How does a reverse osmosis (RO) system work? First you need to understand diffusion and osmosis. Diffusion is the quality water has where it always tries to spread out evenly in all directions. Osmosis is when it’s kept from being able to do that by solutes, such as minerals or other dissolved materials, whose charges pull water together on the more concentrated side of a semipermeable membrane. Reverse osmosis, then, is forcing the water back through the membrane, leaving behind solutes that include contaminants like lead, mercury, volatile organic compounds, and more. You don’t want to be drinking those—which is what makes an RO system so valuable for purifying your water.
Chromium-6 is a metallic element which, when consumed in even small amounts, causes cancer, kidney and liver failure, ulcers, anemia, reproductive damage, and more. It’s produced by industrial facilities like steel and paper mills, and is found in the water supplies of over 218 million Americans in every state.
Do you know what reverse osmosis is? There are lots of different filtration techniques out there, including carbon, ion exchange, and ozone, but an RO system beats them all. Osmosis is when water passes through a membrane to reach a solute like salt. Reverse osmosis forces water the opposite direction, leaving behind toxic solutes and producing clean water. An RO system removes all sorts of contaminants that other systems leave behind, including lead, arsenic, chromium, and more. So, call Angel Water today and ask about installing a reverse osmosis system in your home!
Life wouldn’t exist without water. But often times, access to clean water is much easier said than done. The theme of 2016 World Water Day – Better water, better jobs – strives to show how clean water can create work and develop sustainable methods of living.
World Water Day celebrates more sustainable methods of living.
For the global workers of the world, water has a direct impact on the quality of life. According to International Business Times, over 340,000 workers die because of inadequate water supply and sanitation. Fishermen, farmers and factories all depend on the quality of water. International Business Times also states that in factories, 38 workers die from water-related diseases every hour, which can be prevented with cleaner water and sanitation.
Women, Children and Water
For women and children, collecting water is a full-time job. Often times a water source is located far away from their residence and making the treck can sometimes take hours. Even though water is essential to life, the woman’s duty is not recognized or appreciated. In addition, these women and children are not getting paid to complete their duties, making it harder than ever to create a stable and autonomous life.
By recognizing the theme of World Water Day, women and children can learn skills that prepare them to enter the work force instead of spending their time collecting water. World Water Day can highlight the way lives are changed if access to clean water is guaranteed.
A girl carries water back to her home in an area for displaced Sudanese in the southern Sudanese city of Juba, SudanSpencer Platt/Getty Images
Using water in better ways
By learning how to use water in better ways, our planet can develop sustainable methods of living and provide a better life for all people. Let’s allow World Water Day to do just that as we work towards better education, better jobs and of course, better water.
Since December 2015, the EPA has performed water testing at various military sites across the U.S.. These sites have been tested for contamination from a foam used in crash and fire fighting training. In total, 664 sites will be tested.
So far 28 naval sites have been tested with one in New Jersey and one in Virgina showing contamination levels above the EPA’s standards. Military personnel are being supplied with water bottles to prevent further contamination and dehydration.
Why is Water Testing Important?
Testing water on a regular basis is important because it allows consumers to know what they’re drinking. It also ensures that consumers are safe from contaminants that could get into water. Besides chemicals used at military sites, water tests look for high levels of bacteria, nitrates and man-made chemicals.
Water testing with Angel Water can help prevent the spread of disease.
Here’s a list of things that could end up in your water:
Radium
Chlorine
Pesticides
Fluoride
Arsenic
Asbestos
Copper
Cyanide
Lead
Barium
Fecal waste (Nitrates and Nitrites)
Uranium
Gasoline
Well-water Testing
Besides groundwater, the EPA is also testing wells in rural areas near the military sites. They are testing for perfluoridated chemicals in drinking water that have been linked to prostate, kidney and testicular cancer.
According to Daily Kos, Chris Evans, of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, credited the Navy with being proactive but said he’s concerned anytime there’s a potential threat to human health and the environment.
“We’ll follow EPA’s lead as this develops,” said Evans, the director of the office of remediation programs.
Water Testing in Illinois
In Illinois, the only way to know that your water is safe is to have it tested on an annual basis. Usually, water problems can be spotted by discoloration or putrid smells, but not all water problems can be identified by the human eye.
Water testing ensures that the water you’re drinking is safe and free of bacteria, fecal waste or man-made chemicals. In Illinois, municipal water sources are tested on an annual basis but private wells are not. This makes testing well water especially important since it is not monitored by the EPA.
Testing Your Water with Angel Water
By getting your water tested by Angel Water, you can identify what’s in your water and you can learn how to remove any unwanted contaminants. We work to educate our customers about purifying water and removing anything that could cause harm.
How does Bioaccumulation impact water?
When plastic gets into our water supply it’s not good. Over time, it often causes a buildup of toxic chemicals in everything from the alge floating on the surface to the humans that are drinking it.
This picture shows how bioaccumulation and biomagnification impact the environments around them.
This has impacted us by increasing our exposure to chemicals through the food we eat and the water we drink.
Consequences of bioaccumulation
The early consequences of bioaccumulation appeared in 1950’s Japan when a list of neurological disorders appeared in Minamata city’s residents. The incidence was traced back to fish and shellfish that contained high levels of methylmercury.
The methylmercury was coming from Chisso Corporation’s Minamata factory, the largest Japanese producer of acetaldehyde, a chemical used in manufacturing plastics. It turns out the factory was discharging excessive amounts of methylmercury into the Yatsushiro Sea.
What about BPA’s?
BPA’s are today’s biggest concerns when thinking about bioaccumulation. According to Mayoclinic, “bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s.”
BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as plastic water bottles. When plastic is not recycled properly and ends up in our water supply, it poisons us.
Here’s a list of problems that plague people who have been impacted by BPA’s:
Hormone levels: BPA could act like a hormone in the body, disrupting normal hormone levels and development in fetuses, babies, and children.
Brain and behavior problems: The National Toxicology Program at the FDA expressed concern about BPA’s possible effects on the brain and behavior of infants and young children.
Cancer: Some animal studies have shown a possible link between BPA exposure and a later increased risk of cancer.
Heart problems: Two studies have found that adults with the highest levels of BPA in their bodies seem to have a higher incidence of heart problems.
Did you know that your brain is composed of mostly water? Have you ever thought about the way water helps you digest food? Are you aware of how drinking water impacts overall health? In case you didn’t know, check out this list of 10 tips for staying hydrated.
1. Calculate how much water you need
The best way to find out how much water you need is to multiply your weight by 0.5. For example, a 200 pound man would need 100 ounces of water to drink on a daily basis. The amount of water we need to drink varies by the size and the activity level of a person.
2. Carry water with you everywhere you go
One of the best ways to stay hydrated is to carry water with you everywhere you go. This allows you to drink water whenever you need to it and to also keep track of how much water you drink. By carrying your own water bottle, you won’t have to spend money on plastic water bottles and contribute to excessive waste.
Use water bottles to stay hydrated.
3. Infuse your water with fruits and vegetables The taste of plain water can get boring when you’re drinking it on a regular basis. That’s why infusing fruits and vegetables can add a hint of extra flavor while you’re getting refreshed. Try adding combinations like cucumber and lemon, celery and lime or cilantro and mint.
4. Avoid alcohol and caffeine Alcohol and caffeine are two things that dehydrate the body. It’s okay to drink them in moderation, but an excess of either could cause heart problems, headaches and overall fatigue.
5. Drink extra water before and after getting physical Throughout out the day we lose water naturally. After a strenuous workout, it’s especially important to replace the water we lose. Not only does your brain need water to restore itself, your muscles need to rehydrate in order to grow and heal.
6. Use Reverse Osmosis Using reverse osmosis will ensure you hydrate your body with water free of contaminants and disease-causing pathogens. Angel Water’s reverse osmosis works differently by remineralizing the water before it exits the spout.
7. Don’t chug water to get hydrated The best way to get hydrated is to take small sips of water throughout the day. This allows your body to absorb the liquid rather than release it through waste. Taking small sips of water is the preferred method of Ayurvedic practitioners.
8. Drink warm water with lemon in the morning Drinking warm water with lemon each morning helps to alkalize the body and remove toxins. It also aids digestion by warming the intestinal tract and flushing out digested food.
Barrington alone supplies water to over 10,000 residents and businesses. In doing so, over 1.5 million gallons of water gets pumped every day. The water is provided from 4 large wells which draw from an underground aquifer. Once the water is pulled from the wells it goes to a village-owned water treatment plant where it is processed to reduce iron and help prevent rust stains. After treatment, the water is moved into one of 6 reservoirs used to store the water before it gets delivered. Before arriving to your sink, the water travels through 90 miles of service lines. The city water really seems to go through a lot of processing to ensure our water is clean. However, there are some things you should be aware of once the water reaches your faucet.
To see full-size, click image
Many things can hide in your water and, potentially, cause you harm. The contaminants in city water are only dangerous at high levels and the city is required to measure the level of each contaminant within the water. However, these levels often exceed the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG). Here are a few contaminants which have been found at high levels in Barrington’s city water along with impacts they can have on you and your health.
Arsenic: This is an inorganic that can cause skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may increase the risk of cancer.
Iron: Another inorganic that causes increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances and clothing.
Trihalomethanes: This is a disinfectant which is added to the city water to kill bacteria. It can cause Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems along with an increased risk of cancer.
Alpha Emitters and Radium: These are radionuclides which are usually naturally occurring. The increase the risk of cancer. And can be inhaled as well as consumed.
It can be quite alarming to learn that your everyday drinking water is contaminated. However, there are steps that you can take to ensure that your drinking water is safe along with your family’s well-being. Installing the following systems in your home will help keep out any type of contaminant.
Water Softeners: These help combat water hardness. Barrington’s water hardness level is 23gpg which is rated extremely high by the USGS.
Reverse Osmosis: This product does an exceptional job at removing any inorganics found in the water.
Whole House Filters: These Filters are great for an extra protection layer for any radionuclides that are left in the water.
It is important to know what is in your drinking water. If you have any questions or concerns about your Barrington water or if you would like to get a water treatment system installed in your home call Angel Water today!
Should you filter your water? The New York Times says yes.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the water that comes out of your tap, but that doesn’t mean consumers know what’s in it. According to The New York Times, regulations are often pushed to the limits, making a water filter the safest choice for anyone who uses a faucet.
According to Paul Pesanto, a research analyst with the Environmental Working Group, there are guidelines to what can be put into your water but those guidelines are not closely regulated.
Your water filter from Angel Water will remove contaminants, bacteria and hardness.
What’s in your water?
The best way to protect yourself from harmful contaminants is to learn what’s in your water. The first way to do this is to check out what kind of water problems plague your region. Having your water tested on a yearly basis can help prevent illness
Other things that might be in your water include arsenic, hormones, E. coli, nitrates, antibiotics, barium, radon, salt, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, chromium, hardness and copper.
Why is filtering water important?
According to allaboutwater.org, there are more than 2,100 known drinking water contaminants that may be present in tap water. These contaminants have been linked to respiratory illness, cognitive and behavioral disorders and cancer.
This picture shows the microscopic organisms that get trapped in your water filter.
According to the New York Times a water filter will also protect you from like lead from old water pipes, pesticide runoff in rural areas and byproducts of chemicals like chlorine that are used to treat drinking water.
Using the right filter
At Angel Water, our filters are NSF certified making them the most reliable and safe water filter on the market. Our filters are capable of removing antibiotics, hormones and pesticides that may be a byproduct of surface runoff water.
What does NSF mean?
Choosing a product certified by NSF lets you know the company complies with strict standards and procedures imposed by NSF. From extensive product testing and material analyses to unannounced plant inspections, every aspect of a product’s development is thoroughly evaluated before it can earn our certification.
When residents of Flint, Michigan wondered if their water was contaminated, they were right. High levels of toxicity and lead poisoning were linked to a switch from the Detroit water supplier to an alternative water supplier. The city is back on the Detroit water system, but a water crisis still remains.
These pipes show what happens when infrastructure related to a city’s water supply is not maintained.
“We do a good job building new stuff, we don’t do a good job taking care of what’s on the ground,” said Puentes in an interview with NPR.
According to Puentes, some of these systems were built a hundred years ago. Some of the pipes are made out of wood. Some of them were built the times when metropolitan areas were expanding and decentralizing.
Outdated infrastructure causes the United States to lose about 2 trillion gallons of water each year. This water waste is caused by leaks that are left unchecked in the current system.
While the toxic water in Flint has been linked to lead poisoning, Puentes states that Chicago has a 10-year plan to update water infrastructure and prevent contamination.
One way to ensure that your water is free of any contaminants is to invest in a water filtration system through Angel Water Inc. Our systems are designed to remove contaminants like lead, fluoride and sodium while reinfusing it with necessary minerals.
