The Benefits of Filtered Water for Skin and Hair

Clean water is essential for ensuring the inside of your body stays healthy but have you ever wondered what it can do for the outside? The body is around 60% water, so it goes without saying that drinking plenty of clean water is an essential aspect of staying healthy.

By drinking filtered water in addition to using it in your bath or shower, you’ll be protecting your skin and hair from toxins and chemicals that are known to cause damage over time.

How can unfiltered water be damaging to the skin?

Do you drink the recommended 2 litres of water each day? If not, you may have noticed your skin feeling a little dry or tired throughout the day. The skin is your body’s biggest organ and consists mostly of water, resulting in smooth, stretchy and healthy skin.

It’s important to replenish the skin’s natural water content to ensure a healthy glow and flush out toxins. However, purified water can do an even better job at keeping your skin clear and hydrated as there will be less toxins entering the body.

The quality of your drinking water can play a bigger part than you realise. Depending on your water source, it is possible your water could contain acid rain, pesticides, toxic contaminates or even harmful traces of lead from older pipes.

By installing a high-quality water filter, up to 99% of these impurities can be eliminated, leading to a healthier supply that’s sure to radiate through your skin.

How can avoiding chlorine benefit the hair?

Your hair is made up from 95% protein and 5% water. Chemicals and impurities such as chlorine in your water supply are known to damage proteins by breaking them down, leading to dryness and split ends – attributes it’s best to avoid for healthy looking hair.

In addition to drinking clean, purified water, ensuring your bath or shower water is just as pure can work wonders on the hair. The spa-quality result will ensure softer, smoother hair.

After switching to a filtered water supply, you’re bound to notice an improvement in the health and appearance of your hair and skin.

EWT Water Filters can be easily installed for a healthier supply that’s free from chemicals and impurities – plus it will taste great too. If you’re considering making the change in your home, get in touch today to learn more about the services and products available.

Signs of Dehydration: Knowing When to Drink More Water

If you’re not drinking enough water on a daily basis, your body is probably showing signs of dehydration. But without knowing what they are, how will you know when it’s time to refill your glass?

The signs can begin to show after just a matter of hours, so read up on the first indicators of dehydration so you can be sure to stay healthy and hydrated.

Your mouth feels dry.

If your mouth has that dry, sticky feeling, it’s a clear cut sign you need to drink something. But while fizzy pop or caffeine based drinks may be tempting, only water will lubricate your mouth’s mucus membranes in a way that keeps your mouth hydrated for longer.

Your skin feels dry and you’re experiencing breakouts.

When you’re dehydrated, your skin will begin to lose its ‘elastic’ quality and feel dry. You’ll also be more prone to breakouts as the body becomes less able to naturally wash away excess amounts of oil and dirt.

You feel thirsty.

Feeling thirsty is different to having a dry mouth. You’ll begin to notice that effect spreading throughout your body, almost as if they’re signalling to the brain demanding water right away.

Your eyes feel dry.

Dehydration often leads to bloodshot eyes that feel itchy, scratchy or dry. This lack of lubrication can be especially harmful to those who wear contact lenses.

You feel fatigued and demotivated.

As your body dehydrates, it begins to take moisture from the bloodstream. When your blood then lacks hydration, this prevents the proper level of oxygen from being transported around the body, leading to tiredness and fatigue.

You have frequent headaches.

As a result of less water in your system, your brain tissue begins to lose water, causing it to shrink and pull on the nerves and pain receptor around the brain. The result is a headache that is likely to last until the tissue is rehydrated.

You feel hungry, despite having eaten.

Significant thirst can often be mistaken for hunger pangs. If you know that logically you’re probably not hungry, try drinking a glass of water. Chances are, it’ll make a difference as your organs are purified and refuelled.

Have you been experiencing any of these signs? If so, it’s likely that you’re not drinking enough water that needs to fully rehydrate your body.

Whether you’re staying hydrated at work or home, EWT Water Specialists can provide filters, softeners and coolers to ensure a great tasting, healthy supply. Get in touch today to discover the ways your drinking water could be improved!

Is Your Tap Water Really Safe? 7 Ways to Test Your Tap Water

There are countless ‘horror stories’ of chemicals, toxins and impurities that can be found in tap water. So how do you really know what you’re drinking and whether it’s safe to consume?

Here are seven ways to test the quality of your drinking water so you can make an informed decision on whether to drink it, filter it or seek further advice.

Take a look at it.

Sometimes it can be clear something isn’t right about your water just by looking at it. Fill a glass with water and hold it up to the light. If the water is cloudy, or you can see floating particles, this may be a sign of contamination.

Does it taste different?

While drinking water you suspect may be contaminated is under no circumstances advisable, it’s easy to take a sip without noticing any visual clues.
If you’ve taken a sip of water only to find it tastes off, it’s worth finding out why.

Smell it.

If your water smells unpleasant, there must be something that’s causing it to give off an odour. A bad smell may be indicative of chlorine, sulphur or organic solvents.

Try a water purity testing kit.

Simple DIY testing kits can be bought online or in local hardware or plumbing stores. They enable you to test for the most common hazardous contaminants or impurities including bacteria, chlorine, lead, nitrates and pesticides. You’ll also be able to test the pH balance and hardness of your water and compare your results with recommended levels.

Ask your supplier for their latest results.

Many, if not most water suppliers regardless of location will regular test their water utilities. The scores will then be logged and can usually be available to view online through your supplier’s website.
If they are not published, don’t hesitate to contact them and ask directly.

Call in a professional.

It may seem like nothing, but a professional will be able to tell you whether or not there’s a cause for concern you may not have spotted.

If you think your water could have a high level of chemicals or impurities, EWT Water Specialists can install an efficient filter that will remove them by up to 99%. As a result, your drinking water will not only be healthier – but taste better too!

However, it’s important to note that if you suspect traces of lead or other harmful residues in your water from older pipes, you should always stop drinking the water straight away and have it tested to ensure its safety.

5 Ways to Make Your Drinking Water Taste Better

We all know how much water we’re supposed to be drinking each day, but many people find that they simply do not like the taste of plain water.

As a result, it is then easy to fall into the trap of drinking coffee, juice or unhealthy fizzy drinks instead, which are not only less healthy for the body, they also won’t provide the same level of hydration as a cool glass of water would.

So what can be done to make water taste better for those who enjoy a little flavour? Here are five ways to get you started.

Fruit Infusions

Adding some fresh fruit to your water will infuse it with flavour, especially if left in a jug or bottle in the refrigerator overnight.

Some great infusions to try are lemons, limes, oranges, strawberries, cucumber and mint.

Squash or Cordial – Even Fresh Juice

Squashes and cordials can be easily purchased in any supermarket and are available with varying levels of sugar and chemicals to suit any dietary requirements or preferences. An alternative is adding a few drops of fresh juice for a more natural flavour.

Add Some Ice

Many people agree that ice water tastes better than room temperature, so add a little ice and see if that makes a difference. You may even want to try making your own flavoured ice cubes by adding your favourite fruit or flavourings to an ice cube tray.

Sweeten It Up

Some people prefer a sweeter taste, so it’s not unheard of to add a little sweetener (such as Stevia, Truvia or Splenda) to give your water a sweet flavour without the calories and sugar content of soda or fizzy pop.

A Water Filter or Softener

You may find that it’s actually the quality of your drinking water that has led you to dislike the taste. Perhaps it’s too hard, or maybe you can taste a little chlorine. If that’s the case, it’s understandable why you wouldn’t want to drink it!

Luckily, this can be easily fixed with the addition of a water filter or softener that will improve both the quality and taste of your tap water, making it safer and more pleasant to drink.

EWT Water Specialists can provide and install water filters and softeners in both homes and commercial spaces, improving the overall quality of your supply.

With any luck, you’ll find that by making your water more appealing to your taste buds, you’ll find it easier than ever to reach the recommended 2.0 litres of water per day – however you decide to do so!

If Hydration Improves Office Productivity, should your workplace have a Plumbed-In Water Cooler?

(EWT Water Specialists)
It’s important to stay hydrated, both for health and productivity reasons. There are countless articles, books and research publications that state the effects of not drinking enough water can have on the body, as well as the workplace.
By ignoring thirst, employees may experience headaches, lethargy, and even kidney damage, all of which would lead to their distraction from tasks at work, or even having to take sick leave!

Additionally, the human brain is 80% water, so it’s obvious how staying hydrated can improve the day to day functions of the brain.

The exam assessed learning, verbal skills and visual acuity. The participants who were hydrated were proven to have higher mental reflexes, better reaction times and a feeling of ‘mental lift’.

Ideally, this should be how all employees feel throughout the day, to allow them to stay productive and focused on the tasks at hand.
This is especially so if your employees spend a significant percentage of their day staring at screens or performing complicated tasks that require a high level of attention and concentration.

Other benefits of drinking clean filtered water throughout the day include:

  • Reduced headaches.
  • Joint and muscle health.
  • Clearer skin.
  • A regulated temperature.
  • Digestion.
  • Weight loss.
  • Improved metabolism.
  • Better emotional outlook.

It’s also important to bear in mind that the recommended water intake is 7 – 8 glasses of water each day. If your workforce is spending 8+ hours at the office, they’ll need to be able to get some of this recommended amount during their time at work. With a water cooler, they’ll be able to take as much as they need, without having to leave the office to purchase a bottle.

If you’ve been convinced that keeping your employees hydrated could help to improve productivity around the office, consider installing a plumbed-in water cooler from EWT.
Your employees will be able to quench their thirst whenever they need to, without any concerns of spending money on bottled water or damaging the environment with plastic.

A water cooler also gives employees a chance to stretch their legs throughout the day, which can also be helpful for motivation and focus.

EWT Water Specialists can provide commercial coolers with a constant supply of chilled, filtered water on demand,  at half the cost of bottled water coolers so get in touch today by contacting us on 01 8855 055 or visit our website www.ewtwater.com for more details.

The Causes of Poor Quality Drinking Water and How you can fix them.

(EWT Water Specialists)
Have you ever taken a drink from the tap, only to find it doesn’t taste quite as good as you were expecting? If your home water supply has a poor taste, it’s important to know why and what can be done to fix it. Here are some of the top reasons for bad tasting water and how they can be fixed with simple home additions.

Algae Blooms
Algae bloom can occur during the summer time. As algae forms in local lakes or water sources, it can often get into the water supply. While steps are taken to filter it out, there’s always the possibility some residue will make it through, resulting in a soil-like taste. This residue is harmless, but some people may find they can taste or smell it in their water. By using a water filter, it should be fully removed, allowing you to enjoy the refreshing water you’re used to.

Natural Sediment
Occasionally, natural sediment from outside may get into your plumbing, causing it to taste a little like dirt. This is probably the cause of the poor taste if you’ve found it to be coming from all taps within the home. Luckily, the sediment isn’t harmful, and can be easily taken care of with a water filter.

Pipe Metals
Older pipes may be partially made from copper, iron or lead that may have an effect on the way your water tastes. Copper and iron may be safe in small quantities. However, if the taste appears to be coming from lead pipes, it’s important to stop drinking the water immediately and get the water tested for safety.

Softness or Hardness
Sometimes, the taste of your water may just be down to a preference between hard and soft water. If your water is too hard, consider installing a water softener for a supply that’s closer to your personal taste.

Too Many Chemicals
If your water contains a high level of chemicals for example chlorine and fluoride, it’s likely that you’ll be able to taste them in your water. As with other impurities, these chemicals can be easily dealt with by installing a filter.

Regardless of the problem at hand, it can be easily solved with the right home enhancements. For example – if your poor tasting water is simply a matter of hard vs. soft water, installing a water softener will do the trick. Or, if it’s an excess of chemicals or algae blooms or sediment that’s bothering you, a water filter could be just what you need to get your water tasting great.

Hard Water vs. Soft Water: What’s The Difference?

(EWT Water Specialists)

If you’ve spent time in different areas around the country, you’ve probably noticed that the tap water can taste different depending on where you are. But what causes these differences in taste and appearance of our water? Read on to learn more.

Hard Water

Hard water is water that contains a higher content of minerals. This type of water is formed due to water percolating through limestone or chalk deposits that are mostly made from magnesium carbonates and calcium. The most common indicator of hard water is a residue in the bottom of your kettle or limescale in your shower head or around your taps.

Soft Water

Soft water, on the other hand, contains fairly low concentrations of calcium carbonates or limescale deposits. If your water lathers easily with soap, that’s a relatively good indication that your water is soft.

But which is better?

A high proportion of the United Kingdom and Ireland has hard water, which is water with a higher mineral count. This means that UK and Irish residents may notice deposits such as limescale in their kettle, dishwasher, and appliances.
This can be dealt with through the addition of dishwasher salts that can help to reduce the mineral levels and prevent build up. For kettles, many suggest regularly boiling white vinegar in the kettle with an equal part solution of water.
Taste is also a factor to be considered. Some people find that hard water has more of a ‘taste’ than soft water, while others disagree. In London, the general consensus is that the local hard water is excellent, whilst those from the North of England may argue that the softer the water, the better it is to drink.

If you feel as if you and your family would benefit from softer water in your home, a water softener can be installed to reduce and remove limescale and improve the efficiency levels of your appliances as soft water breaks down the existing limescale built up in your water system. You’ll also find you spend less time cleaning too! But as well as saving you time cleaning, the softer water will also improve the condition of your hot water and heating systems by clearing existing limescale.
For more details, don’t hesitate to get in touch with EWT Water Specialists today. Call us on 01 8855 055 Visit our websites www.ewtwater.com.

10 Top Reasons to Install a Water Softener

Considering a water softener but not sure the cost will be worth it? Here are 10 good reasons to weigh up – you’ll be sure to see the benefits!
Save up to 50% on cleaning products.
As soft water allows soap and washing powder to lather more efficiently, you’ll find you need to use less of it, and depending on how hard your water is up to 50%, meaning each box of washing powder or bottle of fabric will last longer than it used to.
It will improve your heater’s efficiency.
Hard water can cause deposits to build up in your heating system, which could lead to blockages, inefficiency or damage. The Carbon Trust estimate that just 1mm of limescale in water pipes can increase energy consumption by 7%.
You may even notice an improvement on your car.
If you take the DIY approach to car washing, you may have noticed a chalky residue on your paintwork if you live in a hard water area. That won’t happen with soft water, because the limescale will be removed meaning no more streaks and a car that stays cleaner for longer.
Your dishwasher will be protected.
Hard water can also cause blockages or limescale in your dishwasher and scrapes/water marks on your cutlery and glassware. Using soft water, your dishwasher will be protected against such deposits, meaning your dishes will be cleaner and your dishwasher problem-free.
Laundry will be whiter and brighter.
Hard water can cause laundry to become weathered and faded over time. Soft water does the opposite, helping to keep your textiles clean and bright with longer lifespans.
You’ll have shinier, softer hair.
Soft water can prevent the roughness and tangles that are often associated with washing hair in hard water, helping your hair to remain sleek and glossy for longer.
It may relieve your dry skin condition and improve its softness.
Hard water may sometimes cause flare-ups in conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Soft water can be kinder on the skin, plus it’ll make your clothes feel silkier and more comfortable to wear, which is ideal for those who suffer from sensitive skin.
You’ll spend less time cleaning.
Using hard water, stains and dirt can stick to the limescale residue making them more difficult to remove, and increasing cleaning times. It is often found that softer water will be more effective at removing dirt and grime, as well as being ideal for rinsing due to its lack of residue or build-up.
Your water tastes better.
Ideally when installing a water softener system you would keep one supply of water unsoftened for drinking purposes. That’s why EWT’s package deal includes a free G1 Drinking system for the removal of chlorine, dirt, rust and sediment from your tap water. You can save on jug filters and bottled water by having your own dedicated drinking water tap installed.
Your baths and showers will be relaxing and smooth.
If you step into a bath full of soft water, you’re bound to notice how much smoother it is, leading to a more peaceful, luxurious break. Soaps lather easily and that scum residue on the side of your bath will become a thing of the past once a water softener is installed. To learn more about how a water softener could work with your existing water supply, contact EWT today on 01 8855 055 or visit our website, www.ewtwater.com.

7 Significant Health Benefits of Filtered Water

(EWT Water Specialists)

If you regularly drink water from the tap, you may have considered whether a water filter could be worthwhile investment for your home. If that’s the case, you may be pleased to learn that filtered water is more than just a money -saving idea – it also has a number of health benefits that you and your family can enjoy.

Improved digestion.

The digestive system needs a lot of water to function, so it should come as no surprise that preventing an over-absorption of chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride found in most domestic tap water supplies can help to improve your metabolism and the regularity of your bowel movements

A reduced risk of cancer.

Chlorine has been linked to rectal cancer, colon cancer and bladder cancer, so by using a water filter to remove it, you could significantly reducing your risk of developing these diseases.

A reduced risk of gastrointestinal disease.

Due to the removal of cryptosporidium and giardia from your water supply, drinking filtered water will result in a lessened risk of developing a gastrointestinal disease.

Better for child development.

Ensure your children’s immune system is given the best chance possible by giving them the healthiest water possible.

Reduced skin problems.

If you suffer from acne or similar skin conditions, using filtered water may help to reduce their effects and promote softer, healthier skin. Unfiltered water contains much higher levels of chlorine, which is known to have damaging effects on the skin.

A healthier detox.

Your kidneys rely on the purest water possible to properly detox the body. If your water has been contaminated with chlorine and chemicals, they won’t be able to do their job as well as they should.

Cleaner air in your home.

Without a water filter, the chlorine in your water supply will eventually enter the air in your home as vapour and affect the health of you and your family. When filtered, vapour will be just as clean as the water you drink, resulting in cleaner air.
In addition to the health benefits, there are even more incentives to consider filtered water. Your tap water will begin to taste better, smell better, and by using your home’s supply rather than purchasing bottled water, you’ll be saving yourself a significant amount of money.
If you’re considering a drinking water filter for your home and would like to get in touch with EWT Water Specialists, feel free to contact us on 01 8855 055 or visit our website, www.ewtwater.com. We can offer the EWT Gold Range Water Filtration System to help you improve your health, save money and enjoy the taste of your water supply.

Limescale: What it is and why does it Ruin Your Bathrooms

So, what is limescale? And why it is a problem?
We see many people asking us these questions when they enquire about our products. So in this article, we’re giving a brief idea about what limescale is and why you should take it seriously.

Limescale : What is limescale?

When water falls to the Earth as rain, it is what we call soft water. Soft water means that it is pure water, uncontaminated by any other trace minerals or debris. In an ideal world, all of our water needs would be met by soft water, from the water we drink, to the water we use to clean and the water we use in our heating systems. Unfortunately, there’s no way for us to go straight from rain water to tap water and meet the demands as well as ensure that the water is clean. So most of the water that we get through our taps and through the central water system is what’s called groundwater. Groundwater is water that is collected after it falls to the ground. Unfortunately, groundwater is not soft water. By the time it has fallen to the ground, it will absorb certain trace minerals and other chemicals.

Now these chemicals are not often dangerous in that they pose any meaningful threat to our health in the short term, but they are less than ideal for a number of reasons. At the forefront of these reasons is the build-up of limescale.  Limescale is the accumulation of debris, most commonly calcium carbonate, which is leftover material from when hard water passes through your systems. In simple words, limescale is the white build-up you see on the heating elements of appliances or materials which are in constant contact of hard water. Let it be your kettle, pipes, bathroom or glasses; it can be anywhere.

Limescale: Why is it a problem?

Once again, limescale is not really a health risk per se, so there are no serious health issues related to it. However, the build-up of limescale over time means that everything that accumulates it will be less effective. Simply put, this means that your hot water tank/boiler won’t work as well in terms of your heating system and can take up to 30% longer to heat depending on the volume of limescale in your water. All your taps will eventually lose water pressure, because the limescale will have built up to an extent where the water simply can’t get through as quickly. It might mean that your kettle takes longer to boil, because the electric heater inside it is caked with calcium carbonate. Shower heads become clogged and shower time becomes a frustration rather than a joy. Or it might mean that your washing machine simply doesn’t clean your clothes as effectively as it should do.
If your home has similar problems to those mentioned above you should consider addressing them as not only will you save money but also the hassle of having to replace these appliances over the years. Limescale can increase your hot water heating bills by up to 30%. If your water pressure is not at optimum, eventually your pipes will block.Water softening and filtration systems from EWT can help you get rid of limescale problem once and for all. Simply contact us on https://www.ewtechnologies.ie to get started by asking about our Gold Series Package Offer and make your home limescale free once and for all!

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