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To maximize their retirement and/or entertainment dollars, many US and Canadian citizens select Mexico or a Central American country such as Costa Rica for full time or part time living.   In addition to the lower cost of living, many parts of these countries offer heavenly weather, beautiful beaches, breathtaking views and great sport fishing.  Left out of most benefit discussions is household water.

Most Mexican and Central American water systems are significantly different from what North Americans are familiar with.  First, local regulations and inspections for safety are often lax or missing.  Second, most sources deliver low flow, low pressure water to individual facility storage tanks called cisterns that can expose the water to additional contamination.  Third, many of the water distribution systems are overtaxed and in need of repair thus causing entrance points for even more contamination.  The overall potential for water issues confirmed by laboratory testing are bacteria, viruses, cysts, discoloration, insecticides, pesticides, waste chemicals, hardness, tastes and odors sometimes attributed to extremely high chlorine levels.

What to do?  We often get requests for whole home reverse osmosis system from US and Canadian property owners in Mexico and Costa Rica.  This is the Ideal solution and we have provided some.  However, because of size, cost, power consumption, waste water, installation issues and future service, interest soon wanes.  To address all of these problems, we developed the ESF PLUS in the early 2000’s. This compact, wall mounted, easy to install system treats every drop of water in a facility and provides safe, clear, soft feeling water at a fraction of the cost of a whole house reverse osmosis system with no salt or chemical used.

The World needs Fluoride and that’s why it is here as one of the most prevalent 15 minerals. In nature it exists primarily as hard, slowly dissolving calcium fluoride (CaF₂). As low pH rain water passes through the ground causing it to dissolve the water hardness and fluoride concentration both increase in ground water (well water). Likewise, rain runoff across exposed calcium fluoride adds hardness and fluoride to surface water (rivers, lakes, streams). In most of the world the net amount in water of naturally occurring fluoride is in the 0.3 mg/l range. The notable exceptions are parts of Russia and India where because of the high concentrations of calcium fluoride, water contains beyond 10 mg/l.

In the lower concentrations, fluoride in soil and water is classified as a micro-nutrient that contributes to plant growth and, in humans, healthier, cavity-free teeth and stronger bones. As WWII ramped up, it is rumored that dentists could accurately predict draftees from certain cities because of excellent teeth— one being Green Bay, WI. Fluoride from plants and water gravitates toward calcium in humans thus its ultimate effect on teeth and bones.

If fluoride concentrations are too high, plants and humans accumulate it. Humans absorb 80% of fluoride ingested and 50% of that migrates to teeth and bones with the balance eliminated through urine. Plants simply store it and tea leaves probably store more than any other edible plants.

Most fluoride is used in industrial processes and waste from the processes is converted to Hexaflurosilicic acid (F6H2Si) that dissociates in water to 6F^– + SiO2 + 4H⁺. This acid is the primary additive used by municipalities along with sodium fluorosilicate or sodium fluoride to increase drinking water natural fluoride to approximately 1 mg/l based on the dental profession’s recommendations for healthy teeth. This added fluoride is welcomed by many and passionately opposed by others. The opposing group spends huge amounts to have the fluoride removed from their water. The current options for reduction are:

BONE CHAR.

This method is currently the most popular. Forget “removal” that is not going to happen “reduction” to some extent will. In addition to the issue of the level of reduction are capacity (how many gallons will it treat) and effective flow rate. As its name implies, bone char is nothing more than ground cattle bones heated to 900^o F in a low/no oxygen atmosphere within a rotating kiln. The resulting product is a fine, black particle consisting of approximately 70% hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] and the balance somewhat activated carbon (C). The reduction of fluoride is a combination of adsorption of fluoride by the hydroxyapatite, adsorption by the activated carbon and partial ion exchange with available OH ions.

Each cubic foot weighs 40 pounds and has the following characteristics –

• Literature is scant on this. We began using material from an east coast suppler in 2006. Their stated capacity was 0.005 pounds of fluoride removal per pound of bone char. This converts to 23,950 gallons per cubic foot based on 1 mg/l challenge. 100 days for a family of 4. We participated in a WQA test of the same material in 2009 and results were 11,900 gallons. 50 days for a family of 4. A recent in-house test on a sample from a national sample had a yield of 1517 gallons or about 2 weeks for a family of 4.
• Percent Removal. On average, fluoride removal was 67% thus leaving 33% or 1/3 of the fluoride in the water.
• Flow rate. The reactions taking place between the media and the fluoride take a long take a long time. To obtain even the modest results requires a flow rate of approximately 1.5 GPM per cubic foot of media. Higher flow rates cause the percentage of fluoride left in the treated water to increase significantly.
• Water Chemistry. Chlorine in the water to a bone char system will occupy some of the available sites which reduces capacity as will chloride. Effectiveness favors a pH in the 6-7 range and unfortunately cities are elevating their water pH to the 8+ level to prevent corrosion in their distribution system.

Recommendation for Bone Char Systems: AVOID.

ACTIVATED ALUMINA

The use of this material predates bone char for fluoride. It is a factory processed form of Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃) and normally appears as small white/light tan spheres 16-30 US mesh in size. For unexplained reasons, the USEPA classifies Activated Alumina as Best Available Technology (BAT) for fluoride and arsenic from water.

The material as originally processed contains sodium oxide (Na₂O) which converts to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) when first wetted. The resulting high pH reduces the capacity for Fluoride to nearly zero. Treatment of the material with hydrochloric (HCl) or sulfuric (H₂SO₄) acid before use is imperative. Some, but not all, providers of activated alumina offer material that has been acid washed for immediate use—beware.

Effective system flow is 2 GPM/cu. ft. of media in tanks(s) and removal of fluoride is approximately 65% at this flow rate. Capacity for fluoride is estimated at 1.5% or 6 lbs. fluoride per 40 pounds (1 cu.ft. ) of activated alumina. This is roughly 25x the capacity of bone char. However, properly prepared activated alumina can cost 20x that of bone char.

Water chemistry. Here is where the efficacy of activated alumina falls apart. The capacity for fluoride drops precipitously by 50% or more when feed water pH is 8.2 and bicarbonate alkalinity (essentially hardness) exceeds 50 PPM (3 grains). This eliminates effectiveness on 85% of municipal water supplies.

Recommendation for Activated Alumina Systems: AVOID.

ION EXCHANGE

As a weakly charged anion (negatively charged ion), fluoride can be reduced by approximately 50% by employing a system similar to a water softener where the softening resin has been replaced with typically a Type 2 strong base anion resin. Such systems are regenerated with sodium chloride (NaCl) and usually have a capacity of 12,000 grains for ALL anions in the water exclusive of silica and carbon dioxide when 5 pounds of salt per cubic ft. of resin. The removal of all anions is concerning. First, this could lead to a corrosive water as carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxyl ions are removed. Second, there is always a chance of taste and odor issues when anion resins are used and in addition a very briny water could be created. Third and of primary importance, these resins are not fluoride selective and thus if not regenerated accurately and timely, they can dump extremely high, toxic levels of fluoride into the facility water stream.

A search for a fluoride selective resin yielded one manufacturer located in India. Overall capacity information contained numerous chemistry and flow rate caveats. The main problem is Aluminum Chloride is required for regeneration and its cost and availability is unknown.

Recommendation for Ion Exchange Systems: USE EXTREME CAUTION

REVERSE OSMOSIS

Drinking Water

A properly designed under counter system will produce approximately 1 gallon of treated water every half hour at a water use efficiency of 50% when operated at 65 PSI. Reduction of fluoride is 90-97% which means the remaining fluoride will be below detection levels or essentially zero on water tests. A basic battery operated total dissolved solids (TDS) meter should be included to monitor the effectiveness of the membrane. The system should also have a PERMEATE PUMP to eliminate TDS Creep which is an operational phenomenon of small RO systems that lowers water quality (increases fluoride in treated water).

Whole House

Although there is no reliable (Government agency, university study, etc.) study indicating fluoride uptake by humans other than by oral ingestion, there are those who wish to have it removed from their entire home. A reverse osmosis system designed and constructed to treat all water within a home will reduce fluoride as well as or better than an under counter system.

Recommendation for Whole House R.O. systems: Expensive but highly effective

Las Vegas, ensconced in the heart of the parched Mojave Desert, is renowned for its opulence and extravagance. Yet, beneath the neon allure, the city grapples with an enduring quandary – water scarcity. Central to the discourse is the question: Does Las Vegas indeed face an acute water supply problem? This article illuminates Dime Water Inc.’s pioneering endeavors, spotlighting our groundbreaking product, the ESF 2.0. This technological marvel not only confronts hard water scaling but does so while rigorously adhering to the principles of water conservation.

The Arid Reality: The Predicament of Water Scarcity in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, characterized by an annual rainfall of a mere 4.2 inches, confronts a dire water scarcity challenge. This environmental constraint is exacerbated by a burgeoning population and a burgeoning tourism industry, which together exert tremendous pressure on water resources. At its core, Las Vegas relies heavily on the Colorado River, an affiliation that renders it susceptible to manifold challenges revolving around water allocation and availability.

Colorado’s Conundrum: Innovation Amidst Water Shortages

The Colorado River, a vital water source for several southwestern states, including Nevada, confronts an existential crisis. A confluence of factors—persistent drought, unwarranted water rights allocation, and the reverberations of climate change—has precipitated a precipitous decline in water levels in the region’s principal reservoirs, notably Lake Mead and Lake Powell. This phenomenon imperils Las Vegas with the specter of severe water shortages. In this perilous juncture, innovative solutions, notably exemplified by Dime Water’s ESF 2.0, assume paramount significance.

Innovative Solutions: The ESF 2.0’s Unveiling

Amidst the impending water crisis, Dime Water Inc. introduces the ESF 2.0, a multifaceted solution that synergistically addresses critical aspects of Las Vegas’ water challenge:

• Hard Water Scaling: The ESF 2.0 employs cutting-edge technology to combat hard water scaling, thereby enhancing the efficiency and lifespan of appliances and piping infrastructure.
• Water Conservation: A paramount facet of the ESF 2.0’s functionality is its capacity to prevent scale buildup without any concurrent water wastage. In stark contrast to conventional water softeners, this technology eliminates the need for water flushing during the regeneration process, ensuring every precious drop is conserved.

Dime Water’s Contribution: Forging Sustainability and Efficiency

The ESF 2.0 dovetails seamlessly with Las Vegas’ sustainability aspirations, synthesizing elements of innovation, resource conservation, and responsible water management:

• Resource Efficiency: The ESF 2.0 represents a paradigmatic shift in water management by mitigating hard water scaling, enhancing appliance longevity, and conserving water resources.
• Environmental Stewardship: By curtailing scale buildup and mitigating water waste, the ESF 2.0 delivers a substantial reduction in the environmental footprint associated with water treatment, echoing Dime Water’s resolute commitment to sustainability.

Charting a New Course Towards Water Security

In confronting the exigent challenge of water scarcity, Dime Water Inc.’s ESF 2.0 emerges as an oasis of hope. By adroitly addressing hard water scaling whilst fervently conserving water, this innovative technology embodies the type of progress required to surmount Las Vegas’ water tribulations. Our partnership with Las Vegas underscores the pivotal role of innovation, sustainability, and conscientious resource management in securing a flourishing desert oasis for generations to come. At Dime Water Inc., we proudly stand at the vanguard of this imperative endeavor, pioneering solutions for a water-secure world.

Water scarcity is a pressing issue faced by many regions around the world, and Las Vegas is no exception. With its arid climate and growing population, conserving water has become a critical priority for the city. In this article, we will explore how the ESF 2.0, an updated version of the ESF water treatment system, plays a significant role in water conservation efforts, particularly in the context of water rationing in Las Vegas.

The ESF 2.0 is a patented update to the ESF system initially introduced by Dime Water, Inc. in 1996. Renowned for its success in preventing hardness scale in various establishments such as hotels, motels, nursing homes, apartment buildings, and homes, the ESF has been a trusted solution for decades. Furthermore, it has effectively replaced costly water softeners and chemical feed systems in numerous commercial and industrial reverse osmosis systems.

Enhanced Performance and Innovative Design

The ESF 2.0 incorporates a unique magnetic chamber, which follows the catalytic chamber, revolutionizing the system’s overall performance. The proprietary magnetic field arrangement and field strength enhancement boost the unit’s efficiency by an impressive 25%. Utilizing Neodymium class 52 magnets, renowned for their strength, the ESF 2.0 ensures optimal results. It’s important to note that the magnets are not in direct contact with the water stream, ensuring water safety. The wetted parts are made of durable materials like 304 Stainless Steel, bronze/lead-free brass, schedule 80 PVC, and EPDM elastomers.

Space-Saving and Cost-Effective

One of the standout advantages of the ESF 2.0 is its ability to provide substantial capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) savings while occupying minimal space. This feature is particularly valuable in applications such as motels, restaurants, and retail stores. The ESF 2.0 systems are often utilized to replace outdated salt-based water softeners, especially when removing the old system proves economically unfeasible. They also offer an alternative in situations where existing softeners are taken offline due to municipal salt restrictions.

Efficient Performance and Lasting Effects

Compared to traditional water softener construction, the ESF 2.0 significantly reduces pressure drop characteristics caused by valves, resin columns, and distributors. Its water scale prevention effects remain consistent from minimal to maximum flow rates, lasting for up to 72 hours. This reliability ensures long-term efficiency, contributing to water conservation efforts.

Water Rationing in Las Vegas

Las Vegas faces unique challenges when it comes to water supply due to its arid desert climate and limited natural water resources. As a result, the city has implemented water rationing measures to ensure the sustainable use of this precious resource. Water rationing involves the controlled distribution of water to individuals and businesses, aiming to limit usage and encourage conservation.

The ESF 2.0 and Water Rationing

In the context of water rationing, the ESF 2.0 plays a crucial role in promoting water conservation in Las Vegas. By effectively preventing hardness scale and reducing water consumption, the system helps extend the availability of water resources. Its superior performance and lasting effects provide a reliable solution for businesses and households, even during times of restricted water usage.

The ESF 2.0 stands as a remarkable advancement in water treatment technology, addressing the urgent need for water conservation and the necessity of water rationing in places like Las Vegas. With its enhanced performance, innovative design, and space-saving benefits, the ESF 2.0 offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for preventing water scale while reducing water consumption. As water scarcity continues to be a global concern, the ESF 2.0 represents a significant step towards a more water-efficient future.

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ESF 2.0 (ENVIRO SCALE-FREE)

PREVENTS HARD WATER SCALE WITH:

• NO SALT OR CHEMICALS
• NO ELECTRICITY
• NO WATER TO DRAIN
• NO SERVICE —— EVER

The ESF-2.0 is a patented update to the ESF first offered by Dime Water, Inc. in 1996. The original and still available ESF has enjoyed decades of success preventing hardness scale in hotels, motels, nursing homes, apartment buildings, and homes. Additionally, they have successfully replaced costly, high-service water softeners and chemical feed systems pretreating hundreds of commercial and industrial reverse osmosis systems.

The 2.0 version incorporates a unique magnetic chamber following the catalytic chamber that employs a proprietary magnetic field arrangement and field strength enhancement that improves the unit’s overall performance by 25%. The magnets used are Neodymium class 52 which are the strongest permanent magnets available. Magnets are not in the water stream. Wetted parts are 304 Stainless Steel, bronze/lead-free brass, schedule 80 PVC, and EPDM elastomers.

In addition to tremendous CAPEX and OPEX savings, these ESF 2.0 systems occupy virtually no valuable space which is yet another cost benefit. This feature is particularly important in motel, restaurant, and retail store applications. Often used to replace aged salt-based water softeners especially when the old system is too large to be economically removed or in situations where existing softeners are taken offline because of municipal salt restrictions.

Pressure drop characteristics are a fraction of those created by the valves, resin columns, and distributors used in water softener construction. The water scale prevention effects remain relatively constant from minimal through maximum flow rates and last for up to 72 hours. Custom small hot water “booster” units are available for tank/recirculation hot water systems.

Available Models

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WASTE NOT. WANT NOT.

Often attributed to a writing by Benjamin Franklin shortly before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, these few words are particularly germane when thinking about water as drought conditions grip the US Southwest.

While catching up on reading March and April issues of Water Conditioning & Purification Magazine, I was intrigued by back-to-back articles about the reclamation of spent brine from the regeneration of water softeners. The authors were educated, experienced, and well-respected professionals in the water conditioning industry. One offered a process that would be relatively inexpensive to accomplish and looked to permit about 10% reuse. The other proposed process involves the addition of rather expensive components, but a net reclamation estimated at 40%.

As part of the April presentation, the following numbers were expressed:

1. 10,000,000 residential water softeners in the US
2. 60,000 commercial water softeners in the US

These units not only consume salt, but of equal if not more importance they discharge (waste water) to drain during regeneration in huge accumulated volumes. Based on the stated unit volumes, the wasted water is:

1. Residential(1) 31.2 BILLION GALLONS ANNUALLY
2. Commercial(2) 3.37 BILLION GALLONS ANNUALLY

Notes:

1. 40 gallons per regeneration. 1-1/2 regenerations weekly.
2. 360 gallons per regeneration. 3 regenerations weekly. 24” DIA. Media tank.

Admittedly, there is a small percentage of applications where there is a need to remove calcium and or magnesium from water and replace it with sodium from salt, but in the vast majority of applications, preventing hardness scale and soap scum is of primary concern. This can be accomplished with a number of time-tested technologies that waste zero water. These technologies include magnetic, catalytic and a combination of the two.

Beware of salt-based softeners advertised as being “efficient” or high efficiency” As salt consumption per regeneration is reduced, there is a corresponding reduction in system capacity. This means that such systems need to regenerate more frequently and as a result cause excess water wasted to drain.

DIME WATER, INC. has worked for decades to bring to market an extensive list of residential, commercial, and industrial products that have zero water to drain. Additionally, these systems use no chemicals or electricity. Specific models include our ESF, ESF PLUS, AQUAFER, AQUAFER  PLUS, and CARTRIDGE FILTERS. Aquafer provides treated water for less than $1 a day.

DIME WATER, INC. is in the final development stages of a home under counter reverse osmosis system that is 100% water efficient and has zero water to drain. This compares to competitors’ systems that waste 4 gallons of water for each treated gallon upon start up but easily go to 8 gallons or more to waste for each treated gallon as the tank fills and its back pressure rises. The net result is waste up and quality down.

A recent article in the San Diego Union-Tribune was shocking. It stated that homeowners in the San Diego region will soon experience $400.00 monthly water bills for watering their lawns. Shame on us for continually trying to change the Mohave to Maui one homesite at a time, but it highlights how close we are to water costs first equaling and then passing electricity and natural gas costs not only in San Diego but in the arid US Southwest.

No, we are not running out of water. The supply has remained constant since the beginning of time. What we are short of is water with a potability level to satisfy consumers as well as government regulators. This situation has been made even worse by a population shift to more arid areas and simultaneously a climate shift that promises long-term drought conditions in the very same areas.

It appears that the US will continue to have cold areas with excess water and a declining population sharing the continent with hot, water-scarce areas of population growth. Perhaps technology could be developed that could transport water from a cold area to a warm, sunny area and then utilize solar heat on a portion of it ultimately returning it as steam to the source thus treading water for essentially free energy. Recently, a TIME Magazine writer, while expressing that the climate shift is all global warming caused, ventured that the cure in part could be dramatically downsizing our military and by extension, others also. Could be, but a rather circuitous path for an immediate problem.

Until technology or a radical idea persevere, we must rely on an informed, caring population upping their conservation efforts. One area of water conservation that is overlooked by consumers, businesses, and industries is water wasted by treatment processes such as water softeners and filters. Daily, hundreds of millions of gallons of treatment-process polluted water waste are needlessly dumped down drains to be treated by sewer districts or nature for eventual reuse. Needlessly because too few people are aware of multiple, time-proven technologies for treating water with little or no wasted water. Before purchasing new or renovating older drinking water systems, take the time to talk with an engineer in the water treatment industry and ask for no waste alternatives.

According to a report titled Zero Liquid Discharge System Market Research Report, many major multi-national corporations are embracing the policy of severely minimizing liquid (water) discharge from their facilities. The last reporting year was 2020 when $190.2 million was spent on equipment to minimize discharge. It is reported that in 2026 $10.23 billion will be spent on the effort. The full report is available at www.researchmarkets.com. Conservation certainly will be a significant growth market for water treatment equipment providers who position themselves with contemporary products.

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An April 3, 2021 climate report on a local CBS TV affiliate indicated that 74 million people living East of the Mississippi river will experience drought conditions in 2021 and 2022. This news was followed the next week by an article in the San Diego Union Tribune that snowpack levels in mountains to the North were at 50% of “normal”. This is a critical source of water for much of California and normal is quite low because of the averaging in of some terribly dry seasons the last few years.

It is incumbent upon all of us to do our part for conservation and yet the water conditioning industry continues to promote and sell water softeners and filters that waste precious water when viable alternatives have been available for well over 20 years. At most levels, water conditioning products are a push market, so sellers could more easily adapt to newer, water-saving products but few do. Pull markets created by more enlightened and educated consumers tend by a vastly higher percentage to favor the greener products.

Why the reluctance to change? One can only guess, but some reasons are:

• Big names in the industry that are heavily invested in machinery and facilities to produce components for traditional water and salt using systems such as control valves, ion exchange resins, and salt are loathed to promote a disruptive product
• The distribution channel is very fragmented and poorly informed at the seller/customer interface
• The dollars generated by the entire industry have been too low to attract talented, innovative, and highly educated people.

The base technology of the water wasting products dates to the 1930s with the widespread adoption of high surface area ion exchange resins dating to the 1980s. Most activity now appears to be in sensors and electronics on valves that use less salt with the goal being stoichiometric salt levels (a pound of salt removing a pound of hardness). Unfortunately, this is counterproductive because the corresponding loss in capacity requires more frequent regenerations so WASTE WATER INCREASES.

A more demanding and conscience-guided consumer base will eventually obsolete many of today’s products and replace them with products such as our residential and commercial ESF and Aquafer and hopefully, new distribution channels for these products will open up.

Zeolite has a long history in the water treatment industry dating back to 1925 when Bill Lindsay started a company to build water softeners for homes and businesses. His efforts attracted the attention of Emmitt Culligan about a decade later and a second manufacturer was founded. Both companies exist and thrive to this day, although the zeolite then used has been replaced with a synthetic material called ion exchange resin.

Zeolite is a name applied to a huge number of extremely porous natural minerals mined in a number of worldwide locations. All have in common aluminum and silicates and because of their porosity they all absorb water along with the minerals contained within the water. Unique to the chemistry of each the species of Zeolite, they attract and cling to the positively charged (cationic) minerals in the water with varying degrees of hold (affinity). So a particular species can hold calcium (hardness) and release it when flooded with sodium (salt) thus permitting its use as a water softening agent.

The water softening ability of zeolite has been surpassed by the synthetic ion exchange resins first popularized in Germany in about 1936. The synthetic version is made of roughly 90% styrene and 10% divinylbenzene with about 10 national and international manufacturers maintaining uniform performance and competitive prices. The popularity of zeolite for other than water treatment is so high in the chemical and other industries that they too are being produced synthetically to absorb particular molecular sizes for distillation and waste remediation processes. They are extremely robust and chemically inert compared to the ion exchange resins. Within the water treatment industry one particular species, clinoptilolite, is extremely popular for filtration applications because its irregular shape creates a tortuous path for particulates and its cationic charge attracts extremely fine particulates.

To begin this discussion it helps if we first understand hard water. It was a term coined in the early 1800s by machinists trying to mix soap into water to be used as a coolant for drilling or lathe turning metal parts. When the soap wouldn’t readily dissolve in the water they referred to the water as being hard to mix and subsequently hard water. The problem went away when using water from certain streams and rivers and ultimately chemists determined the difference between acceptable water and hard water was the presence of calcium and bicarbonate alkalinity in the hard water and absent or in diminished quantity in the good water. With the opposite of hard being soft the term soft water was born. It was soon learned as industries developed that the hardness components in the water not only caused interference with soap but also interfered with food and chemical processing, caused boilers to explode because of scale formed as the calcium compounds dropped out of solution, plugged water pipes for the same reason and, of course, laundry problems, leading to people looking for a plumbing company near them who would be able to come out and fix the issues they were having.

The 100 Year Old Technology

Over a period of 100+ years, many processes were developed to overcome the hard water problems. Eventually, a natural mined mineral Zeolite was selected and soon followed by synthetic zeolite (currently called resin) which to this day is found in virtually all devices called water softeners. The water softeners using this now nearly 100-year-old technology remove the calcium along with magnesium and some other positively charged ions BUT they are replaced with Sodium and in some cases Potassium which must be replenished with bags of sodium chloride or potassium chloride. The definition of soft or more appropriately softened water is water with calcium removed and replaced with sodium or potassium. The softening process entails equipment that has numerous moving parts requiring occasional servicing, needs electricity, needs replenishment of salt, and of most importance discharges a relatively high volume of water to drain that is laden with salt.

Hard water’s high mineralization content can result in rock-hard, chalky limescale inside pipes. The longer hard water is allowed to flow through pipes, the thicker the build-up becomes. This can reduce the flow of water through your pipes and can cause clogs. If you continue to allow hard water to flow through your pipes, the blockages may worsen. Installing a water softening system may prevent your pipes from clogging further due to the hard water residue scale. As softer water runs through your pipes on a regular basis, the limescale might gradually begin to dissolve. In fact, a master plumber may use soft water to clear clogged pipes because it might leach heavy metals from pipes and appliances.

Soft Water Without Waste

Because of the discharge of salty water to drain and the high cost of service, alternatives to the salt-based softeners are dramatically increasing in popularity. There is absolutely no reason to remove a desirable electrolyte such as calcium from the water if the calcium and alkalinity can be brought together as water enters the home to form microscopic particles of hardness that flow through the plumbing system without attaching to water heaters, plumbing fixtures or pipes and will not interfere with cleaning products. But when it comes to having salt in water, it might affect the plumbing system. Salt can remain in the system for an extended period, either dissolved in saltwater or as salt crystals themselves. Salt might react with the lining of the pipes and cause them to corrode. If that is the case, it might require the assistance of Lynchburg plumbing services or plumbing services offered at any other place. And hence, need to be fixed as soon as possible so that the rest of the pipes are not affected. This is the reason, we offer a number of products based on the contemporary technology that uses no chemicals or salt, discharges no water to drain, uses no electricity and has no moving parts. The Aquafer offers treated water for less than $1 a day.
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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.

The classic definition for a water softener system is a device utilizing either sodium chloride (salt) or potassium chloride (also salt) to remove calcium and magnesium from water and replace them with either sodium or potassium. The result is softened water.

Sometimes water has little or no naturally occurring calcium or magnesium in it or they have been removed by another process such as membranes, EDI, or CDI. Such water is referred to as soft water because calcium and magnesium were not replaced by sodium or potassium.

Water that has been treated with a Water Softener Calgary Services reacts well with soaps, shampoos, and detergents so soap scum such as bathtub ring is eliminated. Additionally, scale formation in pipes and heaters is prevented. The softening process can also be used to remove iron, manganese and other metals under the right water chemistry conditions.

The water softener system as we know it today dates back to the 1940’s with major changes in non-corrosive materials, meters, timer electronics, etc.

Dime Water, Inc. manufactures a complete line of water softeners for applications from small homes through large hotels, motels, hospitals and factories. We employ the very latest in technologies to minimize salt and wastewater use.

Of note, because the waste stream from a water softener contains chlorides this discharge is frowned upon by many utilities due to EPA waste discharge regulations. In fact, some water districts prevent their installation. Drought conditions also impose limits on their use. To overcome these water softener issues Dime Water, Inc. offers an extensive line of systems that use no salt or other chemicals and only in rare cases is there any wastewater.

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.

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Do you need a water softener? In all but a very few parts of the world, the answer should be YES. After you answer the following questions about why soft water is for you to read on about exciting 21st-century technology to make it happen.

1. How does my laundry look? Water hardness interferes with soap and detergents. Result? Water that doesn’t get ‘sudsy’ enough to clean, a fabric-damaging film on clothes, and unsightly surface scum left behind in your washer.

2. Is there a white, chalky substance on my faucets and shower walls?
That’s mostly limescale, a material made of calcium carbonate. You can scrub it off but it will keep coming back as long as you use your sinks and shower. It’s one of the most obvious signs of hard water. If you’ve just had a renovation done, be it one with Glass Shower Direct shower walls or with other products, seeing this buildup can be frustrating, and water softeners may be the best counter you could do.

3. Has the water pressure dropped?
Once again, the culprit is limescale. It accumulates on the inside of your pipes when they are exposed to hard water, and those deposits will continue to build up until they begin restricting the flow of water.

We have offered products for years that solve hard water problems and are environmentally perfect — no use of salt or chemicals, not a single drop of water goes wastefully to drain, no electricity used and no moving parts that require service. Our Aquafer and ESF units replace traditional softeners that use technologies from the 1920s that discharge salt and wastewater to drain, require electricity, and are plagued with costly service calls. The Aquafer offers treated water for less than $1 a day.

You’ll find several environmentally friendly products on our website. Please contact us if you need help deciding which water softener solution is best for your home or business.

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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.

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Hard water and skin problems can go hand in hand. Hard water is generally considered more of a nuisance than a health issue.

When people use water conditioners to eliminate hard water from their homes, they do so to protect their fixtures and appliances, to improve the appearance of clothing after it is washed, and to stop scale buildup on ceramic tile and shower doors, as well as spots on their glasses and dishes.

But a recent study from England offers another reason to keep hard water away from your home and your family. It suggests that hard water may damage our protective skin barrier, which can lead to the development of such skin conditions as eczema.

Those most vulnerable to eczema are infants. According to Web MD, between 10% and 20% of babies and small children will contract this itchy skin infection.

Hard water could also worsen existing skin conditions such as psoriasis. In fact, psoriasis is not just a skin condition but it can consequently lead to joint pain (known as psoriatic arthritis), depressive symptoms, and lower quality of life. Nowadays, there are more natural remedies out there (know the connection between medical marijuana and psoriasis) to help diminish and manage symptoms. However, using hard water should be a complete no-no for people with this condition.

Hard water contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium ions, that can stick to skin and also stick to the soap that we use for washing. Prolonged exposure reduces the skin’s natural defenses.

In addition to an increased eczema risk, a compromised skin barrier could also contribute to the development of other conditions, including sunburn. However, a variety of products such as an eczema relief cream or acne reduction cream might help reduce such skin problems. Some doctors might even recommend using different kinds of topical steroids, which can be highly useful, no doubt. However, such methods might come along with the risk of topical steroid withdrawal, which can cause more irritation to the skin, and ultimately require therapy to get under control. Hence, it might be safest to stick to regular skincare products or the ones you trust. You can find the right ones for your skin by taking a quick look online. Little research into ingredients and properties of serums by reading a propaira review or others could be beneficial in deciding which product can work for specific issues. Nevertheless, water being a vital part of skincare and health, it becomes important to ensure its quality as well.

The researchers who prepared the study then looked into whether removing the calcium and magnesium ions using an ion-exchange water softener could halt the negative effects. And that’s exactly what it did.

The link between hard water and skin problems such as eczema is just one more reason to consider adding a water softener to your home.

At Dimewater Inc., our engineers are always prepared to help you choose the right water softener to meet your needs. Contact us at 760.734.5787.

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Water Treatment Values

Commercial Water Treatment filters provide better tasting and better smelling drinking water by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants. Point-of-use water filters remove lead from drinking water immediately prior to consumption, thus preventing this harmful substance from entering the body. Dime Water, Inc.’s residential water softeners can help you feel the difference between good water and excellent water in San Diego, California!

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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!

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Nowadays, many businesses such as car washes are facing water treatment issues that include an ever-increasing demand for high-quality water. You might be surprised to learn that as well as having good quality maintenance carried out on the interior of your vehicle, at somewhere like Landmark which specializes in BMW repair in Bellevue, you also need to look after the exterior of your car if you want it to perform at its best level. This explains why there is now a new demand for car washes to improve the quality of water they use. Treatment and handling regulation compliance are major issues confronting many segments of the market. Water treatment technologies employed for businesses include a wide range of filters, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis systems, sulfate/nitrate removal units, UV systems, and water softeners.

Car washes, for example, are major water-consuming businesses and will require proper water treatment, in order to save water and provide the best results for their clients. A water softener takes less soap to break the bond between the dirt and the vehicle, making it a great water treatment system to consider.

Reverse Osmosis Systems for Car Washes

The wash-rinse cycle is done in 2 steps: the initial rinse and final rinse. The majority of car washes today use reverse osmosis systems to take the minerals out of the water. The final rinse uses water processed through reverse osmosis and by taking the dissolved solids or most of the dissolved solids from the water, they end up with a spot-free water.

In most cases, RO requires a minimum of 3 gallons of waste to 1 gallon of product water. Wastewater is required to carry the minerals away from the membrane so they will not clog up and stop producing mineral-free water. Most car washes blow the excess water with high-velocity air, but there are those who advertise the hand wash and there they have people with towels and shammies that take the water off, and, in both cases, the quality of washes greatly improves. There are other advantages as well, if anything happened to your car, the insurance would cover it. Insurance 4 MotorTrade can provide some insight into how these policies would work.
Industrial water in a car washing installation can be microbiologically contaminated so both personnel and customers need to be protected against a possible health endangerment.

Dime Water’s reverse osmosis systems produce ultra pure water, which can be used to flush away marks in the car wash. Also, reverse osmosis treated water leaves no line marks on the car lacquer while it dries up.

Washing cars out on the street has been restricted for a long time in many communities for ecological considerations. Washing water will end up in soils poses a threat to groundwater because it contains oils and lubricants, heavy metals, suspended matter, tar, and microorganisms.

For the disinfection of the water, the following procedures are most commonly used:

• ozonization
• UV treatment
• peroxide treatment
• thermal treatment

Water softeners, backwashing carbon filters, and backwashing turbidity filters can also be used in the car washing industry. We provide a wide range of award-winning water recycling solutions that are engineered considering our clients’ needs.

We can help you reduce your water and trade waste costs with systems that pay for themselves through savings. Our systems are durable and compact, built to last and provide guaranteed performance for your car washing business. Dime Water has the knowledge to provide any business with a tailored solution. Call us at 760.734.5787 and get in touch with one of our water experts today!

Resources:

• Brown, C. (2000) Water Conservation in the Professional Car Wash Industry

Good Quality Water is Disappearing

No, we’re not wearing beanies with propellers on them and predicting the end of the World. Rather we want to point out that in the US and other fully developed nations, the ability to obtain good quality water directly from nature is rapidly disappearing. The era of overusing and polluting one of nature’s greatest gifts is rapidly coming to an end.

Just this week we heard of dried-up wells 40 miles inland from the ocean in what is called San Diego East County. Gorgeous area with small farms and large estates with reverse osmosisom to raise horses and live the good life. The good life and property values come to a halt with no water available. A day later we heard from a South Dakota rancher raising beef cattle who keeps adding deeper and deeper wells and is most recently pumping water that is so loaded with minerals that it cannot be used by cattle nor will it support crops.

In a world where some poor souls must walk miles to get drinking and cooking water and consume 1 or 2 gallons daily per person, we use on average 60 gallons per day per person in our US homes. That’s direct use excluding wasteful lawn watering. Our indirect water use is scary. Counting feed and processing water use take a look at the following table to see water consumption for what we eat:

• One slice bread: 11 gallons
• One apple: 18 gallons
• One egg: 53 gallons
• One chocolate bar: 297 gallons
• One pound chicken: 468 gallons
• One pound beef: 1,799 gallons
• What’s The Answer?

At the food production end, spray watering and field flooding have to be replaced with drip irrigation, and plants must be modified to be more drought tolerant. In food processing, water reuse should be paramount. For individual homes, people should voluntarily treat their water with equipment that saves water and use water-consuming products that are more efficient and in general practice conservation. If it’s not done on a voluntary basis it eventually is imposed by higher water rates, volume-controlled meters, and restrictions on drilling wells. Our decision— cut back and use wisely or have bureaucrats dictate to us.

Find out more about our Water Filters, Water Softeners, and Water Conditioners.