The Importance of Clean-Water Living

Clean, crystal-clear water is no longer just a trend; it is a necessity in our battle against contamination and poor health.

With plastic pollutants, chemical additives and mineral contaminants, resolving poor water quality is critical to our overall wellbeing. Unfortunately, bottled water cannot resolve all of our water contaminant issues. Poor quality, contaminated water can lead to everything from bad tasting chemicals to physical illnesses and chronic diseases like cancer, which is why it’s important to analyze our water and ensure we have the healthiest water for ourselves and our families. Adopting a clean-water lifestyle is crucial in eliminating harmful toxins from our diets. The goal is to obtain an easy, affordable way to combat poor water quality and its negative effects.  This blog post will explore the significance of water issues, practical steps to implement clean-water living, and the many benefits treated water brings.

Understanding The Effects of Water Issues & Contaminants

Hard Water. Hard water has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium ions, which is picked up as it flows through underground rock like limestone, chalk, or gypsum. Left untreated, mineral buildup causes multiple issues for homeowners - yellow staining, unsightly plumbing fixtures, scale deposits, broken appliances, higher costs and energy bills. Water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers using hard water can wear out up to 30% faster. Water-using appliances will last longer and run better with treated water. Soaps, shampoos and detergents will lather better in softened water. Hair, skin and clothes will feel noticeably cleaner, softer brighter and not as dry. Using soft water increases the life of clothing, towels and linens up to 33%. No more soap scum and mineral deposits to clean off sinks, showers, glass, tubs and toilets. Dishes will clean more easily, and be spot free, without the film glasses get when etched by mineral-laden water. .

Discolored Water.  Blue or green? You may have copper in your water supply. This can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Black or brown water? You may have manganese in your water supply. This can lead to a bitter, metallic taste. We recommend a whole home filtration system to resolve either of these water issues. Orange, yellow or reddish water instead? You may have iron in your water supply. This can lead to stains, a metallic taste and rusty-colored drinking water, which is less than appetizing. An Iron Filtration System such as an AirOxPro is recommended for this contaminant.

Smelly Water. No one wants smelly water. If you notice an odor when you are near your water source, it may be caused by chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, dissolved solids, iron, barium or cadmium. Finding the cause and selecting the right filtration system will eliminate these chemicals from your water supply. Differing smells indicate specific water issues. Does your water smell like a swimming pool? You may have chlorine. Most city water is treated with chlorine at the municipal water treatment plant. This not only causes a strong smell and bad taste, but it also can affect hair and skin long term. Notice a smell like rotten eggs? The is likely caused by hydrogen sulfide contamination. Ever see dissolved or floating sediment and solids in your water? This too can cause specific smells and poor tasting water. Do you smell a fishy smell? Barium or cadium could be the culprit. This could lead to circulatory or kidney effects. A water treatment professional can provide water analysis and help you decide between a whole home system or a system that is installed only where your concerns exist.

Poor Tasting Water.   Good, clean, simple water should be tasteless. If your water tastes salty, you may have chloride or sulfate in your water supply. This can lead to diarrhea and a salty taste. Do you notice a metallic taste? This could be caused by iron or zinc contaminants. A whole home filtration or point-of-use system will solve your water issues and result in much better tasting water.

PFAS.  PFAS is an acronym for per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, also referred to "forever chemicals". This is because they are known to resist breaking down - instead, they accumulate in our environment and in our bodies over time.

Customizable Options for Efficient and Effective Water Treatment

1. Water Softening Products: This involves treating mineral buildup from hard water. Water softeners work to remove hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium through a process called ion exchange. The water passes through a tank that contains thousands of tiny beads that are charged with sodium ions. As the water runs through the beads, the calcium and magnesium are exchanged from sodium ions softening your water. How does water softening work? Hard water passes through the media tank that contains resin beads coated with sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium (or potassium) ions, thus softening the water. When the beads have trapped the hardness and need to be regenerated, the control valve charges them with brine (salt and water solution) from the brine tank. As regeneration occurs, calcium and magnesium (hardness) ions are freed from the beads, replaced with sodium or potassium ions; and the system is ready to soften water again.
2. Water Filtration Systems: Filtration systems remove odor-causing, staining and bad tasting contaminants that aren't removed through the water softening process. This may include iron, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, silica, manganese, zinc, copper, VOCs, or other organics. Filters mostly do not use ion exchange, rather they absorb chlorine and organics or they literally filter the water much like your coffee filter prevents the coffee grounds from entering the coffee pot. Filters come in many different shapes and sizes. Some need to be removed and replaced on a regular basis while others “backwash” and clean themselves so you can enjoy cleaner water without the hassle of filter changes. Regardless of whether you chose disposable filters or automatic backwashing filters, each will come in a variety of types and sizes. Some are designed to filter chlorine and organics, while others are made to filter particles like iron, manganese and sediment. Micron-sized particle filtration varies, based on material (media) and needs. These filters are installed where the water enters your home so you can enjoy the benefits of clean water throughout your whole home.
3. Combination Water Softening and Filtration Systems: These products offer the best of both worlds - water softening and filtration - in one system.
4. Point-of-Use Products: Point-of-Use (POU) Systems serve as a final barrier to the contaminants of concern just prior to the point that water is used or consumed, for example under your sink. Inline water filters are installed between the line carrying water to your faucet and the faucet itself. These filters are packed with filtration media or membranes that trap contaminants while maintaining normal water flow. Reverse Osmosis systems force water under pressure through a semipermeable membrane and a series of pre-filters then into a storage tank that holds the treated water until it's needed. A dedicated faucet is included so that the stored water is only used when desired.

Practical Steps to Achieving Reliably Clean Water in Your Home

Transitioning to a clean-water lifestyle may seem daunting, but the right experts can make it easy and convenient. Here are some practical steps to get started:

1. Schedule a no-obligation, no pressure water analysis (testing) with a professional

• Email, Call or Text - contact a local, knowledgeable professional to ask questions about your specific concerns and schedule a visit with free water testing. Get knowledgeable answers to find the right option for your home.
• The first step is to identify what's in your water and then apply the right solution to fix it, so schedule a free home water test with an expert.

2. Knowledge makes for the best decisions - discuss customizable options to solve your water quality concerns and address water test results

• A good professional will listen to concerns, identify contaminants found in a home's water test, and devise the best plan of attack.
• Water softening, iron or hydrogen sulfide specific issues, carbon water filtration or a combination system?
• Point-of-Entry water treatment system (recommended for whole-home clean water) or Point-of-Use water treatment system (such as below sink options)?

3. Schedule installation based on your timeline, needs and budget

4. Enjoy delicious, healthy, clean water for improved drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing and laundry - for use in your entire home

National map showing approximate levels of hard water, based on regional location in the US.

Common Sources of Pollutants and Effects on Human Health

Common sources of drinking water contaminants include industry, agriculture, human and animal waste, municipal treatment and distribution systems, as well as natural sources.

The US EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, reports water with unsafe levels of contaminants can cause health effects, such as gastrointestinal illnesses, nervous system or reproductive effects, and chronic diseases such as cancer. Factors that can influence whether a contaminant will lead to health effects include the type of contaminant, its concentration in the water, individual susceptibility, the amount of water consumed, and the duration of exposure. The average American consumes 1-2 liters of drinking water per day.

The Benefits of Sustainable, Clean-Water Living

Adopting a sustainable, clean-water lifestyle not only benefits the planet but also enhances personal well-being and health. Here are some key advantages:

• Improved Health
• Great Tasting Water
• Financial Savings
• Enhanced Home Systems Longevity
• Positive Environmental Impact

Conclusion

Clean, healthy drinking water is essential for our health, the health of our family and our home's efficiency. Through many sources, natural and not naturally occurring, our water can become far more contaminated than we might initially have thought. From causing unsightly or damaging buildup to posing health risks, our untreated water can cause significant issues. Even when residential water sources do not present unhealthy water challenges, they can contain contaminants that harden our home's water, hinder our home systems and appliances, and make cleaning and bathing inefficient and less enjoyable. With the help of seasoned professionals and water testing, a targeted water treatment system will improve residential water quality and provide crystal-clear, clean-water living. Your home, and body, will thank you.