‘Processed’ water is available in different grades depending on the end use. For instance, water to be used for sanitation does not need to be treated to the highest standards and would be regarded as Utility Water, whereas for everyday use, our water is normally softened and provides the best quality water for washing and bathing. This softened water is easier to heat and is therefore more eco-friendly and produces better results from our soaps and detergents.

Our fresh drinking water on the other hand must be of the highest quality and meet stringent regulations which protect us from bacteriological and chemical contaminants.

Nowadays, we no longer need to rely on the treatment of our community water supplies to offer the best quality water for our use. We can make it the best by installing our own filtration and purification systems cost-effectively and in our own homes. Because we can do this as we need it, our water can now be treated to the desired quality without fear of re-contamination.

Tap water – can we improve it?…

Recent research indicates that most of the water coming from US taps and wells is unsafe. Toxic contaminents, chloride, bacteria and chemicals including heavy metals often seep into our supplies exposing us to extremely serious conditions like cancers and damage to other major organs such as the liver. The unfortunate fact is that whatever the source, some contamination is bound to be present. Even our bottled water has been found to contain contaminents and can also contain high levels of chemicals leeched from the plastics used to manufacture the actual bottles. Some contaminants such as chlorine and fluoride have arguments for and against and you’ll have to make up your own minds on them. We cover both sides of the arguments within these pages.

The only real answer is a good quality filter or purification system installed in our own homes. One which monitors the quality of the water we drink and which removes harmful contaminants on the one hand, while retaining the beneficial minerals on the other.

Filtered Water – some of the options…

- Carbon water filters are quite cost effective and simple to install and account for probably 90% plus of all households who are using filters. The impurities in the water are absorbed by the carbon including some of the worst including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Charcoal filters can remain active for some months with some utilising nano-silver particles as an effective antibacterial substance to promote further protection against some 650 known and harmful organisms in our water. Charcoal filters allow the beneficial minerals which are beneficial to our bodies to remain. These filter will obviously deteriorate over time and especially during periods of non-use and so it is essential to change them regularily following the manufacturer’s guidelines.

- Ceramic water filters have a very slow flow rate which can make them unpopular. These filters are similar to some carbon filters in that they are typically a cartridge system used on your counter top. Ceramic filters are made up of fossil material with some utilising nano-silver and they can filter out extremely small particles to the point where laboratories would rate the filtered water ‘bacteriologically sterile’.

- Distilled water is widely credited as the purest of all ‘filtered’ waters but that doesn’t mean it is the best for our bodies. Much research points to this type of water creating an imbalance in the body’s minerals which can be very dangerous, in the same way as with reverse osmosis systems.

- Reverse osmosis systems filter water through a very fine mesh or membrane to create drinkable water from contaminated or even salt seawater. This process again is very slow but it creates a very pure water without the healthy minerals needed for our bodies to flourish.

- UV radiation systems sterilize water by exposing it to UV light which in turn kills all living organisms. Regular testing is essential to ensure the correct operation of the filter system and the better systems normally incorporate a type of ‘timer’ so that new elements can be installed when needed.

- Atmospheric water generators produce water from air in a similar way to that of dehumidifiers which extract humidity from our air in the form of water. This is then filtered using a variety of filtration methods including UV light and reverse osmosis to produce drinkable water.

- Water ionizers can be attached to our domestic water systems to create filtered, alkaline water for drinking and acidic water for cleaning. Connected to your own tap, the ionizer dispenses water at the same rate of flow as you have grown to expect.

Bottled Water – is it better?

Billions of dollars are spent on water every year and yet research has shown that it may be no better or more healthy for us than ordinary tap water. The big brands which sell for a premium on our supermarket shelves have also been shown to be no better than the cheapest brands. The big corporate producers predict it to be a bigger revenue stream than their fizzy drinks.

What are the main types as identified in the FDA’s standards?…

- Spring water must come from underground sources which flow to the earth’s surface naturally. When bottled, it must also retain the same qualities, properties and composition as the water flowing naturally from the spring source.

- Purified water is either distilled or deionized water or water treated using a reverse osmosis system where the bacteria and and other contaminents have been removed.

- Mineral water can have no added minerals but must be 100% natural as with spring water. The levels of minerals and trace elements must be the same as when the water left the ground.

- Carbonated water contains carbon dioxide gas through a process of ‘carbonation’. This process can occur naturally as happens with Bulgarian Mihalkovo.

Seawater contains large amounts of salts in the form of dissolved ions of sodium chloride. Roughly 3.5% of our ocean’s water is salt – a ratio which doesn’t sound a lot but, it can have devastating effects on our bodies.

This water cannot be classed as drinkable, even though small amounts will not cause major problems, but the body’s defense mechanisms quickly step in to remove the unwanted salinity. One glass of sea or saltwater and the kidneys will work overtime to clear the excess through excretion in our urine. Unfortunately, the kidneys work within fine tolerances and the amount of salt contained in ’saline’ water is outside of these limits. This means that the excess salt is absorbed by the blood and the kidneys can do little to control it. Eventually, the increase in added salt levels, if remaining unchecked or even increasing, will cause seizures and subsequent death!

Basically, our bodies would need to excrete more fluid than the seawater that we take in, to reverse the effects of the salt.

So, can we make saltwater drinkable?

Of course. Large ships that spend months at sea have the situation covered with distillation and reverse osmosis systems installed on-board. The same processes can be, and are used on land but rarely for drinking purposes as they take large amounts of energy to sustain and gallons of wasted water to achieve just one gallon of purified water. Most of the processed seawater is used in industry or for irrigation but there are some who have no choice but to harvest the water for drinking. Those that live by our oceans miles from anywhere and without fresh water supplies. Thankfully for the majority, we are only a faucet (tap) away from fresh, clean water.

Seawater is best kept for your aquarium!

By boiling water we create steam which when condensed, forms purified or distilled water where the contaminants and impurities are all but completely removed. Calcium, iron and other dissolved minerals and bacteria which are heavier than the water molecules are removed during the process which creates near pure H2O – molecules of hydrogen x 2 and oxygen x 1. This contaminant-free (deionized as opposed to ionized) water contains no dissolved impurities, gas or organic mineral or otherwise and should have a pH of 7. One down side of water produced by distillers is that it is devoid of taste and bland as all of the flavor giving minerals are absent. Still, this can obviously be altered by adding flavorings in the form of cordials or other fruit juices etc.

While distilled water is certainly safe for us to drink, it is more commonly used in science laboratories or in industry where the purest water is required for untainted results. Opinion is divided on whether it is healthier for us to drink distilled water or the more usual bottled mineral, spring or tap water. The main argument revolves around minerals. If water contains no minerals then the belief is that the water itself leaches these valuable elements and ions from our bodies. On the other hand the lack of minerals could be seen to flush excess impurities and minerals from our system.

Sodium fluoride is another major arguing point as distilled water is devoid of this element. Some believe that this can cause dental problems, others say that our bodies need no additional fluoride. The arguments rage.

If carbon dioxide is absorbed by distilled water when it is exposed to the atmosphere as some research suggests, then the water could invariably become more acidic with a lower pH level which in turn would be harmful and unhealthy for our bodies. What those who champion distilled water say is that we gain more minerals, nutrients and other valuable elements from our food, and therefore the effects of drinking a water without them should have no detrimental effect.

Just like spring, mineral and other purified waters, distilled water can normally be bought by the bottle at our local supermarkets and its consumption is quite widespread. Due to the purity of distilled water with a lack of contaminant elements and other chemical impurities, a lot of our major manufacturers use it as a base for their soft drinks and beverages.

Can we create our own Distilled Water?

Sure. The distiller equipment to produce distilled water is common and widely used by many households and is on the increase. Common water filtration products tend not to be able to filter anywhere near all of the thousands of chemicals, impurities and contaminants from our municipal water supply which is where distillation scores by eradicating the vast majority.

The process can also be used on sea and salt water in areas where there is insufficient fresh water to survive such as in arid coastal areas and on-board ships. Nuclear powered vessels also require huge amounts of coolant for their processes and distilling salt water is the ideal solution.

The process of producing distilled water can have prohibitive costs attached and another solution which is more cost effective may be reverse osmosis which we talk about elsewhere in the site.

So should we drink Distilled Water?

So long as we are sensible about it and do not forget about the value that mineral intake has on the health and well being of our bodies then yes, why not. Everything in moderation. Certain health needs will require an amount of distilled water as certain others will require an abundance of added minerals. Doctors and physicians are the best judge ultimately. It should not be forgotten that research has shown that by consuming mineral laden water, we are creating favorable cardiovascular effects which is obviously beneficial to our well-being.

Lots of people use distilled water as part of an internal cleansing, in just the same way that others abstain from drinking alcohol for a month or eating no carbohydrates etc etc.

Everything in moderation.

Carbonated water is simply water that has been ‘injected’ with carbon dioxide. It is the foremost component of the majority of soft drinks and is the result of carbonation – dissolving carbon gas into normal water under pressure. The process creates carbonic acid (H2CO3) and can be man made or occasionally may occur natural as with Mihalkovo from the Bulgarian Rhodopes.

Also known as soda water, this ‘fizzy’ water can often contain a small amount of any number of chemical additives such as sodium or salt, bicarbonate, potassium citrate or potassium sulphate to name but a few. The type and quantity of additives depends greatly on the producer and how they carbonate their water.

The carbon dioxide forms very small bubbles which generate an effervescent ‘fizz’ effect which people either love or hate in unflavored water. Some liken it to drinking a remedy for hangovers rather than an enjoyable and refreshing glass of water. Whatever you call it – sparkling water, carbonated water or club soda, it is essential the same as non-carbonated or still water except for the bubbles.

The health benefits of naturally occurring sparkling spring and mineral water are legend, but the majority of carbonated water is created or processed artificially by injecting carbon di oxide. We can even create carbonated water ourselves at home by using a ‘SodaStream’ type device.

Whether drinking it to settle your stomach or for the legendary health benefits, drinking carbonated or fizzy water is a very distinctive experience. With or without added flavorings, top restaurants worldwide consider it worthy of adding to their menus.

As with carbonated soft drinks, exposure to air will allow the water to ‘go flat’. Once opened, a bottle of carbonated water is the exact same as bottles of Coke or any other carbonated beverage – they will go flat in a short space of time!

Joseph Priestley was one of the inventors of carbonated water when he discovered how to inject carbon dioxide into water. Born in England in 1767, Joseph was working at a brewery in Leeds when he worked out how to create ‘fixed air’ and impregnate the same into water. His Swedish counterpart, Torbern Bergman developed another solution when in ill-health, he discovered a method of recreating naturally occurring sparkling water which back in 1771 was believed to aid good health.

Some believe that carbonated water is a major cause of dental problems. However, most believe that it is with carbonated soft drinks containing amounts of sugar that the problem lies. As we have already inferred, the difference between carbonated water and naturally still water is negligible.

OK. Is sparkling water better for you than still water or not?

Nutritionally, it depends on the producer ;o) If you take two samples of water with the exact same composition but add CO2 to one of the samples then there will be no discernible difference to health benefits or otherwise.

Though some believe carbonation can help alleviate upset stomach and constipation, carbonated water isn’t necessarily any better or worse for you, nutritionally, than still water. It depends on the waters in question. A water rich in magnesium and calcium, whether carbonated or not would be ideal, so long as it contained little or no sodium chloride – or so the experts say. However, a good many experts also say that sodium in our water can have beneficial effects on our bodies when it comes to reducing cholesterol levels and cardiovascular issues in women post menopause.

We feel that it basically comes down to taste and personal preference.

Toxins including pesticides, herbicides, prescription drugs, lead and chlorine plus chloramine which is a mixture of ammonia and chlorine which stays in the water for longer and disinfects for longer but also leeches lead from the pipes are all present. 1 in 5 Americans already receive their supplies treated this way.

Activated carbon block filters seem to be the way to go.

To read the whole story…EzineArticles.com

It is estimated that between 60% and 80% of all cancers originate from the environment. However, we tend to overlook the benefits of drinking water that can help protect us from cancer – namely water that contains total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, and pH. Drinking water with higher amounts of TDS and hardness results in lower heart disease and cancer mortality rates.

Of more than 700 brands of bottled water available in the US, around 80% are processed. Purchase only bottled natural spring or artesian well waters that come closest to the “healthy water” criteria, or install or use the best quality water filters for the same results.

To read the full story….Fit-Healthy-Well

Even in the deserts where cracks permeate the dried-out ground, where there are no lakes, rivers or groundwater, considerable quantities of water are stored in the air. For example, in a desert where annual average relative air humidity is 64 percent, in every cubic meter of air there are 11.5 millilitres of water.

Research scientists have found a way of converting air humidity into drinkable water. “The process we have developed is based exclusively on renewable energy sources such as thermal solar collectors and photovoltaic cells, which makes this method completely energy-autonomous. It will therefore function in regions where there is no electrical infrastructure,” says Siegfried Egner, head of department at the IGB.

The concept is suitable for various sizes of installation, from single-person units to plants supplying water to entire hotels.

To read the full story click here…: Science Daily