Water Education - Water and Health

Chloride and Sulfate - Continued

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If equal amounts of magnesium sulfate or sodium sulfate are dissolved in water, the taste would not be noticeable. Both possess definite laxative effects in concentrations above 30 grains per gallon. In this way, they can be troublesome especially to people not accustomed to such water. In addition to their laxative properties and possible medicinal taste, sulfate water can mean extreme hardness, large amounts of sodium salts, or acidity. Alone or together, these can pose special problems in the conditioning of water.

Chlorides give water a salty taste. In large concentrations, chlorides cause a brackish, briny taste that definitely is undesirable. Although chlorides are extremely soluble, they possess marked stability. This enables them to resist change and to remain fairly constant in any given water unless the supply is altered by dilution or by industrial or human wastes. Both chlorides and sulfates contribute to the total mineral content of water. As indicated above, the total concentration of minerals may have a variety of effects in the home. High concentrations of either sulfate or chloride ions add to the electrical conductivity of water.

Chlorides and sulfates can be substantially removed from water by reverse osmosis. Deionization (demineralization) or distillation will also remove chlorides and sulfates from water, but these methods are less suitable for household use than reverse osmosis. Drinking pure water allows our body to naturally heal and cleanse our body properly. Water is the only way for our body to flush toxins from our system, which is a key to preventing disease. If the water already contains chlorine and other chemicals it has less of an ability to carry out the toxins in our body. If the water we drink is contaminated, our kidneys and liver are left to be the filter. Don’t forget the amount of water we drink is just as important as the quality of the water, so drink up and stay hydrated!

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