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.

Image Credit: http://apesnature.homestead.com/chapter9.html

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.

Today we are celebrating World Water Day. World Water Day is an internationally recognized day that is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the first World Water Day was designated on March 22, 1993. Each year this day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.

In recognition of World Water Day, FiltersFast.com, Filters Fast Local Service and the W3 Project is teaming with Indian Trail Elementary School in Indian Trail, North Carolina for a month-long celebration of walking for water. Beginning today and ending on April 22, 2012 which is Earth Day, the 800 member student body at Indian Trail Elementary School is challenged to walk as many miles as they can in this 1-month time-frame and donate the miles they run or walk to the W3 Project. The W3 Project is a partnership that includes FiltersFast.com, TrekDesk and Wine To Water. Together, the W3 partners are building a community of people who walk in pursuit of health and wellness for everyone. By raising awareness about health and the global water crisis, W3 is giving everyone the ability to either “Donate” or “Sponsor” miles in which 100% of all proceeds go to Wine To Water.

This video was especially produced to educate and increase the awareness about the global water crisis for elementary and middle schools, which is used as a template for other schools who want to implement the same type of event at their school. 3M Filtrete, a leader in home filtration systems is sponsoring up to 3,000 miles of the total miles that the students walk at Indian Trail Elementary for their month long initiative. Thank you 3M Filtrete for becoming an important sponsor for Indian Trail Elementary School that will certainly help the school, community and deliver the message about the importance of filtration while helping others in the United States and abroad obtain access to clean drinking water.

Every day around the world, there is a cycle that is continuously going. It happens all the time, yet most of us aren’t aware of it. It’s the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle and it is very vital to life here on Earth. The water cycle describes the movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. At various stages in the cycle, water can change states from a solid to a liquid and even to a gas. But what exactly are the stages of the water cycle? What do these stages do? 

Generally, there are 10 stages to the water cycle that range from evaporation to precipitation. They are as follows:

1. Evaporation: This is the change of water from a liquid to a gas. On average, around 47 inches is evaporated into the atmosphere from the ocean each year.

2. Transpiration: This is the evaporation of liquid water from plants and trees into the Earth’s atmosphere. Nearly all water that enters the roots transpires into the atmosphere.
3. Sublimation: This is the process where ice and snow (a solid) changes into a gas without moving through the liquid phase.
4. Condensation: This is the process where water changes back into a liquid. This is when we begin to first see clouds.
5. Transportation: This is the movement of solid, liquid and gaseous water throughout the atmosphere. Without this movement, all of the water evaporated over the ocean would not precipitate over land.
6. Precipitation: This is water that falls to the earth. Most precipitation falls as rain but includes snow, sleet, drizzle and hail. On average, about 39 inches of rain, snow and sleet fall each year around the world.
7. Deposition: This is the reverse of stage 3. Water vapor (a gas) changes into ice (a solid) without going through the liquid phase. This is most often seen on clear and cold nights when frost forms on the ground.
8. Infiltration: This is the movement of water into the ground from the surface. Percolation is movement of water past the soil going deep into the groundwater.
9. Surface flow : This is the river, lake, and stream transport of water to the oceans. The water may return to the surface in springs or eventually seep into the oceans.
10. Plant uptake: This is water taken from the groundwater flow and soil moisture. Only 1% of water that a plant draws up is used by the plant. The remaining 99% is passed back into the atmosphere.

Water is a vital part here on Earth, and on World Water Day this Thursday, let’s not forget the importance of clean drinking water for you and your loved ones. At Filters Fast, we offer a variety of water products to help ensure you of clean drinking water. From the Zero Water Cooler Bottle Filtration System to the Everpure Water Filtration System, Filters Fast knows the importance of clean, drinking water for you and your family.

(IMAGE CREDIT: http://www.srh.weather.gov)

Image Credit: www.bepreparedtostore.com

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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St. Patrick’s Day is not the only reason why we’re celebrating “Going Green.” With Spring announcing its arrival next week and World Water Day falling on March 22, the call to action for being good stewards of our environment is more urgent than ever. If we don’t take care of our environment, our environment will definitely turn on us. We are paying homage to the value of going green as it relates to water. It comes as no surprise that the birthstone for March is an Aquamarine. This pale blue gemstone whose name originates from the Roman word “Aqua” meaning water and “Mare” meaning sea resembles the color of seawater.

For decades, we have grown familiar with the term “Going Green.” It is a ubiquitous statement that defines our worldwide ecosystem and the lives of humans and animal life everywhere. Around the world people, businesses and charities are making great strides by building communities to raise awareness about caring for and nurturing our neighbors and our planet.

As we prepare to celebrate World Water Day on March 22, Filters Fast would like to recognize some of our water filter vendors who have implemented impressive recycling programs for their products and going green initiatives.

Mavea offers a comprehensive recycling program where every part is broken down, cleaned and re-used. Nothing goes to the landfill. Return a minimum of 6 “Mavea” filters (only). They will pay the shipping costs. Simply request a pre-paid shipping label. https://www.mavea.com/mavea/mavea-recycling.html?L=0

Rainshow’r is now proud to partner with Active Recycling, an environmentally aware recycler, who understands our desire to limit our impact. For more information about their recycling program visit http://www.rainshowermfg.com/page6/page6.html.

Brita has a recycling campaign that recycles its carbon filters for the pitchers and faucet attachment models. For more information on recycling your Brita, filter visit http://www.brita.com/.

ZeroWater recycles their filters by separating each filter, then sending the plastic along with the materials inside to be sent to various facilities for reuse. Visit http://ww2.zerowater.com/recycling/ for more information.

Everpure water filtration products are recyclable and details on recycling locations can be found at www.everpure.com/ or  you can contact Everpure at (800) 323-7873.

Make sure you are only sending filters made by these companies to avoid being charged for additional shipping. Through recycling, we can significantly reduce the amount of waste that litters our landfills and save energy compared to creating new waste with new products. Everything we do or don’t do plays a vital role in the health and dynamics of planet Earth.

"Wells 4 Wells - Fighting the Global Water Crisis, One Beer at a Time"

Celebrate World Water Day with beer!

You probably weren’t expecting that, were you? And no … we’re not kidding.

International World Water Day is observed annually on March 22, to raise awareness of the importance of clean water, and to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It began in March of 1993, and has been a success ever since. This year’s theme is “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge,” and organizations around the world are holding events in response to the increasing urbanization affecting the water supplies in poor and developing countries. Bloggers are raising awareness through their posts on the top ways to celebrate World Water Day. Social media fanatics are posting related updates to Facebook and twitter several times an hour. World Water Day is in motion, and this morning, we were at a standstill when it came to writing about it. What sort of unique thing could a blog that posts about water on an almost daily basis have to say about World Water Day?

Well, if you’ve been reading our blog, you may have noticed that we are beer advocates as well. You may recall our post on breweries committed to water conservation. So, when we ran across Wells4Wells, and remembered that it is also #charitytuesday, we had to write about it. As stated on their website, Wells4Wells is “Fighting the Water Crisis one beer at a time.” This Thursday, March 24, fifteen participating cities around the country will host their own happy hour. Bars and restaurants will donate a portion of their sales during these hours toward the construction of a well at a school in Africa, providing clean water for over 1,000 children. The cost to build the well, through the water charity, Drop in the Bucket, is $5500. Those who attend the happy hour and purchase the qualifying specials will be doing so for a good cause. If your city is not included, you can still donate to Wells For Wells online.

World Water Day is officially today, but the Wells4Wells event is on Thursday, March 24, which means you’ll be celebrating a little late. But that’s okay, because every day should be World Water Day, anyway, right?

What are you doing in your own life to raise awareness of the need for clean water in cities around the world, today, and (hopefully) every day?