What is Safe?

Is Organic Food a 100% Organic?

We are currently living in the midst of the booming Organic Food movement. In today’s market there are thousands of specialized stores, supermarkets, and online retailers throughout the country that promote the consumption of “organic foods”. Even with prices reaching as high as 20,30 or even 50% above the regular “non organic foods” cost, the response of the general public has been enormously positive.

However, what happens when we bring our organic food home? This food will have to be washed, cooked, and sometimes boiled with water that is “Not Pure”. You may be asking yourself…what do you mean by “Not pure water”?  It is common knowledge that municipal or town water is disinfected with chlorine, but sometimes the levels used are far beyond of what approves the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) standards are. In other words, when we wash, prepare and cook our organic food with water levels that are 1,2 or even 3 PPM (parts per million)  of chlorine and others chemicals , those chemicals will stick to our organic food. So now the question is: Is our organic food still organic? How can we make sure that we provide only safe, healthy food and water for ourselves and loved ones?

It is important to give the proper consideration to the type of water that is entering into our home. PURE water is our main food “source”. It is more important than any other food you bring into your home. It really does not matter how much organic food we are buying for our family if our water is not a 100% pure. Don’t you agree?

It is time that we all pay more attention to this matter and how we can achieve the best and healthiest living conditions for our families. A good way to start is by installing in the point of entry a water system that is certified for organizations like www.wqa.org, www.nsf.org, www.epa.gov, among others. Always make sure that your water specialist people and companies are certified. Do not put your family at risk. Water is the main source of food; so do not take it for granted.

Pure Water / Potable Water?

Pure Water or Potable Water?

Which one do you prefer sir/madam? Do you know the difference? I am pretty sure that many people do, but some do not. On this issue, they often say

“Oh, I drink water straight from my house’s faucet”

Others say…

“Do you know what? I don’t really care about it because I am paying a small fortune for my “potable” water that the “town” sells to me. They wouldn’t sell me polluted water, or contaminated water. I trust them. “

Excellent, you definitely should trust them; after all they are professionals are serious business people. Just remember that there is only so much they can do considering the fact that they will have to deal with chemicals (byproduct) to process your potable water; mostly to control the GERMS such as: Coliform bacteria and cryptosporidium (a microscopic disease carrying protozoan such as giardia and ecoli).

Recently a study was done by a very reputable non-profit organization that revealed that periodic spikes in contaminant levels are on the rise, a sign of aging pipes. Also that water treatment facilities often cannot handle today’s contaminant loads, for example; after a major storm, or an industrial spill.  In recent years the populations of the towns surrounding Boston were called to boil their water because of the presence of microorganisms in the water supply. Cracks in drinking water supply pipes, and unprotected water sources put our nation’s drinking water supply at increasing risk for waterborne diseases and hazardous contaminants. It is a real challenge for any government in any country to be able to bring “pure” water to their citizens, as well as expensive. Would not it be nice if one day, we as consumers could be asked by our water suppliers this question? Potable water or pure water sir/madam? Maybe we will one day. As a nation, we are lucky enough to have accessibility to the best products, and materials as well as a variety of choices. So we should have it on water too right?

The consumers’ best bet today is to have a specialized water treatment company to install a water purification system in their home. Then their municipality or well water will be treated at the point of entry. This way they will have peace of mind for their family, especially if the company and products that they picked are certified by WQA (Water Quality Association), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and NSF (National Sanitation Foundation). Be proactive call AqualiteUS at (781) 533-7777 or visit our webpage www.aqualiteus.com today and let us solve your water problems once and for good!



Knowing About the Water

Turbidity (Cloudy Water)

Turbidity or cloudiness in water is caused by very small particles that remain suspended and tend to float because of their very low density. Some Turbidity (both organic or inorganic in nature) in surface water will settle out when the water is allowed to stand, however a portion of this material may be present as finely divided, colloidal matter and cannot be removed by settling. In general, most Turbidity in residential water treatment can be removed by passing the water through a “Bed” tank of granular-style media in a sediment filtration system. Make sure you consult with a water specialist to recommend you a proper unit.

Flouride and Fecal Coliform Bacteria

Knowing About the Water

Fluoride

Fluoride in water can be detrimental on beneficial, it all depends on the concentration. Research has shown that a concentration of about one milligram per liter (ppm) of fluoride in drinking water reduces tooth decay. 

When drinking water contains excessive fluoride above 2 ppm, it causes “endemic dental fluorosis” sometimes called “colored brown stain” it appears as a dark brown mottling or spotting of the teeth or causes them to become chalky white. When Fluoride is above 4ppm a serious bone disorder called “crippling skeletal fluorosis” can occur. 



Fecal Coliform Bacteria

Fecal coliform bacteria such as Escherichia Coli (E. Coli), grown in the intestines of human beings and other warm blooded animals since they are discharged in astronomical numbers (approximately 400 Billion per day in warm weather regions) in human excrement, their presence in a water sample is an indication of human sewage. This can represent a very serious threat to human health when found in the water supply. If detected the water cannot be used for consumption at all and the source of it must be taken care of and stopped.

Total Water Hardness

Knowing About the Water

Total Water Hardness 

Although much has been written over the past 75 years about water hardness, no universal definition exists of what constitutes various levels of Water Hardness. Water Hardness is measured chemically by the amount of Calcium Bicarbonate and Magnesium Bicarbonate contains in the water sample. Together, the sum of these two represents what is termed the “Total Hardness” or TH. Technically this measurement is called Temporary Hardness, as these carbonates can break down under elevated water temperatures. 
The common unit of measuring Water Hardness is grain per U.S. gallon (gpg). The more scientific measurement is in part per million (ppm), or what is generally considered the equivalent metric measure of milligrams per liter (mg/l). It takes 17.1 ppm (mg/l) to equal one U.S. gpg. Usually water testing above three grains (52ppm) per gallon is labeled “HARD”. However, the level of Hardness is very important especially in boiler feed water. To establish a set of Hardness levels, the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the American Society of Agricultural engineers jointly adopted Standard S-339, which brackets Water Hardness categories. 


Here are some problems directly connected with Hard Water: Consumes much more soap and makes cleaning more difficult, soap scum and lime scum in wash basins and toilet bowl; ring around bathtub; leaves hair looking duller after shampooing; dingy yellow collar in white laundry goods; whitish scale deposits in pipes, water heater and tea kettles. There also are some scientific studies relating Hard Water with human health such as hardening of the arteries.

Iron/Manganese and Chloramines

Knowing About the Water

Iron/Manganese
(Rusty Color, Sediment, Metallic taste, Reddish or Orange Staining) Iron in water, either alone or in combination with other troublesome water conditions, is frequent due to the fact that about 5% of the Earth’s crust is made up of Iron. Though not found in a pure state, Iron ores are abundant and widely distributed over the Earth. Iron water, if not treated can lead to serious complications in many industrial applications. In fact, there is hardly any wet process work that can be carried out successfully with water that contains Iron. 

There is little doubt when water contains Iron. “Iron Water” readily stains plumbing fixtures porcelain cooking utensils, laundry machines, dishwashers, etc. Iron build up in pressure tanks, water heaters, and plumbing cause automatic water pressure reduction in the house/building reducing also the efficiency causing homeowners costly repairs throughout the years. 


Chloramines

Chloramines are a compound formed by feeding both Chlorine and Ammonia to the water reservoir. This treatment has been used for controlling bacterial growth in long pipe lines and in the applications where slower oxidizing action is of particular benefit.

Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor)

Knowing About the Water
Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor)

In some regions of the United States, the appearance of Hydrogen Sulfide in water sources can be seasonal. For example, in the New England area, Hydrogen Sulfide shows up in the spring and the fall, when the water tables tend to be at their highest levels. Hydrogen Sulfide frequently occurs in well water sources that also contain appreciable levels of Iron, especially along the Eastern US Coastal plains. 

These anaerobic, single cell Sulfide-reducing bacteria can exist in home piping systems, especially on the hot water side. It is more noticeable on the first hot water drawn in the morning. 

There is never any doubt as to when it is present due to its offensive “rotten egg odor”. Hydrogen Sulfide promotes corrosion due to its activity as a weak acid. Furthermore, its presence in the air causes silver to tarnish in a matter of seconds. High concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide gas are both poisonous and flammable. While these concentrations are rare, their presence in drinking water has been known to cause nausea, illness and in extreme cases death.