Water & Air – Filter Systems News

Water Purification Using Sun Power

Is it possible for the sun to provide the only source of power for a complete water purification system in a portable bag? Until now we would not give the idea much thought. But why not? We make “sun tea” where you put tea bags in a container of water and place the container outside in the sun to naturally brew the tea. So why not utilize the power of the sun to filter water?

Puralytics, a privately funded technology company located in Beaverton, Oregon is pioneering a new photochemical technology for water purification. They are building solutions to improve filtration for the global water challenges by combining the latest technological innovations with advanced engineering. The invention of the Solar Bag uses an effective and simple process for water purification.

The Puralytic Solar Bag has a backpack with handles that makes it easy to transport water to and from an available water source. Once the bag is filled with any water through the inlet debris filter, the bag is placed in the direct sunlight. It can either lie flat or hung from a tree or post. Once purified, the Solar Bag can be dispensed by a valve into a canteen or pot as required. By harnessing the power of the sun to purify water, the Puralytics Solar Bag will deliver clean drinking water that meets the World Health Organization (WHO) standards in remote areas.

The Solar Bag incorporates a 5 photochemical process that works synergistically to break down or remove harmful contaminants from the water:

Photocatalytic Oxidation: Previously unobtainable, selected wavelengths of UV light generate unprecedented levels of hydroxyl radicals without any chemical additives.

Photocatalytic Reduction: Reduces toxic species such as mercury, silver , arsenic, and chromium to more readily adsorbed materials.

Photolysis: Direct disassociation of contaminants by high intensity UV light, including atrazine, amoxicillin, DEET, and all estrogenic chemicals.

Photoadsorption: The catalyst strongly adsorbs heavy metals including mercury, lead, selenium, and arsenic, permanganate, and other compounds.

Photo Disinfection: Multiple wavelengths and high intensity UV disinfect pathogens more effectively than standard UV germicidal.

In remote areas, it is difficult to build a water well or some type of stationary water filtration system to provide clean drinking water to those who are not fortunate enough to have access to it. If there is not a way to accommodate these areas by constructing a water filtration system, then the Solar Bag is ideal for fulfilling a need with the latest technology. The process is environmentally sustainable and cost effective.

U.S. Water Hardness Map

If your water smells and tastes like metal or if you find yourself constantly scrubbing that unsightly scum that forms around the interior of your bathtub, then chances are you are suffering from a hard water problem. Water hardness results from the presence of dissolved calcium and magnesium deposits in natural water. Hard water buildup is responsible for most scale formation that clogs and corrodes your pipes, plumbing fixtures, appliances and water heaters. Ion exchange systems, often called water softeners are effective for reducing water hardness with little or no hardness remaining in the water if they are used.

Here are 7 economical reasons why you should consider purchasing a water softening system to condition your hard water: 

1. Cost effective: Saves money on constantly buying cleaning supplies, because you will use less detergent and soap.
2. Clothes last longer: Hard water shortens the life span of your clothes and dulls the color. Conditioned water will help your garments last longer and you may avoid the need for using fabric softeners.
3. Eliminates stains: Hard water creates mineral buildup on your bathroom fixtures and darkens your porcelain. Softened water will deter this problem.
4. Reduces streaky dishes: Hard water creates streaks and water spots on your dishes and glasses. Conditioned water eliminates this problem and helps your dishwasher last longer and perform better.
5. Preserves faucets and protects pipes: Hard water corrodes and clogs the valves in water-using appliances and creates scale buildup. Softened water reduces the attack of hard water on your faucets and pipes.
6. Ideal for your face and body: Hard water is harsh on your face and body. You will find that you tend to use a lot of moisturizing lotions and crèmes to soften your skin.  Conditioned water leaves your skin feeling cleaner and fresher.
7. Wonderful hair: Hard water can contribute to damaged hair. Conditioned water will contribute to manageable, radiant and healthier looking hair. You will also use less shampoo.

Our certified Filters Fast Lifestyle Expert recommends some of the following solutions for tackling your hard water issues:

Pentek WS-10 Water Softening Resin Filter Cartridge

This resin filter cartridge provides a convenient and cost effective way to soften your water at the exact point of need, using FDA grade softener resin.

Hydrotech Water Softener System CAB5600CC-835-75

This basic cabinet model valve water softener features a brine safety float for convenience and worry-free operation.  

Pentek PCC-1 Phosphate Cartridge

This filter cartridge reduces lime, scale build-up, rust staining and corrosion caused by hard water.

We offer a complete line of water filter cartridges and water filter housing units that will be ideal for your residential, commercial or industrial water application. Water softeners require periodic regeneration once their softening capacity has been exhausted. During the regeneration process, water will bypass the softener and subsequently come out hard. Water test kits are a convenient way of testing your water for contaminants. Water softeners should not be used to treat water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection.

Good Tasting Tea Requires Great Tasting Water

Tea connoisseurs know that next to superior grown tea, you cannot enjoy the true essence and bouquet of a fine cup of tea without good quality water. The water must be free of waterborne minerals and contaminants to brew a good cup of tea. Water must contain the presence of a sufficient amount of oxygen to enhance the natural flavor of your tea. If the water tastes good alone, your brewed tea will taste great!

Hard water, which is high in dissolved minerals, can affect the taste and appearance of tea by making it dark and cloudy. The taste can be chalky and minerals can cause limescale accumulation that could lead to costly repairs or equipment failure in teapots and infusers. Bottled water with high mineral content has the same negative impact, especially if it does not include substantial oxygen (aeration). Oxygen plays an important part in the brewing process because it helps to release the flavors of your tea. You should always use fresh water that was not previously boiled to brew your tea. Re-heating water that was previously boiled has lost much of its dissolved oxygen. According to the Tea Association of the United States:

Water softening equipment will help to reduce or eliminate water hardness caused by excessive mineral content. An activated carbon filter is used to remove soluble organic chemicals, chlorine, taste and odor causing compounds.

A water filtration housing system like the Pentek 20″ Big Blue Filter Housing & WS20BB Filter will help to soften your hard water dilemma.

Your water supply is an integral part of your tea experience. In the United States it generally comes from municipal water, spring water, well water or bottled water. The predominant supply of water is municipal water. Although this source is controlled by EPA standards, regulations do not eliminate the entire presence of harmful minerals and contaminants. Usually chlorine is added to municipal water to kill bacteria, but when chlorine is present it has a distinctive and unfavorable taste.

In rural areas, spring and well water are major water sources, but both are subject to serious contamination because they are unregulated. Individual springs and wells must be tested to determine the source and level of contamination. The Hach Water Hardness, Iron & pH Test Kit is a cost effective and complete kit for testing and determining the hardness and quality of your water.

Only companies using a multi-step process of filtration, purification and oxygenation would be considered reliable for brewing good tasting tea. Purified water must be infused with oxygen to assure you are getting the best flavor of tea. The process of water purification filters out minerals and contaminants. When choosing your water you want to make sure that you get the best taste from your brewed tea. Water quality is just as important as the quality of the tea leaves to a tea lover. These tea aficionados are persnickety about their preference of pure water for producing a crisp flavor and clear brew of tea that is aesthetically pleasing.

Cool, crisp, clean, clear water. In the hot summer days of August, there is nothing better. We run to the faucet or Brita Pitcher when temperatures reach over 100 degrees. Imagine a truly sizzling hot day, running for the tap, turning on the cold faucet and the water that comes out is not the regular water you are used to, but cleaned wastewater. As the name implies, cleaned wastewater is water that “has been used in your toilet or sink or shower is purified through a variety of technological processes that make it clean enough to drink” (Alix Spiegel, NPR Article)  Would you feel the same relief from the heat? Or would your mind stop you from enjoying the cool glass of water?

Some scholars say yes.  Dr. Carol Nemeroff, of the University of Southern Maine speculates that many people are not able to get over the “ick” factor of drinking water that could have previously been found in their toilet. The scientific term, contagion, refers to the phenomenon of people thinking that once something has contact with another thing, those two things are always joined. In this case, water and your toilet.  Significant research of over 2,000 people suggests that it is difficult for people to dispel this kind of thinking; regardless of if it is scientifically proven that the cleaned wastewater is safe for consumption.

Therefore, getting Americans on board for the use of wastewater as drinking water may involve less science, and more psychology. The key it seems is to change the identity of the filtered water by connecting it closer to nature. As water reuse expert Dr. Haddad says, people feel more comfortable if the treated water sits in an underground aquifer for a significant period of time. However, this brings up additional problems, as exposing already treated water back to nature can have negative effects on the quality of the water.

It is clear that our water thinking has a significant impact on the way water is used and distributed in this country. Now that we have the science to turn wastewater into drinkable water, we need to find a way to change its identity so that people no longer have visions of drinking water formally found in the bottom of a bath tub or toilet bowl.

A New Generation of Bottle-Free Water Dispensers

One of the most common forms of social networking that used to be all the rage in offices everywhere was meeting at the water cooler to catch up on the latest office gossip and rumors. Gathering near the company water dispenser that housed a huge upside down water bottle, while holding one of those little cone-shaped paper cups, was indeed a Kodak moment.

The days of purchasing bottled water is taking a backseat to the newest concept in filtered water. Bottleless water coolers are becoming a new topic among today’s water cooler dialogues. One of the most popular residential and commercial bottle-free water coolers is the Pura Ultimate Ultraviolet Bottleless Water Cooler. This advanced system features UV sanitation to protect your water from bacteria and BioCote technology that offers antimicrobial protection against waterborne contaminants like mold, fungi and unpleasant odors. It is equipped with three water filters:

An Activated Carbon Filter to reduce odor and chlorine taste.

A Sediment Filter to reduce sediments and turbidity

A Reverse Osmosis Filter to reduce total dissolved solids in your water.

This water dispensing system is ideal for offices, gyms, schools, churches, doctor’s offices and homes. The Pura Ultimate UV water cooler dispenser provides an endless supply of water with safety and security in mind.  With three convenient water temperature settings this reverse osmosis water cooler has leak detection with an automatic shut-off to prevent water damage. The initial cost of this system is an investment that will pay off for years to come. It takes less money to own and maintain a Pura bottle-free water cooler than it is to frequently purchase bottled water.

This bottle-less water cooler is ideal for residential and commercial applications. Companies like Carolina Coolers conveniently installs bottle-free water dispensers for your home or office. The sleek modern design and steady supply of clean water is definitely a hot topic by your snazzy new water cooler!

We wanted to do a follow-up on a previous post we did in June, Stockholm Junior Water Prize: A Different Class of Science Competition. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize taps into the unlimited potential of today’s high school students, as they seek to address current and future water challenges. We were impressed by the detailed structure and purpose of this competition and tip our hats to all of the hard working students who entered this prestigious water-related science competition. This year the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize was hosted by the Illinois Water Environment Association, held in Chicago, Illinois.

Alison Bick representing Millburn High School

Congratulations to Alison Bick from Short Hills, N.J. for being the recipient of the U.S. 2011 Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Alison developed a low-cost portable and publicly accessible method for testing water potability. Alison attends Millburn High School and worked for over four years researching and developing several devices to accurately test water for inorganic materials and harmful bacteria.

The four U.S. finalists include Jenifer Brown from Hillsborough, North Carolina, Collin McAliley of Melbourne Beach, Florida, Leila Musavi from Orono, Maine, and Nishith Reddy from Naperville, Illinois. The 2012 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize National Competition will be held in Boston, Massachusetts.  The New England Water Environment Association will host three days of camaraderie, competition and celebration where like-minded students will exchange ideas and discuss their research projects.

A Fragrance with Social Commitment

Is there really such a thing as a fragrance providing water to those who need it? Until now, this is a subject that definitely leaves you scratching your head. Tous H₂0 is an aquatic fragrance developed by perfumer Sonia Constant that provides water to people who live in countries where water is a precious commodity.

Tous H2O is a new ecochic perfume for women inspired by the brand’s H2O jewelry collection that is the union of beauty and sustainability. This fragrance features organic alcohol with notes of organic lemon, organic lavender, rose, jasmine, mandarin, cedar, white amber and Australian sandalwood from sustainable development. The glass bottle is made from 25% recycled glass while the packaging and handling is carried out by the Special Employment Center of the Arco Iris Foundation, using materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The Forest Stewardship Council was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide.

So just how does this fragrance provide water? Proceeds from the sale of each bottle of Tous H2O will be destined to fund Oxfam UK projects, an NGO which specializes in action programs to increase access to safe drinking water in situations of drought, emergencies and conflict in disadvantaged countries.

Water is the theme behind this perfume, from the droplet-inspired bottle to the light, fresh scent, which has top notes of lemon and lavender that mingle into rose and mandarin. For every bottle sold, 15 liters of water will be provided to one person each day for ten days in one of those countries where the organization is working (15 liters = 15.85032315 quarts). According to international standards, 15 liters of water is what it takes for each one of us to bath, shower, cook and clean every day.

Garnier, an acclaimed cosmetics company using natural ingredients in their hair and skincare products is committed to a greener and cleaner future. Garnier asked consumers to vote for the environmental cause they avidly cared about the most. The three causes voted on were Clean Water, Urban Greening, Recycling and Sustainability. The Clean Water category, received 52% of the votes and was the clear winner out of the three causes. The Recycling and Sustainability category received 36% of the votes, while Urban Greening received 12%.

In partnership with EarthShare, Garnier announced that they will donate $100,000 to three deserving charities: American Rivers, Oceana and the Surfrider Foundation. These charities work to protect public health, rivers and marine environments for the benefit of communities, wildlife and nature. Each group plans to put their winnings to work for cleaner and safer water.

Surfrider Foundation will direct the funds toward their water quality-focused programs: Ocean Friendly Gardens, Know Your H₂O and Blue Water Task Force. The Ocean Friendly Gardens program educates and assists people in applying conservation, permeability and retention to their landscapes, to revive watersheds and oceans. The Know Your H₂O project educates consumers about the link between freshwater management issues and the impact on our oceans. The Blue Water Task Force is a volunteer-run water testing, education and advocacy program for water quality.

Oceana will use Garnier’s donation to support its global ocean protection work. Protecting the pristine waters of southern Patagonia by preventing the expansion of Chile’s aquaculture industry, expanded oil exploration and drilling off the coasts of the U.S., Europe and Belize, are among the projects included.

American Rivers will apply Garnier’s support to protect and restore the nation’s rivers for comunities across America, through various conservation and volunteer programs, including Nation River Cleanup.

These winning Clean Water charities are very good causes. Michelle Ryan, Assistant Vice President of Sustainability at Garnier stated, “This program is just one small way we’re honoring causes within the community that we all care about.”

Do you remember the popular projects that high school students entered into science fairs which included exhibits such as the evolution of trees and plants, the formation of rain clouds or the path of lava flowing from a volcanic eruption? Content was a vital part of your exhibit, but if you had a functional mobile presentation, that made a tremendous impression among your counterparts. Now-a-days, many science projects are focusing on environmental awareness and modern technology.

The world’s most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project is the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. This prize taps into the unlimited potential of today’s high school students as they seek to address current and future water challenges. Any high school student (grades 9-12) creating a water-related science project is eligible to participate in the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition. Projects should focus on local, regional, national or global issues that require using scientifically accepted methodologies for experimentation, monitoring reporting and statistical analysis.

The foundation for the entries submitted into this competition includes the following criteria: creativity, relevance, methodology, subject knowledge, report and presentation, along with practical skills. This competition weights heavily on the quality of the scientific research paper more than the poster presentation. Between June 23-25, state winners for this water prize will compete in the upcoming national competition hosted by the Illinois Water Environment Association in Chicago.

School age students are doing more to make a difference by finding doable solutions for improving the quality of how we use water in our society. Science and technology are two key areas for current and future job opportunities. With some of the amazing water quality science projects that state winners are entering into the national Stockholm Junior Water Competition, it is certain that we will look at water from a new and innovative perspective. We are eager to hear the announcement of who receives the national prize for this award later this month.

Hazards of Fluoride in Water

The painstaking debate continues about whether or not fluoride in your drinking water is beneficial for your teeth and health. For years, we were not concerned about what was in the water we drank, unless we noticed something floating around in it. However, the particles you don’t see is the thing that sends a cross bone and skull warning sign flying in front of our water sources and receptacles.

We are inundated with reports about the effects of fluoride and its impact on tooth decay. Some dental researchers indicate that the benefits of fluoride are primarily topical and not systemic. While we are not attacking the dental industry, there are many reviews and studies that discuss the dangers of a high intake of fluoride which extends beyond cosmetic concern. When examining the possible health effects associated with fluoride in drinking water, the EPA noted that exposure to excessive consumption of fluoride over a lifetime may lead to the likelihood of increased bone fractures in adults, along with pain and tenderness. They go on to say that children 8 years old and younger who are exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride increase their chances of developing pits in the tooth enamel, as well as a range of other cosmetic effects to their teeth.

Many contaminants found in our drinking water warrants significant concern for purification and safety. If your water comes from a household or private well, be sure to check with your health department or local water systems that use ground water, for information on harmful contaminants in your area. There is a variety of filtration systems designed to help remove or reduce numerous waterborne contaminants. When asked about how to remove fluoride from your drinking water, the EPA gave the following statement: “The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing fluoride to below 4.0 mg/L or 4.0 ppm: distillation or reverse osmosis.”

Reverse Osmosis Systems (RO) will typically use carbon filters, sediment filters and an RO membrane to reduce and remove waterborne contaminants. Reverse Osmosis (RO) removes more contaminants at a higher rate of efficiency than other forms of water filtration. We recommend that you use a reverse osmosis system like the Aqua-Pure APRO5500 Reverse Osmosis Water Filter, the Pentek RO-3500 Monitored Reverse Osmosis System or the Aqua Flo E75TFC-3SFBP RO System with Booster Pump for removing fluoride. The reverse osmosis system is normally located or installed under the sink.

So what do you think about fluoride in your drinking water? “To fluoride or not to fluoride? That is the question!” We would love to hear your comments about this ongoing discussion regarding the trials and tribulations of fluoride in our drinking water. We also invite you to vote in our poll that you will find in the upper right-hand corner on this blog. Do you own a reverse osmosis system? If so, we invite you to share your experience with us.