Category: Water Consumption

What is  Fluoride

For years now many national governments have debated the use of fluoride in their water supplies.  In 1989 the U.S Environmental Protection Agency recommended a maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per million of fluoride in drinking water supplies however in terms of dental health the ideal concentration of fluoride in drinking water is only 1 part per million fluoride to water.

Man made fluoride which some governments use in our drinking water supplies is a waste byproduct from, steel, aluminium, and fertilizer factories.

Instead of paying for the disposal of this fluoride byproduct these industries sell it to governments for adding to our tap water.
The reasons why fluoride is such a debateable topic is due to the pro’s and con’s associated with its use. For example in the 1960’s governments across western Europe initially added fluoride to the municipal water supplies due to it’s benefits in relation to the prevention of tooth decay.

However in recently years only 3% western European companies, i.e. Ireland, Spain and parts of the United kingdom still use the addition of fluoride in their municipal water supplies. So why have almost 97% of governments across the EU decided to stop using fluoride?

Harmful effects of Flouride

There are a number of side effects associated with too much fluoride in our drinking water. For example an amount above 2 parts per million, when exposed to children less than 10 years of age, can give permanent teeth a chalky-white appearance, or mottled brown colour. With levels above 4 parts per million the issue of dense and brittle bones know as osteoporosis…

For those reason alone it is generally felt that Fluoride should not be a mass medication for the population of countries and that people should be given the right to choose for themselves whether toothpaste  is an adequate supply of fluoride or should they be ingesting it in their drinking water.

How to Remove Fluoride from your Drinking water

EW Technologies recommend the  Gold Series G5 RO filtration system for the removal of fluoride from your drinking:

If you are concerned about fluoride in your tap water or have any questions you would like answered please feel free to contact EW Technologies on 01 8855 055, email culliganhome.support@culligan.ie or visit our website www.ewtechnologies.ie

The objective of this blog is to inform people, using the simplest language possible on the quality of our drinking water, problems people have with their tap water, what causes limescale in your kettle, green staining on your bath, brown colour in water, rotten egg smell, taste, odour, high ph levels, iron in water, bacteria, ecoli, the issue of having chlorine, fluoride and chemicals in our drinking water. I am also going to try and offer the best possible solutions for people to eliminate these contaminants from their well or mains water supplies by filtration, ion exchange and/or  chemical treatment.

Did you know that Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Persians , Romans and Greeks all have recorded the many benefits of boiling and filtering water to improve its purity and taste.  However it wasn’t until 1790 that an English woman by the name of Johanna Hempel obtained the very first patent for a water filter.  In 1839 John Simpson invented the slow-sand filter for public drinking water and put it into use at London’s public water works.

But what does filtration mean? Well, technically it is the process or processes of separating suspended matter (such as silt, sand, organic matter, iron, bacteria, algae etc – also known as TURBIDITY) from a liquid.

CLOUDINESS/DISCOLOURATION IN WATER

Generally people on well supplies will notice cloudiness or discolouration more in their tap water than people on a mains or municipal supply due to the  lack of water treatment  on the well.  This discolouration or cloudiness can be caused by excess air in the water. The cloudiness often disappears if you give the water a chance to stand for 30 seconds.
Another cause can be due to heating the water, which can cause very fine particles such as silt, sand, iron, algae to precipitate out of the water.  In very rare cases methane gas can be the cause of the cloudiness but this is generally only common in Marsh water sources.

HOW TO REMOVE CLOUDINESS/DISCOLOURATION

For residential water the most popular way of removing this turbidity is by passing the water through a tank of granular type media such as a sand filter, anthracite, calcite, carbon, or pumicite.

Water softeners and Iron removal units may also be used.  With regards to well supplies especially it is always best to have your water tested and analysed to determine what must be reduced or removed before installing a water system.
For more advice on water treatment view www.ewtechnologies.ie or email culliganhome.support@culligan.ie

In the last decade, interest in home water treatment products has grown tremendously. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for consumers to know whether or not a particular product will actually be as safe and effective as the manufacturer/ claims at reducing various contaminants from your water supply.

NSF has a long history of developing and running independent product testing programs. In fact, they are the leading independent tester of home water treatment products on the market today. With there state-of-the-art laboratories and highly skilled staff, they have the knowledge and expertise to effectively evaluate water treatment products, including:

• Filtration filters (i.e. carbon, charcoal, KDF, ceramic)
• Reverse osmosis systems
• Water softeners
• Distillation systems
• Ultraviolet disinfection products.

As an added assurance for consumers, NSF requires that all products meet annual re-certification requirements. Unannounced plant inspections and periodic retesting of all certified products are required of all NSF-listed companies. This unique requirement allows NSF to ensure that the products they certify continue to meet all stated requirements year after year.

The extract below is the Introductory paragraph from a recent report in Fluoridation of the public water supply. You can :

Report for The Government of Ireland The European Commission and World Health Organisation
Prepared By Declan Waug
h BSc. CEnv. MCIWEM. MIEMA. MCIWM
February 2013

The impetus for this report came from a recently released U.S. National Research Council (NRC) report which reviewed toxicologic, epidemiologic and clinical data on fluoride and exposure data on orally ingested fluoride from drinking water and other sources and which examined theadverse effects on various organs systems, and genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of fluoride on human health. A growing body of research is calling attention to this problem. As a follow up to the 2006 NRC report and my previous report on Human Toxicity, Environmental Impact and Legal Implications of Water Fluoridation(2012); this study highlights the key findings of the NRC scientific committee under specific headings and examines the health disadvantages for the population of Ireland from increased dietary exposure to fluorides by comparison to disease incidence/burden in non-fluoridated Northern Ireland and Europe.

The results clearly document that higher mortality and inferior health is evident for the population in the Republic of Ireland compared to non-fluoridated Northern Ireland. The findings clearly support the published findings of the NRC scientific committee and conclusively demonstrate that fluoridation of drinking water has significantly increased the dietary fluoride exposure of the entire population in Ireland to unsafe levels that have contributed directly and indirectly to numerous adverse health effects on the population. Ultimately this has culminated in significantly higher disease burdens and mortality and inferior health compared to their counterparts in Northern Ireland or other non-fluoridated EU countries.

Overall the Republic of Ireland fares worse in the prevalence of disease and morbidity for a wide range of disease categories compared with Northern Ireland the UK or the EU region.

The report also highlights similar disease burdens in the few other countries that continue to practice fluoridation especially in North America, Australia and New Zealand. The NRC report (2006) highlighted the potential contribution that fluoride exposure may have for many if not all of these diseases. This report identifies that water fluoridation chemicals have been classified as low dose Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) in current peer reviewed scientific publications and examines how EDCs impact on overall human health in general. The gravity of the findings in this report raises urgent and fundamental questions about the safety of artificial fluoridation of drinking water. Given the strength of the findings and seriousness of the evidence presented in this report continuation of such a policy, in light of the information contained, would represent gross culpable negligence and  a crime against humanity. With so much at stake and when the evidence of harm is so overwhelming, public health authorities simply have no choice but to act in the public interest and discontinue artificial fluoridation as a matter of urgency.

Is Fluroide in Water good or bad?

Well it all really depends on concentration. Surface water supplies are normally low in fluorides (less than 0.5ppm). Some have no fluoride at all. Well water may contain excessive amounts of fluoride above the recommended amount 1mg/L for drinking water.

Fluorides are important because they have a definite relation to dental health. Research has shown that a concentration of 1 mg/l of fluoride in drinking water reduces tooth decay. On the other hand some children under nine years of age exposed to levels of fluoride greater than 2 mg/L may develop a condition known as “endemic dental fluorosis.” Sometimes called “Colorado Brown Stain” this condition appears as a dark brown mottling or spotting of the permanent teeth. In certain cases, the teeth become chalky white in appearance. Further, regulations require that fluoride not exceed 4 mg/L in drinking water. Exposure to drinking water levels above 4mg/L for many years may result in cases of crippling skeletal fluorosis, which is a serious bone disorder.

Research studies indicate that fluoride concentrations of 1 mg/L are optimum. Authorities generally agree: (1) where concentrations are greater than 4 mg/L, the excess fluorides must be removed from water; (2) where concentrations are less than 1 mg/L, fluorides maybe added to drinking water for the prevention of dental caries. In todays society, however , fluorides are ever more prevalent in many foods and beverages, and especially in toothpastes and mouthwashes. Most mains water in Ireland have fluoride added, if you want to check if your water supply has fluoride added you can contact your local county council. Where fluoride concentration is to great, it is necessary to reduce the amount to acceptable limits.

EW Technologies water treatment experts, suggest Various methods have been suggested for reducing fluorides. These can be classified broadly in three groups:-

1. EWT Reverse Osmosis (recommended for most irish homes that want to remove fluoride form there drinking water)
2. Those involving treatment with chemicals, such as aluminium sulphate, magnesium or calcium phosphate, and other.
3. Those involving percolation through a bed of material, such as activated alumina, granular tricalcium phosphate, or anion exchange resins.

The first treatment method has obvious advantages. Methods in the second category have distinct disadvantages. They require use of elaborate treatment plants, careful control of chemical dosage and PH. In some cases, further treatment is necessary to restore the pH of the treated water to normal.

Methods in the third category do not require such elaborate control. Of these, the only widely used method of reducing fluoride content involves the use of a tricalcium phosphate filter. Such a filter functions in much the same way as a carbon filter. As the water flows through a tricalcium phosphate filter, the fluorides are absorbed.

Past health studies have shown that the addition of fluoride to water supplies at levels above 0.6mg/l F- leads to a reduction in tooth decay in growing children and that the optimum beneficial effects were thought to occur around 1.0 mg/l. However, in light of recent international and Irish research which shows an increasing occurrence of dental fluorosis, the Forum on Fluoridation (2002) recommended the lowering of the fluoride levels in irish drinking water to a range of 0.6 to 0.8 mg/l, with a target of 0.7 mg/l.

One of the most common question we are now asked is, Do you think the reason people in Ireland don’t protest against austerity in Ireland is because theres fluoride in the water? 

The  EWT Customer Care team are going punk for Today FM / Irish Cancer Society shave or dye.

EWT will match what ever they raise. We will also make an extra donation on your behalf for every Facebook like

So like below and we’ll donate to the Irish concer society

“You could especially see the limescale build up in the bottom of our kettle, the element was corroded with a grey limescale scum. Then it would just stop working, you couldn’t even boil the water for a cup of tea. The showerhead and door was a nightmare, I constantly had to clean it due to limescale build up. Even the washing machine and dishwasher weren’t cleaning the clothes and delph properly. Another problem in our home was water pressure” says Albert.

“The water pressure was very low from limescale building up in the pipes over the years so you could be waiting for ages for a bath to fill up” In 10 years we replaced our kettle, iron and even the shower unit and washing machine on numerous occasions. Limescale build up was costing us a small fortune every year. Albert decided that enough was enough and decided to call a guaranteed Irish company, EW Technologies.

I did contact a number of water companies about getting a water softener installed and 100% Irish owned AWARD WINNING company was definitely the best option. A good few of my neighbours already had the EWT system installed and were very happy with the high efficiency of their system and the after sales backup they received.

The engineer only took 2 hours to install the system. Once the unit was set up the only thing I had to do was keep it topped up with salt once a month. It came with a 20 year guarantee and a FREE drinking water filter. The water is just so soft and better all round. I have noticed a major difference in the appliances, there is no build up what so ever. The water softener has even cleared the old limescale build up in the showerhead and kettle so the hot water tank and washing machine will also benefit. There’s no problem cleaning the shower unit anymore, its much easier.

We’re using 50% less detergent in washes because the water lathers quickly now and the clothes are much cleaner. We estimated that between not having to replace appliances and because we’re using less cleaning products and energy that we are saving approximately E600 per year by having the EWT water softener installed. One of the biggest benefits for the family is that the water is so much softer and easier on our skin now as opposed to before.

Money back guarantee If, like the Duane family, you live in a hard water area (if your shower head gets clogged or your kettle has scale in it you live in a hard water area!) and would like to save money and time cleaning then you should definitely contact EW Technologies voted “Business of the Year 2011”. You’ll be glad you made that call. Not only do EW Technologies guarantee 100% to remove limescale in just 2 weeks but they’re so confident customers will be happy that they even offer a 90 day no quibble money back guarantee.

This blog is based on the current journey which most of us, as consumers, make while buying a new product and a buying a water softener is no different. This may be useful to see what stage you are at, and with our help, (please ask any questions at the form on the bottom) decide whether this is the solution to your problem.

1. Do I have hard water?

That is a good place to start, there are a few ways you can check this:

• Check your local water authority’s website – by entering your postcode and seeing what the water is like in your area.

• Get Hardness Test Kits – which are readily available in tablet form, strips or liquid drops.

2. Get Noticing Signs

During this stage you begin to notice how this hard water is affecting your home. Noticing visual effects usually starts with when you spend extra money on that nice hot water kettle or expensive steam iron and see it gradually clog up and become less efficient. Symptoms such as drastic changes of temperature or pressure in the shower and boiler, appliance breakdowns can all be a by-product of hard water in your area.

3. The Expenditure

This is when, on your weekly shopping, you see that the money which you’re spending on limescale cleaning products keeps recurring over and over again. Similarly, a costly repair to a boiler, appliance, tap or shower head can sometimes drive home the damage which hard water is causing.

Independent research (mentioned in “environment” blog) shows that hard water can increase spending on heating bills by 30%. Use our find out how much a water softener can save you!

4. The Norm

Often, when a person is new to living in a hard water area, they notice the difference in water quality very quickly and realise that this problem needs to be sorted out. However, if you have never known any difference and think water always creates those marks on your shower doors and its normal for a kettle to be full of scale, then often a holiday is when the benefits of soft water gets noticed.

Many of our customers arrive back from their holiday with one thing on their mind, “Get the water softener sorted!!” Often children and adults who suffer with skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis realise the benefits of soft water after a ‘Soft Water Holiday’ and notice that their skin condition calms down and their skin feels a lot better.

5. Hearing about the solution

There are thousands of EWT customers across Ireland and the rest of Europe who have all found the solution to their hard water problems, however there are many more people who have never even heard of a water softener! Once you realise that there is a solution to this problem, we are then here to help!

6. Make The Call

When you have seen the advertisements in the paper, online, TV or Radio we then get to speak to you. It is our job then, to explain how an EWT Water Softener is guaranteed to remove 100% of limescale from your home, where it will go and how it will work.

7. Get Your Softener Installed

One of our engineers will arrive at your property in any of our morning, afternoon, evening and weekend time slots and install the water softener for you. The installation usually takes around 2-3 hours and our engineers are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

8. Have Your Problem Solved!

Instantly after a water softener is installed, the benefits will be noticeable. Once a kettle is cleaned, it stays clean, same with showers, bathrooms and everywhere else. White chalky marks around the home will begin to disappear and clothes will start to feel softer after washing!

9. Start Saving Today!

When you own a EWT Water Softener, your weekly spend will reduce. Please remember to use our cost savings calculator to see where you start to save! We have lots of Happy Customers who say their unit has paid from itself within months, and others who are treating themselves to a holiday due to simply putting aside the money they used to spend on ‘hard water problems’.

10. Once You’ve Realised the Benefits..Tell your Friends!

Well, why not tell your friends about EWT Water Softeners! Many of our customers have referred many of their friends to get softeners from EWT. And after all, word of mouth is the best way to hear and trust something new which is going to work.

• Have you ever thrown out a cup of tea because there was a funny chemical taste or grey film on the top of the cup?

• Have you ever seen residue on the bottom of your tea cup which turned your stomach?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to the above then, you are one of the thousands of people across Ireland who live in a hard water area.

Limescale Deposits in Hard Water Cause Scum Water Softeners Remove Limescale

Hard water is water which is high in limescale deposits. When hard water is heated, the calcium and magnesium minerals stick to the hottest surface (heating element in your water kettle). Heating hard water results in a crud or scale forming in the bottom of your kettle or the residue you can sometimes see on your tea cups. But, there is a very simple solution to making that perfect cup of tea – without scum on top!

  Install Water Softeners, Remove Limescale & Get that Perfect Cup of Tea!

Water softeners remove 100% of limescale from your water leaving you with the perfect cup of tea every time. Not only that, by having a water softener installed you will also be showering and bathing in soft water which is great for your skin and can breath life back into your hair again.

For more information on the benefits of water softeners in your home, call EW Technologies now on 01 8855 055, or visit our website www.ewtechnologies.ie

EWTechnologies in the Irish Independent Healthy Living Section

WHAT helps you lose weight, improves brain function, eases digestion, prevents sprains by lubricating joints, keeps you youthful and boosts energy during exercise? Water, that’s what. Plain old tap juice – and it’s free. But problems such as the outbreak of the parasite cryptosporidium in Galway, which left residents without tap water for weeks, mean a growing number of people are concerned about the quality of what comes out of our taps. One solution is to install a water filter at home. We tried out the reverse osmosis system supplied by European Water Technologies (EWT), an Irish company with 60,000 customers providing water treatment for leading organisations including the HSE and Dunnes Stores. Reverse osmosis might sound like something from an episode of ‘Doctor Who’, but this advanced purification method was originally developed by the US navy to produce good quality drinking water from the sea for its submarine crews. “Our filters provide better tasting and better smelling drinking water by removing chlorine and over 50 other contaminants that may be in tap water,” says EWT representative Oliver Ginty. The Environmental Protection Agency says the water in Ireland meets European Union standards, and regular testing is done to make sure our supplies are safe. What the experts do agree on is that we all need to drink plenty of water – at least two litres a day can provide you with numerous health benefits, including more energy, clearer skin and better digestion.

Supplies That makes the taste important, and if you think the taste of tap water varies depending on where you live, you are right. EPA inspector Darragh Page says local water can be hard or soft, depending on where it comes from. For example, north Dublin has the harder stuff, because the supplies are sourced from the upper reaches of the Liffey, whereas the southside sup is softer because it comes from the Wicklow hills. Limescale build-up from the water is common in many homes, leaving a white residue on kettles and pots, and this factor, as well as the taste, means many are opting to install filters. The reverse osmosis method uses a filter that forces water under pressure through the tiny pores of a semi-permeable membrane, combined with carbon and mechanical filtration. That’s the technical description. What it means is that an extra tap is added to your sink, with a couple of small white cylinders containing the filter system set below. From then on you have a steady supply of drinking water that tastes of, well, nothing, which is how you want your water to taste – just cool and clear, and not a chemical anywhere. The price – at around €350 for the unit and installation – seems expensive, but when I tallied up how many bottles of branded water we buy at restaurants, supermarkets and the gym, the cost doesn’t seem as high. Get one good water holder to carry round with you, and the refills from the filter are free. Four weeks into having our reverse osmosis system installed, family and friends tend to drink more water and it’s a big hit with the youngsters, who say they can taste the difference (a test where the filtered stuff is put up against unfiltered tap water proves them right).

However, the EPA says reverse osmosis can remove everything from your water, including beneficial ingredients such as calcium, which Darragh Page says has been shown to help prevent cancer. “We have 48 tests to make sure our drinking water is safe,” says the inspector. Darragh swears by the tap juice from his local area. “I’m lucky because I live in Wicklow and I love our water – can’t get enough of it.” But for Ollie Ginty and his customers, pure will always be best. Most people taking the taste test at our house agree with him. Whatever your selection, we are pretty lucky with the choices we face. There are many areas of the world stricken by searing drought, where supplies of good clean drinking water are literally a matter of life and death. According to the Global Water Project, safe drinking water is scarce for a billion people in the world today. So while we might suffer from the odd outbreak of contamination, overall we have it pretty good.