How wonderful it is to start the day with a rich, aromatic, flavorful cup of coffee!  Ever wonder why the cup of coffee at the coffee shop tastes better than the one you brew at home?

We’ll Let You in On a Few Secrets

Since coffee is 98% water, it is essential to use the best water possible when brewing it. Using fresh water is crucial to proper extraction. Always start with cold water; never use hot water directly from the tap.

Furthermore, water that has been heated and then cooled, or has been sitting too long will be void of dissolved oxygen which is a key component of water taste. Using this water will result in a  flat cup of coffee that lacks acidity and clarity.

Another important factor is to use only great tasting water containing a touch of certain minerals like calcium magnesium which imparts good flavor to the coffee.  Water should have no discernible taste or “character” such as sharp or astringent qualities. Minerals like iron and manganese spoil the brew.  Bad water makes bad coffee.

Chlorine in municipal water supplies gives an unpleasant taste and odor to water.  It also suppresses the natural aromatics of coffee and attacks its flavor compounds.

Impurities in well water and city water can add unpleasant flavors and odors to water. Additionally, when the impurities combine with compounds in coffee (caffeine, antioxidants, etc.) they bind together to form solids. Flavors and aromas are diverted, and we are deprived of the pleasure of great tasting coffee.

One of the ways coffee shops provide you with the excellent coffee you enjoy is through sophisticated filters that remove impurities from the water.

The best way get the premier coffee shop taste at home is to use Reverse Osmosis water that has also been re-mineralized by an additional filter. Then you will be saying, “Now THAT is a great cup of homemade coffee!”

Call us today to find out more: Gainesville: 352-372-2707 Ocala: 352-369-1707

Soft Water Energy Efficiency

Are you thinking about how to reduce your carbon footprint ? What about how to save money on your electric or gas bill?  Read on to learn how a Water Softener can help you accomplish both!

What is soft water you ask? Soft water is water that you treat to remove minerals such as dissolved limestone and iron.

Recently, a comprehensive study done by the Battelle Memorial Institute proved with actual numbers that removing hardness from water entering a home results in significant savings. For example, soft water maintains the factory efficiency of water using appliances (i.e. water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers).

In fact, having soft water significantly decreases maintenance and replacement costs, which reduces your carbon footprint!

Some of the Major Appliances that Experience the Beneficial Effects of Soft Water Are:

Water Heaters:

Gas storage tanks and tank-less water heaters used with soft water maintained its original factory efficiency rating over a 15 year lifetime. With hard water, there was a 24% reduction in efficiency in the gas storage tank heaters. The tank-less water heaters failed to function due to scale accumulation after only 1.6 years.

• For electric water heaters, the study showed that for every 5 gpg of hardness there was 0.4 lbs of scale accumulation per year in their storage tanks.  This scale build-up also shortened the life of the heating element and increased its operating temperature.

• Over 15 years the carbon footprint of water heaters increased 18% when operated on 26 gpg hard water versus the same operation on zero gpg softened water. Tank-less water heaters’ foot print increased by an additional 4% when using hard water.

Dishwashers & Washing Machines:

After only 30 days of use with hard water dishwashers and washing machines showed significant scale build-up on all interior surfaces. Imagine how it would appear after 365 days or more! Dishwashers and Washing Machines that used softened water showed no signs of build-up after 30 days of consistent use.

• Reduction of hardness is significantly more effective on stain removal than either an increase in water temperature or an increase in detergent dose. Soft Water saves money by allowing consumers to use 50% less detergent and to wash in cold water. Detergent savings up to 70% was also observed on dishwashers.

Shower heads & Faucets:

Shower heads using hard water lost 75% of their flow rate in 18 months. Where as, shower heads and faucets using soft water maintained full flow and their exterior luster.

Faucets could not maintain their flow rates due to substantial scale buildup in their strainers.

In a day when energy efficiency seems to be the mantra of manufacturers and top priority for consumers, one would wonder why it is not standard for homes to come equipped with water softeners.

Save Money Starting Today!

As proven by the Battelle study, energy efficiency can only be achieved in the long term if the water entering the appliance is soft. If a homeowner purchases high-efficiency appliances to save money or to decrease their carbon footprint, she/he needs to retain that energy efficiency and extend the appliance’s lifespan by using soft water.

In 2009 Water Quality Research Foundation funded the Battelle Memorial Institute Energy Savings Study. In 2010 it funded the Scientific Services S/D Inc. Detergent Savings Study. The facts in this blog are taken from those studies.

For more information call: Gainesville: 352-372-2707 Ocala: 352-369-1707

Psssst! Hey, the secret to good beer is water!

Surely you have heard the joke: “Save Water, Drink Beer!”  Funny! But technically… beer IS water!

Water is a Key Ingredient in the Brewing Process

Water is a key ingredient in the brewing process and 95% of the finished product. This main ingredient that seems so simple is often overlooked, when it actually determines the style, taste and quality of beer.

The source of water used to brew beer can vary from a municipal distribution system, private well or can be purified water or bottled water. Either way, parameters such as hardness (amount of Calcium and Magnesium contained in the water), presence of chlorine or other chemicals, pH and alkalinity of the water can cause great variations in your tasty beverage.

Municipal water supplies and private wells have impurities like chlorine, arsenic, iron, hard minerals, heavy metals and other nasty stuff which produces funky beer.  If you want your buddy to crack open your beer and say “Good Job! This rocks!“ you’ve got to clean up your water before you start brewing.

Okay, you removed the stuff that can make your beer funky, now what?

Now You Choose What Style Beer You Want So You Can Select the Right Type of Water

English Stouts are defined by the water used to brew them.  Want to make a certain style of beer? You have to look into the style of water that comes from that region and mimic that. For example, Pilsner Beer comes from Pilsner in Czech Republic, they have very low levels of Calcium and Magnesium in the water, in essence they have soft water.  Get it? Got it? Brew it!

In Gainesville, Swamp Head Brewery hired us to install 2 huge Backwashing Carbon Filters designed to remove chlorine, chloramines, Trihalomethanes (THMs), Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) and any organics present in their water.  This ensures the consistent high quality beer they produce.

Regardless of your brewing experience level or your choice of doing all-grain or extract batches, getting to know the composition of the water you plan to use for your beer and adjusting it to the needed style is crucial in the final result and will give your beer the unique taste you are looking for.

Happy Brewing and Call us today for a FREE Water Analysis and find out which Water Treatment solution is best for you!

P.S. Water quality plays a significant role in your home brewed wines as well!

Have you ever experienced a Boil Water Advisory? If so, you know they inconvenience you greatly but must be followed in order to protect you and your families health.

Boil Water Advisories are given by the government or health authorities when a communities drinking water may be contaminated by bacteria, viruses, protozoa or parasites that can make you very sick.   Contamination of the municipal water supply can be caused by various factors such as equipment failures, leaking or broken pipes, or deficiencies in the amount of disinfectant used.

Contamination of wells can be due to flooding and other factors.  If you are in an area where there is a Boil Water Advisory follow it even if you are on a private well.

Boil Water Advisories should be taken very seriously as they are designed to deliver critical information in order to protect your health.

Below are guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency to be followed during a Boil Water Advisory.

Fact Sheet About What to Do During a Boil Water Advisory

Boil your water:

• Fill a pot with water
• Heat until the water bubbles up from bottom of the pot (212 degrees F)
• Let it boil for 1 minute
• Turn off the heat & let cool
• Pour cooled water into a container for future use

Disinfect your water:

If tap water is clear:

• Use unscented bleach
• Add 1/8 tsp household bleach to 1 gallon of water
• Mix well & wait 30 minutes before drinking
• Store disinfected water in clean container with cover

If tap water is cloudy:

• Filter water through a clean cloth
• Add ¼ tsp unscented household bleach to 1 gallon of water
• Mix well & wait 30 minutes before drinking
• Store in clean container with cover

To sanitize containers:

• Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 tsp of unscented household bleach to 1 quart of water
• Pour sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well making sure it coats the entire inside of the container
• Let solution sit in container for at least 30 seconds
• Let empty container air dry or rinse with water that has been previously sanitized

Water Filters:

• Boil tap water even if it is filtered. Most household water filters do not remove viruses or bacteria

Preparing and cooking food:

• Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled or with bottled water
• Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before adding food to cook
• Use boiled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea and lemonade
• Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water

Feeding babies & using formula:

• Breastfeeding is best, but if that is not an option:
• Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible
• If you must use concentrated or powdered formula, prepare it with bottled water. Use boiled & cooled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water

Ice:

• Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers or ice makers
• Throw out all ice made with tap water
• Make new ice with boiled or bottled water

Bathing & showering:

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering
• Use caution bathing babies and young children. A sponge bath is a good alternative during times of boil water alerts

Brushing teeth:

• Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water

Washing dishes:

• Wash dishes using hot water
• Add 1 tsp unscented bleach for each gallon of warm water
• Soak dishes in water for at least 1 minute
• Let dishes air dry

Laundry:

• You may continue your normal laundry routine during a boil water alert

Pets:

• Give pets water that has been boiled and cooled

Source: www.cdc.gov

For more information on Boil Water Advisories:  http:www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/emergency/drinking-water-advisory-communication-toolbox.pdf

There is an easier way to protect your family year round.  Call us for a Free Water Analysis and we can advise of Water Treatment Equipment that can provide you hassle free safe pure water even when there are Boil Water Advisories in your community.

Gainesville: 352-372-2707 Ocala: 352-369-1707

Your Drinking Water:

Your drinking water typically comes from a municipal water supply,  private well and/or spring. We tend to think water from a private well or spring is always clean.  However, if you live in North Central Florida all water comes from the same source, wells that are tapped into some underground source of water.

Exposure to contamination from natural source (sand, iron, limestone, arsenic, bacteria, viruses) is possible for all water -municipal supplies, private wells and/or spring water. Also, from man made sources (agricultural chemicals, industrial and animal waste – nitrates, leaching from landfills and septic tanks, lead, cadmium). The difference is the city monitors municipal water on a regular basis, while homeowners typically do not monitor their private water sources.

Studies Show

According the EPA more than 90% of municipal water systems in the USA meet EPA’s water quality standards. However, the National Academy of Sciences has found hundreds of other toxic contaminants in municipal water supplies. There is no requirement to test nor safe levels established by EPA for these.  Additionally, the National Academy of Sciences recognizes that disinfection by-products of chlorine such as Trihalomethanes (THM’s) and Haloacetic acids are harmful to people’s heath.

Once municipal water leaves the treatment plant it can be exposed to additional contaminants before it reaches your home due to breaks in pipes, aging and deteriorating pipelines.

Scientists at the National Academy of Sciences state that private wells and spring water carry the same contaminants as municipal water. Though, the EPA does not impose regulations on wells.

Some contaminants can pose a danger to you and your family’s health. Others can harm water using appliances, and stain fabrics, bathroom fixtures and more.

Best Water Solutions goal is to ensure that the water you drink and use in your home is as pure and safe as possible. Therefore, we offer a FREE Water Analysis and Consultation in your home.

Some Reasons You Should Test Your Water:

• Expose the presence of harmful contaminants that you cannot be see, smell or tasted. Such as heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury), or bacteria, viruses, cysts and more
• Identify the causes of odors or colors in the water
• Determine if your water contains elements destructive to your water using appliances and plumbing fixtures
• Reveal the causes of spotting and streaking in shower doors, tiles, flatware, glassware, coffee pots, etc.
• Find out why your water pressure is diminishing
• Detect the reason for blue/green stains in your sinks, bathtubs and toilets
• Reveal the cause of the unsightly rings in your bathtub
• Determine if you can save money on your energy bills

Once our specialist completes the Water Analysis they will explain the results.  If beneficial to you, they will recommend treatment options to improve the quality of your water.

Best Water Solutions carries a wide range of options such as Conditioners, Iron and Sulfur Filters, Ultraviolet and Ozone Disinfection, Ultra-Filtration, Low Pressure Membranes and Reverse Osmosis.

To schedule your FREE Water Analysis today, fill the form on this link:  https://bestwatersolutions.comfree-water-analysis/

A member of our team will contact you to make an appointment at your earliest convenience.

You can also call us: Gainesville: (352) 372-2707   –   Ocala: (352) 369-1707   –   Toll-Free: (800) 516-8962

Or Email us: info@BestWaterSolutions.com

Water is a key element for life on Earth. It plays an essential role in our health, economy, food production, industry, recreation and environment.

Water may seem abundant, but only 2% of the world’s water can actually be used for human needs!

Many countries in the world and some states in the U.S. are already facing great water scarcity problems and if population projections prove accurate (8 to 9 billion people by 2050 per the Population Reference Bureau) many regions of Earth will be facing even more significant water shortages within the next 50 years.

Northeastern University civil and environmental engineering associate professor Auroop Ganguly states that “Population rise will lead to a greater demand for water, and climate change will decrease global rainfall, increase evaporation, and lower supply.” These prognostics are alarming and a great incentive for us to increase our water conservation efforts.

Although many of us are fortunate not to live (for now) in areas with water shortages; it is our responsibility to safeguard this essential resource as much as we can. Many lives in the coming years depend on it!

Here are some easy ways you can save water (and money!) in your everyday lives:

Kitchen:

• Don’t let water run when washing dishes. Instead, fill one large basin with wash water, the other with rinse water.
• Dishwashers use less water than washing by hand. Look for the Energy Star sticker on your appliances since they use even less water and energy.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under running tap.
• When you are done rinsing your vegetables use the water to water your plants.
• Cook in the least amount of water possible. This also helps retain more nutrients.
• Use leftover water from cooked foods to make a very nutritious soup.
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting water run while you scrape them clean.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable waste or throw it in the trash – this saves gallons of water.
• Don’t defrost foods or melt ice under running water.

Bathroom:

• Take shorter showers. If you keep them under 5 minutes you’ll save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Cutting your regular shower time by 1 or 2 minutes will save up to 150 gallons per month.
• To save up to 4 gallons a minute, turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving. A family of 4 can save 200 gallons per week.
• Throw your tissues in the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet.
• Check your faucets and shower heads for leaks. One drip per second could add up to 5 gallons per day.
• Collect running water while you wait for it to heat up. Use it to water your plants or wash veggies and fruits.
• Test your toilets for leaks at least once a year.

Yard:

• Run your sprinklers before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. – 65% of water applied mid-day evaporates.
• Water for one hour or less per zone, up to 3/4-inch: Set a timer and place shallow cans in your yard to monitor volume.
• Water only on your scheduled day.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently. Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.
• Install rain sensors that disable your irrigation system’s irrigation controller from operating during periods of wet weather.
• Install tree T-PEEs around your 1-5 year old trees. These water and nutrient containment systems save 75% of the water used to grow each tree. Makes them stronger and protects them from frost! http://treetpee.com/products

General tips:

• You can save up to 1,000 gallons if you only run your washer and dishwasher when they’re full.
• Reuse your towels whether in your house or in hotels.
• Watch your water bill and water meter closely as they could help you discover leaks.
• Turn off faucets tightly after each use and teach your family members to do the same.
• Install water-saving aerators on all your faucets.

Let’s all help in this mission to make the world a better place for our descendants!

These are a few easy-to-follow tips you can start using today! Even the smallest adjustments can have a big impact! For a 100 water conservation tips, visit http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/?view=list

The water treatment industry relies upon the germicidal effect of chlorine for safe drinking water. And has for decades. Even though we widely recognize that chlorine when in water creates dangerous compounds (Trihalomethanes), we still rely on it.

Eliminate Chlorine

Due to these health risks as well as environmental concerns we, at Best Water, invest considerable time and effort into reducing and eliminating chlorine. High on the list of alternatives is Ultra Violet Purification (UV). UV has proven in many instances to be as effective as chlorine, minus the toxic by-products.

The UV Process

• This process replicates the disinfectant role of the sun.
• A low pressure mercury vapor lamp encloses in a protective transparent sleeve (usually quartz).
• It then emits a powerful germicidal ultraviolet light ray at 253.7 nanometers (nm) wave length.
• As this light ray penetrates water, the genetic components of bacterial micro-organisms in water absorb light energy.
• Typically this costs pennies per hundreds of gallons of water treated.
• This disrupts its DNA and prevents them from reproducing:

-Microbiological organisms such as, bacterial Coliforms, E Coli, Cryptosporidium and Salmonella.

-Giardia, parasites, yeast, viruses, mold and algae render, unable to propagate without the use of chemicals or other difficult processes.

Depending on the characteristics of your water, UV treatment may be an excellent choice to eliminate biological contamination from your water. Also, you can utilize it whether your home or business is on a municipal water system or a private system. With a UV water sanitizer you can continue to use your municipal water even when you receive the occasional “must boil your water” alert.

Ultra Violet’s Sole Purpose is to Kill Harmful Biological Contaminants.

This technology requires that water has a high level of clarity, since it loses its effectiveness in water that has sediment and turbidity, minerals like sulfur, manganese and iron in it. In cloudy water microorganisms can hide behind silt, sulfur or iron particles causing germicidal ultraviolet light ray to be unable to pass through these impurities and reach the bacterial cell structure. Therefore, in some cases pre-treatment methods are required to clarify the water enough that the Ultra Violet rays can penetrate the cell walls. Also, granular activated carbon, carbon block or simple sediment cartridge filtration, depth filtration, KDF or Reverse Osmosis will reduce turbidity, sediments, heavy metals, chlorine, VOC’s and other chemical contaminants.

UV:

• Environmentally safe.
• Does not require storage of hazardous chemicals, therefore there’s no need to worry.
• Eliminates the worry of under dosing ,or over dosing chemicals into the water.
•  Is energy efficient requiring about the same amount of electricity to operate as a 60 watt light bulb.
• Does not produce by-products or alter the taste, smell or the pH of the water.
• Microbiologically safe, pure water without chlorine, chemical taste or smell.
• Does  not damage the environment or our bodies, so who can say no to that?
• So, I’ll drink to that!!

If you have a concern about the contaminants in your water give us a call.

Gainesville: 352-372-2707 or Ocala: 352-369-1707

The sun is shining, temperatures are rising… Summer is here! With many hot days ahead and increased outdoor activities, more exercise and visits to the gym it is extremely important to stay properly hydrated. Get your beach body without hurting your body.

Did You Know?

It may surprise you to know that when you exercise you can lose up to 33 oz of fluid per hour, depending on how long and hard you are exercising.

Sweat and the air you breathe out are the main ways you lose fluid. If you’re not careful you will quickly become dehydrated, which can affect your health and ability to continue exercising.

Remember:

Water regulates your body temperature, lubricates your joints and helps transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy. If you’re not getting enough you may experience:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheaded feeling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Dry mouth
• Lack of sweating
• Hard, fast heartbeat

So whether you’re a serious athlete or a recreational exerciser, it’s important to make sure you get the right amount of water before, during and after exercise, especially if you are exercising outdoors.

The American Council on Exercise suggests the following basic guidelines for drinking water before, during and after exercise:

• Drink 17 to 20 ounces of water 2 to 3 hours before you start exercising.
• Drink 8 ounces of water 20 to 30 minutes before you start exercising or during your warm-up

When you start to exercise it is important that you are well hydrated especially if you’re in a warm environment. Beginning to exercise when you are dehydrated will make your body temperature rise faster and your heart will end up working harder than usual. This makes it difficult for your body to meet aerobic demands. Aside from having negative effects on your overall performance, it could lead to more serious conditions, like a heat stroke.

So make sure to drink enough water throughout the day paying extra attention to hydrating in the 2 to 3 hours before exercising!

• Drink 7 to 10 ounces of water every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise

The amount of water you need to drink will depend on how much fluid you lose from sweat and how long you exercise. Starting to drink early and at regular intervals while you’re exercising is best.

If you’re exercising for less than an hour water is all you need to keep you hydrated. If you’re planning on working out longer or doing a particularly intense exercise (like running a marathon or participating in a tough training session) you will probably need to replace electrolytes also.

Try this homemade citrus electrolyte drink that will do the trick and save you some money on expensive sports drinks:

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 cups of water (filtered or purified) or raw coconut water

2 tbsp organic raw honey or organic maple syrup

1/8 tsp Himalayan Pink salt or Celtic sea salt (I like Himalayan better – it has 84 trace minerals)

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend well.

Lactic Acid

During some specific activities like weight training, the body produces a lot of lactic acid—which is what makes muscles and joints feel fatigued during physical activity.  Lemon water is a great drink in this case, because it not only keeps you hydrated but also alkalizes your system so it’s not too acidic. (Although lemon juice is acidic, it is thought to induce the body to balance by becoming more alkaline once it is metabolized).

Regardless of the type of exercise you choose to engage in it’s important that you don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink – by then, it’s too late and you will already be dehydrated.

Be careful not to over hydrate! Too much water could possibly lead to a rare condition called hyponatremia, which is when excess water in our bodies dilutes the sodium content in our blood. How much water is too much? This depends on your body and the kind of activity you are doing. Talk to your family doctor if you have questions about the right amount of water to drink while exercising.

• Drink 8 ounces of water no more than 30 minutes after you exercise

Post Workout

Okay, so you are finally done with all the hard work. Although you have been replacing the fluid you lose while exercising you will surely be ready for something more to drink. This will be both refreshing and important for restoring your fluid levels and helping your muscles recover. You can continue to drink plain Purified Water or add a pinch of salt to it to accelerate restoration of your fluid levels. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks right after exercise since they are diuretics, meaning they remove water from your body. Our aim is the exact opposite!

Now that you know the basic tricks for perfect hydration when exercising, make sure that the Water you are drinking is the best you can get. Contact us today – our trained professionals will be happy to help you find the Water Treatment System that better meets your needs and your budget.

Gainesville: 352-372-2707 Ocala:  352-369-1707

When we think of an essential condition for life water comes to mind.  In fact it is right behind air.  All living things must have water to survive!

Without Water:

Without water your body would stop working properly and eventually shuts down.  And there is a good reason for that, your body is approximately 80% water and proper hydration is essential to all its main functions.

For instance, blood, which contains a high amount of water, carries oxygen to all the cells in your body. Without oxygen those tiny cells would die, and your body would stop working.

How fast and well blood flows depends on how diluted it is. The main components of blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and serum, which is mostly water and some proteins. When your body is dehydrated blood does not receive enough water to make serum.  Since the volume of blood cells remain the same, blood becomes thicker and the heart has to work harder to pump it through the body.

You Lose Water Daily

Daily your body loses 2 to 3 quarts of water through digestion, breathing, perspiration, urine, bowel movements and stress. Active people lose more water than sedentary people.  If you don’t replace the water you lose you become dehydrated.  Coffee, tea, milk and carbonated drinks do not get the job done either. Your body will remain at a water deficit having negative health consequences.

How hydration plays a critical role on your heart functions and essentially on reducing the risk of fatal Heart Attacks:

A six-year study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology offered interesting findings. Over 20,000 healthy men and women between the ages of 38 and 100 without heart disease, stroke or diabetes participated in the study.  During the 6 years, 246 fatal coronary heart disease instances occurred – 1.2% of the total participants.

The study proved that whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen, which are considered independent risk factors for coronary heart disease can be elevated by dehydration.

The amazing conclusions of the study: Men who drank at least five glasses of plain water per day had a 46% reduced risk of fatal heart disease and women cut their risk by 59%. 

46% and 59% less chances of a fatal heart attack just by drinking water? Next round’s on us!

In previous posts we learned that water allows you to properly metabolize nutrients and get rid of toxins. Now we know that water keeps your bloodstream flowing properly.  Without proper hydration, your blood gets thicker, stressing the pumping of your heart and exposing you to higher risks. As a matter of fact, most heart attacks occur in the morning (6 a.m. to Noon), when your blood is thicker due to the loss of water during the night. To protect yourself it is wise to drink a glass of water one hour before bedtime to keep your body hydrated while you sleep.  Drinking another glass of water when you wake-up in the morning, and continuing throughout the day to replace the water you lose as the day goes on is highly recommended.

“If you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” says John Batson, M.D, a sports medicine physician with Lowcountry Spine & Sport in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and an American Heart Association volunteer.

So raise your glass of Purified Water and toast with us to a stronger and healthier heart!

When we think about water, the first thought that crosses our mind is:  clean, pure, clear and healthy. This is usually what water looks like, right?

Does the Water Flowing in Your Home Seem a Bit Off?

Have you been noticing water related problems in your household, but aren’t sure why or where they come from?  As inventions of new products and materials  in our society increases at a very fast pace so does contamination of our water supply.

Here is a quick and easy guide to detect and understand what could be happening with your water so you can take action and bring significant improvement to everyday life.

There are 2 Types of Contaminants:

Naturally Occurring:

• Microorganisms (wild-life and soils)
•   Heavy metals (underground rocks containing arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and selenium)
• Radionuclides (underlying rock)
• Fluoride
• Nitrates and nitrites (nitrogen compounds in the soil).

From Human Activities:

• Bacteria and nitrates (human and animal wastes, septic tanks and large farms)
• Household wastes (cleaning solvents, used motor oil, paint, paint thinner)
• Heavy metals (mining construction)
• Fertilizers and pesticides (Florida is the #2 user of pesticides in the nation)
• Lead and copper (household plumbing materials)
• Industrial products and wastes (local factories, industrial plants, leaking underground storage tanks, landfills, and waste dumps)
• Water treatment chemicals (wastewater treatment plants);
• Newly discovered in our water: pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, flame retardants.

From the moment water starts “travelling” to your house until it gets there, it can pick up several substances. This could happen many miles away or as close as your neighborhood. In some cases the contaminants could even be in the pipes of your home if they contain lead and copper. These residues would end up in the water you drink and use every day.

What Are the Most Common Clues You Could be Having Problems with Water Flowing in Your Pipes?

Odor:

• The very unpleasant and hard to miss “rotten-egg smell” caused by the presence of hydrogen sulfide. Often caused by a certain type of bacteria in the water.

• Musty, earthy, moldy or grassy odors may be caused by decaying organic matter in the well or plumbing, which makes a perfect environment for bacteria to flourish.

• If every time you have a sip of water or take a shower you inevitably start thinking of summer and swimming pools, chances are there is a high concentration of chlorine in your water. It originates during the normal chlorination treatment process (for disinfection) and leaves an unpleasant smell and some toxic disinfection-by-products in your water.

Appearance:

• Color: Is not always as easy to detect because it depends on the concentration of stain-causing contaminants typically iron,  tannins and manganese. Iron is naturally contained in soil so it’s common in houses that use wells for their water supply.

                                                          –  Iron color ranges from red to brown.

                                                          –Tannins range in color from mild yellow to greenish to dark brown depending upon the variety present.

                                                          –Manganese color ranges from brown to black.

 A good way to inspect for color, assuming you have a white bathtub, is to draw 10″ to 12 ” depth of water into the tub.  This discloses the true amount of color in the water.  Another sign of these contaminants are rust-colored stains around your drains and fixtures or even in your clothes and linens.

• Cloudiness: Can happen for 3 reasons:

1. Tiny air bubbles contained in your water, or silt and organic matter or bacteria. To find out what is causing cloudiness, pour some water into a glass and let it sit for a few minutes.
2. Due to oxygen or methane the bubbles will rise to the surface and disappear. If the water clears and sediment settles to the bottom of the glass, it generally indicates iron, particles or silt are in the water.
3. If the water does not clear and no particulates settle to the bottom of the glass you may be dealing with colloidal matter with an electric charge that keeps the molecules in suspension.

The only way to determine if bacteria is present in your water is to have it tested.

Taste

• Sulfates, that cause the rotten egg smell, can also cause a salty taste. This could be due to bacteria growing in drains, water heaters, wells or on the inside of pipes.

• As mentioned at the beginning, sometimes the pipes in your home may be responsible for contaminating your water with mercury, lead, copper, arsenic or iron. So be aware if your water has a metallic taste to it.

• Manganese is found in some wells in North Florida.  It imparts a bitter taste to your water.

• If again, while you drink water in your home you get a pool taste you are probably dealing with dissolved chlorine in your water supply.

Signs Screaming: WATER ISSUE

Aside from the above clues in water itself there are other signs in your house that scream WATER ISSUE.  More specifically, Hard Water Issues (meaning dissolved limerock is present) can make your everyday life considerably harder. (This is actually where this type of water got its name from, it is hard to work with.) Hard water minerals form scale, which builds up in pipes and appliances.  Minerals in the hard water react with soaps and detergents creating soap scum that adheres to everything it touches. This makes cleaning more challenging and time consuming.

The Most Common Signs of Hard Water Are :

• Unsightly, difficult to remove soap scum in sinks, bathtubs and fixtures
• Hard water spots on glassware, dishes, flatware and kitchen appliances
• Dingy, rough laundry resulting from soap scum clinging to fibers in clothing and textiles
• Reduced lifespan of clothes due to buildup of soap and hard minerals
• Increased use of detergents, cleaning supplies and personal care products
• Unmanageable hair since residues in water sticks to your hair making it frizzy and dull
• Dry and itchy skin resulting from invisible soap film on the skin
• Decreased efficiency and life expectancy of water using appliances
• Increased utility bills due to hard water build up on heating elements in your heater and dishwasher  increasing the energy needed to heat your water
• Clogged pipes from hard water scale reducing water flow and pressure

If you are experiencing hard water problems give us a call.  We will test your water and show you how these problems can be effectively solved by means of a water softener or controlled by a no salt water conditioner.

Gainesville: 352-372-2707 Ocala: 352-369-1707