Category: Water Consumption

Hard water is a common problem for many homes Hard water can be costing you more money in a number of ways that you may be completely unaware of. Most homeowners may even be unaware that the water being supplied to their home is hard, and others just do not know how important it is to implement one easy solution to solve their hard water problems.

How to tell if you have hard water?
When you have hard water coming from you home taps, there are a number of clues that you may not be aware of that suggest you have hard water. Some of these signs may be more noticeable than others and can include:

1. Hard water is less soluble and will make getting a good lather with soap, shampoos, body washes and other bath items difficult. With soft water, a higher quantity of bubbles will form for you to wash with, but with hard water, these bubbles either do not form or disappear quickly. This in turn results in you using more of these products than necessary just to get a ‘good’ lather.
2. The hard water in your home can also cause major skin irritations. Hard water contains additional minerals that can absorb the moisture that your skin needs to stay hydrated. This can cause severely dry, flaky skin and individuals who suffer from eczema will see even more irritation when they use hard water.
3. If you have noticed a buildup of soap residue, then this is a good sign that you have hard water being supplied to your home. Not only will you be able to see this visibly in your shower or tub, but hard water will also cause limescale build up when used for cooking or boiling water. This can significantly increase your utility bills because it takes much longer for the chemicals in hard water to break down and heat up.

What can you do about your hard water?
The best solution to combat your hard water problems is to soften the water. This is easily done with an ion exchange resin device that will convert the hard water into soft water. Water softeners are easy to install and are the most effective ways for you to turn your hard water into more suitable soft water. You want to make sure you get the suitable water softener for your home that can help you reduce your monthly bills and supply the right amount of soft water to your home.

Water softeners can come in a number of sizes and can be placed in various locations in your home from under the kitchen sink to the garage or basement. The EWT 606 Metered Water Softener from EWT Water Specialists is a compact water softener that can turn you hard water into soft water while also removing costly limescale from the water as well.

The EWT Water Specialists offer a wide range of water softeners that are guaranteed to efficiently turn your hard water into soft water. You can benefit from saving on your monthly utility bills and shopping bills with this simple solution to you hard water problems. To see more of the top rated water softeners that EWT Water Specialist offer, you can search through our many products at water softeners range

All over the Europe, sources of water from varying locations contain a lot of different chemicals in various amounts. This is normally dependent on a particular region’s agricultural or industrial production sources.

Water contaminants are foreign or natural materials that pollute water. They change from soluble to insoluble and might be visible or microscopic.

The known biggest harmful contaminants in drinking water are:

1.Microbial Pathogens

Microbial pathogens are very small living organisms like bacteria, parasites, fungus, protozoa and viruses, which come from improperly sealed or malfunctioning septic or sewer systems and run-off sources of animal waste, including dog parks or farms. Human and animal faecal wastes make up most of the microscopic contaminants. The measure of turbidity determines the level of contaminants. Generally, high turbidity is related to elevated rates of contaminants by microorganisms.

These pathogens can give rise to several sicknesses the same as the ones that come as an effect of food poisoning. These complications may include hepatitis, dysentery, gastroenteritis, shigellosis, salmonella, and giardiasis.

2. Inorganic Compounds

Inorganic compounds are natural or artificial substances that don’t include carbon elements. Besides, they originate from household plumbing systems, corroded galvanized conduits or mines. Fertilizers have a significant amount of inorganic compounds. Examples of such metals are barium, lead, arsenic, mercury, silver, nitrates and chromium. These inorganic compounds are harmful when ingested, and long term exposure to them can cause cancer.

3. Organic Compounds

Organic compounds normally come from agricultural run-off waste and home and industrial compounds, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Exposure to such substances can cause cancer, nervous system damage, and internal organ damage. Organic substances are compounds that contain carbon elements. The primary sources of organic compound contaminants are herbicides sewages and incinerators. Industrial discharge may contain unacceptable rates of organic compounds.

Chloride alkanes and benzene compounds, alkynes and alkenes are the primary organic contaminants. Reliable sources suggest that organic substances found in water cause systemic illnesses.

4. Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste comes from hidden sources of waste that leak into water sources or from emissions from power plants. Exposures to dangerous levels of radioactive material have been known to cause cancer.

5. Disinfectants

Disinfectants are substances added to water to get rid of microorganisms. There are only three dangerous compounds in disinfectants, and they are chlorine dioxide, chloramines and chlorine. Disinfectants cause irritation in eyes and the nose. In addition, they cause nervous system issues, renal circumstances, liver problems, stomach upset and anaemia in babies.
Researchers and scientist have developed methods of purifying water determined by the type of contaminants or levels of the contaminant. These systems are either chemical or biological.

Finally, it is very necessary to be aware of the environmental risks that exist in your region, so that you can guard yourself and your family members from illness and medical complications. Everyone deserves the right to reside in healthy and protected environments. If you’re worried in regards to contaminants and the substances in your water, get in touch with your local water provider and learn about water monitoring contaminants and programmes in your region.

What exactly is hard water?
When water falls as rain, it is always soft and free of minerals. Water only picks up minerals as it passes through soil, sand and rocks. Hard water is full of mineral salts, especially calcium and magnesium ions.
It is the magnesium and calcium in hard water that cause problems, although there are other minerals in hard water. When water is heated, these minerals evaporate out of water and deposit themselves onto certain items as mineral deposits, impacting the operation of household appliances. These mineral deposits are in the kitchens and bathrooms, and they are difficult to remove. Detergents and soaps lather badly in hard water, so we often use more, leading to a soapy film.
Some problems caused by hard water:

• The minerals in hard water can make pipes, thereby reducing the water flow.
• The lifespan of water heaters shortens.
• An undetectable soapy film on skin can make it feeling dry.
• Unpleasant minerals in hard water decrease the life of clothing.
• Extra filmy shampoo deposits on hair can make it look limp and dull.
• Film can pile up on bathroom and tile /kitchen fixtures.
• Increases utility bills due to collected scale in the water heater.
• Glasses and dishes stay white filmed after cleaning.
• Hard water can influence the flavor of coffee and tea.

Easy options to help deal with hard water:

1. Use distilled vinegar in the dishwasher or a rinsing agent to eliminate spots and white film. Lowering the temperature of the hot water heater will help.
2. Follow the laundry detergent manufacturer’s directions on using the machine with hard water.
3. For better-tasting coffee, run a pot of powerful white vinegar water from time to time via your coffee machine.
4. Inspect and clean your outside irrigation system frequently.
5. Look for shampoos and soaps specially formulated for hard water.
6. Flush your hot water heater sometimes as directed in the manual of the manufacturer.
7. Try to be using white vinegar on taps, glass, and tiles to do away with mineral deposits.
8. Make use of bottled water in brewing your coffee and tea.

But even after using all of the above methods, you may still have bad hard water effects around your home. A long lasting and effective solution to hard water can be a water softener. Water softener softens the water before it reaches your appliances and helps eliminate the hazards of hard work.
EWT Water softners are proven to reduce the effects of hard water around your home and office. Visit our website to learn more and get in touch with us if you have any question!

It’s as simple as that. Whatever you can do to save time and become more productive, please do! And that’s the reason we have a lot of technology these days – smartphones, tablet computers, programmes, etc. Yet, regardless of all the benefits of these technologies, you may still not be productive. If you’re at that point in your life where your productivity has severely declined, and you’re no longer productive at work as you used to be, then this article is for you. All you need to do is follow these easy strategies that will help you become a productivity powerhouse:

1. Read or Meditate: This is one habit you need to master, as it will help clear your head before leaping into the day. This is a habit that is flexible. Try going to work early and allow yourself some quiet moment before the clock in time. Use this time to check the news out, meditate at your desk, do some knitting or whatever that can help you concentrate without any rush.

2. Plan Routine Breaks: Consistently take your breaks. Whether you are self-employed or a salaried worker, give yourself regular periods of rest between active work cycles. This can give your mind an opportunity to loosen up all those fabulous ideas that get stuck underneath.

3. Tune Out Distractions: Yes, do it! We know technology is a good thing, but sometimes it’s a huge distraction. So, say goodbye to those glossy technical playthings and other disruptions, and get down for some serious work.

4. Delegate: The magically productive always know when they need help, and they go ahead and ask for it. If you’re nearing your deadline for some tasks and your workload is still piling up, look for a means to delegate some of the jobs. If you have a personal assistance, delegate the job to that person. And even if you don’t have, just find a way of shovelling off some the jobs off your desk.

5. Believe that Less is More:One prevalent myth of our tradition for years has been that greater productivity is achieved by working for longer hours. The reality is that when you drive past 8 hours, your productivity rate actually decreases according to certain studies. Tack on another couple of hours and productivity takes a serious nosedive, falling by half the standard speed, while on-the-job mistakes go up by nearly one third.

6. Staying Hydrated: It has been widely accepted all over the world that staying hydrated in office not only improves employees’ productivity but also helps to keep their mood positive. Dehydration can be harmful to your health and behaviour. People who deal with behaviour problems cannot get their work done and also can be problematic for their co-workers. Hence, proper hydration can drastically improve employees’ mood while creating a pleasant working environment.

If productivity is what you really want, then you need to understand when to put on the brakes. Whenever possible, clock out at the 8th hour, and walk out that door before you hear your work beckoning again. Even if you’re working from a home office, you can still do that by turning the computer off and refocusing your mindset to non-work problems.

If well-being and job satisfaction are the aims of your business, sticking and rigorously implementing these intelligent, productivity-fostering habits won’t just allow you to reach these targets, but you will also end up transforming into the exceptionally productive person you have always wanted to be.

Fluids include fresh water and all other liquids like milk, coffee, tea, juice, soup and even soft drinks (excepting infants that are breast-fed or formula fed). While fresh water is considered as the best fluid for hydrating one’s body, milk is an equally important fluid and with about 90% water. Fresh fruit is preferable to fruit juice because it has more nutrients, fiber and less sugar. Tea is also an important source of fluid rich in antioxidants which prevent heart diseases and reduce the risk of cancer.

According to studies, the average daily intake of fluids per day should be:
Infants 0 to 6 months: 0.7litres(breastmilk or formula)
Infants 7 to 12 months: 0.9litres(breastmilk, formula and other foods and drinks)
Children 1 to 3 years:1.0litres(about 4 cups)
Children 4 to 8 years:1.2litres(about 5 cups)
Girls 9 to 13 years:1.4 litres (about 5 to 6 cups)
Boys 9 to 13 years: 1.6 litres (about 6 cups)
Girls 14 to 18 years:  1.6 litres (about 6 cups)
Boys 14 to 18 years:1.9 litres (about 7 to 8 cups)
Women:2.1 litres(about 8 cups)
Men:2.6 litres (about 10 cups)

You ought to increase your water intake if you are:

• A sports person (active physically)
• On a diet rich in proteins
• On a diet rich in fibers
• Live in dry to warm climatic zones
• Expecting mothers and Breastfeeding mothers

Youmay need less water if you:

• Live in cold climatic zones
• Lead sedentary lives
• Eat water rich foods daily

Suggestions to increase intake of water
Add a dash of lime juice and mint leaves to plain water for a citrus zing.
Get creative by addingice cubes made from your favorite fruits to a glass of water.
Consume water rich foods.

Sometimes, the chemicals in water require a more advanced filtration method to be reduced as much as possible. Many advanced water filtration systems use reverse osmosis to ensure the majority of harmful or unwanted chemicals are removed for a healthier, better tasting water supply.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

The term reverse osmosis refers to a method of water filtration that helps to eliminate contaminants and toxins from your water supply by pressurising the water and pushing it through a semipermeable membrane.

Aside from toxins, reverse osmosis systems also reduce and regulate excess levels of chloride, fluoride and sodium in addition to other contaminants.

How Can Reverse Osmosis Improve the Quality of Drinking Water?

Water that has been treated using a reverse osmosis filtration system has certain health benefits due to the removal of potentially harmful contaminants.

Reverse osmosis helps to remove traces of arsenic, copper, lead, nitrates and sodium to name a few, all of which could have adverse effects on your health. Lead can be especially dangerous, potentially causing high blood pressure, fertility issues and even brain damage or anaemia in young children.

By avoiding these chemicals, you are less likely to experience digestive issues, certain cancers –  including cancer of the rectum, colon and bladder, gastrointestinal disease and skin problems.

Reverse osmosis water is also suitable for those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients who have recently undergone radiation or chemotherapy. As the water is filtered to such an extent, there is no risk of developing an infection or illness through germs or micro-organisms that may appear in the untreated water.

Reverse osmosis has proven to be an effective technology for water filtration, which is why it has become one of the most prominent methods in the industry, associated with many high-quality manufacturers.

Whether you select a reverse osmosis water filter system or one that is membrane based, you’ll be ensuring cleaner, better tasting drinking water that will not only be tastier to drink, but also safer, better for your skin and hair and more cost efficient than buying bottled water.

EWT Water Specialists currently provide and install both reverse osmosis and membrane based filtrations systems, so please get in touch to discuss which could be more suitable for your needs.

By installing the correct filter for your home or commercial premises, you’ll be guaranteed high-quality water that’s up to 99% free from impurities and chemicals.