Yearly Archives: 2021

• on 23 Dec 2021
• By Lily Harper
• Default

Simple Ways to Drink More Water

Your body is about 70% water, and drinking enough of it is vital for optimal health (1).

Water plays many roles in your body, including maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure, lubricating joints, regulating body temperature, and promoting cell health (1, 2Trusted Source).

While everyone knows that it’s important to stay hydrated, doing so can be difficult at times.

Here are 12 simple ways to drink more water.

Before you decide to drink more water, you have to understand your body’s fluid needs.

A common recommendation for daily water intake is 64 ounces (1,920 ml), or 8 cups, but this is not based on science (3Trusted Source).

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recommends that men consume 125 ounces (3,700 ml) and women about 90 ounces (2,700 ml) of fluid per day, including the fluid from water, other drinks, and foods (4).

However, NAM acknowledges that it isn’t ideal to make broad recommendations about fluid needs, as they depend on your activity level, location, health status, and more (5Trusted Source).

For most, simply drinking to quench your thirst will ensure you meet your fluid needs. Yet, you may need more fluid if you exercise regularly, work outside, or live in a hot climate (5Trusted Source).

Setting a daily water intake goal can help you drink more water.

Simply the act of setting a goal can be motivating and make you more likely to make positive changes that last (6Trusted Source).

To be effective, goals should be SMART, which is an acronym for the following criteria (7Trusted Source):

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Time-bound

For example, one SMART water-consumption goal might be to drink 32 ounces (960 ml) of water per day.

It can also help to record your progress, which can keep you motivated to achieve your goal — and make it a habit.

5. Replace other drinks with water

One way to drink more water — and boost your health and reduce your calorie intake — is to replace other drinks, such as soda and sports drinks, with water.

These drinks are often full of added sugars, which can be extremely detrimental to your health.

For optimal health, limit your added sugar intake to less than 5% of your calorie intake. Just one 8-ounce (240 ml) cup of soda per day can exceed this limit (8Trusted Source).

Diets high in added sugars have been linked to obesity and other conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

Furthermore, replacing these sugary drinks with water is an easy and cheap way to cut calories, potentially helping you lose weight.

6. Drink one glass of water before each meal

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Another simple way to increase your water intake is to make a habit of drinking one glass of water before each meal.

If you eat 3 meals per day, this adds an extra 3 cups (720 ml) to your daily water intake.

Moreover, sometimes your body may mistake feelings of thirst for hunger. Drinking a glass of water before eating can help you discern whether you are feeling true hunger (12Trusted Source).

What’s more, if you’re trying to lose weight, drinking a glass of water may help you eat fewer calories at the following meal (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

7. Get a water filter

In America, most tap water is safe to drink. However, if you have concerns about the quality or safety of your tap water, consider purchasing a water filter.

There is a filter for almost every budget, from costly whole-home water filtration systems to inexpensive water-filtering pitchers.

In addition, filtering your water could improve the taste.

Point-of-use water filters, such as water-filtering pitchers or filters that attach directly to a faucet, can reduce levels of waterborne bacteria, lead, and arsenic in contaminated tap water to safe levels (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

Using a water filter is also less expensive and more eco-friendly than purchasing bottled water, which is oftentimes no different than tap water (18Trusted Source).

8. Flavor your water

If you dislike the flavor of water, or just need a bit of flavor to help you drink more, you have many choices.

Using an inexpensive fruit-infuser water bottle is one healthy option.

Popular fruit combinations to use in an infuser bottle are cucumber-lime, lemon, and strawberry-kiwi. Although, you can use any combination of fruits that suits your taste.

You can also purchase water enhancers in powder or liquid form to add to your water, but be aware that many of these products contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, or other additives that may harm your health.

9. Drink one glass of water per hour at work

If you work a standard 8-hour workday, drinking a glass of water each hour you’re at work adds up to 8 cups (1,920 ml) to your daily water intake.

Fill up your cup as soon as you get to work, and at the top of every hour, simply drink the remaining water and refill.

This method will keep your water intake consistent throughout your workday.

10. Sip throughout the day

Sipping on water consistently throughout the day is another easy way to help you meet your fluid goals.

Reaching for a sip of water consistently during your day will keep your mouth from getting dry and may even help keep your breath fresher (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

Keep a glass of water or a reusable bottle nearby and within your line of sight for a constant visual reminder to take a sip.

11. Eat more foods high in water

One simple way to get more water is to eat more foods that are high in water.

Fruits and vegetables that are particularly high in water include (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source):

• Lettuce: 96% water
• Celery: 95% water
• Zucchini: 95% water
• Cabbage: 92% water
• Watermelon: 91% water
• Cantaloupe: 90% water
• Honeydew melon: 90% water

In addition to their high fluid content, these fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote your overall health.

12. Drink one glass of water when you wake up and before bed

An easy way to boost your water intake is to simply drink one glass when you wake up and another before you go to bed.

A glass of cold water in the morning may help wake you up and boost your alertness (28Trusted Source).

Plus, drinking water before bed can keep you from waking up with a dry mouth and bad breath (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

The bottom line

Adequate water intake is essential to good health.

The National Academy of Medicine estimates that most people need 90–125 ounces (2,700–3,700 ml) of fluid per day, including fluid from water, other beverages, and food.

However, it can be difficult to drink water habitually, especially if you are busy, regularly forget to drink or dislike the taste of water.

Choosing from these 12 simple tips can help you boost your daily water intake.

• on 13 Dec 2021
• By Lily Harper
• Default

Guide to Safe Tap Water and Water Filters

Drinking tap water should be safe, affordable, and taste good. Follow our guide to check your tap water quality and find the best filtration system for you.

The word is out: bottled water can be bad for our wallets, our health, and our environment. If you’re among the growing number of people kicking the bottled water habit and making the move to tap water, you may be curious about your local water supply. Consumer standards are actually more stringent for the quality and safety of tap water than for bottled water.

We need to make tap water safe and affordable for everyone. Sign the petition for safe water for all!

The best way to find out about your local water is to read your water quality report, a document that your water utility is required by federal law to provide to you every year telling you if your water has any contamination. This guide will help you understand how to interpret what your report tells you.

Beyond basic safety, many people prefer to filter their tap water to remove minerals and particulates, which may affect the taste. We’ll walk you through the different types of tap water filters and help you pick the best one for your needs.

Is Your Water Safe? Your Water Quality Report

Annual water quality reports also called consumer confidence reports, are intended to help consumers make informed choices about their drinking water. They let you know what contaminants, if any, are in your drinking water and how these contaminants may affect your health. They list all the regulated toxins that were detected in your water over the preceding calendar year. This guide will help you understand what’s in your water quality report and how to interpret what it tells you.

Who Gets a Water Quality Report?

A water quality report is available for every customer of a community water system, which is one that provides year-round service to more than 15 households or more than 25 people.

When Is a Water Quality Report Issued?

You should receive your report by July 1 of each year.

What Does a Water Quality Report Tell You?

Every water quality report must contain:

• The source of the drinking water, be it a river, lake, groundwater aquifer, or some other body of water;
• A brief summary of the state’s source water assessment, which measures how susceptible the source water is to contamination, and how to get a copy of the complete assessment;
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and health goals for drinking water contaminants;
• A list of all detected regulated contaminants and their levels;
• Potential health effects of any contaminant detected at a level that violates the EPA’s health standard;
• An educational statement for people with weakened immune systems about cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants;
• Contact information for the water system and the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Worried about lead? Make sure you get the right water filter.

The crisis in Flint, Michigan has brought attention to the serious problem of lead in drinking water. Fortunately, a water filter that is either NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certified can reduce lead in your drinking water. These certifications are established by NSF International, a public health organization that develops standards and provides certifications with the mission to improve global human health.

These certified filters come in different shapes and sizes. Certification requires that manufacturers state how much water the filter can treat before it must be changed. Some filters even include a device that will let you know when the filter needs to be changed. When changing filter cartridges, it’s important to use a certified cartridge. A non-certified cartridge may not effectively filter lead from the drinking water.

There are a variety of filter options that meet the NSF’s certified standard. Outlined below, these filters include pour-through pitchers/carafes, faucet mounts, and even plumbed-in filters that are installed under your sink or reverse osmosis drinking water treatment systems.

On the NSF website at www.nsf.org, you can search for specific suppliers and product codes to see if they are NSF certified. Their lead-specific guide provides a list of all NSF Standard certified brands and models with details for each: www.nsf.org/info/leadfiltrationguide.

Why Is a Water Quality Report Important?

Your water utility is required by law to tell you about any violation of EPA water quality standards when it occurs (through the mail or media outlets such as newspapers and television) and again in the annual water quality report. You should not drink water that fails to meet EPA standards because it may be unsafe. Thankfully, public utilities have worked hard to improve water quality. As a result, more than 90 percent of water systems meet all EPA regulations.

The report must also disclose a list of all regulated contaminants that have been detected in the water supply. The Safe Drinking Water Act sets the maximum level of contaminants allowed in drinking water based on the filtering and treatment capabilities of current technology. The water quality report also tells you about potentially harmful substances found in your water at levels below their legal limit.

How Is a Water Quality Report Distributed?

All very large community water systems, serving more than 100,000 people, must post the report online. All community water systems that serve more than 10,000 people must mail or email either the report or its web address to customers.

Water systems also must make a “good faith effort” to reach renters, workers, and other consumers who use the water but do not receive water bills. Utilities should use a combination of different outreach methods to notify users, such as posting the reports online, mailing them, and advertising in local newspapers.

More information is available online from the EPA.

Tap Water Filters and Filtration Systems

The United States provides some of the cleanest drinking water in the world, and more than 90 percent of water systems meet all EPA regulations. Some people may prefer to filter their tap water, however, because they prefer the taste, want to remove minerals and particulates, or have concerns about lead piping and plumbing. This section highlights the types of available filters to help you to determine which one is best for your needs.

What to Consider When Buying a Water Filter

What impurities do you want to remove from your water? Are you concerned about health risks, or simply unappetizing tastes and odors? Different filters are designed to remove various impurities, so be sure that the filter you buy will do the job.

Once you have read your water quality report, determine what, if anything, you would like to filter out of your water. Depending on the water quality where you live, you may decide that you do not need to filter your water at all.

Water Filtration: What Are Your Options?

Water filters come in many shapes and sizes. Depending on your filtration needs, lifestyle preferences, and budget, you may want to consider the following options, whose descriptions were adapted from a May 2010 Consumer Reports article:

• Carafe, or “pour-through,” filters are the simplest water filters to use. The filter fits inside a pitcher that you can keep in your refrigerator. Carafes are inexpensive and easy to use. However, the filters have a short lifetime and can only filter a limited amount of water at a time.
• A faucet-mounted filter is exactly what it sounds like — a filter that is screwed directly onto your faucet. These filters require minimal installation, but they slow the flow of water and can’t be used on all faucets.
• Countertop filters are best for filtering large quantities of water without modifying plumbing. They’re less likely to clog than carafe or faucet-mounted filters, but can clutter countertops and can’t be used with all types of faucets.
• Plumbed-in filters are installed directly into an existing water pipe. Often, they are installed under the sink (and are sometimes referred to as “under-sink” filters). They can be plumbed into the existing sink faucet, which may require drilling a hole in the countertop, or they can dispense water through a separate tap. These filters are best for filtering large amounts of water without modifying the existing faucet or cluttering the counter. However, they take up cabinet space and require plumbing modifications.
• Point-of-entry, or “whole-house,” filters are installed directly in the water main and filter all the water in a house, including water for the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. These filters have a long lifetime and are an inexpensive way to remove sediment, rust, and in some cases, chlorine from household water. But most won’t remove most other contaminants. They also require professional installation.

Water Filter Technologies

Different water filter products use different technologies. Some use more than one. If you are looking for a home water filter, you are likely to come across some of these terms:

• Particulate/mechanical filter: These are simple screens that block large particles. They often function as “prefilters” in a multiple-step water filter.
• Adsorption/Activated Carbon: Adsorption refers to a physical process where particles in water are removed because they stick to the surface of the material in the filter. These filters are usually made with carbon, often in granulated or powdered form. They are the most common filters on the market and come in different forms including pitchers and faucet-mounted systems. They are generally effective for reducing the most typical worrisome compounds that can be found in municipal water: chlorine, chlorine by products, and dissolved volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) such as pesticides and herbicides. Carbon adsorption filters generally work well for reducing bad odors and tastes.
• Softeners/Ion Exchange Units: Water softeners use a process called ion exchange to reduce hard metals — including lead — in water. When water passes through an ion exchange unit, hard metal ions are replaced by sodium ions, leaving the water “softer” as a result — but also saltier. This technology is often used in combination with adsorptive or reverse-osmosis filters. Potassium chloride water softeners work in a similar way to sodium chloride softeners, but without increasing levels of salt in the water; this makes potassium chloride softeners a better choice for some uses, such as watering plants.
• Ultraviolet (UV) Treatment: This treatment uses UV light to kill germs that may be present in the water. UV treatment is the only treatment certified by the National Sanitation Foundation International to reduce bacteria.
• Reverse Osmosis: Reverse osmosis is a process where water is forced through a membrane that filters out molecules physically larger than the water molecules. Although reverse osmosis works well for reducing minerals, it is not effective for chlorine or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are more likely to be concerned in municipal tap water. However, many reverse-osmosis units are combined with pre-filters and carbon filters to address this concern. Reverse-osmosis filters are expensive and very inefficient — they waste from one to three gallons of water for every gallon that they filter.
• Distillation: Water distillers heat water so that it turns into steam, which is then collected and returned to its liquid form. Contaminants are left behind when the water evaporates. Thus, distillation is very effective for removing most minerals and bacteria. However, some distillation units do not remove VOCs. Distillation also requires more energy than other methods, to heat the water.

Consider Which Filter Is Best for You

Each product has its own pros and cons. Individual products may use multiple technologies and are often marketed as two (or more) stage filters. Carafe, faucet-mounted, and countertop filters typically use a combination of adsorption and ion exchange resins, while plumbed-in systems may use those technologies in addition to reverse osmosis.

Filters also come in a wide range of prices. Most carafes and faucet-mounted filters cost between $20 and $50, while countertop, under-sink, and whole-house filters can range from $50 to $900.

When considering the price of a water filter, remember that the total cost includes your initial purchase price as well as any installation, maintenance, or replacement fees. Filter parts need to be changed periodically to prevent clogging, so be sure to consider how much replacement parts cost, as well as the manufacturer’s estimated life span for the product.

Also, consider the amount of water you use. Some filter types have larger water capacities than others. Carafes, for example, can filter a few cups or gallons at a time, while faucet-mounted or under-sink filters work directly through a tap.

Most importantly, make sure that the individual product reduces the specific contaminants that you want to remove from your water. Generally, products will include claims on their packaging or advertising regarding which contaminants they reduce and the percentage reduction rate. See the table below for more information about common contaminants of concern and which type of filter will reduce the contaminants.

Water Quality Concerns and Filtration Methods*

Contaminant/Quality Concern	Filtration Method	Notes
Chlorine	Carbon/Charcoal Filter	Contact your local water utility to find out which disinfectant is used in your drinking water. Water filters certified to reduce chlorine do not necessarily work for chloramine.
Chlorine Byproducts (Trihalomethanes)	Carbon/Charcoal Filter	Trihalomethanes are a type of VOC (volatile organic compound), so products certified to reduce VOCs will reduce this contaminant.
Taste and Odor	Carbon/Charcoal Filter
Lead	Carbon, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis
Fluoride	Distillation, Reverse Osmosis	Not all public drinking water systems add fluoride to the water. Check to see if your community does by reading your annual water quality report.
Chloramines	Some Carbon/Charcoal Filters	Check that the system you select is certified to reduce chloramines. Systems that reduce chlorine do not necessarily reduce chloramines.
Perchlorates	Reverse Osmosis
Arsenic	Distillation, Reverse Osmosis	Two different forms of arsenic can be found in water, so it is important to know which type of arsenic you want to filter before choosing a water treatment system.

*Information taken from National Sanitation Foundation’s Contaminant Guide. Please note that filters and treatment systems should be certified by a third party agency. Check to ensure that the brand of filter you choose is certified to address your water quality needs.

Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care Products, and Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

Consumers are increasingly concerned about pharmaceutical residues and other hormone-disrupting chemicals in drinking water. These chemicals are not regulated, but studies have shown that they are showing up in trace amounts in drinking water. According to the National Sanitation Foundation, there is no testing available at this time to measure the potential ability of home water treatment systems to reduce pharmaceuticals.

Verify the Quality of Your Filter

Make sure that your filter is certified by an independent certifying agency. Not all filters live up to the claims on the package, so make sure that the product you are buying does. The packaging should display certification from an independent certifying agency such as the National Sanitation Foundation International or Water Quality Association.

Check the internet for product reviews, and make sure the reviewer is impartial. The best reviews and ratings come from organizations that do not sell the products, such as Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union, a nonprofit organization that provides consumers with unbiased product tests and ratings.

• on 1 Nov 2021
• By Lily Harper
• Default

BEAUTIFUL COTSWOLD VILLAGES: BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER

Bourton-On-The-Water, tagged as the Venice of the Cotswolds is known for its low bridges over the River Windrush with beautiful stone houses around it. A picture-perfect scenery for all seasons.

Our last stop when I went to the Cotswolds in 2012 as a day trip from London was this beautiful village of Bourton-On-The-Water. My eyes feasted on the quaintness of this town and I told myself that if I’m ever going back to the Cotswolds, I’d stay for a night here. And so I did, eight years later I was back and fulfilled that promise.

Bourton-On-The-Water is a beautiful town which holds that English charm that we all so love. It’s located in Gloucestershire with much of the town designated as a UK Conservation Area.

The High Street is flanked with a series of low bridges over the river filled with swans and ducks while traditional Cotswold buildings stand back from the river. It’s a photographer’s dream location, everywhere you look is picture-perfect.

There are quite a few things to do and see here despite its small size, there’s the Model Village – which depicts Bourton on a much smaller scale using authentic building materials; there’s the Motoring Museum with vintage car collections; the Modern Railway Exhibition with an operating indoor model railway layout and of course the Birdland – a bird zoo with an impressive collection of penguins.

I didn’t really have a particular itinerary when we were in Bourton because I wasn’t sure how tired we’ll be when we arrive there. The plan was to just walk around the village and enjoy it as much as we can and so we did. We arrived late in the afternoon and immediately checked-in at our accommodation for the night – The Lansdowne Guesthouse.

The location of the property is perfect, just a few minutes’ walk to the High Street. I wasn’t really crazy about our room though because it was right next to the main door and we could hear everything from inside the room. It was just for a night though so we didn’t really make such a big fuss out of it.

After all the driving and the walking that we’ve done in the past few days, we were extremely tired when we arrived at Bourton so the husband requested for a few minutes of naptime. I joined him. Lol. We’re old. :p

Afterwards, we peeled ourselves from the comforts of our bed and walked around the village which was empty! All the tourists have gone and we had the place to ourselves.

It was rainy and cold but it didn’t dampen our visit. Most of the restaurants were closed from around 3pm to 7pm so there was even less activity around. We were looking for a place to have dinner for that night but everything seemed to be full. Thank goodness we had that fabulous meal at The King’s Arms at Stow-In-The-Wold before coming here so we didn’t really get bothered by it as much.

Bourton-On-The-Water is a very small village and you could easily walk around its High Street for under an hour. After having satisfied my love for taking photos of beautiful sceneries, we decided to go for a drive to the nearby Lower Slaughter.

We came back to Bourton with only one thing in mind, buy some snacks and drinks then just stay inside our room for the night. Yes, we spent the last night of our Cotswold holiday sleeping in early. And yes, we’re that old. Lol.

Breakfast the next day was served inside their cute dining area, I decided to have a full English Breakfast this time and gave up on my avocado on toast. Lol.

We bid our farewells to Lansdowne Guesthouse, to Bourton-On-The-Water and to our Cotswold holiday after our meal and proceeded to drive back to London with great memories of our English holiday.

The Lansdowne Guesthouse

1 Lansdowne, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54

We paid a total of £115 for our one-night stay which included breakfast.

For more information, visit their website here.

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• on 27 Oct 2021
• By Lily Harper
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Water Filters: The Many Ways to Purify Your Drinking Water

When it comes to drinking water, everyone wants clean, great-tasting water. For many families, a home water filter helps to provide them with pristine water that is free of odors, chemicals, lead, and other potentially toxic substances. Despite the fact that many of these filters seem identical, there are significant differences between the many types and brands.

If you have ever considered purchasing a water filtration system for your home or office, the information below will help you understand the different technologies and their functions.

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Water Filter

As mentioned above, all water filters are not identical. Here are three more commonly unknown facts about water filtration systems:

• Filter quality varies from one brand to another, each one eliminating a specific set of contaminants.
• Just because a filter is “NSF Certified,” it is not guaranteed to remove any specific contaminant.
• Some filters rely on multiple technologies in order to remove contaminants, while others utilize a single type.

If you wish to better understand the more technical elements of your water filter, simply read the label or visit the company website before you make a purchase.

10 Water Filtration Methods

Before you buy any type of water for your home, whether a jug from the store, a filter or even a water cooler, it’s wise to know more about the various purification methods that may have happened before you take a sip. Some filtration methods are better at removing particles and contaminants than others. Here’s a quick overview of each type of water filtration method.

1. Activated Carbon

Carbon removes contaminants by chemically bonding to the water that is poured into the system. Some are only effective at removing chlorine, which only improves taste and odor, while others remove more harmful contaminants, such as mercury and lead. It is important to note that carbon filters do not have the ability to remove inorganic pollutants such as nitrates, fluoride, and arsenic. Carbon filters are usually sold in block or granulated form to consumers.

2. Distillation

Distillation is one of the oldest water purification methods. It vaporizes water by heating it to exceptionally high temperatures. The vapor is then condensed back into drinkable, liquid water. Distillation removes minerals, microorganisms, and chemicals that have a high boiling point. These filters cannot remove chlorine and many other volatile organic chemicals.

3. Deionization

Deionization filters promote ion exchange in your water in order to remove salts and other electrically charged ions. If a contaminant lacks an electrical charge, it will be removed by these filters. Living organisms, such as viruses and bacteria will not be removed by these filters.

4. Ion Exchange

Ion exchange technology uses a resin to replace harmful ions with ones that are less harmful. Ion exchange is often used to soften water since it has the ability to replace calcium and magnesium with sodium. In order for these filters to work for extended periods of time, the resin must be regularly “recharged” with harmless replacement ions.

5. Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis works by moving water through a semi-permeable membrane in order to stop larger, more harmful molecules from entering. Since this process can only block molecules that are larger than water, contaminants with larger molecules, such as chlorine, cannot be removed. Reverse osmosis systems are able to remove more contaminants than carbon, making them a popular choice for many consumers. These filters consume far more water than they produce, so they are best suited for domestic use.

6. Mechanical

Despite the fact that they cannot remove chemical contaminants, mechanical filters are an excellent option for consumers hoping to rid their water of sediments and cysts. Mechanical filters contain small holes that remove these contaminants, and they are sometimes used alongside other filtration technologies. If your water supply contains an undesirable amount of dirt and other particles, you may want to consider purchasing a mechanical filter.

7. Ozone

Ozone is often employed alongside other technologies, and it is renowned for its ability to effectively kill large numbers of microorganisms. Ozone filters do not remove chemicals, but if you are worried about getting sick from your water, this may be your best option.

8. Carbon Block

Carbon block filters are block-shaped filters that are composed of crushed carbon particles. These filters tend to be more effective than other types of carbon-based filters since they have a larger surface area. The rate at which water flows through these filters has a direct impact on their level of effectiveness. Fibredyne carbon block filters have a greater sediment-holding capacity than other types of block filters.

9. Granulated Carbon

As the name suggests, these filters use small grains of carbon to filter your water. Due to their rather small surface area, granulated carbon filters tend to be slightly less effective than their block-shaped counterparts. Much like a carbon block filter, their level of effectiveness is strongly influenced by water speed.

10. Water Softeners

Water softeners employ ion exchange technology in order to reduce the amount of magnesium and calcium in the water. This is especially useful if your plumbing fixtures are prone to accumulating mineral buildup. Since these harmful elements are replaced with sodium, water treated with this process tends to contain high levels of sodium. If you cannot consume large amounts of salt, it is best to avoid softened water. It is also unwise to water plants with softened water since it contains such high levels of sodium.

Types of Water Filters

There are various types of water filters available to consumers. Here are some of the most common types, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

• Pitchers:

  Pitchers usually contain carbon filters that improve the taste and odor of your water by removing contaminants. These filter types are inexpensive and fit easily inside of most refrigerators.

• Under-Sink:

  As the name implies, under-sink filters are installed underneath your sink and are attached directly to your waterline. They can be expensive, but they require little maintenance and are placed out of sight.

• On-Counter:

  On-counter filters are placed on the counter and are directly connected to your faucet. A switch allows consumers to switch between filtered and unfiltered water. Countertop water coolers are a popular, hassle-free way to get purified water with little work.

• Faucet-Mounted:

  Faucet-mounted filters attach directly to your faucet, allowing you to filter cooking and drinking water with ease. These filters are fairly simple to install, but they may not fit on all faucets.

Making the Right Decision

With so many choices on the market, finding the perfect water filtration system to fit your family’s needs may seem impossible at first. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, but by understanding how the different types work and keeping your personal needs in mind, you will undoubtedly find the right one. When you install a water filter in your home, your family will have access to clean and healthy water any time the need arises.

• on 14 Oct 2021
• By Lily Harper
• Default

Eight Benefits Of Installing A Home Water Filtration System

The delivery of clean water through municipal water supply systems to our homes is one of the hallmarks of modern civilization. Modern water supply systems test and treat water to ensure it’s safe for all of our needs — drinking, cooking, cleaning, and more.

You want to be sure that the water we use is as pure as possible, and a practical way to ensure that is to add a water filtration system to your home, whether it is a whole house water filter or a water filter located on the water line in your kitchen sink or another water source.

Are you concerned about the water in your area? Check out this handy resource from the EPA that provides information on safe drinking water throughout the United States.

The benefits of a home water filtration system

Whether your water comes from city water or well-based water systems, you want to ensure that it’s safe for your family. There are many opportunities for contaminants to enter your water, and even if your water is free of contaminants, high levels of minerals can affect the taste of your tap water or make the operation of your dishwasher or clothes washer less efficient.

The best way to tackle these issues is to filter your water in your home, at the point where you’ll use it. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy by installing a filtration system.

Enjoy safe drinking water all the time

The consequences of having unsafe drinking water can be dire. Pollutants like heavy metals can have profound health consequences at worst, or at best make your water unpalatable. While the vast majority of municipal water systems in the United States do an excellent job of treating our water and ensuring water quality, there is always the danger of system failures, so it’s best to be safe. If you filter your water with an effective home water filtration system you’re making a smart investment in the health of your family.

Save money

If you’re buying bottled water for your family to use at home the costs can add up quickly. For the average family drinking 2-3 bottles of water a day, annual costs can easily exceed $500. That’s money can be recouped in a timely fashion after you install a water filtration system in your home. And there’s another drawback to bottled water…

Help preserve our environment

You’re probably familiar with stories and images of the increasing costs to the environment of our society’s heavy use of plastic, and plastic bottles are a big part of the plastic waste stream. And even if you’re conscientious about disposing of plastic bottles, there’s no guarantee that you’re used plastic bottles will end up being recycled. Eliminating plastic bottles from your home’s waste stream can play a part in correcting this problem.

Reduce potential plumbing issues

Minerals, heavy metals, and chemicals in your water can cause corrosion and damage to your pipes and water-using appliances. By eliminating these potentially damaging factors at the source you can extend the life of your pipes, hot-water heaters, and other home appliances.

Prevent skin irritation

Individuals with sensitive skin or who experience skin irritations and conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can suffer from exposure to chemicals in water such as chlorine. A water filtration system in your home can go a long way towards alleviating these problems.

And even if you don’t suffer from these conditions, there’s nothing like the feeling of pure, clean water when you’re taking a shower or enjoying a tub!

Save on soap and enjoy cleaner clothes

Water that has a high concentration of minerals can diminish the effectiveness of soap. With the addition of a water filtration system, you’ll find that appliances like your clothes washer and dishwasher will clean more effectively. Clothes and dishes will be cleaner and your appliances won’t suffer from the buildup of mineral deposits.

Reduces limescale and other mineral deposits

If you’ve ever looked at the bottom of an old tea kettle, you may have noticed white, chalky deposits on the bottom. That’s limescale, the buildup of minerals from lime and other minerals in your water. In addition to being unattractive, limescale can build up in pipes and appliances, and it often makes your water taste unpleasant.

A quality whole-home water filtration system will alleviate many of the issues associated with limescale, and give you better tasting water as well.

Improve the taste of your drinking water

Water is one of the best fluids for your body, and adding more water to your diet can have real benefits for your overall health. So why not enjoy the best tasting water? With a whole house water filter in your home, you’ll enjoy the clean, crisp taste of pure water, every time you open your tap.

Understanding the different types of water filtration systems

Several different methods are commonly employed for water filtration in the home. Depending on your particular situation, the right one for your situation can vary. Let’s take a look at the science behind each of the most popular filtration technologies.

Reverse osmosis water filter systems

This is the gold standard for home water filter systems. These systems use air pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane. Properly installed, these systems can handle a large quantity of filtered water and eliminate almost all contaminants. Reverse osmosis systems are designed to operate as a whole house water filter. They’re placed in a central location and provide the entire home with filtered water.

Cation exchange water filter systems

These systems are known by other names, usually water softeners or exchange systems. They’re designed as whole-home systems, so all the water in your home will receive the benefits of employing one of these systems. The system works by creating positively charged ions that attract the negatively charged ions of earth metals like barium, calcium, and magnesium, minerals that can cause your water to taste bad and negatively impact your health.

Activated carbon

Activated carbon systems are relatively inexpensive and quite common. Activated carbon systems are usually located at the point of delivery, that is, before an individual faucet, such as in your kitchen. Your water supply flows through an activated carbon filter located in line with the faucet and the filter removes chemicals, parasites, or heavy metals present in the water.

Activated carbon filtration systems are inexpensive and easy to install, but the carbon filter in the system will need to be replaced regularly, and they don’t cover the entire home, just the faucet you’ve installed them in line with.

At our services, we offer a variety of different water filtration from respected manufacturers. Get in touch with us to find out what your options are.

Tips for installing a whole house filtration system

If you’ve decided that you’d like to tackle a house water filter installation, here are some useful tips for how to proceed with the job.

Be sure the whole house water filter you’ve selected is a good match for your home

Different house water filtration systems have different requirements for fittings and space required. It’s important that you carefully check the requirements of the system before you purchase a whole house filter system. If you’re in doubt, consult with a professional before undertaking the project.

Be sure your water pressure is correct

Did you know that your water pressure can be too high? Whole house water filters are built to operate within a specific range of water pressures, and if the water pressure is too high, you can damage the system. Have your water pressure checked, and if it is too high, have a water pressure reducing valve installed on your water supply pipe before you install a whole house water filter.

Consider using a pre-filter

A pre-filter acts as a sediment filter, preventing debris and other particles in the water supply from clogging your water filter. This investment can help extend the life of your whole house’s water filter system.

Install your whole house water filter system before the water heater

Don’t ignore this important part of the installation process. A whole house water filtration system is designed to work with cold water from your water line, not the heated water coming out of your water heater.

Talk to us now!

Our plumbing experts at our service have the training, expertise, and experience to work with you to evaluate your situation and recommend a water filtration system that meets your needs and matches your water supply. Our expertise with purification system installations at Enoch means we have the experience and knowledge to offer you a variety of options from highly-rated manufacturers. If you’re considering a water purification system, don’t delay, get in touch with us today. Quotes are free, and we’ll help you find the system for your home.

• on 3 Oct 2021
• By Lily Harper
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THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER FILTRATION

• on 23 Sep 2021
• By Lily Harper
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Making Water Safe in an Emergency

In an emergency, water contaminated with germs can often be made safe to drink by boiling, adding disinfectants, or filtering.

• on 1 Sep 2021
• By Lily Harper
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Top 5 Types of Drinking Water Filters

• on 23 Aug 2021
• By Lily Harper
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BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER IN THE COTSWOLDS #CHECKOUTTHATVIEW

One of the places we’ve been to recently is the beautiful, picturesque Cotswold village of Bourton-On-The-Water. It’s a lovely place to go for picnics, walks by the stream, traditional gift shops, old-fashioned tearooms, and local ice cream. We’ve had a few days out there, as there’s also a model village and the fantastic Birdland too, where you can find everything from parrots to penguins!

On our recent visit to Bourton-On-The-Water, they had duck racing, with yellow bath ducks being launched off of one of the bridges and followed downstream to the next bridge. Children can often be found paddling in the stream on hot days too. I recently got in myself and very quickly regretted it when I found out that the water was so cold my skin turned pink! Why is it that children always seem to be immune to how cold the water is?!

Bourton-on-the-Water is about 20 minutes from Cheltenham, 30 minutes from Gloucester, and 40 minutes from Oxford. It’s a great local place to visit in some of the prettiest English countrysides, with a real traditional Cotswold style to it. Definitely somewhere to add to the visit list if you are visiting Gloucestershire.

Life is moving so fast right now, that I can’t keep up! We’ve been to so many great places and had so much fun recently that I completely forgot to promote the last #CheckOutThatView linkup and this one is a day late! Bad blogger! *smacks own wrist*

Shoutouts to Ups, Downs, Smiles, and Frowns, and also Into The Glade, who both still remembered to link up, their beautiful photos, even though I forgot to tell anyone about it!

So I hope you liked my photos of Bourton-On-The-Water. Here’s this week’s linky for other bloggers to link up their photos of any place that has a pretty or dramatic view. #CheckOutThatView

• on 12 Aug 2021
• By Lily Harper
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The Most Popular Bottled Waters, Ranked