Water & Air – Filter Systems News

Many people love the warmth of the sun. The sun’s rays  on our skin make us feel good and can make us look good in the short term. However, there is a hidden danger. By now, you may be aware of the SPF controversy. Some SPFs will protect you from UVB rays, which cause skin cancer and burning, and some will protect you against UVA which cause skin cancer and wrinkling. The danger is that many sunscreen ingredients break down in the sun in a matter of hours or even minutes. After this breakdown occurs, UV radiation passes through the skin which can cause a host of problems. Many times, you will see claims such as “all day protection” and “blocks all harmful rays” on bottles, but quite often this is not true.

Fortunately, the FDA has taken action to ensure that consumers are clearer about the protection we are actually getting from a sunscreen product. Beginning in the summer of 2012, new guidelines were put in place for SPF ratings that more accurately reflect the guaranteed protection level. This is great news to be sure, but with all this talk about SPF sunscreens and protecting our skin, we can often overlook one basic way of protecting our skin: water. While there may be no clear evidence on how water effects skin health, the importance of water still can’t be overlooked in any area of your life. Your skin is an organ and just like every other part of your body, your skin is made of cells. Skin cells, like every cell found in the body, are made of water. Without water, the organs won’t function at their best. Your skin will be much better equipped to handle harmful UV rays if properly hydrated and taken care of.

What’s the best way to stay properly hydrated?

Having water on hand at all times is essential. However, having access to filtered water that does not contain harmful contaminants will be best for your skin and overall health. One of the best ways for easy access to filtered water is through the use of a filtered water pitcher. For example, the PUR Filtered Water Pitcher holds up to 7 eight ounce glasses of water and removes 99.9% of microbiological cysts and 98% of lead. It also comes with a built-in electronic LED indicator filter change light and includes the PUR CRF-950Z water filter cartridge that should be changed every 40 gallons.

What is another way to stay properly hydrated? Having a good filter in place is necessary for ensuring that you have pure, clean water in your home. For example, the Pentek Water Filter Cartridge Replacement. This is a 10 inch carbon block water filter replacement for use in many water filter systems, especially undersink filter systems. This Pentek filter replacement cartridge uses advanced Fibredyne carbon block technology to remove or reduce sediment, dirt, rust, and other impurities. Never neglecting to replace your refrigerator water filter is also important to stay properly hydrated the right way.

In conclusion

Remember to always read labels carefully before choosing the sunscreen that may work best for you. Staying up-to-date about the latest information regarding sunscreens is valuable to skin health. Water can go a long way to protecting your overall health, which includes your skin. When filtered from harmful pollutants, you should never underestimate the value that this natural resource can add to your life. Check out this blog for another benefit of this precious resource: water improves kidney health.

IMAGE CREDIT: http://www.aubrey-organics.com

July is National Doghouse Repairs Month and with the increase of extreme temperatures,the doghouse can provide much needed shelter from the scorching heat. As the temperature rises, so does the need for easily accessible water for you and your pet. Ask yourself these questions: does your dog or cat have easy access to water? Is it clean water? The importance of keeping water easily accessible especially during the summer months is important. However, giving water to your pet that is contaminated will do more harm than good for your dog or cat. Recent studies indicate that good quality water is beneficial for your pet especially for strengthening their immune systems. The hydration of internal organs will also keep your pet’s organs functioning properly and efficiently. Need more proof that water quality is extremely important for your pet? Look no further than this story from Heather Quinn, a proud cat owner who recently discovered startling news regarding her cat.

“My cat was very sick…and I ended up taking him to the vet. $700 later, we learned that he had a UTI and crystals built up in his bladder.  He had to undergo surgery to remove them.  The vet asked if we had changed his food type or water source recently and I had originally said no. He immediately suspected that the water caused it.  The vet recommends filtering your pets’ water because the minerals and chemicals found in well/tap water can create imbalance in the pet and cause these crystals to form in the bladder. The crystals block urine passage and cause kidney failure.”

As unsettling as that story may be, there are ways you can provide clean, safe drinking water for your pet. The DogIt Design Fresh and Clear Pet Drinking Fountain provides a steady supply of fresh and clean drinking water for your dog, by re-circulating water flow. This outdoor drinking fountain has multi-stage filtration that eliminates stale water by trapping the impurities. The elevated large surface area makes it useful for dogs that are larger, older or suffering from physical ailments. The correct replacement filter is the Dogit Design Fountain Filter Cartridges.

The CatIt Design Fresh and Clear Pet Drinking Fountain is made especially for your cat and provides a constant supply of fresh and clean water. This pet drinking fountain features an elevated design and utilizes multi-stage filtration for reducing impurities in water. The large surface area of this fountain results in higher oxygenation and the re-circulation flow ensures your cat will not receive stale and stagnant water.

Remember, your pet can share the same health benefits that you and I enjoy from drinking filtered water. Don’t deprive your pet of this essential resource.

Filters Fast is proud to announce the launch of our charity, W3- Work and Walk for Water. We want to do our part to make it possible for people around the world to have access to clean, fresh drinking water. Every time you flush your toilet, wash your hands, or take a sip from the hose on a hot summer day, remember that millions of people around the world are not able to enjoy these taken for granted pleasures. It is estimated that as many as 76 million people will die in the next 8 years of preventable water-related diseases. That is why now, more than ever, it is important for all of us to get up and do something.

So, how can you help? It’s easy! We have designed W3 so that you can choose to donate money, or donate miles, or both! For every mile you donate, a sponsored dollar will go to providing clean water to those who require it most. So don’t just sit there, do something! If your New Year’s Resolution is to get in better shape, you can reach your goal while helping those in need. Ask your family to sponsor your 20 mile donation (20 dollars), and reap the benefits of walking and helping others.

Here in the Filters Fast office, we have brought our commitment to providing clean water to the workplace.  Two of our employees have chosen to install Trek Desk’s, which allow them to walk on a treadmill while at work. We believe wholeheartedly that it is possible that every man, woman, and child has access to fresh, clean water, and we want to do our part.

Filters Fast will donate 100% of all proceeds, and they will go directly to water projects. This will provide wells and clean water to those who need it most.

Image Credit: Pre-Med S.T.I.T.C.H.

The Tea Council of the USA announced that January is the month to celebrate the healing properties and comfort of enjoying a delicious hot cup of tea. Findings show that tea has potential health benefits that include flavonoids, a substance that could act as an antioxidant helping to reduce oxidative damage in the body. Drinking tea is also linked to promoting good health and reducing chronic diseases like certain types of cancer and coronary heart disease.

Did you know that the quality of the water you use to make your hot tea can have an adverse effect on the flavor and essence of your tea? Check out our previous post, “Can Water Quality Really Ruin a Good Cup of Tea?” which talks about the importance of water filtration and purification to give you the enjoyment of a nice cup of brewed tea. Here are some suggestions for cost-effective dispensers that will give you clean filtered water for your hot tea, hot coffee and even your hot cocoa:

The Everpure EverHot Hot Water System with Chrome Faucet includes a high quality hot/cold chrome faucet that is designed for use with this hot water dispenser system. This Everpure Hot Water System is ideal for enjoying a fresh, hot cup of tea, coffee or other hot beverage. It is also perfect for making quick hot meals such as soup, pasta, oatmeal and more.

The Cuisinart CleanWater Countertop Filter System is a 2 gallon capacity home water filter system that sits directly on your counter to give you fresh, clean and purified water for drinking, cooking, brewing coffee or tea and more. This water dispensing system provides hot water (up to about 194 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold water (as low as 44 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Pentek GS-10CAL/RO-B Inline Filter-GAC/Calcite can be utilized in various applications to correct low pH levels, polish water and brew better tasting tea, coffee and other beverages. It reduces unpleasant taste and chlorine odor, as well as sediment. This Pentek Inline Filter can also be used as a post filter in many reverse osmosis (RO) systems.

If you are a tea-lover, you wouldn’t want to sacrifice the flavor of your brewed beverage due to poor water quality. Filtered water does matter! So, what flavor of tea will you be savoring this month?

An ancient technique for purifying water may offer new hope for the over 1 billion people who have no access to clean drinking water.  The Moringa oleifera tree has been used for hundreds of years by people in Sudan to purify water, as well as for food.  The method has never been widely disseminated, but in 2010 a publication by Michael Lea revealed the Moringa tree’s properties.  According to Lea, when the seeds of this tree are crushed into powder and mixed with surface water, a reduction of bacteria by 90-99 percent can be achieved.

This news provides great hope for those living in areas where the tree is widely grown, including Africa, Central and South America, India, and Southeast Asia. In Ghana, the Moringa tree is grown on plantations, and its leaves are used for food and the seeds used as a spice. According to the UN site IRIN, the tree grows quickly and resists drought, and can be grown in many areas.  The seeds are soft and can be easily crushed, the IRIN site further states.  The fact that the tree is already widely grown, and the ease with which the seeds can be crushed, make this method ideal for those without other sources of water purification.

Kebreab Ghebremichael, a water purification expert with UNESCO, states that using the seeds of Moringa tree is probably best employed at a household level.  According to him, the seeds would pose problems with odor and taste if forced to sit for extended periods of time when used on a large scale basis.  He further states that this method would work better for surface water than with underground water, and that it is best used for emergencies and where other methods of water purification are not available.

The amount of water charities around the world seem to grow exponentially every year.  Many of these organizations are both headquartered and focused on serving foreign countries, making seeing the effect of your donation difficult. However, Wisconsin based CannedWater4Kids is changing all that. They have created an attractive, visible product by manufacturing colorful aluminum cans filled with purified drinking water. They hope that these cans will not only provide fresh water to children in need, but will soon serve as the symbol of clean water awareness. With $0.95 cents of every dollar donated guaranteed to go directly to those children who need fresh water, you can be ensured that your hard earned dollars are going towards doing the most good.

So why aluminum cans? There are many reasons, but it is primarily due to the fact that more and more people understand the importance of recycling to ensure global sustainability. Therefore, the aluminum can serves as a recognizable, economical, and safe way to bring clean, purified water to kids in need around the world.  Also, aluminum cans have a small environmental footprint, maintain a long shelf life, and can go from the recycling bin to the store shelf in 60 short days.

CannedWater4Kids has already made a difference in many places around the world. Shortly after the earthquake in Japan, CannedWater4Kids shipped 52,800 cans of purified water to people living in schools, orphanages, and evacuation centers in the Minami-Sanriku area that completely relied on water from outside sources. The charity also works in conjunction with various other organizations including Engineers Without Borders at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.  This group of Engineers is working to build purification plants in the Highlands of Guatemala and they did not forget to bring CannedWater4Kids with them to pass out to the local community.

How can you get involved? As with many other water based charities, monetary donations are always welcome. You can do this over CannedWater4Kids secure website or via snail mail. Another innovative way to get involved is to purchase a colorful 12 or 24 pack case of the purified CannedWater4Kids water. Not only will this serve as an interesting conversation piece at your next family gathering, but the water tastes great and your donation will be going to a more than worthy cause. At just a dollar a can, you can make a donation while getting water that is both purified and eco-friendly. Small business and retail store owners also have the option to stock the water in their store by contacting info@cannedwater4kids.org.

So this week, our charity is CannedWater4Kids. They have created an imaginative, fun product that can be seen as a symbol of water charity consciousness. Priding themselves on doing the most good with your donation dollars, getting involved with CannedWater4Kids is a great way to begin working with water charities.

Fans of Vitamin Water may be disappointed to learn that vitamins may lose potency if stored in water for extended periods of time.

Enter Activate – the only brand of bottled water on the market that has vitamins, antioxidants and other supplements in powder form hidden in the cap, which are released with just one twist, just before drinking. How did this concept come to be?

“Friends Anders Eisner and Burke Eiteljorg were sitting in the Denver airport four years ago. Anders was trying to pour Airborne, a supposed cold-fighting dietary supplement, into a bottle of water. Burke was doing the same with Emergen-C, another vitamin drink mix. Both were making a mess. There had to be a tidier way, they decided.”

Activate comes in eight flavors. Some emphasize health and immunity boosters, while others are workout drinks with electrolytes. The drinks contain Stevia, a much healthier alternative to the sugar used in Vitamin Water and other similar beverages. While we applaud the company’s innovation and drive to be healthier than most, we still have the problem of plastic bottle waste on our hands. Perhaps Eisner and Eiteljorg wouldn’t have made such a mess if they had a wide-mouthed reusable bottle like this Klean Kanteen instead. Moreover, the beverage sells for $1.79 to $2.29 per bottle:

“Some balk at the price, but Holland [the company's president] says, ‘If you bought a bottle of water and Emergen-C it would cost you $2.’”

Precisely why we shouldn’t be buying bottles of water in the first place! We’ve said it many times and we’ll say it again. Save money with your own supplement packets and/or pills, and fill up your reusable water bottle with filtered tap water instead.

84 year old, Henry Morello, was found alive in an Arizona desert after five days of being stranded there. He took a wrong turn while driving home from the Phoenix suburb of Cave Creek on Feb. 7, and ended up in a ditch after making a U-turn.

We thought his survival skills were especially good for a man his age, and worth noting. First he ripped a chrome piece off of his car and put it on the roof hoping someone would see the reflection and find him. His phone and car battery went dead, so he used car mats to stay warm and read a car manual from cover to cover to pass the time. But the most interesting part of it all is how he chose to stay hydrated. Since he didn’t have access to water, he filtered windshield wiper fluid through a napkin and drank it as a substitute.

He was found alive by a group of hikers after five days. Though his kidneys are damaged, he arrived at the hospital in good condition, considering all that he had been through. He learned a few lessons from this adventure, the main one being to never drive without water.

We’d like to reach out to Morello and let him know that his story is a lesson to all. Do not leave the house without your reusable stainless steel water bottle, and make sure it’s full of filtered water before taking a trip. And, in case of an emergency, make sure you have some napkins on hand, in case you do need to drink windshield wiper fluid. (We’ll soon be testing out the filtration skills of a napkin, so stay tuned for a video on that.) In the meantime, get prepared for any emergency that may strike, by stocking your survival kit with these items from Filters Fast. Clearly, Morello would have been much better off with a Katadyn Bottle Water Filter.

As a former restaurant employee, I’m well aware of the necessity of boosting check averages in order to increase tips. Usually (though not always), the higher your sales, the more money you are likely to make as a server. Anyone who has worked in the restaurant industry before knows that offering guests bottled water is one of several techniques that can help you boost sales.

But the bottled water industry, as of late, has received so much backlash, and in today’s economic recession, fewer people are buying bottled water at restaurants, despite the clever efforts of servers to pressure them into it:

“Sir, do you prefer still, sparkling … or just tap”  (said with a slight air of condescension and maybe even a small frown)?

These days, most people are not afraid to say “Charlotte’s (or whatever city you live in’s) finest”, with a confident grin. It was always frustrating to me when I was a server; however, now that I see the absurdity of bottled water (and now that I am thankfully no longer employeed in the food and beverage industry), I have joined the ranks of fellow tap water drinkers. After all, it’s “free”.

I used to receive this question, quite often, however: “Is your water filtered?” Sadly, in the last restaurant I worked in, it was not. You could taste the trace amounts of metal that often give unfiltered water that “tappy” taste. (Looking back, I understand now, why people would ask for water with extra lemon…). Perhaps the reason for serving unfiltered water was simply cost – not paying for foodservice water filters is less expensive, after all… or is it?

What if selling filtered water, by the glass, instead of serving unfiltered water for free, could actually help restaurants boost their sales? Bottled water is ridiculously priced, but if restaurants invested in filtration systems, perhaps they could sell glasses of filtered water for less than a dollar a piece, (refills included?) and still make a small profit off of water sales. At the very least, they could recover the cost of the filtration system, make their customers happier by serving filtered water, and boost their overall reputation if nothing else. If people have the choice between tap for free and filtered for the price of what ultimately amounts to pocket change, I’m willing to bet they’d choose the latter. What do you think?

You could even serve it in a stemmed glass, as this tends to make non-bottled water seem more appealing…

America is the land of the free, right? Well some might argue differently, in light of recent Homeland Security developments (i.e. airport “security” checks.) The United States officially became free with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It’s the reason we celebrate the fourth of July every year with fireworks and funnel cakes. It’s the reason why a man walks through an airport “security” check in a speedo with an insulting message written to a certain politician scribbled on his back in bold, black marker, and doesn’t get labeled a terrorist … well, at least… for now.

As we’ve seen in recent controversial media reports over the last few weeks, these “freedoms” we have are precious to us, and if we comply with new procedures in the name of security, safety and comfort, there’s a chance we could lose them. Allow me to call your attention to a recent article published by the BBC: “Bottled Water has Become Liquid Gold.” This piece describes how bottled water rose to a global billion-dollar industry within the last 40 years, because of smart marketing. Through advertising that speaks directly to the human desire for luxury and convenience, this product has become all too appealing. One particular section of this article really got my attention – a quote by Richard Wilk, professor of anthropology at Indiana University:

“I think bottled water is the most revealing substance for showing us how the global capitalist market works today … In a sense, we’re buying choice, we’re buying freedom. That’s the only thing that can explain why you would pay money for a bottle of something that you can otherwise get for free.”

(Now, before I get attacked by the IBWA for referencing an “untrue” statement, we know that even tap water isn’t free. Technically we pay for it when we receive our water bill every month. What Wilk likely means here is, “That’s the only thing that can explain why you would pay ridiculous amounts of extra money for an environmentally-unfriendly, plastic bottle of something that you already pay for every month anyway.”)

That disclaimer aside – and I promise I’m going somewhere with this – Wilk’s quote suggests that people are essentially buying their right to choice and freedom every time they pay money for a bottle of water. In fact, “the right to choose” has been cited in several places as one of the reasons why bottled water should not be banned in colleges and universities. In today’s world, where freedoms and rights seem to be slipping slowly from our grasp with each new security measure, people are even more compelled to stand up and fight to keep them. But the willingness to pay for them isn’t doing much good. If bottled water is a symbol of the success of a capitalist market, buying it is only going to feed that market. And, in my opinion – feel free to debate with me on this – that market, and the greed associated with it, is the very thing that drives the policies that are slowly beginning to restrict our personal freedoms.

Sometimes, fighting for freedom means sacrificing security and comfort. Bottled water is one of the many symbols of security and comfort for those in the developed world, as it sets us apart from the less secure nations that don’t have access to clean water. It’s just a matter of where your priorities lie – with personal freedoms, or with comfort and security. In the name of the freedom upon which this Independent nation was founded, choose to drink filtered tap water, instead of bottled. It’s better for the planet, less expensive, less wasteful, it’s still purified, and you still retain your right to choose (along with preserving your dignity by resisting the temptation to get duped by clever advertising.) Seems like the more sensible decision to me – what do you guys think?