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Did
you know?
Reverse osmosis is the finest water filtration method known. This process will
allow the removal of particles as small as ions from a solution. It is used
to purify water and remove salts and other impurities in order to improve the
color, taste or properties of the fluid. R.O. uses a membrane that is semi-permeable,
allowing the fluid that is being purified to pass through it, while rejecting
other ions and contaminants from passing.
This technology uses a process
known as crossflow to allow the r.o. membrane to continually clean itself. This
is the reason of why an r.o. element can last many years before clogging or
need replacement. This
water purification process requires a driving force to push the fluid through
the membrane, and the most common force is household water pressure or pressure
from a booster pump. The higher the pressure, the larger the driving force and
efficiency.
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Define
Water and Water Quality
What
precisely is this fascinating substance water?
Webster
defines it briefly as: "The liquid which descends from the clouds
in rain, and which forms rivers, lakes, seas, etc. Pure ordinary water
(H20) consists of hydrogen (11.1888 percent) by weight and
oxygen (88.812 percent). It has a slightly blue color and is very slightly
compressible. At its maximum density at 39.2 °F or 4 °C, it is the standard
for the specific gravities of solids and liquids. Its specific heat is
the basis for the calorie and the B.T.U. units of heat. It freezes at
32 °F or O°C"
Note
the term "pure water" in this definition. Though we talk a great
deal about "pure water," the phrase is more of a designation
than an actuality. Actually, "pure water" (H20) occurs
so rarely, that for all intents and purposes, it is a non-existent liquid.
Even the term "pure water"
is somewhat ambiguous. It has different connotations to individuals in
various fields. The bacteriologist, for example, is apt to regard "pure
water" as a sterile liquid, that is, one with no living bacteria
in it. The chemist, on the other hand, might well classify water as "pure"
when it possesses no mineral, gaseous or organic impurities. It is obvious
that "pure water" as described in this paragraph is likely to
be found only in laboratories ... and even there only under ideal conditions.
The
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides practical
standards for water in terms of its suitability for drinking (or potability)
in the Primary Drinking Water Regulations and for aesthetic considerations
in the Secondary Drinking Water Regulations.
In
its Drinking Water Regulations, the U.S.EPA takes into consideration adequate
protection of water against the effects of contamination, both through
natural processes and through artificial treatment. The Standards list
requirements for bacterial count, physical and chemical characteristics.
It
is almost impossible to find a source of water that will meet basic requirements
for a public water supply without requiring some form of treatment. In
general, the requirements for a public water supply may be considered
as follows:
1. That
it shall contain no disease-producing organisms.
2. That it be colorless and
clear.
3. That
it be good-tasting, free from odors and preferably cool.
4.
That it be non-corrosive.
5.
That it be free from objectionable gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, and
objectionable staining minerals, such as iron and manganese.
6.
That it be plentiful and low in cost.
While
the presence of coliform bacteria and toxic chemical content in a water
supply would cause a water to be classified as unsafe to drink, other factors
such as taste, odor, color and mineral content have a certain aesthetic
effect - which can cause a water to be rejected as a usable supply.
A
potable, or safe water, is not necessarily usable or useful for many purposes.
For this reason it may require treatment of another sort to render it
useful to the needs of the home or industry ... or for use by the space
age scientist, for example. In any event, no snap judgement should be
the basis for determining whether or not a certain water can meet requirements
for a certain use.
There
are tremendous variations in the quality of water from area to area. Review
of the maps at the end of the article gives some indication of the variations.
These, however, are only broad general indications of the differences. Even within
a specified area significant differences may be noted.
In
some cases there are variations in the quality of water in a given area,
even on a day to day basis. Why do such variations occur?
The answer can be traced
to the fact that water is a solvent. Water is aptly described as "the
universal solvent." Scientists generally agree that it is one of
the best solvents available.
As a result of its solvent
action, water dissolves at least a portion of everything it touches. It
dissolves metals, rocks, waste matter, gases, dust and numerous other
foreign substances and may contain appreciable amounts of these dissolved
materials.
The dissolved mineral
content of water ranges from 20 to 80 parts per million (milligrams per
liter) in areas where there are only slightly soluble granite formations.
From this low level it increases quite noticeably depending on area conditions.
The dissolved solids
content of the oceans is in the 35,000 ppm (mg/l) range. It is estimated
that there are enough dissolved solids in the oceans to cover all the
earth's land surfaces to a depth of 112 feet. Each year inland waterways
carry billions of tons more of dissolved solids into the oceans.
In any area, the dissolved
solids content of a water supply may vary sharply depending on whether
the water is drawn from a deep well, a lake, a river or a pond.
According
to recent news and reports, most tap and well water in the U.S. are not
safe for drinking due to heavy industrial and environmental pollution.
Toxic bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals routinely penetrate and pollute
our natural water sources making people sick while exposing them to long
term health consequences such as liver damage, cancer and other serious
conditions. We have reached the point where all sources of our drinking
water, including municipal water systems, wells, lakes, rivers, and even
glaciers, contain some level of contamination. Even some brands of bottled
water have been found to contain high levels of contaminants in addition
to plastics chemical leaching from the bottle.
A good water
filtration system installed in your home is the only way to proactively
monitor and ensure the quality and safety of your drinking water. Reverse
osmosis water purification systems can remove 90-99% of all contaminants
from city and well water to deliver healthy drinking water for you and
your family.
Premium
Coconut Shell Water Conditioner
Our
featured whole house green carbon filter removes hydrogen sulfide
and chloramines from every faucet in your home.
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