All About Water

Cool, refreshing, crystal clear water tastes great on a hot summer day, but most people don’t give much thought to what’s actually in their drinking water. The following is an explanation of how water treatment affects the tap water that people drink every day.

Aluminum Sulfate

Alum, or aluminum sulfate, is added to water to aid in filtration. Alum acts as a coagulant to bind fine suspended particles together into larger particles that can then be filtered out of the water. It results in water that is clearer, and the alum itself will be cleared from the water. Because the aluminum is filtered back out along with the particles it binds to, it poses no health risk.

Fluoride

The EPA reports that fluoride is added strictly for the dental benefits. Fluoride does not improve the actual quality of the water supply, but it is proven to help protect the teeth of people who consume it. However, water fluoridation is becoming increasingly controversial. The National Water Council currently advises parents not to give fluoridated water to infants. Further, the Centers for Disease Control estimate that one in three children in America have irreversible damage to their permanent teeth as a result of fluoride. Supporters point to evidence showing fewer cavities for people consuming fluoridated water while opponents claim that there are serious health risks, including the risk of cancer. Of all the chemicals added to water, fluoride is the most controversial, and the only one that is not needed for actual water quality.

Chlorine

The EPA reports that chlorine is added as a disinfectant. Derivatives of chlorine, including chlorine dioxide and chloramines, are also added to prevent water supplies from turning into breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. The health problems with consuming high levels of chlorine are clear. However, water departments around the nation are careful to use enough chlorine to kill bacteria without using so much as to cause health problems.

Potassium Permanganate

This oxidizing agent is added to lake water. It is used to clear the water of iron, manganese, and some natural tastes and odors. Removing the iron and manganese ensures that the water does not cause stains on clothing and plumbing fixtures. After being oxidized by potassium permanganate, these minerals become insoluble and can be easily removed through basic filtration methods. However, concentrated levels of potassium permanganate can be harmful to the skin.

Polyphosphate

Used as a liquid substance, polyphosphate helps to isolate the iron, manganese, and calcium in water. When added to water, polyphosphate protects water lines by preventing corrosion of pipes.

Any chemical added to water has the potential to cause health problems. However, it is important to weigh the potential risks against the health benefits that are gained by having clear, clean water that is free of algae, bacteria and viruses. Regardless of where you live, it is a good idea to have an additional filtration system in your own home to remove some of these chemicals.

Want to know about how to filter out other chemicals? See our article on: Different Kinds of Water Filters

Poor water pressure can be caused by many different things, but there are some common culprits that you can examine first. Water pressure can change over time because of changes in your water pipes, or changes to your water supply. Identifying the cause early and proper maintenance of water pipes can resolve the problem permanently.

Your Water Pipes

The most common cause of poor water pressure is the buildup of scales inside the pipes that run from the water main to your home. These scales reduce the diameter of your pipes, restricting water flow. Plastic pipe, called PVC pipe, is often a good choice because there is no chance of rust buildup within the pipe. Calcium and lime are also causes of mineral buildup in water pipes.

Identifying Low Pressure

Poor water pressure can be easily identified if you are accustomed to good pressure. You may notice that it takes longer to fill your bath tub, or that the water from the sink takes longer to fill a pitcher. You may also be dealing with longer times for washing clothes. Poor water pressure is very common, but that doesn’t mean that you are stuck with the problem. Finding the cause is the first step in increasing water pressure in your home.

Rust and Corrosion

Older homes may have cast iron or other metal water pipes that suffer from rust and corrosion which also leads to poor water pressure. The most common cause for rust and corrosion in metal piping is the content of the water that runs to your home. Most water is packed with minerals and other materials that interact with the metals, leading to lowered pipe integrity and rust. Replacing old, rusty pipes with PVC can help to ensure clean water and good water pressure.

New Pipe

If your poor water pressure has occurred right after the installation of new pipe in the home then you may be dealing with a poorly placed water line that reduces water flow. In general, it is best that water travel in a straight path until it reaches the intended faucet, where the line will branch off. Corners that are too tight or pipe that is bent or damaged will also result in lower water pressure.

Pipe Maintenance and Repair

Repairing and maintaining your water pipes is the best solution for avoiding poor water pressure in the future. There are solutions that range from coating the inside of existing pipes with epoxy to totally replacing damaged water pipes in the home. It is usually best to schedule a regular maintenance appointment with your plumber to ensure good water pressure over time and to avoid repairs in the future.

People rely on water everyday, including tap water. While drinking from the tap is preferable to bottled water, no one wants to drink water that is dirty . Cloudy water, also known as, white water, can cause headaches to many people. There are many reasons why your tap water may be cloudy, and ways to fix it.

Temperature is Usually the Reason

If the temperature in the pipes is lower than the room temperature, it may cause trapped air bubbles that make it look like cloudy water. You don’t need to fix this problem. It is something that will solve itself. Fill the cup up with the water, let it sit, and the bubbles will disappear from the bottom up in a few minutes.

Dirt in the Water

Dirt can be a reason for your cloudy water. You should consult with your city about the possible reason for your cloudy water if it is not air bubbles. If dirt is the reason for your cloudy water, you could try using a water filter .

Rust in the Water

If your cloudy water is brown, red, orange, or yellow in color then rust or iron can be the cause of it. The rust sediments could have been disturbed in your house or apartment building, causing it to be suspended in the water. While you should not drink the water, it is not particularly a health threat to wash clothes. If you do decide to wash clothes with rust in the water, make sure to use a rust stain remover. Do not use bleach because it will mix with the rust and cause permanent stains.

If you are a homeowner it is important to know if the rust is coming from your pipes or the city. If it is coming from the city, the rust will show up at every faucet in the house, it only shows up in cold water, and the water was clear earlier, but is now distorted. If it is the city, they will fix it.

Bacteria in the Water

If your drain becomes blocked up with hair, soap, or food waste, you may smell a rotten odor like sewage or rotten eggs. Fill a glass of water and let it sit. If it does not have a smell, then there is nothing wrong with the water; you simply need to disinfect the drain. If the smells do come from the water, make sure to contact your city immediately as there may be harmful bacteria in the water.

These are the most common causes of cloudy water. Remember to always check with your city if you are not sure about the causes of the cloudy water. Hopefully this has helped you become more aware of your water and how to treat it.

Where Does Water Come From? The full answer to this question should include ‘What the Earth’s original source of water is,’ ‘where the water running from our faucets comes from’ and the source of water for our water treatment plants.

Original water

Where water originally came from is still under debate, but some scientists have concluded that the water on Earth came from about a billion year’s worth of comets striking the earth, as comets typically contain ice. While much of this has accrued in ocean water, but most of us are probably more interested in the fresh water that runs from our faucets. Where does this water come from?

Local water from wells

Each locality has it’s own source for fresh water, so this is one place where water comes from. Some homes have their own private well and thus domestic water is supplied from their own well and pump. This is often untreated, but a deep well typically provides safe drinking water, as the ground provides some filtration and you can also have your water tested by a state certified lab. Check out the EPA’s recommendations for the testing of domestic drinking water from private wells.

Municipal water supply

Some homes receive their water from municipal water supply. These homes tap into the municipal water distribution system, and the home’s water use is typically measured by a water meter, later billing the home for water used. Municipal water is treated by a water treatment plant using several steps. These steps can include different kinds of filtration, clarification, and disinfection. Where does this water come from? The water treatment plant may have a source of surface water such as a lakes or rivers or ground wells, or sometimes a water treatment plant receives raw water from other municipalities.

The water cycle

The water in our lakes, rivers and ground wells is the result of the water cycle. The water cycle is well-known and includes rain, evaporation, and condensation. Some of this water also supplies underground aquifers that supply ground wells. Evaporation supplies fresh water vapor to the air that rises into the atmosphere, which cools as it rises to form clouds and rain. The rain completes the water cycle. We depend on this rain to supply the water we need from our faucets.

Many people hear about hard and soft water without really knowing what those terms mean. Understanding how water is classified lets a homeowner make an informed choice when it comes to the family drinking water and general household water supply. Some people absolutely love soft water, while others strictly prefer the qualities of hard water.

What are the differences between hard and soft water?

Hard water contains naturally occurring concentrations of calcium, lime and magnesium. This can be seen in the residue that hard water can leave behind on surfaces like shower walls and sinks. Soft water, on the other hand, is treated to only contain ions of sodium, giving soft water a slightly salty taste. Because of this, people may notice a subtle difference in the tastes of hard and soft water.

Both types of water originate with rainwater that filters through underground rocks. Water becomes ‘hard’ when the water passes through soft, loose rock containing minerals and calcium that easily break apart and are carried into the water flow. In contrast, soft water passes through hard granite rock, picking up very trace amounts of minerals.

Between hard and soft water, why would a person want soft water?

Some homeowners prefer soft water because the lack of mineral content keeps their kitchen appliances and plumbing from requiring extra maintenance, while lengthening their life spans. Hard water deposits are also harder to clean from surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen.

Bathing in soft water has the added health benefit of leaving hair clean without stripping it of important natural oils. It’s also known to be beneficial for those with sensitive or breakout-prone skin, as soft water does not clog pores like hard water can.

Hard and soft water: is hard water harmful?

According to studies done by the National Research Council, there is no evidence that drinking hard water can cause adverse health issues, but can instead be beneficial. Drinking hard water that contains small amounts of calcium and magnesium can be valuable to those who don’t get enough of these minerals by daily diet alone. As such, for health benefits, hard water is more often recommended as the drinking water of choice.

Hard and soft water: how can I tell if my water is hard or soft?

The easiest way to tell if water is hard or soft is to look for residue on surfaces. White, scaly residue or even green discoloration around water pipes means calcium and lime are present in the water. Sometimes, holding a glass of tap water up to the sunlight will show the tiny particles of minerals and calcium deposits that are present in hard water. To be sure, buy a home water testing kit.

The Verdict on Hard and Soft Water

Both hard and soft water have their pros and cons and choosing between hard or soft water for drinking, bathing and household chores is a personal choice. Some families combine the best of both worlds by using hard water for drinking and soft water for bathing and washing clothes, but both are perfectly safe.

A growing number of people have turned to steam distillation as an effective method of securing clean drinking water. Distilled water can be purchased in large plastic jugs from retail stores, but some researchers have expressed concern about chemicals leaching over time from the plastic into the water, with unknown effects on human health. An increasingly popular option is installing a home distiller unit, which will kill pathogenic viruses and bacteria, plus remove most volatile organic compounds and nearly all inorganic minerals and heavy metals from tap water, producing very pure water.

Home Steam Distillation Features

Home water distillation is an attractive proposition for people who are reliant on drinking contaminated water such or substandard municipal water supplies. A good distiller unit will provide the purest water of all methods, at a reasonable cost. A typical high-quality steam distiller costing about $200 can produce up to four gallons of distilled water per day, and last for years. No supplies are needed other than the source tap or well water, and inexpensive white vinegar for occasional removal of mineral buildup from the distiller chamber and other components.

How Steam Distillation Works

A steam distiller uses electricity to heat elements concealed within the protective outer shell of the unit. The hot elements heat the distiller chamber, which boils the source water. This results in hot steam, which rises. Light gases are vented away from the water steam, then the purified water steam is piped through a hollow coil made of stainless steel. The coil conducts heat away from the steam, which condenses into liquid water. Depending on the design of the unit, this water will either drip through an activated carbon filter for further removal of residual organic material, or be deposited directly into a carafe or other container.

Caring for a Steam Distiller

Boiling away all of the source water will likely shorten the life of the unit, and leave a stubborn residue in the chamber which can cause future batches of distilled water to acquire a bad taste. It is best to allow some concentrated water to remain in the chamber after the boiling process, which should then be discarded. Occasional applications of a mix of vinegar and water inside the chamber will dissolve encrusted minerals, which can be washed out.

Health Effects of Distillation-Purified Water

Distilled water can be very clean and safe, with virtually no chlorine or other contaminants. However, the distilled water should be treated further with an activated charcoal filter if the source water was contaminated with some organic materials such as pesticides and herbicides. Care should also be taken by consumers to provide any necessary minerals in their diets that have been discarded with the concentrated leftover water. Steam distillation removes minerals that are usually present to varying degrees in untreated water, such as magnesium, calcium and sodium. Fluoride may have been present in the tap water provided by municipalities that fluoridate their drinking water supplies. Consumers who drink a great deal of distilled water should exercise vigilance about using fluoridated toothpaste. Distillation can make your water–and you–healthier.

Are you wondering what to do when you see black flecks in your filtered water? Are they harmful to you or your family? Here are some answers.

What are the black flecks that I see in my water?

The black flecks are bits of carbon from your filter. They are non-toxic as well as tasteless. In fact, activated carbon has been used as an antidote to poison in hospitals. However, it is still advisable to keep the filter out of reach of children.

How can I get rid of the black flecks?

The accompanying instructions for most filters advise that you first soak the filter itself in water before use. Then, after putting the filter to use two times, the flecks should disappear. You can also take the added step of shaking the filter under water to encourage the release of the flecks using it for your daily filtration.

Though the home filtration systems on the market require little maintenance, you should properly maintain your water filter to ensure good quality water. Wash the top portion of your filter out once in a while or more often if you use it heavily, so that the activated carbon specks do not collect. Don’t forget to wash the pitcher itself.

Replace your filter regularly

Generally you should notice only a few blackflecks coming out after thoroughly soaking the water filter. If large amounts are being discharged, the filter might have a slight defect in its seal, and you should consider replacing it. Certainly if the filter is past its prime, you will see a higher than normal concentration of black flecks, and you should simply replace it. Follow the suggested replacement schedule in the instruction booklet.

What is the function of the black flecks?

Most home-based water filter systems use an activated carbon water filter method. Activated carbon is the most powerful and simple way to eliminate the variety of impurities, such as odors, chlorine, and chemicals in the water supply, such as pesticides and herbicides. Activated carbon–the black flecks that you see–both absorbs the impurities and makes your water more alkaline.

Reverse osmosis is a sort of pressurized filtration process. Unlike filtration, however, the items which are removed as the water passes through the membrane are not all solid particles. Even ions and dissolved salts are removed. The process effectively removes protozoa, bacteria and even many viruses from water, and has been in use as a purification process for more than 40 years. It is a highly effective and relatively inexpensive process for purifying drinking water.

What Is Reverse Osmosis?

When two salt solutions are separated by a membrane, water passes from the lower salt concentration into the higher one. This process, called osmosis, continues until the salt concentrations on both sides of the membrane are equal. Osmosis is a biological process, and occurs constantly in living organisms as material on one side of a cell membrane passes in or out of the cell, according to solute concentrations. Reverse osmosis is essentially the opposite of osmosis. Water passes through a membrane migrating from higher concentrations to lower concentrations of salt. Reverse osmosis requires that the high-salt solution be under pressure, and it also requires a special type of membrane.

Why Is Reverse Osmosis A Good Choice?

The US Center for Disease Control reports that reverse osmosis purification systems have “a very high effectiveness” in removing protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, bacteria such as Shigella and E. coli, and viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus. The CDC also reports that reverse osmosis is effective at removing non-biological contaminants such as copper and lead, and may reduce the amount of nitrates found in water. Although the CDC does not endorse any particular product or technology, the same site reports the top five causes of waterborne illness outbreaks from drinking contaminated water to be Giardia, Shigella, Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and copper. Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing all of these contaminants. Three of the top five causes of waterborne illness from recreational surface waters are Cryptosporidium, Shigella, and Norovirus. These contaminants are also removed by reverse osmosis with high efficiency. According to the EPA, water utilities treat almost 34 billion gallons of water per day. Reverse osmosis is not practical for municipal purposes, but residential systems are available and are widely used throughout the country.

Limitations of Reverse Osmosis

The membrane used in reverse osmosis is constructed of a semi-permeable polymer, which essentially blocks the passage of anything larger than a water molecule. Salt ions, protozoa and bacteria are blocked effectively, but chlorine and volatile organic chemicals are smaller than water molecules and are not blocked. Chlorine, which is in every municipal and rural water system, is also damaging to the polymer membrane and must be trapped by an activated carbon filter before it reaches the membrane.

Public concerns related to chemicals in the water supply have become popular over the past few years; this has ultimately led to an increase in the consumption of bottled water. While choosing between the consumption of bottled water or tap water is in the end up to the consumer, there are still many factors that help people choose between the two. The most prominent of these factors are safety concerns, cost factors, environmental costs, and whether or not a person has access to tap or bottled water.

Safety Concerns

Within the United States, both bottled and tap water is considered to be extremely safe to consume. While bottled water is often thought of as being cleaner and safer than drinking tap water, there is no research that supports such evidence. The quality of water in both bottles and municipals differs, making it very hard to come up with a generalization as to which one wins over the other. The FDA sets the safety standards for bottled water, while the EPA sets the safety standards that regulate municipal water. The EPA standards that govern municipal water sources are far more strict than the regulations surrounding bottled water. For this reason many people are turning to tap water. When a person asks “What’s in my water?” it is imperative that the person understands what type of treatment the water undergoes, as well as the source of the water.

Prices of Bottled and Tap Water Per Gallon

In most areas across the United States the price of bottled water is 300 times more costly than the price of tap water. In fact the SFPUC enables consumers to purchase water at only around $.003/gallon; with bottled water costing anywhere between $1 and $4 a gallon. Not only is bottled water more expensive in relation to its purchasing price but also with the time and energy it takes to purchase it and deliver it to its destination.

Costs to the Environment

Since water is often times imported from foreign countries and shipped long distances this increases the consumption of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, which ultimately leads to air pollution. Taking all of these factors into consideration, it is easy to understand that why bottled water is bad for the environment based on its delivery and consumption.

Accessibility

Within the United States it is easy to access bottled water or tap water. Almost any type of convenient or grocery store sells bottled water, while most homes and building structures are built with the ability to provide tap water. The public within the United States brings many beneficial aspects to the impact water has on the environment by maintaining values that demand to know “How safe is my water?”

Conclusion

Keeping the safety concerns, price costs, environmental costs, and accessibility issues in mind it becomes apparent that tap water should ultimately be the main type of water consumed; however, since the United States is a free country it still provides the public with their own choice.

Pharmaceutical drugs such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, and hormone pills have been discovered, although in low levels, in drinking water across the United States. Currently, there are no testing regulations from the Federal government to protect our water. However, there is growing concern among doctors and scientists regarding the health effects of drugs in drinking water, even when they are at low levels. Studies are currently ongoing to measure the health effects.

Pharmaceuticals in Water

In 2008, the Associated Press released the results of an investigation they undertook that found that nearly 41 million Americans were exposed to pharmaceutical drugs in their drinking water. According to the Associated Press, 24 major cities are affected across the nation. The levels of pharmaceutical drugs that were detected were low, but the investigation had shown that the problem is widespread and can continue to grow. 62 major city water providers were contacted for the AP investigation, and out of that number, only 28 did any type of testing. In addition, 35 of the 62 watersheds, the source of drinking water, were contaminated with differing medications.

How Do They Get There?

There are multiple ways in which drugs can enter drinking water, lakes and oceans. Medications are mostly absorbed by the body, but some of it gets flushed into the sewer systems. Drugs can also pass from our bodies while swimming in open waters. Unused medications are often disposed of improperly, with many people pouring them down the drain or flushing them down the toilet. Residues from the manufacturing process of pharmaceutical drugs end up as waste in water. Finally, illegal dumping of expired medications into waterways by drug manufacturers has occurred in the past, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The disposal of unused pharmaceuticals is regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which assess fines for violations.

How Can We Remove It?

The EPA also notes that there are currently no city sewer treatment facilities in the country that are equipped to remove large amount of pharmaceutical drugs from water sources and sewer systems. The EPA suggests that activated carbon water filters, however, do remove most chemicals and drugs from a water supply, which is a remedy that can be used in the home or in large industrial situations as well.

What Are the Risks to Humans?

Fish have been shown to be affected by drugs in lakes and rivers, but whether the same holds for humans is unknown. The Journal of the American Medical Asscociation published an article in 2008 that stated that because the research on pharmaceuticals in drinking water was insufficient and the health risks are relatively unknown, that safer disposal methods must be examined until more is known.