What is Clean Water? How do I know if the water in my home is clean and safe?
These are questions you should be asking yourself today, given the state of our environment.
Where does our water come from?
The water used millions of years ago is the same water being used by you and me today. The amount has not changed, only its contents and quality.
How does the Hydrologic Cycle (Water Cycle) Work?
The HYDROLOGIC CYCLE (water cycle) works like this: water from the source (lakes, rivers, oceans and ground) rises into the atmosphere and forms clouds. When the vapor condenses, it falls back to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail, thus completing the cycle.
Water is nature’s most powerful solvent and will absorb a small amount of everything it touches from both the air and the ground.
Unfortunately due to increased population and industrialization, our water supplies are becoming destroyed.
What is acid rain?
Acid rain is caused by burning coal with a high sulphur content. Acid rain not only damages our water supply, but it kills the forests and wildlife of North America. Rain picks up all these pollutants and they eventually end up in our water sources.
What are the three types of pollution?
There are three types of pollution: air, waste dump and surface pollution.
How does air, waste dump and surface pollution affect my water supply?
Each of the three types of pollution affects our water supply differently.
1. Air Pollution: While rain cleanses the air, the pollutants end up in our water supplies.
2. Waste Dump Pollution: There are over 400,000 known ponds, landfills and lagoons containing some of the most dangerous substances known to man. They do not go away. They go into our ground water. Problems exist today because of leaking gasoline and chemical tanks, and the illegal disposal of hazardous wastes. It may surprise you to know, there is very little regulation of toxic waste disposal.
3. Surface Pollution: Pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, oil spills, and other hazardous materials produce run-off which can pollute lakes, rivers, reservoirs and aquifers. Fertilizers containing nitrates, cause methemoglobinemia which causes blue baby syndrome). Fertilizers are also believed to affect the elderly.
What is water tested for?
Some common problems with water include the following:
Iron - Higher concentrations of iron can cause an objectionable taste and rust-colored staining of sinks, toilets, bath tubs and other plumbing fixtures.
pH - A low pH (acid water) can cause damage to sinks, faucets, hot water tanks, drainage and supply lines. Combined problems can cause extensive repair costs or replacement.
Sulphur - Sulphur causes damage to plumbing and gives off an offensive, "rotten egg" odor.
Chlorine - Chlorine is found to be objectionable in drinking and bathing water. Chlorine, mixing with organics in water, forms trihalomethanes (THM's). THM's are reportedly cancer-causing agents.
Hardness of Water - Unsightly water spots on fixtures, glasses and silverware are also caused by hard water. The hardness creates soap curd which interferes with the cleaning ability of your cleaning products and causes problems such as bath tub ring. Plus, scaling builds up with hard water, and can clog pipes and fixtures.
What are the three types of water?
Utility Water - This is the water you use in large quantities outside of your home. It does not need to be of extremely high quality. In fact, to treat this volume of water would be expensive and impractical.
Working Water - This is the water you use throughout your home to get laundry clean and to keep your hair soft and shiny. Here, you need to remove the minerals and other troublesome pollutants that cause stains in sinks and tubs, scaling in pans and plumbing, clogging in drains, and leaves residue on hair and skin.
Life Support Water - The water you and your family must have to live is of even greater importance and must be treated even more carefully. Here, you need to remove the unseen chemicals, minerals, bacteria and other pollutants that affect the quality of this vital-to-life water.
What are the benefits of clean working water?
Clean working water can help you save up to 75% on all soap products. Plus it eliminates soap curd which causes dingy laundry, dry skin, bathtub rings, spotted dishes and silverware, and diaper rash.
Shiny Fixtures - Fixtures sparkle with clean water... no more ugly stains and soap residue on fixtures and glassware. Soft water also means fewer costly plumbing repair bills, and less build-up of scale-forming hardness in water heaters and pipes.
Laundry - Cleaner, brighter, softer laundry costs less with clean water. Better water also protects your appliances.
Hair - Conditioned water rinses away soap film for a smoother shave as well as softer, shinier more manageable hair. Plus, it increases razor blade life and reduces the need for special hair rinses and conditioners.
Doesn't my city take care of my water?
As far as most of us know, city water is safe and meets or exceeds all EPA requirements. Municipalities are doing the best job possible to make water available that is safe from viruses and bacteria at an affordable cost. However, home water treatment systems can greatly improve the quality of your life support and working water.
What about well water?
The county health department can check your well initially for bacterial contamination only. However, there are no provisions for monitoring or checking for other contaminants. Safe water can only be assured through in-home treatment.
