NOTES:
- Some trace level of one or more heavy metals exists in many public drinking water supplies.
- How the drinking water limits were established is not published. Actual laboratory testing or knowledge obtained by reviewing public health records of populations on a contaminated source?
- There appears to be no published information on health issues that arise when two or more of the listed metals exist in the same supply.
- Reduction to below detection levels of trace heavy metal levels within a home:
As a company, we have always stayed away from utilizing scare tactics about water in our literature as well as in conversations with our distributors or their customers. Our preference has been to understand all water treatment technologies, implement those best suited for addressing customer needs, and stay in that lane without pretending to be experts on health issues related to water contaminants.
Information received on January 8, 2024, however, compels us to advise as many people as possible about a significant health threat related to water – specifically bottled water. On that date, we received the findings on nanoplastics in bottled water published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Their examinations showed an average of 250,000 particles per bottle in those tested.
Even more concerning than the high numbers was their sizes as small or smaller than a virus. At this size, they can invade human cells disrupting their development or causing mutations affecting our neurologic, immunologic, circulatory, and all organ systems. So small, in fact, that they have been found in newborns. It’s no leap to realize that animals and fish have been exposed, so to some extent the particles are also in our food chain.
The plastic materials are identified by a laser bombardment process that reveals they consist of nylon, Teflon (PTFE) the forever chemical, PVC, packaging plastics including PET, and possibly in some cases the polymer used in the production of reverse osmosis membranes.
What are we to do? The obvious answer is to avoid bottled water. Next would be to use an in-home reverse osmosis system that has pores as small as 0.002 to 0.0001 microns or at least 1/5 the size of the smallest virus/nanoplastics. Finally, an entrepreneur somewhere, hopefully, will follow in the footsteps of Stephan Wiess and drill deeply for newly formed water as outlined in our blog titled “There is probably enough water on earth for everyone”. This water, at depths of hundreds of feet, has not been exposed to man’s contamination and could be transported to customers in SS or glass vessels.
WHAT CAN A WHOLE HOUSE REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM OR DRINKING WATER REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM REALLY DO FOR YOU?
The common requests from prospective equipment purchasers range from “we want a better taste” to “we require total safety” in our water. This is an extremely broad range of expectations. We’ll cover the details, but with preciously few exceptions, the RO units will address both extremes and everything in between.
Our sources of useable water are surface water such as lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds. They are subject to runoff of animal waste, fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and a myriad of industrial chemicals from the surrounding watershed. Another source is water from shallow and deep wells. Their contamination, if any, is due to the percolation of acidic rainwater through soil and rocks, poor seals at well heads, and non-local exposure of an aquifer to surface water.
The simplest approach to understanding water chemistry and the impact RO has on it is to break down the water chemistry into families of issues and then compare with the processes performed by a properly designed RO(A) system. Let’s dive in.
FAMILIES OF CONTAMINANTS WITH EXAMPLES. Health-disruptive items are highlighted in red.
- Suspended solids. Nearly total removal by inlet turbidity filter plus 0.001-micron membrane pore size
- General debris. Things that can be seen in water by the naked eye such as sand, silt, oxidized (red water) iron, clay, etc.
- Fine particles are referred to as colloidal such as a form of oxidized iron and tannins.
- Micro and Nano-sized particles such as micro and nano polymers(B) are caused by the physical degradation of discarded plastics. Carcinogenic and found in water, air, bloodstreams, and our food chain.
- Dissolved solids. 96 to 99% removal by inlet carbon filtration and membrane rejection process
- Almost all elements on the Periodic Table plus some key compounds. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, alkalinity, fluoride, arsenic, aluminum, lead, cadmium, chromium, chromium-6, mercury, nitrates, nitrites, and sulfates.
- Forever chemicals PFAS(B). Like micro and nano polymers, these fluoride-based organic compounds released by chemicals such as Teflon, are everywhere in our environment and carcinogenic.
- Organic compounds. 99%+ removal primarily by inlet carbon filtration supplemented by membrane rejection.
- Agricultural chemicals fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides
- Industrial/medical compounds. It is estimated that the list of such chemicals contains over 100,000 items. Most common are Pharmaceuticals, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, benzene, gasoline, vinyl chloride, acetone, MEK,
- 99%+ removal primarily by extremely small membrane porosity supplemented by pre and/or post-UV options if severe.
- Commonly found bacteria coliforms and e-coli. Viruses and cysts.
- Algae, mold, fungus
- Dissolved Gasses. 95% removal of chlorine and chloramines and their byproducts by carbon filtration. Others barely changed.
- Added by treatment. Chlorine, chloramines. Byproducts after disinfecting DBPs, trihalomethane, chloroform
- Oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, radon (C)
- Radioactive materials. 90-96% removal by membrane rejection and porosity. Radium, uranium
Notes:
(A) Design must include at a minimum, pretreatment with 5-micron filtration and quality activated carbon plus a high-rejection polyamide membrane. If treated water is stored in an atmospheric tank, UV or ozone post tank is essential.
(B) Extremely harmful and seldom tested for. If the water source is from other than a deep well, assume present.
(C) Long-term exposure when in the air is deadly. Must be tested for on-site.
More and more frequently we see engineering input taking place in the medical field from robotic surgical machines to placing magnetically guided medicine filled vessels placed in the bloodstream to continually sending patient health status to a computer armed with Artificial Intelligence. Recently our company received a patent status for a system to treat water for Hemodialysis units.
In the last few years, we have applied our engineering skills to obtaining more healthful food. The sayings are “you are what you eat” and “food is medicine”. With an ever-growing percentage of people realizing this and putting family health into their own hands by growing their own nutritious vegetables in home gardens. We are aware of this and offer two products to make these foods even better. They are our GUARD’N GROW and ESF.
The GUARD’N GROW unit truly guards and improves plants. All edible plants deliver vitamins and minerals through consumption. These nutrients get into the plant via water. An important step in the process involves the minerals converting from their inorganic to organic forms making them more bioavailable to the plant and ultimately to the consumer. This is accomplished by the reaction of the nutrients in the soil with a host of living organisms also in the soil. Kill these organisms and both the plant and the consumer are robbed of nutrition. If watered with water containing chlorine which is found in 99% of municipal supplies, a percentage of the organisms dies with each watering. The GUARD’N GROW removes this damaging chlorine PLUS it removes trace heavy metals that could find their way into the food PLUS it acts as a biocide to kill unwanted bacteria in the source water. NOTHING is added to the water. This is a hose-end product that will treat up to 25,000 gallons. Refills and commercial systems are available.
As mentioned, water is the vehicle to get nutrients into the plant. The easier we make it for a plant to absorb the water, the more robust and nutritious the plant becomes. This can be accomplished by passing the water through our ESF unit. The ESF reduces the surface tension of water allowing it to travel more deeply and effectively into a plant. This is done via a catalytic/magnetic process that has no moving parts, no replacement cartridges and has a demonstrated service free life of over 20 years.
Never ones to stop improving and inventing, we are developing yet another product to enhance garden plants for greater size and nutrition. It will provide STRUCTURED WATER.
Vibrant Crystal is an under counter home reverse osmosis system. This is undoubtedly the most complete drinking water system available.
The story behind the product
We have a passion for water and are avid readers of the writings of geniuses in the fields of hydration, structuring, and chemistry such as Viktor Schauberger, F. Batmanghelidj, W.D. Holloway, M. J. Pangman, Dr. G. Pollack and many others. Their writings tell us to strip our water of everything including negative messages and then add bioavailable electrolytes for alkalinity and pH elevation before structuring and implanting new good messages. That we have accomplished with the following:
Product description and processes
– 5-micron filtration. First stage particulate filtration.
– Dual biocidal media cartridge for removal of chlorine, chloramines, organics and trace heavy metals.
– Special non-electric pump to increase the production and quality of the RO water and prevent storage quality loss.
– Custom reverse osmosis membrane. Eliminates 96% of everything dissolved in the water and filter to 0.0002u.
– Special non-electric pump to increase the production and quality of the RO water and prevent storage quality loss.
– Custom material to add carbonic acid to water. NOT a D.I. mixed resin. It further reduces water TDS.
– Addition of magnesium bicarbonate and molecular hydrogen to the water for alkalinity and pH elevation.
– Passage through multi neodymium magnetic fields to replicate passage through Earth’s magnetic fields.
– Storage in an inert bladder backed by air pressure to assure forceful faucet delivery.
– Cascading flow through a vortex chamber to erase negative messages.
– Flow-through hematite and selected crystals to impart positive energy frequencies.
– Final polish through special coconut based carbon for exquisite taste.
– Water quality meter and pressure gauge built-in.
Specifications
– Daily water production — 100 gallons based on <500 PPM water at 77 Deg. F
– Treated water storage — 2.6 gallons. 4.4 gallon nominal tank size
– Dimensions — Unit 19”H. x 16”W. x 5-1/2”D. Takes same space as traditional. Tank 11”D. x 14”H.
– Included items — 100% tested unit, tank, faucet, inlet valve with adapter, drain fittings, tubing, instructions
– Water pressure — 40 PSI min. / 85 PSI max.
– Water temperature — 100 Deg. F max.
– UPS / FedEx shippable — Yes. Single carton 30 lbs
WE INVITE YOU TO REVIEW OUR NO-CHEMICAL, NO SALT, NO DRAIN, NO ELECTRICITY WHOLE HOME AQUAFER TREATMENT UNITS FOR CHLORINE, CHLORAMINES AND HEAVY METALS REDUCTION AS WELL AS SCALE PREVENTION TO PROTECT PLUMBING. VIBRANT CRYSTAL COULD BE PERFECT FOR YOU. THE AQUAFER OFFERS TREATED WATER FOR LESS THAN $1 A DAY.
Having clean water isn’t enough when it comes to home use. A water filtration system will give people clean water, but that water can still have elements that make it hard for other uses. Hard water is still safe to drink, but not all that tasty and very difficult to clean with. Enter the water softener experts like Silkflow.
The water softener that we know and use today was first started in the1940’s. As technology improved–major changes in non-corrosive materials, meters, timer electronics, etc.-so too did the function and reliability of water softeners.
A water softener is a device that utilizes either sodium chloride (salt) or potassium chloride (also salt) to remove calcium and magnesium from water, replacing them with either sodium or potassium. The softening process is also effective at removing iron, manganese and other metals. The end result is softened water without all the hard minerals.
Water can have little to no naturally occurring calcium or magnesium present and sometimes it needs to be removed by an exterior process. These processes can include membranes, EDI, or CDI. It will still be soft water, even if those minerals are replenished.
Softened water does well with multiple applications and reacts better with soaps, shampoos and detergents than hard water. An added bonus is the elimination of the dreaded bathtub ring. Also, it prevents mineral scale formation in pipes and faucets. There are lots of benefits of softened water compared to hard water, but you can get some help from aquariuswaterconditioning.com if you’d like to learn more.
Vibrant Water manufactures a complete line of water softeners for commercial and home use. Small homes, large hotels, motels, hospitals and factories-Vibrant Water has the perfect water softener to suit all needs.
Through our advanced processes, our systems minimize the wastewater created as well as the salt needed for softening. The waste stream from a water softener typically contains chlorides, however, the EPA frowns on that process. In accordance with that regulation, some water districts will not install these. Drought-prone areas also impose limits on their use. To overcome these restrictions, Dime Water offers a wide variety of systems that use no salt or safer chemicals and with minimal waste water.
Dime Water has the right system for any water softening needs.
Water filtration is an all-inclusive term that can relate to dozens of processes and hundreds of process combinations. To make life easy we encourage you to first consider:
- How much water will you treat? If less than 200 gallons daily and/or flow rates less than 5 GPM cartridge systems may be viable alternatives to backwashing filters
- Are utilities available? Is there electrical power and a drain in reasonably close proximity to the installation point. Also, be aware of sewer discharge regulations and costs
- Handling of chemicals? Weight of regenerating chemicals and treatment location may make chemical use impractical. Also, be aware of toxicity and corrosivity issues. If this is the case it may be beneficial to read an expert guide or install safety measures for this process
- Physical size and clearances. As examples cartridge replacement requires easy access and removal clearance and UV lamp replacement needs axial clearance for annual lamp replacement
- Maintenance cost. Generally, the cost goes up with complexity. Automatic valves have parts that wear and break. Multiple units in series require more TLC than a single multi-function unit
- Wire cloth and industrial wire mesh are two of the most basic yet critical materials used in water treatment. If you are planning to start a water treatment plant or any type of treatment plant, you may want to look into the work of companies like Newark Wire Cloth Company, which can provide both custom and standard products like woven wire mesh
Dime builds all types and sizes of water filtration equipment and wants to help customers get it right.
Thank you for helping us better identify the water filtration system that best suits your needs. Based on your input we have determined that the DRO-100HE Plus is the perfect solution for your water filtration needs. Below is a quick video explaining the benefits of using the DRO-100HE Plus. A member of our team will contact you shortly. If you would like to speak with a member of our team now you can contact us at (760) 734-5787
DRO-100 HE PLUS: a brand new all-inclusive under the counter drinking water system is now available from Dime Water, Inc.
This new system is constructed to not only reduce all known water contaminants by 90% or higher but also adds healthy benefits to the water that you drink. Using reverse osmosis, this new system provides cleaner water for drinking, beverages you prepare such as coffee, tea, and foods, like soup for example.
After the reverse osmosis process, our new system utilizes a custom cartridge that allows three important things to occur to further improve your water.
First, pH levels are adjusted to the alkalinity level you prefer ranging from neutral of 7 to over 8.5 depending on the raw water chemistry.
Second, the vital to life electrolytes calcium and magnesium are added to the water from natural sources as well as enhanced taste.
Finally, the DRO-100 HE PLUS stands apart from other filtrations systems by adding molecular hydrogen to the water as a therapeutic antioxidant. A publication in the 2016 National Institute of Health by Dr. Lei Huang, M.D. talks about the health benefits of cleansing the human body of oxidants at a cellular level. A measurable negative ORP of the treated water confirms the antioxidant properties of our water.
All of this is accomplished with the most efficient recovery of treated water available at 76%. This reduction of wasted water is critical to the environment as is the elimination of plastic bottles now that the water is treated in the home.
And did we mention the super production capacity of the DRO-100 HE PLUS is 100 gallons per day! This virtually guarantees you’ll never run out of this delicious & healthy water.
There is a difference between watercolor and tap water color. The first is a type of painting. The second is something you don’t want to see when you turn on a faucet in your house.
The answer to the question posed by this blog’s title – what color is your water? – should be ‘none.’ Your water should be clear. If it’s not, it probably isn’t going to taste as good, and it may be doing damage to your plumbing.
It could be the exact opposite too. Faulty and rusted pipes in residential buildings are notorious for contaminating the water supply. To solve the problem of rusty pipes, you could try this trusted Chicago plumber, if not for one who operates closer to you.
Remember, you need to have top-notch plumbing in your home to ensure a steady supply of clean water. In addition to that, you should do some groundwork to find out where you’re getting your water supply from, and how it is treated before it reaches your home.
This is important because certain supplies may not have the filtration systems to completely remove toxins and other similar contaminants. Such cases would require you to take an extra step and install a filter and a water softener if you want water that is free of chemicals and heavy metals.
So, let’s move on to what can affect the color and taste of the water that comes out of the taps in your house. Does your water have a slightly yellow or grey coloring? That is likely caused by iron or manganese. It’s not dangerous, but it’s not something you ever want to see.
Does your water have a slightly yellow or gray coloring? That is likely caused by iron or manganese. It’s not dangerous, but it’s not something you ever want to see.
Is it red or brown? This can happen with older homes that are still using their original iron pipes, which are subject to rust. It’s also a sign that those pipes may not have many good days left. In this case, it would be a smart move to get a Residential Plumber to replace it as soon as possible. It’s vital to act quickly, because the high iron content in the water could affect your health and cause skin irritation, hair loss, allergies, and more.
A blue or green tint in your water or fixtures is a sign of copper pipes corrosion that may need attention. For some of these challenges, you’ll need the help of a plumber. Don’t attempt to try and repair the pipes yourself as you may end up doing more harm than good. You might end up racking a bill that would be cheap if you let it be. So, leave it to the professionals if you’re unsure!
But for the most common tap water color issues, there are steps you can take to restore the clean, healthy look and taste of your drinking water.
You’ll find several of those options on our website: Filtration and reverse osmosis systems that reduce dirt and rust; water conditioners that remove contaminants such as iron and manganese from your municipal water supply; water softeners that prevent chemical deposits. Contact us for help in deciding which solution is best for you.
Bottled Water Cost
Americans will spend $16 billion on bottled water this year. Think about it – millions of us every day will go out and pay to get something that is more or less the same as what comes out of our kitchen faucet.
Of course, it’s that ‘more or less’ detail that makes all the difference.
Bottled water, whether it is labeled as artesian, mineral or spring water, is regulated by the FDA and must meet that organization’s water quality standards. That gives us a sense of confidence that this water is healthier and safer, and it usually tastes better too.
But what if you could achieve those same levels of quality and taste in your tap water? How much money would that add back into your family’s budget?
Is It Just Tap Water?
Believe it or not, even if you buy water from the store you may be drinking someone’s tap water anyway. Pictures of mountains and glaciers on bottle labels help consumers to visualize the purity of a clear stream in the reverse osmosisckies, but that doesn’t mean that is where the contents originated.
Those brands that do put more effort into their product will filter water using reverse osmosis, which removes impurities and particles larger than .001 microns. But that is something you can do as well.
Dimewater Inc. offers several reverse osmosis systems that remove bacteria, pyrogens, viruses, pesticides, dissolved solids, sulfates, radioactive contaminants, pharmaceuticals, and other harmful particles from your water. Choose from our standard product line of reverse osmosis systems or choose to utilize our in-house engineering team to design a custom engineered system based upon your needs.
Call us at 760.734.5787 and get in touch with one of our water experts today.
Swiss food giant Nestlé might be forced to shut down its water bottling plants after Eddie Kurtz, the executive director of the California-based Courage Campaign has petitioned the California Water Resources Control Board regarding Nestlé’s water consumption. The company (as well as many others) is using the bottled water industry to bottle for profit water that they pipe from public lands, pump from the desert and draw from municipal water supplies.
While citizens are asked to watch and reduce their own water consumption, the company’s 5 bottled water plants and 4 food factories in the state collectively consume about 1 billion gallons of water each year, which amounts to 0.008% of the 13 trillion gallons of annual water use in the state. However, a shutdown of operations in California will not fix the drought, as Nestlé explained on their website.
Bottled Water Industry and Water Use
Despite the bottled water industry’s size, the amount of water used is relatively tiny compared to tap water volumes. According to the UCLA Institute for Environment and Sustainability, at almost 80%, agriculture is the largest user of water in the state, followed by urban residential use at 13%. Have you ever wondered what the water footprint of products we purchase is? High water use can also be less obvious. For example:
- 1 pound of beef – 1,799 gallons
- 1 pound of chicken – 468 gallons
- 1 ounce of chocolate bar – 200 gallons
- 1 pound of potatoes – 119 gallons
- 1 egg – 53 gallons
- 1 apple – 18 gallons
- 1 slice of bread – 11 gallons
Bottled water is a very efficient water user, as 100% of it is intended for human consumption. Conversely, only about 2% of tap water is used for human consumption, according to the International Bottled Water Association. Drinking bottled water is a healthy choice, reducing the overall beverage environmental footprint and keeping people away from unhealthy soft drink consumption. Also, bottled water is comprehensively regulated by the FDA, which has regulations governing the safety and quality of bottled water at least as stringent as the EPA standards for tap water.
How Is Bottled Water Made?
Many bottled water companies use public water sources for their purified bottled water products, thus supporting a strong public water system, which is important for providing people with safe drinking water. Many people believe that purified bottled water is just plain tap water in a bottle, but, once the water enters the bottling plant, there are several processes employed to ensure the water meets the FDA purified water standard. Bottled water treatments may employ one or more of the following processes:
- reverse osmosis
- distillation
- micro-filtration
- carbon filtration
- ozonation
- UV light treatment
The finished water product is then placed in a bottle under sanitary conditions and sold. In an era where more and more people are concerned about their water quality, an excellent business to consider is a water store. Dime Water Inc. provides a range of water store/water bottling units and we build them in a variety of different sizes, anywhere from 1000 gallons a day up to 100.000 gallons a day. Call us today at 760.734.5787 for specifics.
Resources:
- http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/california-drought/ban-bottled-water-industry-scrutinized-parched-california-n357256
- http://www.bottledwater.org/
- http://www.bottledwater.org/california-drought
- http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/BuyStoreServeSafeFood/ucm077079.htm
CamelBak All Clear™: Purified Water
CamelBak was an idea born from one of the most basic human need: thirst. Hands-free hydration was born in 1988 when bicycle enthusiast Michael Edison was competing in a 100-mile race and decided to fill an IV bag with purified water and slip it into a white tube sock. He stuffed the “contraption” into the back of his jersey, throwed the thin hose over his shoulder and clamped it with a clothespin.
Since then, CamelBak came a long way from an IV bag in a tube sock sold by a motorcycle-driven sales force of one, to being the world’s leading maker of hydration solutions. Today, they offer a wide range of products, from bike/outdoor/running/winter packs, to bottles, travel mugs, filtration and purification systems, various accessories and bottle parts.
For all outdoor enthusiasts and people who want clean drinking water on the go, CamelBak released its All Clear™ bottle equipped with a powerful new UV purification system. The proven UV technology turns any tap or clear natural water into potable drinking water in just 60 seconds!
The bottle has rechargeable lithium ion batteries included that deliver 80+ cycles on a single charge, so the user will have drinkable water day after day when outside. Thus, CamelBak’s All Clear™ bottle is perfect for aid workers, international travel and backcountry travel alike.
How Does All Clear™ Work?
Fast, versatile and easy to use, CamelBak’s bottle effectively neutralizes microbiological contaminants without introducing chemicals and purifies water not only to stringent EPA standards, but to CamelBak’s standards of safety and performance too. Reducing bacteria by 99.9999%, viruses by 99.99% and protozoan cysts by 99.9%, the bottle integrates powerful UV technology into an energy-efficient cap, delivering optimum UV exposure at the press of a button.
The shock-resistant cap is fitted with an energy-efficient bulb that lasts 10,000 cycles, allowing the user to treat 80 cycles or 16 gallons with each charge. The bulb is insulated, which makes it possible to retain efficacy even with exposure to cold water temperatures down to 39°F. And last, an LCD screen provides clear read-outs, which makes it even more simple.
CamelBak Water Bottle Features
- Portable purification system is built into your water bottle.
- Utilizes proven UV technology to effectively neutralize microbiological contaminants.
- Treats 80 cycles or 16 gallons with each charge.
- Impact and weather-resistant cap insulates UV bulb for effective purification every time.
- LCD screen verifies success.
- Fill from taps, streams, spigots and more.
- 100% Free of BPA and BPS.
- CamelBak® Got Your Bak™ Guarantee.
Specifications
- Hydration Capacity: 25 oz / .75 L
- Total Weight: 1 lb 1 oz
- Bottle Material: BPA-Free Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester
- Cap Material: BPA-Free Polypropylene
- Bite Valve Material: N/A
The All Clear™ bulb is engineered to last 10,000 cycles, which is approximately the equivalent of 3 bottles a day, every day for 9 years! After that point, the All Clear™ is programmed to automatically cease operation. With CamelBak’s bottle, you can forget the traditional methods for water purification, time-consuming procedures, iodine treatments and unpleasant after-taste.
Non-Chemical Treatment Systems for Your Home
Safe drinking water is not only needed during long treks in the wilderness, but also in every home. Nowadays, many filtration processes are accomplished without the use of chemicals. Dime Water Inc. has gone beyond that point by developing and patenting various water treatment systems that keep bacteria and other harmful microorganisms under control.
Our UV water bacteria control systems are cost effective, easy to install, do not use any chemicals for water treatment and prevent the multiplying of organisms due to the disruption of their DNA/RNA. From a practical standpoint, there is probably nothing better than UV water treatment systems. To learn more about our UV systems, call us today at 760.734.5787 and get in touch with one of our engineers.
Resources:
- http://www.geek.com/news/camelbak-all-clear-bottle-purifies-water-in-60-seconds-1468095/
- http://www.camelbak.com/en/Sports-Recreation/Purification/Intro.aspx
Water Shortage Solution
As the state and northern region grows, Colorado faces a water shortage as the population grows and becomes more and more dependent upon a limited resource. Inaction could lead the communities being stranded in a dry river with only a paddle if the population does not identify new sources.
Of high importance is also the need for conserving the existing supply as possible. In tandem with other efforts, the Northern Integrated Water Supply project is key to solving Colorado’s water problem. The population of Colorado is expected to double to 10 million by 2050 and the growth rates in Fort Collins and Larimer are expected to mirror that of the state.
With Growth Comes a Need for Water
Conservation efforts in Northern Colorado are working, according to the city’s 2013 water conservation report. In an 11-year period, from 2002 to 2013, the water use per person in Fort Collins was reduced from 183 gallons per day to 141. This multi-faceted water conservation program is based on public education, incentives, assessments and enforcement, being guided by the Water Conservation Plan.
The WCP set a goal of 140 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by 2020. The incremental target to reach this goal was 149 gpcd for 2013 and the average demand (adjusted for weather) in 2013 was 147 gpcd.
The Northern Water agency would like to build 2 reservoirs, pipelines and water pumping stations to help secure the region’s water source. Their project is estimated to cost around $500 million and has been named the Northern Integrated Supply Project, or NISP. Although the idea of this project was conceived long ago, it has long been a source of conflict.
NISP would supply customers, rural or urban, with approximately 40,000 acre-feet (or more) of new, reliable water supply each year through pumping stations, pipelines and 2 new reservoirs at Glade (which will be built northwest of Fort Collins) and Galeton, northeast of Greeley. The amount of water will be slightly larger than the Horsetooth Reservoir.
Northern Water is set to receive a long-awaited report from the Army Corps of Engineers later this year. However, the statement has been postponed at least twice and the study will probably not be released until spring 2015, according to Northern Water spokesman Brian Werner. Colorado might not have a lifetime to wait for more water, according to draft versions of the Colorado Water Plan completed this summer.
The state is on track to be short 500,000 acre-feet of water by 2050, enough to cover half a million football fields in one foot of water. The Fort Collins-Loveland Water Conservation District has already passed its water shortage date and by 2005, the district was short 1,100 acre-feet of water, an amount that could grow to 7,500 acre-feet by 2050, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
Saving Water at Home
Considering the situation in Colorado, we could all take notes on how we could better save water in our own homes, as California is facing its worst drought in the last years. Click on the image below to read more than 200 water-saving tips!
Since the world has become more “green” aware, products offering to save water are flooding the market. WaterSense-labeled products used in your home, yard or business can help you save and protect the environment with just a few simple steps.
These products included in the EPA WaterSense Partnership program have been certified to be at least 20% more efficient without sacrificing performance. Call us at 760.734.5787 and get in touch with one of our water experts today to learn more about how you can save gallons of water in your household!
Resources:
- https://www.coloradoan.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/01/25/northern-integrated-supply-project-key-solving-region-state-water-problem/22164815/
- https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/local/2014/11/08/plan-massive-new-reservoir-delayed/18748323/
- https://www.northernwater.org/
- https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/img/site_specific/uploads/2013_Water_Conservation_Annual_Report_2.pdf
- https://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve-water/?view=list
So, you’ve gone to an inground swimming pool builder and had a luxury pool installed in your backyard… what now?
Making sure your pool stays clean and safe is always a priority, from pool barrier checks melbourne to making sure there is adequate signage for potential slips. Preventing dangerous bacteria from thriving in your pool is also a major health and safety concern and this often means the use of harsh water conditioners which can also cause health problems. And, if you happen to have an inverter swimming pool heat pump, make sure that you provide the necessary care to it along with other concerns. However, for now, there is another option that we will talk about in this article and that is water filtration.
Many filtration processes are accomplished without the use of chemicals. Dime Water Inc. has gone beyond that point and we utilize processes which replace traditional water conditioners that use chemicals such as salt, chlorine, potassium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, and others. So, if you have a pool already installed, or you are looking at a free-standing pool from somewhere like BNCPOOLS.COM, we have a new filtrations system for you. We use an ozone water treatment system for pool owners to help keep their water clean. Pool owners are often facing issues related to water sanitizing, and non-chemical treatment solutions for keeping their water clean.
In a world that is under constant pressure from chemical contamination, it is vitally important to eliminate as many pollutants as possible. Pool water quality can be drastically improved and costs can be saved on the long term if you apply ozone for swimming pool water treatment.
What Is Ozone?
Ozone is sometimes called “activated oxygen” and contains 3 atoms of oxygen, rather than the 2 atoms we normally breathe. Other interesting facts about ozone include the following:
- ozone is the second most powerful sterilant
- it can be used to destroy bacteria, viruses, and odors
- it is a pungent gas created naturally in the earth’s upper atmosphere by the action of ultraviolet sunlight on oxygen molecules
- ozone can also be produced by sending air through a chamber radiated by intense ultraviolet light
- ozone can be created for water treatment or other purposes by sending air through a special chamber containing a high-voltage spark; this creates a blue plasma corona
- being short-lived, ozone readily decays back to normal oxygen
Ozone Disinfection Mechanism
Due to the ozone’s high oxidation potential, cell components of the bacterial cell wall are oxidized. Once ozone has penetrated the cell wall, it oxidizes all of the cell’s essential components, such as enzymes, proteins, DNA and RNA. When the cellular membrane is damaged during this process, the cell will fall apart, a process called lysis. This mechanism differs from that of halogens, such as chlorine, which is known to penetrate cells by diffusion.
Ozone is capable of destroying all cysts, fungus, viral agents and bacteria INSTANTLY, whereas, chlorine is not effective in destroying protozoa cysts. If you are using chlorine, it may take 30-60 minutes to destroy bacteria or other agents. Ozone is much more capable of penetrating and destroying bio-films in distribution systems and water wells than chlorine.
Swimming Pool Water Pollutants
A bit hard to believe, swimming pool water pollution is mainly caused by swimmers. Each swimmer carries a large number of microorganisms and many of these microorganisms may be pathogenic. This dynamic pollution is dependent on the number and types of swimmers, but generally, swimming pool pollutants can be divided up into 3 categories:
- dissolved pollutants: can consist of urine, sweat, eye fluids and saliva; when these compounds react with chlorine in swimming pool water, the incomplete oxidation can cause chloramine formation
- microorganisms
- undissolved pollutants: mainly consist of visible floating particles, such as hairs and skin flakes, but also of colloidal particles, such as skin tissues and soap remains.
Ozone is very suitable for swimming pool water treatment; however, because of its strong oxidation and disinfection mechanism, ozone is only permitted for use as a supplementary measure.
Dime Water Inc.’s Ozone Water Treatment Systems
Ozone is probably the most effective source of oxidizing that we have in our “arsenal” for killing bacteria or oxidizing iron. Its reaction time with bacteria and oxidizing iron and manganese can be measured in just seconds; it takes place rapidly and very effectively. The beauty of the light approach with the UV is that you do not have to pre-treat the air for moisture and you got a pretty good predicted life, typically the bulb will last one year before replacement, which is an economical approach to produce ozone. See our ozone water treatment units.
If you are a pool owner and are concerned about the harmful effects of chlorine in your pool water, call us at 760.734.5787 and get in touch with one of our water experts today!
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Many people tend to imagine that purity is the ultimate indicator of the quality of drinking water. However, 100% ultra-pure water is not good for our health because water (H2O) purely comprised of hydrogen and oxygen does not provide our body with the natural electrolytes and salts that we need to survive.
Truly pure water does not exist in the natural world! You can take water from the purest springs and lakes, and analyze a sample and you would still find small amounts of dissolved minerals, such as sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride.
What Is Pure Water?
To better understand pure water, we need to clarify terminology. Ions, or electrolytes, are formed when minerals dissolve in water. You may have heard about the importance of electrolytes in our bodies, which are essential for transmitting electrical impulses along nerves and for muscle contraction, allowing all our “bioelectrical” functions to work properly. So, maintaining the correct concentrations of these ions in and outside cells in the body is important for our health and well-being.
Drinking plenty of pure water not only does not provide you with these essential electrolytes, but it also tries to “rob” you of the ones already in your body, creating a possible fatal imbalance.
Is Pure Water Harmful to Our Health?
Actual information concerning the health effects on the human body is hard to come by, but there is a plethora of opinions on this matter, including scientists and medical professionals who take strong positions on both sides of this issue. Purified water is an active absorber – when it comes into contact with air, it absorbs carbon dioxide, making itself acidic.
The more purified water a person drinks, the higher the body acidity becomes. Being essentially mineral-free, pure water is very aggressive, tending to dissolve substances with which it is in contact. Ultra-pure water will even strip the copper off the inside of a pipe, to understand just how aggressive it can be. However, as pure water enters the mouth, it mixes with our natural fluids and ceases to be aggressive.
People consume many commercial beverages and soft drinks that are made from purified water. There have been a number of studies, which have consistently shown that heavy consumers of soft drinks (with or without sugar) spill huge amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals into the urine. This has been linked to a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and a long list of degenerative diseases, generally associated with premature aging.
Purified water is extremely soft. There is a correlation between the consumption of soft water and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Development of mineral deficiencies and an acid state can appear the longer one drinks pure water and if one consumes purified water exclusively. Even if you supplement your purified or distilled water intake with trace minerals, you will still be inadequately nourished in minerals considering other non-purified water drinking people. If this is something you were completely unaware of, and have been drinking pure water for quite some time now, it is high time you stop this practice. And it would also be advisable to get yourself checked for any mineral deficiency and your heart health examined for any cardiovascular problems (websites similar to https://cvgcares.com/ could be helpful in this regard).
Because purified water tends to be acidic, it can only be recommended as a way of drawing poisons out of the body, or for short-term detox treatments. Once this is accomplished, continuing to drink purified water is generally a bad idea.
Call us at 760.734.5787 and get in touch with one of our water experts today!
Water Ionizers: Process Explained
Water ionizers claim to produce “pure alkaline water”, but it is extremely unlikely this “pure alkaline water” would have any effect on health. Because the pH of blood is tightly regulated at about 7.4, alkaline water would not have any effect on blood pH, nor would it be desirable to alter blood pH.
A water ionizer is a device where you pass in an electric current through water and when you do that, water will break apart. Instead of being H2O, it will break into an ion of Hydrogen and an ion of Hydroxyl, which is OH. The Hydrogen portion will make water quite acidic and the Hydroxyl portion will make water on that side basic. So, it is just a way of breaking water apart and ending up with two water sources or two water samples, one with a low pH and one with a high pH.
“Ionized water” is an essentially meaningless term. Water can contain dissolved ions (electrically-charged atoms or molecules) and almost all water found in nature acquires ions such as bicarbonate and calcium as it comes into contact with reverse osmosiscks and sediments. Pure water consists almost entirely of H2O molecules, which are loosely bound in a network-like structure in which individual molecules are constantly changing partners.
These water molecules do exhibit a very slight tendency to dissociate (ionize) into Hydrogen and Hydroxide ions. Because the reverse of this reaction is much more rapid, the extent of this reaction is severely limited and only about 2 out of every billion water molecules is dissociated. No electrical device or chemical additive is capable of increasing these ion concentrations in pure water above these levels.
Ionization Advantages and Disadvantages
In my opinion, “ionized water” is nothing more than sales fiction. The claims about the health benefits of drinking alkaline water are not supported by credible scientific evidence. Pure water can never be alkaline or acidic, nor can it be made so by electrolysis. Alas, there are many websites and companies with emphasize on the importance of drinking ionized and the health benefits it provides for those who want to achieve better health. Some of these advantages include:
- ionized water is up to 6 times more hydrating than conventional water
- ionized water improves cellular hydration
- ionized water acts a a powerful antioxidant
- ionized water restores the body’s pH balance
- ionized water improves the taste and quality of food
The disadvantages of alkaline water include:
- the cost
- there are no official studies to verify the validity of the claims deeming it pure and safe to drink
- it is an overpriced version of the water available on tap in nearly every American home
Purified water is a must not only for human consumption but for a variety of other purposes, including meeting the requirements of medical, pharmacological, chemical and industrial applications. Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from contaminated water, with the sole goal of producing water that fits a specific purpose.
In general, the methods used to purify water include:
- physical processes (filtration, sedimentation, distillation)
- biological processes (slow sand filters, biologically active carbon)
- chemical processes (flocculation, chlorination)
- electromagnetic radiation processes (ultraviolet light)
Sometimes, the general public hardly distinguishes scientific fact from pseudoscientific hype when the two are closely intertwined and when the public lacks the scientific background to do so. Many of the clinical uses of ionized water are done in Japan and Korea, where water ionizers are certified by the Korean and Japanese Ministries of Health as approved medical devices. They have been using them for over 40 years but they do not follow the same guidelines as the United States for testing.
To conclude, I hope that these two blogs have shed a little more light on water ionizers and deionzers, the processes they involve and the pros and cons of owning one of these water treatment devices.
Water Deionizers: Process Explained
There are many ways to deionize water, some are small and simple, while others are large and complex. The method used will be determined considering the volume of water deionizers and the desired purity. Deionization or ion exchange is a rapid and reversible process, in which impurity ions present in the water are replaced by ions released by an ion-exchange resin. Ion exchange resin has an attraction for dissolved inorganics, which are typically about 95% of known water contaminants.
The resin must be periodically regenerated to restore it to the original ionic form. There are 2 basic types of resin:
- cation-exchange resins – release Hydrogen (H+) ions or other positively-charged ions in exchange for impurity cations
- anion-exchange resins – release Hydroxyl (OH-) ions or other negatively-charged ions in exchange for impurity anions
Calcium and Magnesium ions are removed when the water passes through the first ion exchange material. The exchange material releases its Hydrogen ions on a chemically-equivalent basis as metallic ions in the water affix themselves to the exchange material. A Sodium ion (Na+) displaces one Hydrogen ion (H+), a Calcium ion (Ca++) displaces 2 Hydrogen ions and a Ferric ion (Fe+++) displaces 3 Hydrogen ions and so on.
The solution will become very acid as a result of a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions, and, at this point, the deionizaion process is only half complete. Water now contains positive Hydrogen ions and the anions originally in the water before treatment. The partially treated water will flow through a second unit with anion exchange material, which consists of replaceable Hydroxyl anions and fixed irreplaceable cations.
The negative ions in solution (anions) will be absorbed into the anion exchange material, which releases Hydroxyl anions. The result of the entire process will be ion-free water, which contains:
- positive Hydrogen ions released in the initial exchange
- negative Hydroxyl ions released in the second exchange
Now, through their combination, these ions have produced water molecules, which are not different in any ways from the water in which they were produced. This two-stage ion exchange process results in mineral-free water.
Deionization Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of deionization include:
- removes over 98% of contaminants
- no wasted water
- no need for electricity
- fast flow rate
- no need for a storage tank
- relatively inexpensive initial capital investment
- regenerable (service deionization)
Purified water is a must not only for human consumption but for a variety of other purposes, including meeting the requirements of medical, pharmacological, chemical and industrial applications.
Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from contaminated water, with the sole goal of producing water that fits a specific purpose.
Distilled water and deionized (DI) water are the most common forms of purified water. The first order of business is to determine what is meant by high purity for the proposed application. We must also consider suspended solids, dissolved solids, dissolved gases, organics, and the biology of the water. A few of the most common uses of distilled water are aquariums, laboratory experiments, steam irons, and car cooling systems. It is not uncommon for companies such as Golyath distilled water to promote their products for commercial purposes as well.
In general, the methods used to purify water include:
- physical processes (filtration, sedimentation, distillation)
- biological processes (slow sand filters, biologically active carbon)
- chemical processes (flocculation, chlorination)
- electromagnetic radiation processes (ultraviolet light)
If it is used in combination with activated carbon, deionization can remove organic chemicals and parasites, and can protect the resin from chlorine. The limitations of this process involve a diminished capacity when used on water supplies with a high mineral content.
Also, it does not effectively remove particles, pyrogens or bacteria. If the resin is not regenerated at proper intervals, contaminants can return to the water. Deionization beds can generate resin particles and culture bacteria over time. It also has high operating costs in the long run.
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Alkaline water is commonly known as ionized water and has a pH level greater than 7. Many people believe that alkaline water features a number of health benefits. It is generally produced with the aid of a faucet-based water ionizer, or alkalizer. Alkaline means you have a low number of Hydrogen ions in the water and a higher number of either Bicarbonate or Carbonate, or Hydroxyl ions, which contribute to a higher pH and thus the definition of “alkaline”.
5 Apparent Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water
If you read articles on the physiology of the body you will find that once something of a different pH hits the back of your throat, your body will be aware of it. For instance, if you take something that has a high pH or alkaline, your body will sense it almost immediately. However, once the body senses it, it wants to protect the low pH or acid environment of your stomach, by pumping extra acid in the stomach to neutralize that elevated pH. There are 5 benefits to alkaline water that alkaline water supporters believe in:
- better hydration
- detoxifies your body
- works as an antioxidant
- effective disease protection
- protects bone, tissue and teeth
The only advantage of drinking alkaline water I can think of is that it causes a placebo effect to those who consume it, triggering the reaction of drinking more water and less dehydrating material such as coffee or alcohol. Just the very fact that you are finally hydrating with water and getting rid of sodas and coffee, you are going to feel better.
A Cheaper Way to Make Alkaline Water
In my estimation, if you want to make alkaline water, just take a good, high quality reverse osmosis system, produce water that has little to no mineral content to it and add a pinch of baking soda. For low cost, you will have the high purity water and you have the alkaline, if that is what you desire.
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Bottled water has been a subject of high interest in the latest years. Bottled water is healthy water, or so marketers would have us believe with labels and ads showing deep, pristine pools of spring water, mountain peaks and healthy, active people consuming bottled water during their workouts.
The truth is bottled water is just water and in terms of sustainability, it is a dry well. There are about 50 billion water bottles consumed each year and about 30 billion of them consumed in the US, which means we consume reverse osmosisughly 60% of the world’s water bottles.
1,500 bottles are consumed per second in the US and 9.1 billion gallons were sold in 2011, which is 29.1 gallons per person, the highest in sales and volume in history!
There are many reasons why you should stop buying bottled water. Here are the top 5 reasons!
1. Environmentally Unfriendly
The bottled water industry and our addiction to drinking this water contributes greatly to global pollution, despite well-intentioned recycling campaigns. About 85% of PET bottles are either thrown away or end up in the oceans, posing a threat to marine life. Also, the production of bottled water used the equivalent of 17 million barrels of oil, releasing more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2006.
2. Too Expensive
Municipal water costs about 1 cent per gallon. Saying you buy a 20 ounce name brand for $1, that works out to 5 cents an ounce! Bottled water can cost 500 to 3,000 times more than tap water and shockingly, most bottled water is simply just filtered tap water. Some companies filter or radiate the tap water with UV light before selling it to you at several thousand times the cost of municipal tap water. Think twice before buying this glorified tap water!
3. Poor Quality
You should be aware that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict guidelines for tap water but does not oversee bottled water regulations. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has weaker regulations and applies the EPA’s regulations only selectively to bottled water. They inspect bottled water only if it crosses state lines, but approximately 70% of it never does,making it exempt from FDA oversight.
4. Harmful Bacteria
A study conducted by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which involved testing more than 1,000 water bottles, including 103 bottled water brands, revealed that a third of the brands contained arsenic, bacteria and synthetic organics exceeding allowable limits. Also, Canada’s C-rest laboratories in Montreal found high levels of heterotrophic bacteria in 70% of the dozen bottled water they tested.
These bacteria can be pathogenic and can cause infectious diseases like E. coli. According to the US Pharmacopoeia, heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water should not exceed 500 colony-forming units (CFUs) per millimeter. The highest recorded level from the sample was 80,000 CFUs per millimeter!
5. Plastic Chemicals
Plastic is not just bad for the planet, it is not good for us either. Most small 16-20 oz bottled waters are made from polyethylene terephtalate (PET), which are known to leach harmful plastic chemicals and hormone disruptors into the water. A study conducted in 2000 found that 8 out of 10 large 5-gallon jugs tested left the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) in the water, which has been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, reproductive development disorders and diabetes. Leaching of plastic chemicals increases with age and heat, so storing bottled water is not a good idea.
Alternatives to Bottled Water
Before you choose pure hype over pure water, you should be aware of the alternatives to bottled water. Tap water and home water purification systems are cheaper and healthier alternatives in the long run. Tap water is regularly tested for bacteria and toxins, falling under the jurisdiction of the EPA. Chlorine, chloramines, and fluoride are reverse osmosisutinely added to tap water and water contamination can occur at a thousand different entry points during the trip from the water plant to your home. Thus, every family should seriously consider installing a water purification system in their home for drinking water.
Water purity could be a cause for concern as Each year, it is estimated that contaminated drinking water causes 485,000 deaths. With the high risk of contamination, water treatment techniques should be utilized in households. As essential water might be to all, it would be equally essential to drink clean, drinking water. This is where reverse osmosis systems come in handy, being a great water purification choice as they produce an unlimited amount of ultra-pure drinking water, all from the comfort of your own home. Reverse osmosis removes up to 99% of bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, organics, and radioactive pollution, producing delicious and fresh drinking water at a fraction of the price of bottled water.
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What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is water that has a pH above the neutral value of 7.0. This elevated pH may occur naturally or by the addition of a mineral salt with an anion component such as hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate. One popular approach is to apply a DC voltage to the water with electrodes separated by a membrane. The water molecule of H2O is split into H + OH. The water on the side of the membrane with the electrode producing the OH or hydroxide radical becomes the water with a temporarily higher pH and is to be consumed for good health.
What Level of pH Is Desired?
Requests and product performance claims vary greatly within a range of 8.5 to 10.5 with little or no published information validating one pH level being best. Some municipal water sources have increased their pH levels to the mid 8′s to prevent corrosion in pipe lines so many people are receiving alkaline water without knowing it. If on a municipal supply it may be worth contacting the water department before spending money. A pinch of baking soda or a few drops of milk of magnesia in a glass of water is a reverse osmosisute many people are taking.
Does it Improve One’s Health?
Other than testimonials there doesn’t seem to be any serious blind studies. Intuitively if someone takes the time and spends the money for water treatment they will drink more water thus hydrating and displace the consumption of sodas, coffee and juices, which have harmful ingredients. Add to that the time tested placebo effect and I’m certain that there are positive results regardless of the pH component.
Claims and testimonials are almost endless on the positive effects of such water on the human body by curing or preventing a host of maladies.
