Water & Air – Filter Systems News

We are celebrating World Water Day, an internationally recognized day held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing awareness on the importance of and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The first World Water Day was designated on March 22, 1993. Each year this day highlights a specific aspect or “theme” of freshwater.

This year, the theme is water cooperation. As many of you know, water is one of the most precious resources on this planet. Water is an integral part of society: It powers cities, feeds crops, cools computer servers, keeps our bodies functioning properly and is used in manufacturing everything from cars to clothes. However, there is growing concern over this seemingly abundant resource. Although water makes up 75% of the Earth’s surface, only a fraction (around 2%) is suitable for human consumption. Of that 2%, less than 1% is currently accessible.

According to unwater.org, water availability is expected to decrease in many regions; yet global agricultural water consumption is expected to increase by 19% by 2050.  Add in challenges faced from pollution and climate change, and it is little wonder why many fear this valuable resource is dwindling.

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These challenges have resulted in the global water crisis, a situation where a growing number of people lack access to safe, fresh drinking water as freshwater resources become scarcer. Many (rightfully so) see this as a problem, and a growing threat to life on Earth. Some have even predicted future wars over freshwater resources that could wreak further havoc on already struggling nations.

However, I believe we should look at this issue differently. What if we stopped viewing it as a problem, and started viewing it as a unique opportunity? An opportunity to come together, to set aside differences and to work out solutions to this problem that affects everybody.  This is what I believe the theme of water cooperation is truly about.

Coming together for the good of the whole has nothing to do with politics. It does have everything to do with each individual person doing their part in society. This involves practicing water conservation techniques on a regular basis, becoming more educated on water-related issues and becoming connected with a water charity that aims at ending this growing concern.

The theme of cooperation is easily found in The W3 Project, a water charity partnership between FiltersFast.com, Wine to Water and TrekDesk. By working together, we are providing clean drinking water for those in need. By donating miles, or donating $1 at checkout on FiltersFast.com, you are making a difference in lives around the world.

As a small business, we are fully committed to a more sustainable environment which will improve overall health. We encourage you to do your part in helping end this growing crisis, we all have a part to play, so let’s play it.

Now is not the time to sit on the sideline. This problem will not go away by itself. It takes all of us coming together and doing our part (no matter how small) to end this crisis. This is what water cooperation is about.

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August is National Inventors Month, a time where we celebrate the great inventions ever created. This is also a day to look back on water filtration inventions that have affected so many of our lives. Water filtration systems date back for more than 4,000 years. Let’s take a look at some of the great inventors who contributed to water filtration.

The famed Greek scientist, Hippocrates was among the first to recognize the healing power of water. He acknowledged that the water available in Greek aqueducts was far from pure. To fight this problem, he designed his own crude water filter to “purify” the water he used for his patients, that later became known as the “Hippocratic sleeve.” This filter was a cloth bag through which water could be poured after being boiled. The cloth would trap any sentiments in the water that were causing bad taste or smell.

Philip Emery, an inventor from Irvine, California, is often credited for creating the first water filter. According to Free Patents Online, he filed his invention with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1977 and received approval two years later. However, the first modern water purification system is credited to inventor C.W. Ackerman, who patented the filtration device in 1873.

In 1985, Florida inventor Lawrence Wise invented the first portable, disposable water filter that was suited for filtering small quantities of drinking water. In one embodiment, the filter is placed over a drinking glass and unfiltered water is poured into the glass through the filter. In another embodiment, the filter includes a jar which has a lid with a rim that fits tightly around the neck of the jar.

Today, modern advancements in water filtration, such as the whole house water filtration system, continue to take shape. As the need for pure drinking water becomes more important than ever, the need for water filtration increases with it. Be certain that your drinking water is free from contaminants by using a water filter in your home.

August is National Water Quality Month, a month where many will take a look at the quality of water they are drinking. Water is an essential part of life, but poor quality drinking water can be the source of many health-related issues, such as tuberculosis, salmonella and diarrhea. Fortunately, there are ways we can know the quality of our water.

One of the common ways to determine your water quality is the use of water test kits. The Complete Home Water Quality Test Kit, priced at under $40, is the best to use. This will test your water for over 13 contaminants including bacteria and copper. This kit includes two test strips for each contaminant and one test strip for bacteria.

Once you have tested your water for contaminants, how do you purify it? This is a task that may seem daunting, but the process doesn’t have to be.

One way to purify your water is through the use of UV lights. Disinfecting your drinking water with Ultraviolet lights is environmentally safe and proven to provide sterile drinking water. Ultraviolet filters use high frequency light to irradiate water through a glass element. Once the water is exposed to the light, all living organisms, such as bacteria, are destroyed.  The Inline Ultraviolet Sterilization Filter connects directly onto your 1/4″ water line to provide sterile drinking water by killing 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. This UV filter has a flow rate of 1 gallon per minute.

The 3M Aqua-Pure Water Filter Replacement is one of the best whole house water filter cartridges available. This filter features high flow rates up to 20 gallons per minute and reduces the unpleasant taste and odor of chlorine as well as sediment and other impurities.

The Whirlpool 4396710 is the new and improved filter for Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerators. This Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter reduces unpleasant taste, odor, scale buildup and more in your water and ice. You should replace this filter every six months or if your water has a foul odor and taste. For a complete list of refrigerator water filters, go to Filtersfast.com and type in “refrigerator water filters” in the search box.

This August, let’s take the necessary steps to ensure better quality of water in our homes. 

Generally speaking, there are two ways people get their drinking water: through city water and well water. But what are they and what is the difference between them?

City Water

City water is typically river water. While this type of water has a lot of pollutants and contaminants to begin with, it is put through an assortment of cleaning processes and purity tests before entering your home. By law, city water is treated on a daily basis and often has chemicals added to it such as chlorine and fluoride. Bringing in city water requires changing the pipes in and around your home. Also, you have the added cost of a monthly water bill. Despite daily testing, there is the risk of contamination from old pipe lines that need upgrading. If you doubt the safety of your water, you can do research and find various water test kits that have been done to ensure water quality. Oftentimes, the biggest problem with city water is that just because the water is safe does not mean it tastes or smells very good. City water often contains minerals that will give the water an unpleasant look, taste, smell and may have undesired effects on your dishes, laundry and your hair. Fortunately, there are filters and additives you can get for your water that will make it look and taste better.

If you want to personally test your water supply, the Watersafe All-In-One Drinking Water Test Kit is highly recommended. This test kit is for city water only and contains everything you will need to find out simply and accurately if your water contains unsafe or undesirable levels of one or more of eight common contaminants.

Another way of ensuring water quality is through the use of purifier tablets such as the Aquamira Purifier Tablets. These tablets are used by dropping one tablet into one liter of water and waiting the required time. These tablets will not discolor the water and will improve the taste of treated water.

Well Water

Well water comes directly from the ground, and while it does not go through the same cleaning process, the water is filtered to a degree as it slowly trickles from the surface into underground reservoirs. Unlike city water, there is no monthly water bill that you will be required to pay. However, as a well water owner, it is up to you to test the safety and quality of your water. Generally, well water can be clean or dirty, depending on where you live.  Just like safe water might smell or taste bad, unsafe water may taste, smell and look perfectly fine. There can be many dangerous chemicals found in well water that have no taste, smell and do not change the look of the water. Well water can often contain agricultural runoff such as fertilizers and pesticides. It can also contain jet fuel and other chemicals from “fracking” (a process used in drilling for natural gas). Unless you have your water tested, there is no way to guarantee well water is safe, free of bacteria and other dangerous chemicals.

One way to get your water treated is through the Complete Home Water Quality Test Kit which tests your water for over 13 contaminants, allowing you to identify the issues in your water quality so you will know how to correctly and appropriately treat your water.

Once you test your water, you may find it handy to invest in a whole house water filter system such as the 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System. This whole house water filter has a 100,000 gallon capacity or up to one year cartridge life which reduces the multi-year cartridge replacement required with most water filter cartridges. This whole house water filter system will extend the life of all your household appliances that are connected to the water line.

Which do you prefer? City water or well water? Sound off in the comments below.

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Every year, natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, disrupt drinking water supplies and wastewater disposal systems. Still however, many people are ill-prepared to deal with this when the situation arises.  When it comes to emergency preparedness with your water supplies, you can never be too careful.

The most important thing you should remember is to only use water that has been properly disinfected for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. You should also boil water. Boiling water will kill most disease-causing organisms that could be present. Boil the water for a minute, let it cool and store it in a clean container with a lid over it. It is also advised that you follow the advice from local officials, and to look for other sources of portable water in and around your home.

Here at Filters Fast, we know the dangers of drinking contaminated water, and the numerous health risks it poses. Below are great products that will keep your water safe and clean for consumption:

The Katadyn MyBottle Water Purifier is the only personal water bottle purification system on the entire water filter market that is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  To use this water bottle purifier, fill the bottle with the water you want purified, insert the specially-designed Katadyn purification system, and drink from virtually any fresh water source.

The Katadyn Ceradyn Drip Water Filter System is a high performance, free standing gravity water filter system. It has a 2.6 gallon capacity for larger quantities of water and is especially useful for larger quantities of people. With this Katadyn filter you can drink safely from streams, rivers and lakes.

The Katadyn Black Combi Endurance Microfilter System is a personal pump action filter which uses a two stage filter composed of activated carbon and ceramic to remove micro-organisms and disease causing agents such as viruses, bacteria, spores, dirt and some chemicals. This Katadyn Combi filter comes with a bottle adaptor and a carrying bag along with a measuring gauge.

Every year, we celebrate World Water Day and American Red Cross Month in recognition of the importance of clean water and helping those in need of it. Let us all do our part to aid others and to make the world a better place.

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Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence.
-Vincent van Gogh

The color we associate a beating heart with is red. The color red symbolizes life, vitality, passion, power, energy, enthusiasm and boldness. Did you know that the more glasses of water you drink each day could lower your risks of suffering from a fatal heart attack or developing cardiovascular disease? According to the 2002 American Journal of Medical Epidemiology, participants who drank five or more glasses of water a day were less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack or develop cardiovascular disease, than people who drank less than two glasses of water per day. They found that the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease appears to be connected to elevated levels of dehydration.

For Valentine’s day, we typically expect to receive our traditional box of chocolates, flowers, lingerie, a romantic dinner or jewelry. This year, why not think about giving something unique and practical that expresses your heartfelt love? At Filters Fast, a healthy daily intake of water is very near and dear to our hearts (no pun intended). If you are looking for an innovative and multipurpose way to say “I Love You and I care about you,” here are a few suggestions to show your HEART-felt love:

The Klean Kanteen 18 oz. Bottle and Sport Cap  or Klean Kanteen 18 oz. Bottle and Loop Cap are made from BPA free, food-grade stainless steel and both are 100% recyclable. These Klean Kanteen Water Bottles are the perfect alternative to bottled water. Both styles feature a semi-wide mouth to accommodate standard ice cubes. NOW ONLY $16.80

The Mavea Elemaris EX Water Filtration Pitcher is constructed from high quality BPA-free plastic. It includes a Smart Meter Filter change indicator that measures water hardness, water volume and length of time in use, for your convenience. This European style pitcher also includes an easy-to-pour lid and soft handle that makes it revolutionary and user-friendly. NOW ONLY $34.95

Oh and we can’t forget about those little darlings in your life who need something fun, cute and practical. The Crane Cool Mist Humidifier Dragon is an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier. This dragon ultrasonic humidifier helps relieve physical symptoms resulting from dry air, such as dry nose, throat, lips, and skin. Refilling the tank is simple and easy! NOW ONLY $39.99

This year, why not show your loved ones how much you care about their health and wellness? Happy Valentine’s Day from Filters Fast!

Fracking. This controversial topic has made it to the headlines of many news centers across the country. Whether you are for or against it, the debate surrounding this hot topic issue is sure to be important now, and for generations to come. For those of you who are new to the issue, fracking is the process of pumping water and sand underground in hopes of freeing natural gas from underneath the rocks where it is trapped.   Small fractures occur naturally underground, allowing some of this natural gas to be extracted; however, fracking accelerates this process. Opponents of fracking argue that it will contaminate groundwater as well public drinking water systems.

Most recently, the fracking debate has heated up in New York.  Surprisingly, executive chefs, bakers, and restaurant owners are jumping into the frontlines of the debate. Many are making it their mission to raise awareness about the negative effects fracking can have on New York’s cuisine (Farley, thirteen.org). The organization, called Chefs for the Marcellus, has drawn the attention of some big name chefs, including the Food Network’s, Mario Battali. Battali’s four star restaurant, Del Posto gets much of its produce and meats from the farms in upstate New York, where the Marcellus Shale lies, and where Governor Cuomo would like to introduce hydrofracking.

Hoping to appeal to peoples stomachs, Battali and his chef comrades are insisting that fracking will impact the quality of their food. Executive Chef Brooks Headly of Del Posto is also extremely concerned about the effect fracking can have on New York’s eateries,insisting, “NYC is the greatest city of pizza, and a lot of people say that’s because of the water. If we destroy the water supply, we destroy New York pizza” (Farley,thirteen.org).

So, what do you think of the fracking debate? Do you oppose it because you believe it will contaminant groundwater and isn’t environmentally friendly? Are you for it because you believe it will decrease the price of gas and create jobs? Or, like Mario Battali, do you oppose it because you believe it will negatively affect the world-class cuisine found in New York City? Here at Filters Fast, we want to know what you think, so post your thoughts to our comment section or Facebook Page!

Source: "National Geographic"

Water is a major resource that we all take for granted. With approximately 70% of the Earth covered in salt water oceans, it’s easy to forget that there are places in the world that are without water. National Geographic is also concerned with how much water we use here in the United States and how that affects rivers, lakes, wetlands, underground aquifers, and freshwater species.

That’s why they’ve introduced the Water Footprint Calculator, an online questionnaire that asks questions about the way water is consumed in your home. National Geographic states:

“We live in a watery world, with the average American lifestyle fueled by nearly 2,000 gallons of H2O a day. What may come as a surprise is that very little of that—only five percent—runs through toilets, taps, and garden hoses at home. Nearly 95 percent of your water footprint is hidden in the food you eat, energy you use, products you buy, and services you rely on.”

The National Geographic Society encourages you to find out your Water Footprint and the “pledge to cut your water footprint and help return more water to rivers, lakes, wetlands, underground aquifers, and freshwater species.”

We all use filters. Whether it’s a water,  furnace, refrigerator, oven, automotive or microwave filter, they are the key component to keeping our air and water clean and fresh.  More and more, state governments are increasing regulations on water and air quality in an attempt to keep citizens safe. This increased awareness has led manufacturers to create new and improved ways to produce filters. In particular, Bayer MaterialScience has partnered with BayOne Urethane Systems LLC to introduce innovative ways to produce the best in filtration materials.  As website azom.com reports, “Bayer has strengthened its technical leadership role in the filtration market by expanding its reach and leveraging a global materials supply chain to benefit customers.”

The polyurethane that Bayer manufactures can be used in either rigid or flexible functions, which is ideal for various filtration needs. For example, the Filbur FC-2370 Rainbow Dynamic pool filter uses thermally bonded polyurethane to ensure durability and consistent water flow. Many additional pool and spa filters use polyurethane technology to ensure a high quality, durable product.  Unlike other materials, polyurethane is lightweight, faster to manufacture, and uses much less environment harming resources  than other materials .  So, kudos to Bayer MaterialScience for working to create earth friendly materials for use in filter media.