Water in California

Drinking water from our tap isn’t always safe and it seems more and more that there is more public awareness regarding the topic of what to do to protect yourself and your family from harmful contaminants in our drinking water. Consumers are constantly being introduced to products which will provide safe drinking water such as water filters, water coolers, and bottled water, but often times we may not know why the tap water isn’t totally safe.

The water cycle is quite simple and at times affecting what we drink. The earth has a limited amount of water. The water that keeps going around and around throughout the life cycle is called the water cycle. The water cycle is made up of 4 main parts: evaporation (and transpiration), condensation, precipitation, and collection. According to the Groundwater Foundation, “the water cycle begins when water from the earth’s soil, plants, and water bodies turns into water vapor through the process of evaporation. This invisible vapor, most of which comes from the world’s oceans, travels up into the atmosphere and condenses, forming clouds. This is called condensation. The vapors in the clouds condense more and more until they form water droplets. More and more water vapor combines with the water droplet until it is too heavy to stay in the sky any longer. The water falls to the earth far below as precipitation. Examples of precipitation include rain, hail, sleet, and snow. When the water reaches the earth’s surface, some of it will flow along the surface of the earth as runoff while the rest of it soaks into the soil–called recharge. Down, down, down the water goes through the soil until it becomes groundwater.”

In the water cycle, water is always on the move. Groundwater is depended upon for daily consumption by fifty percent of the United States. With millions and millions of people relying on the safety of their drinking water, it is important for the public to know that groundwater is susceptible to contamination and pollutants. There are concerns that contamination may increase as toxins dumped on the ground in the past make their way into groundwater supplies. Drinking contaminated groundwater can have serious health effects. Diseases such as hepatitis and dysentery may be caused by contamination from septic tank waste. Poisoning may be caused by toxins that have leached into well water supplies. Other long term effects such as certain types of cancer may also result from exposure to polluted water.

To combat these potential problems and to protect your drinking water, consumers should be aware of the advancing technologies of water filters, reverse osmosis systems, and water cooler options which can provide any household with a continuous supply of safe drinking water. The EWG has identified 316 chemicals in U.S. tap water — 202 of which aren’t regulated. EPA’s failure to protect drinking water sources from pollution and to develop enforceable standards for scores of common tap water contaminants leaves the public at risk. But with a water filter, you will alleviate your bodily systems from filtering any harmful contaminants and leave them behind in the treatment system. The RaynePure^® Plus reverse osmosis drinking water system effectively reduces contaminants and is certified by NSF and the California Department of Health Services. Visit your local water treatment professional today to see how you can protect your drinking water.

Too many consumers are being scammed from the services they expect and deserve. From being sold lemons or cars with hidden issues, to contractors being paid for work they never end up doing, too many worries can come with trying to find the right and best products for your family. Water filters shouldn’t be something we have to worry about getting scammed over, but many times in the news, we see consumers being told that their water is dangerous and they need products among this false information, or even pay for products that are never installed.

Consumers have resources they can use to ensure their choice for professionals and businesses will not end in these stressful circumstances. For example, the BBB rates businesses on 16 factors, on a scale of A+ to F. When looking for a water filter, customers should look for a water treatment company who has an A+ rating with this business bureau. Similarly, consumers can research the company with the Water Quality Association, the Pacific Water Quality Association, read site reviews, ask for referrals from current customers, or consider the length of time a company has been in business. No one should be scammed from what they expect to get and pay for. Water filters are essential in providing consumers with safe drinking water and shouldn’t have to be an issue. Know your resources and utilize them before purchasing water treatment for your family.

Homeowners are not the only consumers dealing with the annoying effects of hard water. A US geological study shows that there is hard water found in more than 85% of the country. That means renters are just as likely to have hard water as their fellow counterparts in homes. The effects are the same, and not all landlords will put water treatment systems into place to ensure that water is conditioned for their dwellers.

Hard water is created after rain water or natural water sources pass over rocks, soil, or sand and picks up minerals. Hard water is extra high in mineral content like mineral salts – calcium and magnesium ions are the most common. Water hardness is usually measured in grains per gallon, with a degree of hardness ranging from 1 to 10. It isn’t seen, and it usually isn’t harmful. So why should renters consider a water softener? Hard water can cause severe mineral buildup clogging pipes and reducing water flow, increased energy with appliances that must work harder to work at all, film and scale can build up on kitchen and bathroom surfaces, an invisible soapy film left on skin can cause it to feel dry or scaly, excess shampoo causes hair to be dull and dry, deposits of scale shortens the life of water heaters or other appliances which the hard water passes through, higher utility bills can increase due to the scale, dishware has an embarrassing white film, reduced suds in the washer mean clothes look dingy and dirty, clothes can have a reduced lifetime, and hard water can also affect the taste of coffee and tea.

Many renters, however, deal with limited space for a water softener in the apartment, or may not want to purchase a system for a temporary solution. The good news is that there are options out there for those consumers who find themselves in this exact predicament. Some water softeners are small enough and will not take up a lot of space, but do make a lot of difference. Likewise, there are water treatment companies out there who have payment options like leasing or renting a water softener rather than purchasing the whole system. Renters deserve to have soft, conditioned water as much as the next person. They should not have to deal with the embarrassing impact from hard water, but shouldn’t have to worry about paying a fortune and finding a permanent solution for their temporary home. Shop around for a water softener that works best for you and your family in size, price, environmental savings, and energy efficiency. You’ll be glad you did.

Here’s an interesting thought… if you are not filtering your drinking water, your body is acting as a water filter. For most of us, we turn on the tap, knowing that our municipality has “treated” our water and that it is presumably safe. Typically, a glass of water looks good – no big chunks or funny colors. Years ago, I decided to try one of those little faucet-mounted filters to see if I could tell a difference. Within just a few weeks, it slowed to barely a trickle and finally stopped altogether. When I took it apart, you wouldn’t believe the stuff caught in the filter! Black chunks of something hard, little white squishy things, red powdery stuff, and just generally nasty crud. And, that’s all stuff you can see. What about the chlorine, nitrates, prescription drugs, and microorganisms that you can’t see?! Would you eat a spoonful of that? Probably not, so why is it better to wash it down in a glass of water?

So, back to my original question. If you aren’t filtering your water, your body must because obviously cells can’t take in and use chunks of black stuff, squishy white stuff, and red powder. So, is your body (filter) getting clogged yet?

We recommend that you give your kidneys a break. Invest in a reverse osmosis drinking water filter system and filter your water before you put it in your mouth. A reverse osmosis system uses a process in which water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows clean water to pass through but traps the impurities.

Reverse osmosis drinking water systems can filter out much of the lead, copper, arsenic, cadmium, chorine, microorganisms, nitrates, and other contaminants typically found in our water. These systems are typically installed out of sight under your kitchen or bathroom sink but can also be linked to your ice maker for great-tasting ice. With such a system, you will never have to buy bottled water again, saving both your wallet and the environment.

A home drinking water system saves you money, saves the environment, and saves your body. You decide for yourself, but it sounds like a bargain to me!

Do you ever feel like you just don’t have enough time in your day to get to the gym for a couple hours each day? Do you ever feel like gourmet organic health foods are a little costly for your budget? It seems like even celebrities are spending a fortune these days just to be able to have the healthier lifestyles they want. But according to an online article from the Huffington Post, a healthier lifestyle for you and your family starts with one change – more drinking water in your day. The article describes several reasons why water is so good for your health, and it is easier than you think to add it in your daily routine. So forget the trainers, the health foods, and start with real life – real drinking water. We can work out as much as we can, eat as healthy as we can, but without hydration, our body still won’t be as healthy as it could be with water.

According to the article, there are seven main reasons water is good for your body. Drinking water keeps your memory sharp, your mood more stable, and even helps you stay motivated with healthy living. When you stay well-hydrated, you tend to think problems through easier and researchers hypothesize that not having enough water in your body could reduce oxygen flow to the brain or temporarily shrink neurons – basically not drinking enough water can actually distract you. Another healthy benefit of water is that it keeps your throat and lips moist and will prevent your mouth from feeling dry. Dry mouth can cause unwanted situations like bad breath or an unpleasant taste, and can even promote cavities. Third, dehydration lowers your blood volume and this in turn makes your heart have to work harder. It must pump the blood and try to get enough oxygen to your cells, which is why sometimes we feel winded exercising lightly or even walking up stairs.

Another is that your body releases heat by expanding blood vessels close to the skin’s surface, resulting in more blood flow and more heat dissipated into the air. When you are dehydrated, it takes a higher “environmental temperature” to trigger blood vessels to open wider, so you stay hotter. Furthermore, when you drink plenty of water, the water inside and outside of the cells of contracting muscles provide enough nutrients and removes waste efficiently so you perform better overall. Water is also crucial in lubricating your joints.

Another reason to stay hydrated is so your skin stays more elastic and younger looking because your skin cells will be healthier. “Your kidneys need water to filter waste from the blood and excrete it in urine. Keeping hydrated may also help prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones.” If you are severely dehydrated, your kidneys may stop working, causing toxins to build up in your body. Finally, it is important to remember that based on your size, gender, and activity level, everyone needs different amounts of water, and it usually isn’t “eight glasses a day.” The Institute of Medicine says adult men need about 13 cups (3 liters) per day of fluid; adult women need about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluid. “The easiest thing that anybody could do on a daily basis is monitor their urine color,” says Douglas Casa, Ph.D., A.T.C., who studies hydration at the University of Connecticut. “Lighter urine color — like lemonade — means you’re generally well-hydrated. If it’s darker, like apple juice, you are most likely dehydrated.”

So when you feel like it is impossible to get healthier, don’t give up – try water! Now increasing the amount of drinking water you consume from the tap can also mean increased contaminants. Tap water all over the country, although some of the best in the world, can still contain contaminants which are not good for you or your family. Some can cause serious illnesses or other health effects. Water filtration systems can be an affordable solution and still provide your household with a continuous flow of safe drinking water and keep your body feeling great. Reverse osmosis and water coolers provide clean, healthy drinking water without those unwanted contaminants or disinfection chemicals. If your goal is a healthier lifestyle, consider a drinking water system and safe drinking water!

You may be aware that the United States has some of the cleanest, safest drinking water in the world. However, you may also know that even our tap water can contain harmful contaminants that could have potential health effects when consumed in large enough amounts. Reader’s Digest recently published an article online discussing our nation’s drinking water and the variables that could either use some assistance or the things that we have improved on within the last few decades.

According to the article, newspapers all over the country warn that there are more than 60,000 chemicals out there being used – those of which can get into our drinking water – yet the Environmental Protection Agency only regulates and enforces limitations of between 90 and 100 of them. Perchlorate, an ingredient in rocket fuel, has been found in water systems in 26 of our 50 states. In one extreme case, a couple in a small Pennsylvania town called Dimock found themselves with water that was bubbling and spurting like “Alka-Seltzer.” At first, they began noticing their tap water seemed to have an orange tint and sediment could commonly be found on the bottom of the glass. Then, at times even the washing machine would fill with black sludge. Eventually, their water was spurting. On New Year’s Day, one family’s well exploded. The Pennsylvania department of environmental protection determined that methane from a natural gas well had seeped into the water supplies of several Dimock homes. A spark from a motorized pump is thought to have set off the blast. Several of the residents had so much gas in their water, they could actually light it on fire.

For many reasons, contaminants can seep into our drinking water sources and land in our glasses. Sometimes, consumers don’t even know what they’re drinking or what levels of chemicals are safe to consume, if they are safe at all. When making the determination to regulate a contaminant, they must consider three items – the potential adverse effects of the contaminant on the health of humans, the frequency and level of contaminant occurrence in public drinking water systems, and whether regulation of the contaminant presents a “meaningful” opportunity for reducing public health risks. The list hasn’t been changed since 2000.

While our water is fairly safe as the article explains, there is still improvements that can be made. Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, states that progress has been made regarding contamination since the 1970’s with similar problems as mentioned above. She is quoted as saying, “we’ve made progress on that, but now we have to worry about what happens when it rains. Water runs over city streets, suburban lawns treated with fertilizer and pesticides, and agricultural lands that may also have been treated or have animal feeding operations, and into our rivers and streams. Runoff is now thought by most folks to be the biggest source of water pollution.”

Skip the bottled water solution. According to environmental advocacy websites, in 2007, nearly 50 billion water bottles were sold, while between 30 and 40 billion of those ended up in mountains of garbage in landfills, not recycled. It takes 17 million barrels of oil per year to make all the plastic water bottles used in the U.S. alone. That’s enough oil to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. Bottled water is not financially-smart, nor is it eco-friendly. Newer reverse osmosis systems also follow environmentally-friendly guidelines and waste 90% less water than traditional reverse osmosis systems. It is a water filtration system that is done by household water pressure pushing the tap water through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane allows only the water to pass through, not the impurities or contaminants. Most reverse osmosis systems will remove contaminants like sodium, sulfate, nitrates, mercury, phosphate, lead, arsenic, magnesium, fluoride, chloride, and many others. You don’t have to wonder what is in your tap water, and you certainly don’t have to settle for uncertainty. Reverse osmosis can produce a consistent stream of safe drinking water for your household and give you some peace of mind at the same time.

As consumers, we regularly replace household appliances to keep them up-to-date with the newest technologies and increase energy savings. On average, we might replace a computer every 2 years, a refrigerator every 8-10 years, a car every 5-7 years. But there are some appliances that we may not think about replacing as regularly, yet they could be saving us both money and energy.

A water softener cancels out that nasty HARD water and will provide your home with a continuous supply of water without those harsh minerals that leave an annoying film all over your body and can cause buildup within your appliances. When working efficiently, it uses less energy than what it takes your appliances to use if you still have hard water. But older models, while they may seem to be doing the job, might not be up-to-date with the latest efficiency models, and could be causing you to spend more money with you electricity bill.

Do you have an older model of a water softener? If so, there are some important things you may want to consider regarding these savings. A more energy efficient water softener leaves much less of an impact on the environment, requiring less energy to run properly and many models use less salt and have much less waste than older water softening systems. Less energy means less cost for you each month. Similarly, less salt may be needed within the system itself, meaning less cost and less backache. Newer models can regenerate themselves faster and some models even come with a lifetime warranty.

Leasing, or making monthly payments on a new water softener can be just as cheap as the amount of energy you’re paying for overtime. We don’t really think twice about a new washer and dryer, a new energy-efficient refrigerator, or a faster laptop. These days, we look for energy-saving models of our appliances. Why not look into a new water softener one last time and keep up with the environmentally-friendly trend you’ve been working to achieve? It’ll be worth the energy and the money you save.

We all need water in order for our body to function properly whether adult or child. We get lots of water for our body through the food we eat, but we also must drink it to actually stay hydrated.

Sometimes getting children to drink plain water can be a challenge. Most children prefer sports and energy drinks, soda, or Kool-Aid instead of plain water. Adults set the examples their children follow in their lives, so if we want our children to drink sufficient water, we need to set the example. Parents that don’t particularly like veggies or fruits most likely will find that their children also don’t care for those foods. However, when parents choose plain water for themselves and for their children, it can vastly improve the overall health for both of them.

Dr. Holly Benjamin, a pediatric sports medicine specialist at the University of Chicago, says “Kids will drink a Gatorade after school, they will drink a Gatorade at lunch and they will drink it with dinner.” Since sugar is the primary ingredient in these drinks, all that sugar can contribute to obesity and tooth decay. We don’t need anything else that will lead to more obesity and dental problems for our children. Dr. Benjamin does think there is a place for Gatorade and other sports drinks in a healthy child’s diet, but only if they are getting lots of exercise. This is because athletes of all ages do need to replenish sugar, sodium, and potassium which are all found in these drinks. However water should be the main drink of choice.

Helping our children make healthier choices is entirely possible. We just need a few tricks up our sleeve as parents and we can pull it off. One of the main reasons why children might not choose water first may be the taste of it or the lack of taste to be more precise. Perhaps one of the following ideas will help make water more fun.

• Try flavoring the water a bit with slices of oranges or lemons.
• Freeze a favorite juice or Kool-Aid in ice cube trays and using the flavored ice in a glass of water makes a fun colorful drink in a clear glass.
• Buy cheap but reusable water bottles and get a different color for each child. Even letting your child choose one can help. Every morning fill the bottles with cold water and let the kids think it’s great to have their own sports bottle to drink out of. Having their own will curb the fighting but will also let you know how much water each child is drinking.
• Make your own popsicles, this lets the parent decide how much juice, sugar and water is in each one. Vitamin water makes a great Popsicle.
• Have a water drinking contest when the kids are hot and have been playing outside. Fill up glasses with cold water, set a timer and see who can drink the most water the fastest.

There are many more great ideas on how to make water more appealing to everyone including children. The health of our children needs to be a top priority and water is a large part of that. If the adults in the household are having trouble drinking water as well, perhaps it’s time to do some research into home water treatment systems. There are several systems on the market today that will fit any budget and need. These systems can provide water that is not only the safest water to drink but also can change the taste of the water making it a drink even the adults will choose first. Our body needs water every day, we need to do what it takes to make a glass of water our favorite part of the day. Drink to your health and make it a glass of great tasting healthy water.

It is summer time again; time when the temperature is up and we are all being reminded to drink more water. The hotter it is, the more water we need to drink, especially if we are outside for any length of time. Our body consists of a high percentage of water – babies are approximately 78% water, adult men are approximately 60% water and adult women are approximately 55% water. The quantity of water in the human body decreases as we get older; however, our need for water doesn’t decrease.

According to the Mayo Clinic we should all be drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Our body uses the water we drink throughout all its systems. Our skin is the largest organ of our body; it is made up of cells containing water. Our skin shows dehydration by becoming flaky and tight; it loses its elasticity and can develop more acne. Acne is actually made worse because of toxins that can’t get out of the body. By simply drinking more water so the body can flush itself naturally will help to reduce acne occurrences. Water replenishes skin tissue, moisturizes, increases elasticity, flushes out toxins, improves blood circulation, and helps to present a more youthful and radiant complexion. A good skin care regimen includes good cleansers and moisturizers but also includes drinking plenty of water every day. As our culture leans more and more toward maintaining a younger appearance, we are all becoming more aware of the huge role that water plays in that modern miracle.

Skin isn’t the only organ that benefits from drinking plenty of water, our kidneys and lungs appreciate having plenty of water too. Those two organs are the first ones affected by dehydration. While it is not only possible but really common to not drink enough water, it is also possible to drink too much water. The key is to drink enough water for our body.

We get water from our food as well. It is found in fruits and vegetables and grains. While we get water from our food it isn’t enough to sustain us. New technology has provided us with different kinds of water so we can now choose the taste that suits us so we can actually enjoy drinking water. By filtering water or running it through a treatment system we have been able to remove the contaminants and minerals that cause the bad smells and tastes in water. Even municipal water treatment plants have improved the water they provide to citizens, however, some treatments are too expensive for municipal systems to take on. That is where the home water treatment systems are advancing. These systems have the ability to simply treat the water right in our homes providing great tasting drinking water right out of the kitchen faucet or your own personal water cooler. We don’t have to lug gallon jugs of drinking water home, now we can treat it at home and use it to drink and to cook with. There is simply no reason to be putting up with undesirable drinking water. Remember it’s the hottest time of year; nobody wants to be thirsty not even your skin.

According to one recycling website, Americans buy an estimated 28 billion water bottles each year. Their goal is to provide safe drinking water to their families without those unwanted, harmful tap water contaminants with easy accessibility. Good news for bottled water corporations, bad news for the environment. According to the site, only about 2 of every 10 water bottles are recycled, the rest finding their way to the nearest landfill. That is less than a 23% recycle rate for bottled water. Similarly, 4% of the nation’s energy is wasted on making the plastic water bottles alone. For one item, that is a lot of energy that could be put to better use. In this current push for eco-friendly solutions and the green movement we find our country in, the previously mentioned statistics don’t follow suit.

Many consumers aren’t sure of other eco-friendly options for safe drinking water in the home, but water coolers can be a great option for saving both money and the environment. Advanced water coolers can offer the same great tasting water without the mineral content or unwanted contaminants, which providing a constant flow of drinking water available to all members of your family – no matter how young. They are easy-to-use with hot and cold water features, and most contracts include a regularly scheduled change of filters to make sure your water is clean and safe to drink. Plus, on top of being nice for environment, they look nice nowadays. Look for a sleek, stainless-steel cooler to add to your kitchen, or look for one that will hide right under the sink. It is also important to look for a water treatment company with maintenance included in the cost of your monthly fees.

Drinking water is a vital element for human health. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs. Water coolers may save you money, but it could potentially save many others in your community as well. For example, recycling or avoiding just 4 billion pounds of plastic can save enough energy to heat over 2.1 million homes. The choice to be greener is easy, get a water cooler for your home or office today!