Water is generally classified into two groups: Surface Water and Ground Water. Surface water is just what the name implies; it is water found in a river, lake or other surface impoundment. This water is usually not very high in mineral content, and many times is called “soft water” even though it usually is not. Surface water is exposed to many different contaminants, such as animal wastes, pesticides, insecticides, industrial wastes, algae and many other organic materials. Even surface water found in a pristine mountain stream possibly contains Giardia or Coliform Bacteria from the feces of wild animals, and should be boiled or disinfected by some means prior to drinking.
Ground Water is that which is trapped beneath the ground. Rain that soaks into the ground, rivers that disappear beneath the earth, melting snow are but a few of the sources that recharge the supply of underground water. Because of the many sources of recharge, ground water may contain any or all of the contaminants found in surface water as well as the dissolved minerals it picks up during it’s long stay underground. Waters that contains dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium above certain levels are considered “hard water” Because water is considered a “solvent”, i.e., over time it can break down the ionic bonds that hold most substances together, it tends to dissolve and ‘gather up’ small amounts of whatever it comes in contact with. For instance, in areas of the world where rock such as limestone, gypsum, fluorspar, magnetite, pyrite and magnetite are common, well water is usually very high in calcium content, and therefore considered “hard”.
Due to the different characteristics of these two types of water, it is important that you know the source of your water — Surface or Ground. Of the 326 million cubic miles of water on earth, only about 3% of it is fresh water; and 3/4 of that is frozen. Only 1/2 of 1% of all water is underground; about 1/50th of 1% of all water is found in lakes and streams. The average human is about 70% water. You can only survive 5 or less days without water. – Information obtained SoftWater.com
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Water is generally classified into two groups: Surface Water and Ground Water. Surface water is just what the name implies; it is water found in a river, lake or other surface impoundment. This water is usually not very high in mineral content, and many times is called “soft water” even though it usually is not. Surface water is exposed to many different contaminants, such as animal wastes, pesticides, insecticides, industrial wastes, algae and many other organic materials. Even surface water found in a pristine mountain stream possibly contains Giardia or Coliform Bacteria from the feces of wild animals, and should be boiled or disinfected by some means prior to drinking.
Ground Water is that which is trapped beneath the ground. Rain that soaks into the ground, rivers that disappear beneath the earth, melting snow are but a few of the sources that recharge the supply of underground water. Because of the many sources of recharge, ground water may contain any or all of the contaminants found in surface water as well as the dissolved minerals it picks up during it’s long stay underground. Waters that contains dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium above certain levels are considered “hard water” Because water is considered a “solvent”, i.e., over time it can break down the ionic bonds that hold most substances together, it tends to dissolve and ‘gather up’ small amounts of whatever it comes in contact with. For instance, in areas of the world where rock such as limestone, gypsum, fluorspar, magnetite, pyrite and magnetite are common, well water is usually very high in calcium content, and therefore considered “hard”.
Due to the different characteristics of these two types of water, it is important that you know the source of your water — Surface or Ground. Of the 326 million cubic miles of water on earth, only about 3% of it is fresh water; and 3/4 of that is frozen. Only 1/2 of 1% of all water is underground; about 1/50th of 1% of all water is found in lakes and streams. The average human is about 70% water. You can only survive 5 or less days without water.
- Information obtained SoftWater.com
Here are just a few amazing facts about water and the treatment of it:
- A quarter of the worlds population is without safe drinking water.
- Less than 1% of the water treated by public water systems is used for drinking and cooking
- In the time it took you to read these first three facts another child has just died in the developing world from unsafe drinking water.
- According to NASA the natural rotation of the Earth has been altered slightly by some 10 trillion tons of water stored in reservoirs over the past 40 years.
- Water makes up 75% of the human brain. 75% of trees are also made from water!
- Water expands by 9% when it freezes, making it less dense, which is why ice floats on water.
- You could live for a month without food, but you would be dead after a week without water!
- In the United States forty-eight million people receive their drinking water from private or household wells.
- 500,000 tons of pollutants pour into lakes and rivers each day in the US alone.
- Once it evaporates, a water molecule spends around ten days in the air.
- If you donated $15 to providing Safe Water that would be enough to give one person safe water for life.
- 1 Gallon of oil can cause an eight-acre oil slick if spilled or dumped down a storm sewer!
- 97% of the worlds water is salty or otherwise undrinkable, 2% is stored in glaciers and the ice caps, the remaining 1% is left for humanity’s needs.
Information obtained SoftWater.com
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Costing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Conditioners | Output water is suitable for low sodium diets
Prevents Lime scale, water utilizing appliances last longer Increases heating efficiency Improves soap efficiency Calcium retained, good for diet Low running cost |
Won’t treat anything but specific hard water problems | Small Property – $95
Typical System – $155 Large Residential / Industrial – $450 |
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| Water Softeners | Prevents Lime scale
Increases heating efficiency Lengthens lifespan of clothes |
Output water may not be suitable for drinking
Expensive to install and maintain |
$1400 Typical Unit + Installation
$140 / Year – Salt + Electricity |
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| Activated Carbon (AC) Water Filters | Effective in removing organic contaminants from water, will also remove chlorine | AC filtration does not remove microbes, sodium, nitrates, fluoride, and hardness.
Assume that it wont remove lead or other heavy metals unless specified by the manufacturer |
Point of use system – $50+
Whole house system- $550+ |
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| Ultraviolet (UV) Water Filters | Generally kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses
High Filtration Capacity (10 Gallons per minute) |
Only kills bacteria, doesn’t remove the dead cells and won’t remove other contaminants | approx $400 | |||
| Water Distillers | Mimics the natural water cycle process.
Distilled Water is almost completely pure, free from all forms of contaminant |
Low Filtration Capacity (6 Gallons per day!) High running cost (25 cents per gallon) |
$300 – $1500 | |||
| Sand Filters | Removes most bacteria, and turbity.
High Filtration Capacity Generally best used for swimming pools and ponds. |
Take up a lot of space Sulphates and Calcium generally not removed |
$300+ | |||
| Reverse Osmosis | Removes substances that would otherwise cause the water supply to be unhealthy or unappealing, for instance foul tastes, smells or colors.
Removes Salts and Minerals (lead/mercury) |
Typically, reverse osmosis systems will only recover about 5% of the water that passes through them, the remainder of which goes down the drain as wastewater.
The storage unit for treated water will support bacteria growth unless regularly disinfected. |
From $220
+ Install Replacement Membranes $100-$200 |
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PROBABLE HEALTH EFFECTS*
Barium Prolonged stimulant action on muscles, nerve block
Benzene Associated with cancer, leukemia, anemia
Cadmium Bronchitis, anemia, gastrointestinal upsets, cancer in rats
Carbon tetrachloride Central nervous system depression, gastrointestinal effects, liver and kidney damage, coma, death
Chlordane* Carcinogen, liver and kidney damage
Chlorobenzene Irritation to respiratory system, central nervous system depression
Chloroform Possible liver, kidney and heart effects; carcinogenic in at least one animal species
Chromium Kidney damage, cancer
Copper Gastrointestinal tract irritant, possible infant fatality, Wilson’s disease
Dichlorobenzene(s)* Suspected carcinogen
1,1-Dichloroethane Central nervous system depression, liver damage, suggested animal carcinogen
1,2-Dichloroethane Nausea, mental confusion, liver and kidney damage
Dichloroethylene* Nausea, dizziness
Ethylenedibromide (EDS) Decreased fertility
Fluoride Skeletal damage when present in high levels
Heptachlor Possible tumor induction, carcinogenic in test animals
Lead Damage to nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system; cancer in rats
Lindane Chronic liver damage, anemia, leukemia
Mercury Kidney impairment, possible death
Methylene chloride* Toxic
Nickel Signs of hyperglycemia and gastrointestinal and nervous disorders
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) Loss of appetite, respiratory difficulties, anesthesia, coma, death
PCBs Damage to skin and liver; nausea, loss of weight, jaundice, coma, death
Selenium Carcinogen; irritation to mucous membranes, dermatitis
Sulfate Laxative action
Tetrachloroethylene Central nervous system effects; confirmed animal carcinogen, anesthesia, death
Toluene Narcosis, irritation to eyes and respiratory system
Toxaphene Possible liver damage
1,1,1-Trichloroethane Narcosis, depression of central nervous system, unconsciousness, death
1,1,2-Trichloroethane Possible liver and kidney effects, possible carcinogen in animals
Trichloroethylene Central nervous system depression, loss of coordination, unconsciousness; strong irritant and carcinogen
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol* Suspected carcinogen
Trihalomethanes (THMs) Effects to nervous system and muscles, loss of consciousness
Vinyl chloride Central nervous system depression, dulling of visual and auditory responses, possible death
Xylene Mucous membrane irritant, lung congestion, impairment of kidney functions
Zinc Muscular stiffness and pain, loss of appetite, nausea
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*The Assembly Office of Research, April 12, 1983, states that the health
effects listed for these substances were compiled from the following sources:
“Drinking Water and Health”,
National Academy of Sciences,
Safe Drinking Water Committee, 1977,
“Contamination of Ground Water by Toxic Organic Chemicals”,
U.S. Council on Environmental Quality, 1981
“Carcinogenic Hazards of Organic Chemicals in Drinking Water”,
R.H. Harris, T. Page, and N.A. Reiches, 1977