach to a gallon of water and this, too, will kill off the harmful bacteria. The treated water should have a slight taste of chlorine to it as an indication that you have used enough bleach to destroy the microorganisms. This is known as free chlorine and indicates that enough chemical was used to kill the bacteria, leaving a little bit left over.

Outbreaks of E. coli still happen. You only have to read the news to know this is true. People are still becoming sick, and some are dying, because of this dangerous microbe. But you can protect yourself and your family by following the above advice as well as installing quality water filters in your home or office.

Drinking Water to Lose Weight

2011-08-08T08:13:00.000-04:00

Many consumers are drinking water to lose weight. There are many benefits to drinking water while losing weight, but there are also some cautions that consumers should be aware of if they are ingesting large amounts of water.

As for some of the benefits, Water certainly hydrates your body and helps it to work more efficiently. In addition, water boosts the body's metabolic rate, giving it more energy which leads to burning more calories. Water is also an essential fluid for good health in general, and has to added bonus of making us feel less hungry.

A well-hydrated body is known to help muscles and organs work more efficiently. This leads to the second benefit in that water also increases the metabolic rate, which makes us feel more energetic and peppy. An increased metabolic rate can burn up to three percent more calories faster. When it comes to losing weight, metabolism plays a huge role in dropping those pounds.

One of the best ways to add water to your diet without having to actually drink more water is to add more fruits and vegetables to your daily food intake. Tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, and oranges all contain high levels of water. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to get hydrated while adding nutrients to your daily diet.

Many of those who are drinking water to lose weight will take a large glass of water about 10 minutes before they plan to eat. The ingestion of the water helps to reduce the appetite level which can lead to eating less food during the meal. Drinking water during the meal is also a good way to suppress appetite.

Most experts recommend that healthy adults drink eight cups of water a day at a minimum. And this is where one of the precautions comes into play.

Tap water can contain large amounts of contaminants and, because of this, people drinking large quantities of water should consider using a good-quality water filter. Point of use water filters are a good option for most consumers who want to use drinking water to lose weight.

15 Interesting Drinking Water Facts

2011-08-05T08:05:00.000-04:00

Did you know that about 70 percent of the average adult’s body is made up of water?

Water accounts for nearly 80 percent of a newborn's body weight.

By the time you begin to feel thirsty, your body has lost over 1 percent of its total amount of water.

The weight we lose directly after intense physical activity is not fat but rather from water loss.

The daily recommended amount of water for the average adult is at least eight cups per day.

Keep in mind that coffee, soft drinks, and tea contain caffeine. Caffeine acts as a mild diuretic, which means it prevents water from going to the necessary parts of the body.

Water can dissolve more substances than any other known liquid. It can do this because it contains a variety of chemicals, minerals, and nutrients.

Nearly 70 to 75 percent of the earth’s surface is underneath water.

More of the earth's fresh water is located underground than is found in surface sources. Underground water sources are known as aquifers.

Did you know that the same water that existed on planet earth some millions of years ago is still on earth today.

The total amount of water on the earth is estimated to be about 326 million cubic miles of water.

While the earth has a lot of water on it, we humans can only use an estimated three-tenths of one percent of this water. This water that humans can actually get to and use is located aquifers, rivers, and freshwater lakes.

A little known fact is that the United States uses almost 80 percent of its available water for either irrigation or thermoelectric power.

Flushing the toilet takes up the largest amount of water the average person uses on a daily basis.

Nearly 85 percent of residents receive their household water from public water treatment facilities. The remaining 15 percent are supplied by their own water that comes from private wells or other sources.

Water Filter Health: Arsenic and Cancer

2011-08-03T08:07:00.000-04:00

In a recent report posted in the Journal of Urology, it was suggested that persons with elevated levels of arsenic in the urine may also be at risk of developing kidney cancer. The risk increases if the person also has high blood pressure or any other form of kidney disease.

Researchers say the cancer may be brought on because of the kidney's inability to effectively filter waste, which in turns leads to arsenic building up in the urine.

Arsenic is found in soil, rock, air and water. It is also released through industrial activities, and may be found in many products like paints, dyes and fertilizers.

Exposure to high arsenic levels can lead to cancer. Some studies have linked even moderate levels of arsenic within the body to high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. In general, however, the potential health effects of long-term, low-level arsenic exposure still remain uncertain.

In this new study, researchers studied the relationship between urinary arsenic levels and the risk of kidney cancer within persons living in an area with low arsenic concentrations in the drinking water. Arsenic levels within the study locale ranged from undetectable to 4 micrograms per liter.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set an allowable maximum limit of 10 micrograms per liter, and most U.S. drinking-water supplies have levels below that.

The study recruited 132 patients with kidney cancer and compared those people with 260 cancer-free adults who were in the same age range.

The findings suggest that there was an association between higher levels of urinary arsenic and higher odds of kidney cancer, according to Dr. Yu-Mei Hsueh of Taipei Medical University and his colleagues.

The connection seems strongest for people who had either high blood pressure or impaired kidney function. These have both been established as risk factors for kidney cancer.

For study participants who had both of these conditions plus high arsenic levels in their urine, their odds of kidney cancer were six times higher than those who had none of the three risk factors.

Those with any two of the risk factors had a four-fold increase in risk for kidney cancer.

According to Hsueh's team, the exposure to arsenic in the drinking water may have led to high blood pressure or kidney disease which in turn contributed to their kidney cancer.

It is estimated that over 12 million Americans live in areas where the public water supply routinely exceeds the maximum limit of 10 micrograms per liter. Private water wells might also contain too much arsenic, and this may be especially true in areas of the West, Midwest and New England where water from aquifers and wells often contain high concentrations of arsenic.

SOURCE: Journal of Urology, June 2011.

The Bad News about Bottled Water

2011-08-01T08:21:00.000-04:00

Did you know that U.S. bottled water consumption increased by over 3 percent in 2010? This is on top of the 24 percent increase of bottled water use from 2004 to 2009. In the last 20 years, the sales of bottled water have more than quadrupled.

Why?

Much of the hype about bottled water is just that—hype. It is no secret that while plastic water bottles can be recycled, most of those bottles are not recycled. The majority of these bottles will wind up in landfills or as litter.

In the US alone, the production and transportation of bottled water consumes 30 million barrels of oil every year and this can result in as much carbon dioxide released into the air as two million cars.

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization, estimates that nearly half of all bottled water is simply taken from municipal tap water. It is then filtered, or not, and marketed as something wonderfully better than the tap water it came from.

It is a simple fact that the human body needs clean water in order to stay healthy. In healthy adults, water accounts for about 60 percent of the body's content and this water has to be replenished.

When humans do not replenish the water they need, they suffer from a variety of problems including dry mouth and joint stiffness. Ingesting clean water, at adequate levels, keeps joints lubricated, staves off thirst, increases the healthiness of blood and hydrates the organs. So, drinking clean water is vital to health, but that water does not have to come from bottled water sources.

The fact is a good quality water filter can provide homes and offices with all the clean water they need. These filters can be installed as point of use devices or they can filter the whole house as the water enters the house, delivering clean water to all outlets. Unlike bottled water, there are no plastic containers to dispose of and the quality of the water itself can be monitored by the homeowner. This guarantees the very best quality of water, delivered at only pennies a day.

What is an Undersink Water Filter?

2011-07-29T08:14:00.000-04:00

Many consumers want cleaner, fresher water in the home or office. One of the best ways to improve tap water is to install an undersink water filter. Not only can the consumer have cleaner water, but can also save room on the countertop.

An under-sink water filter is installed under the sink, as one might imagine. The installation is usually fairly straightforward and involves tying the water filter into the existing water supply line. This is normally done on the cold water side of the supply. Unless you purchase a special filter that can be used on the hot water side, always attach to the cold water supply line.

When installing your undersink water filter try to ensure that you place the filter device in a position that is easy to reach as you will have to replace the filter media from time to time. Might as well make it easy on yourself from the start!

Before buying your undersink water filter, consider what you want the filter to do. Not all water filters do the same thing. The good news is you have many options today, including the option of a general purpose water filter that is fine for many homes and offices.

Aside from the general purpose models available, consumers can also select from models that can remove chlorine from the water, models that remove fluoride or remove metals such as iron and manganese. There are also undersink water filters that can remove sediment from the incoming water.

For those wishing to protect their tap water from bacteria or other types of microorganisms make sure you purchase a filter that is rated and approved for that purpose. A carbon block system is often a good option for those who want to remove these small cysts from the incoming water. Still, make sure that the filter you choose uses a filter media that is capable of trapping these microscopic organisms.

Because the price has come down so far, many consumers now prefer to buy undersink water filters that include a small alarm system that lets the owner know it is time to change the filter media. This is a great bonus and should be considered by anyone wishing to install this type of water filter.

Lastly, it is always a good idea to match the undersink water filter with the amount of water that is normally used at that particular point of use. For instance, the kitchen sink normally processes more water than the bathroom sink. Consumers would want to ensure that the water filter purchased for the kitchen can deliver more water, faster, than what they might need for the bathroom.

Portable Water Filters for Emergency Use

2011-07-27T08:21:00.000-04:00

In times of emergency, a portable water filter can literally save lives. These small devices are capable of filtering water to remove harmful, sometimes fatal, contaminants, making the water safe for human consumption. For those who wish to be prepared in times of sudden disaster, a portable water filter is worth its weight in gold.

For those considering the purchase of a portable water filter, a few considerations need to be addressed. Let's look at some of these considerations.

First, portable water filters are designed to last a few days or for a much longer period of time. Consumers should decide if they need a less expensive, but shorter lived, water filter or if they need a device that will last much longer. The shorter lived portable water filters will generally last two to four days, depending on the level of use. The longer lived devices, which are sometimes called "survival water filters" can be purchased that last for years. They are, of course, more expensive.

The smaller devices are normally used for short-term disasters such as found during tornadoes, floods, or hurricane. The survival models are used by those who believe loss of water service may last for months or years.

When considering a portable water filter of the shorter lived design, which is what most consumers are looking for, it is imperative to read the manufacturer's literature before purchasing. Consumers want to know what contaminants the filter will remove and the amount of water the filter can handle before the media must be changed. There is no such thing as one size fits all in filter media. Some filters are very effective at removing sediment but are not effective at all at removing bacteria. The same may hold true in reverse.

For this reason, consumers must learn what the filter is capable of doing and what it cannot do. As mentioned above, it is also important to know how much raw water the filter can process before it must be changed. Consumers will want to have extra filter media on hand for replacement purposes.

Portable water filters can be ordered online and are generally very affordable. They are a great asset to any home emergency kit.

What is Water Filter Alkalizing?

2011-07-25T07:42:00.000-04:00

Water filtering alkalizing is associated with raising the pH of water. Water can exist in three states: acid (pH less than 7), neutral (pH of 7), alkaline (pH higher than 7). The level of its pH will determine the state of the water. Knowing the above is key to understanding how alkalizing water filters work and why so many people are now using them.

Much of the food we consume creates waste that is acidic in nature. In order to bring the body back to a balanced state, more alkaline is needed. This is the premise behind drinking water from alkaline water filters. The higher pH of this water is used to offset the acidic levels of the body, which are known to breed microorganisms, bacteria and viruses.

Acidic wastes are transported to the liver and kidney for processing and elimination. At this pH level, the waste can cause damage to these organs as well as to virtually all cells within the body. In order to combat this effect, we need to drink water that is mineral rich as well as alkalizing. Alkaline water will help to neutralize acids and helps to remove toxins from the body.

Alkalized water also works as a conductor of the electrochemical activity that takes place from cell to cell. Proponents of alkalized water suggest drinking water with a pH that is between 9 and 10.

In order to increase the pH of tap water, one can use an alkalizing water filter. There are currently many brands and models of these water filters available. It is important, however, to remember that these water filters are designed to raise the pH and are, therefore, not your everyday, general purpose water filter.

In terms of alkalizing water filter systems, consumers can choose from systems that work as water distillers. This type of filter heats the water until it condensates and then catches the runoff. Distilling has the added benefit of killing bacteria, viruses, cysts and will remove most heavy metals.

Water ionizers are another option. These filters ionize the water by running the water over negative and positive electrodes. This process separates the water into alkaline (70%) and acidic (30%). The alkaline water is then used for drinking, and the acidic water can be used for other purposes such as washing. Some water ionizers are available with adjustment settings so you can select the level of alkalinity you want.

If you have questions concerning alkaline drinking water, contact a reliable water filter vendor who can help answer your questions or do a simple online search. There is much information on this subject available to the general public.