Well water and city water – Know what you’re drinking

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Well water and public water systems are two well  known drinking water sources. No matter what households use , whether well water or public water that the municipality treats before reaching their faucets, people should invest in a water softener filter combo so they can receive pure, filtered and clean soft water.

It is important to know the difference between well water and city water, which passes through a treatment facility.

Do they get city water or well water?

Fifteen million people in the US are dependent on well water that is why this is among the most commonly used sources of water. If they have been living in their current residence for quite some time they would know if they are using city water Reno or well water. However, if they just moved to some new place, they should ask themselves the following questions to know where their water comes from?

Do they get a water bill?

If they receive a water bill, it means they are using city water since they are obliged to pay for the water treated by the government.

Do they see a water pump anywhere near the house?

If they notice a water pump or pressure tank nearby then they are using well water, which has to be pumped from time to time.

Do they need to treat their well water?

The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA does not regulate well water. Therefore, if they are using well water, they are responsible for testing the quality of their water on a regular basis and have it treated to prevent it from getting contaminated by bacteria or virus.

More often than not, well water gets contaminated by bacteria and virus, among other contaminants. If the water is not treated by a water softener filter combo system, those who drink it may be susceptible to acute gastroenteritis disease.

When they have just moved to a new home, they should see to it that the water is tested by experts. They supply various types of certified laboratory tests to check the contaminants that exist in the water. This will help in deciding on the best water treatment plan.

How does the government treat city water?

The EPA regulates all municipal water supplies. The government facility treats city water by combining chlorine, chloramines and fluoride to neutralize the bacteria as well as other contaminants that cause waterborne diseases.

The problem is,  chemicals that are used for treating city water have their own issues. Chlorine, which is effective in disinfecting water, produces harmful byproducts. This can damage the central nervous system as well as increases the probability of getting kidney/liver cancer. Also, contaminants in hard water can shorten the lifespan of appliances that use water.

The Bottom Line

The most effective way to treat and obtain city water safe to drink Reno is by using a whole house water filtration system plus water softener system so that common contaminants like chlorine and heavy metals get filtered out and prevent hard water problems.

Get Informed About Hard Water and Start Saving Money

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Many people don’t know how to determine if the water is hard or soft. It is easy to see the difference between these two types of water. Just look at your tub and shower head. Hard water leaves a white build-up of scale from mineral on your surfaces. These scales consist of calcium and magnesium that can accumulate in your pipes and in the long run, clog them.

Hardness Can Happen Temporarily

Some people assume they have soft water, as others tell them, until they notice that the shampoos, soaps and detergents they use do not lather very well. When this happens, they may be experiencing temporary water hardening. Water often becomes hard due to the bicarbonate minerals in it. You can make your water soft by boiling or just letting the minerals go through your water system.

Reasons Why People do not Like Hard Water

When your water contains minerals, this can bring about problems in your home. It may be fine to drink hard water, but generally, it does not make your skin and hair healthy. Though some issues may not pose any serious risks, others may need the help of professional plumbers:

Hair:

Can lose its shine;

Easily gets dry and develop dandruff;

Never looks clean.

Skin:

Always feels sticky;

Quickly dries out;

May cause eczema to develop in children.

When you use hard water in washing clothes, this can eventually ruin the fabric by breaking it down. When you wash them in soft water, it may leave traces of detergent in the fibers. It is therefore important to find a compromise if you want clean clothes without the damage.

Hard water can cause minerals to build-up in your pipes, and this may go unnoticed until they start to clog. A skilled plumber should flush out these mineral deposits to prevent them from damaging your pipes.

It is unfortunate, though, that most homeowners are not aware of this build up until serious problems happen. Installing a water softening system will remove scale build up and minimize the negative effects of hard water.

How to Treat Hard Water

If your water is too hard or too soft, this can be regulated by means of a treatment system, making it best for your family. When a treatment system is installed in your home by a professional, you water will become safe to drink, and will be good to use for washing.

Considering the benefits your family will get from the safe, pure water they can use, as well as the cost-savings you will have from having clear pipes, installing a water treatment system (whether a water softener or filter system) may turn out to be more affordable than you can imagine.

How Much Water Are You Drinking Every Day?

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Some people do not realize the value of water, and how drinking it can have a huge effect on their overall health. Even if it is crucial to drink lots of water, many of these individuals may not be drinking the right amount of water every day.

According to the Institute of Medicine, men are advised to consume 3 liters of water a day, while women are supposed to consume 2.2 liters daily.

About 70% of the body is made up of water,while 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. Since water is found everywhere, people take it for granted, and drinking a sufficient amount is not included in their list of priorities.

Among the different parts of the body, the kidneys depend a lot on sufficient water intake. Though these organs may not get much attention just like the heart or lungs, they have many important functions that help maintain the health of the body.

Reasons to Drink Water

The cells and organs of our body need water so that they can function well. In addition, this vital fluid regulates blood pressure, lubricates the joints, helps in the passage of food through the intestines, and protects the spinal cord and sensitive tissues.

Some of the water needed by the body comes from foods that have a high content of water – such as soups, oranges and tomatoes – but most of it comes from drinking water and other beverages.

As people do their normal daily activities, their body loses water and it has to be replenished. It is obvious that water is lost when sweating and urinating. However, many do not know that it is also lost when breathing.

Whether drinking from a bottle or the tap, water is the body’s best source of fluids. Milk and juices are good sources of water, while drinks with caffeine and alcohol content like coffee, soft drinks and beer are not very good – they have diuretic properties that cause the body to discharge water.

The Right Amount of Water to Drink

The right amount of water that should be consumed on a daily basis varies from one person to another, based on different factors – everyday activities and the amount of sweat they release. There is no universal rule as to the water consumption that needs to be achieved. Nevertheless, there is a general level of agreement as to the healthy amount.

The Institute of Medicine or IOM says that the sufficient amount of water that men should take is about 13 cups or 3 liters a day. They recommend 9 cups or about 2.2 liters for women.

It has always been said that people need to drink eight glasses (eight ounces per glass) a day, which is about 1.9 liters. This is very near the recommendation of IOM for women. It is somehow easy to remember the quantity 8 x 8 to set them on the right track, when it comes to water consumption.

What’s more, water also helps in dissolving nutrients and minerals to make them more available to the body. It also flushes waste products out of the body’s system. These two functions make water essential to the kidneys.

Short Q&A Session on Water Filtration

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What does Water Filtration mean?

A. Walter filtration is the process wherein water goes through a system that involves one or more filters to remove the taste, odor, color, iron, turbidity and some chemicals like chlorine. It can be designed as cartridge devices or loose media tank-type systems. Generally, this process can consist of absorptive, catalyst/oxidizing, mechanical and neutralizing filters.

How can I know the contents of my water?

If a municipal water supplier provides your water, you can go over your “Consumer Confidence Report” (CRC) to know what is in your water. It is mandatory for public water suppliers to provide an annual CRC. If you have a private well, you can ask a certified laboratory to analyze your water.

Which among the water treatment products should I buy?

The moment you verify what is found in your water, it is easier to determine the elements you want to remove. This can be done by means of a water analysis. Then, find out which among the types of systems available can best suit your particular needs.

There are some resources that can help you in making your best decision. Do not buy a product that people sell using scare/alarm strategies, and before purchasing, verify with many resources to ensure you will get a top-quality system/replacement part.

When water treatment equipment is installed, will it need some service/parts?

Home water treatment equipment requires special attention, and most of them need the replacement of filters and membranes. It is best to consider the service and maintenance instructions recommended by the manufacturer.

Why does my water have a peculiar taste? Can this be remedied?

If you want the water at your sink – used for drinking and cooking – to be treated by means of a POU (point of use) system, you can opt for a reverse osmosis system. This can take away fluoride, iron, lead, nitrates and several other contaminants.

What’s more, a Reverse Osmosis system can considerably improve your water’s taste and quality by removing chlorine and other unpleasant tastes. When you decide on treating the whole house with a POE (point of entry) system, which is installed where the water enters the house, you should first be able to identify the cause of the problem (via a water analysis).

The moment you have determined what causes the taste problem, you can search on the type of water treatment equipment designed to meet your specific needs.

When my well water was analyzed, it tested positive for coliform bacteria. What are coliform bacteria and how can you address this problem?

A. When water has coliform bacteria, this means that the well is prone to bacteria contamination. You have many options to address this problem. One solution is to have the well disinfected and retest your water for coliform.

If the next test still shows that water tested positive for coliform, you should consider a whole house water treatment system. Ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection is the most common way of treating waterborne bacteria.