The Benefits of Good Water Quality
Water and Health Are Linked
Bad water is bad for you, but safe water is key to life — and good for you! Water has so many health benefits that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day.
Water and health are linked. According to the CDC, the top causes of disease outbreaks related to drinking water are Giardia intestinalis, hepatitis A, norovirus, andShigella. Bad as that sounds, it’s far from a complete list. There are also health risks related to water contaminated with organic and inorganic matter, other bacteria and viruses and other pollutants.
Some studies link high levels of lead in drinking water to delays in physical and mental development, short attention spans, and learning difficulties in children. There’s also evidence that arsenic in drinking water can lead to nerve, heart, skin, and blood vessel damage. And Cryptosporidium is responsible for potentially life-threatening diarrhea.
Still, water is essential. The human body is, after all, 70% water, and although a human being can survive a month or more without food, a week without water can be fatal.
Good for Appliances, Too
High quality water is good for your home and appliances. Softened water can save you money by keeping appliances at top efficiency, and making them last longer. The amount of dish and laundry detergent you use can be cut by half, or even more, if you use softened water. You can also lower wash temperatures from hot to cold without a drop in performance, according to two other independent studies.
A 2009 study commissioned by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) and conducted by the Battelle Memorial Institute found that adding a water softener helps water heaters and major appliances operate as efficiently as possible, while preventing clogs in showerheads, faucets, and drains. For example, researchers ran dishwashers and washing machines for 30 days and 240 wash cycles. They ran softened water through half of the units, while using a hard water source for the others. At the end of the month, the washers using softened water were nearly free of scale buildup, but the washers using hard water required scale removal to work well.
As for water heaters, the researchers found that when they used softened water, the units maintained their original factory efficiency rating for as long as 15 years. Running hard water through the units cut efficiency by up to 48 percent. Scale buildup shortened the lifespan of the heating elements inside electric water heaters, and some tankless water heaters using hard water failed after just 1.6 years.
The researchers found that showerheads performed well on soft water, but those running with hard water lost 75 percent of their flow rate in less than 18 months. When running hard water through faucets, the strainers on the faucets clogged within 19 days.
Studies conducted by the independent test firm Scientific Services S/D, Inc., of New York, revealed the following benefits of softened water:
In washing machines, softened water can reduce detergent use by 50% and save energy by making it possible to wash in cold (60ºF) rather than hot (100ºF) water. Cold water washes with softened water achieved the same or better results when it came to removing stains and whitening fabrics.
In dishwashers, softened water can achieve the same cleaning results as unsoftened while using less than half as much
AMEN. A shelter in the time of storm
Taking a spin in a Cessna 172 with my buddy. We did a couple of touch and goes in the Orlando Fl area.
Blue ribbon story
Recommended Questions to Ask a Water Treatment Professional
Making an informed decision when selecting a water treatment system can be difficult. WQA has compiled several questions you might ask your water treatment professional before making a purchase.
Are you certified by WQA as a Certified Water Specialist, Certified Sales Representative, or Certified Installer?
Do you have a contractor’s license, business license, and liability insurance (if these things are required in your area)?
How long have you been in business, and who can I call for a referral?
What do my water testing results show?
How do I know that the test results cover the main contaminants of concern for my home? Could you be missing something?
Do these results indicate health hazards in my water?
Do the water quality issues in my home require whole-house treatment, or will I be okay with a single-tap or other Point-of-Use device?
Will the device you’re recommending treat enough water to accommodate my family’s needs?
What is the total purchase price, and how much more can I expect to pay to maintain the system year in and year out?
Will you be installing and servicing the device? Is that free, and if not, what will it cost?
Can I maintain the system myself? Will you show me how to do this?
Has a third-party organization certified the performance of the products you offer?
What type of warranty comes with this product?
How will I know if the equipment is operating correctly?
What secondary effects might this water treatment unit have on my water quality? Any byproducts?
Will you provide free follow-up water testing a few months after installation to ensure that the equipment is doing its job?
Water Quality Tips
Keep your water filters clean.
If you have a filter to remove contaminants, maintain it according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This might include cleaning it, replacing filter cartridges, and sometimes calling in a professional for service. Filters overdue for cleaning or replacing may no longer work properly to remove contaminants and may let foul tastes and odors remain in your tap water.
Wash water containers regularly.
You can have the best water treatment in the world, but if you put clean water into a dirty container, it may no longer be safe or palatable to drink. It’s critical to properly and regularly clean water containers, from household pitchers to water bottles. Mix a few drops of dish detergent into clean water and pour it into the storage container. Agitate the liquid, and scrub the inside with a nonabrasive scrub brush or a clean dish rag, then rinse the container thoroughly. If you want to achieve a higher level of cleanliness, disinfect the container with a mixture of unscented chlorine bleach and water. Mix it according to instructions on the bottle, and then swish the mixture around inside the container to ensure that it hits every surface. Leave the mixture inside the container for about 30 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse with tap water.
Maintain your water softener.
A typical water softener uses resin beads to capture hardness ions, and periodically uses salt to cleanse the beads and prepare the unit to remove more hardness ions. If you have a basic system, check salt levels at least once a month; it’s easy to do. Just lift the tank lid and look inside; if the tank is less than half full, add more salt. Or find a water professional at www.wqa.org, and have them check and maintain it for you.
Household Tips
Whole House
Choose low-flow shower heads, sink faucet aerators, and high-efficiency washing machines, toilets, and other appliances.
Choose showers over baths whenever possible. When taking a bath, make sure the drain stopper is working properly to avoid having to refill the tub.
Pay attention to your water bill, an unanticipated increase could indicate a leak.
Don’t ignore damp water spots on ceilings and walls. These leaks not only waste water but also can cause structural damage to your home. If you suspect a leak, consult with a plumber.
Leaks can hide, easily unnoticed, underneath the sink behind supplies or under appliances. Pay special attention to musty odors, dampness
or mold under sinks and appliances.
Be aware of any dripping faucets, this can waste hundreds of gallons of water per month. Sink and shower faucet repairs are simple and cost effective.
In the Kitchen
If you wash dishes in the sink, use a stopper to allow dishes to soak rather than running the faucet continuously.
Instead of letting the faucet run until the water becomes cold, simply keep a container of water in the refrigerator.
In the Bathroom
Do not leave the water running while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face. Shorten your time in the shower by just five minutes. Over time, this small change can save hundreds of gallons of water.
Make sure water from your toilet tank is not continuously leaking into the bowl. You can check by dropping some food coloring into the tank.
Avoid flushing the toilet for one hour and then see if the water in the bowl has become tinted.
In the Basement
Avoid running the washing machine or dishwasher at less-than-full capacity, or adjust the water usage settings for smaller loads.
Upgrade existing water softeners and filters to achieve water and salt usage savings.
Replace existing water softener with ultra-efficient demand initiated water softener that regenerates only when needed using optimum salt and water.
The hoses bringing water to and from your washing machine can burst. Avoid potential flooding issues by turning off both the hot and cold water sources when not the machine in use. Consider upgrading to “no-burst” hoses, and inspect the connections regularly for leaks.
In the Yard
Avoid watering your lawn and garden during midday or when it is raining, and take care not to overwater.
Use drip irrigation systems for watering yards and gardens. They can save 30-50% of the water sprinklers lose from evaporation and runoff.
If you have an automatic watering system, make sure no water is wasted on paved areas. Always remember to shut off the automatic system off during a rainfall.
Choose drought-resistant flowers and plants, rather than those requiring large amounts of water, for your garden.
Collect water in a rain barrel and use it for watering lawns and plants.
Add a top layer of organic mulch, or plant with a compost pile, to help your garden retain moisture.
Check outdoor faucets, pools, and spas on a regular basis for leaks too.
Water Quality Association
Water Quality Association, WQA
Water Quality Association
Water Quality Association, WQA
Water Quality Association
Water Quality Association, WQA
Water Quality Association
Water Quality Association, WQA
See more at
wqa.org