Iowa Water Expert

An open forum for discussions about the water that we drink and use

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Nitrates In Iowa Water

Nitrates are released into the ground by fertilization methods, septic leakage, animal manure & decay of natural deposits.  Nitrate levels in Iowa continue to be among the highest in the nation.

Nitrates, consumed over time, can harm the kidneys and spleen.  High nitrate levels in infants can cause shortness of breath and fatal "baby blue" syndrome, due to the inability to carry oxygen through the body.  Once a nitrate enters the body, it converts to a nitrite.  Nitrites have been linked to cancer and other health problems.  The E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) sets the MCL (Maximum Containment Level) & MCLG (Maximum Containment Level Goal) at 10 ppm (parts per million) for nitrate levels in drinking water.  The nitrate level for the month of June, in Des Moines, Iowa, was 7.0 ppm.  You can find a nitrate meter on the Des Moines Water Works website. 

Nitrates cannot be boiled from the water.  In fact, boiling increases the amount of nitrates in the water.  As the boiling water evaporates, higher concentrates of nitrates are left over.  Nitrates can only be removed by process of distillation, reverse osmosis, or by anion exchange water processing.  Reverse osmosis would reduce nitrates at the point of use.  Crystal Clear Bottled Water is treated by an anion exchange process and nitrates are not detected in the water after the purification process.  It is pure water, free of all chemicals and carcinogens. 

See Crystal Clear Bottled Water and Crystal Clear Water Systems for all your nitrate removal needs and for good, clean, healthy water for your body & home.

[waterexpert-blog]

Chlorine In Your Drinking Water

Chlorine:  A halogen element that is isolated as a poisonous, greenish-yellow gas described as having a pungent/choking odor, that has many uses. It is often used as a disinfectant in water treatment.  It is a very corrosive and hazardous chemical.

The body does not absorb chlorine well.  According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) the potential health effects from exposure to chlorine above the MCL (I talked about those in my last blog) include: eye/nose irritation, stomach discomfort & anemia.  Short-term, high-level exposures include chest pain, vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing and/or excess fluid in the lungs.  Long-term, low-level exposure includes tooth corrosion and lung disease.  Pregnant women double chances of having children with heart problems, cleft palate, and major brain defects.  This comes from trihalomethanes, THM's, which are bi-products of the reaction between chlorine and natural substances in the water.  This can absorb into the skin and pass into the womb.

Over 50% of exposure happens in the shower.  The skin absorbs it and the lungs breath it in.  The heat from a shower release the chlorine vapors that contaminate the lungs.  If you can smell chlorine, it may be at an unsafe level.  There are no standards set by the government for chlorine allowed in the air.

In Des Moines, Iowa, I can smell the chlorine in my tap water.  My son has an allergy to chlorine, which became apparant when we moved to the Des Moinea area and he started having skin reactions with rashing.  We were alerted that he has a sensitivity to chlorine, which he now is taking medication for, but we need to take steps to have water treatment equipment installed to remove the chlorine. Thankfully we have used bottled water for years, for our drinking and cooking water.  It makes me feel good to know that I made the right decision years ago to start using Crystal Clear Bottled Water for my family and home needs.

The only way around chlorine in your water is to have your water treated with residential or commercial Chlorine Removal System.  For your drinking water, bottled water or a Drinking Water System would be the better way to take care of chlorine in your water. 

[waterexpert-blog]

How Much Is In Your Water?

It is hard to imagine our drinking water having chemicals in it, but there are many present.  The amount allowed is set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and communicated by the 'Maximum Contaminant Level' or MCL, which is based on "what is feasible using the best available water treatment technology and taking cost into consideration".

So basically, what is being said is that even if we know for a fact that a contaminant is a carcinogen or harmful to our bodies, municipal water providers are not responsible to remove it because it is too costly or difficult.  I do not think that is right but, more importantly, I understand that the only thing I can do is to provide quality bottled water or a water treatment system for my family. 

I will be talking more about various contaminants in more detail in future blogs to come, mostly contaminants that affect us here in Des Moines, IA.  What they are made of and the potential harm each one poses through our tap water.

[waterexpert-blog]

Soda Pop and Diabetes

I found this great quote…..’Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet, but one of the most vital’…….Kelly Barton.  I was thinking about a topic of soda pop and diabetes, and this seemed like an appropriate quote for this week’s blog.  Coming from a family with a history of diabetes through the generations, this is a very huge problem that hits close to home for millions of people, including my own.

In 2004 the American Medical Association published a new study in which pop has been linked to a rise in diabetes.  These studies were done by scientists in the U.S.  Since then studies have shown a link to even diet pop and Type 2 diabetes.  Those that drink diet pop on a daily basis have a 67% greater chance of having Type 2 diabetes.  Want another reason to choose water over pop for the day, it can ruin your smile; pop – including sugar free pop – contributes to tooth decay. 

Bottled water is strongly recommended, and a person with diabetes should always keep bottled water with them at all times (be sure the bottled water you buy is from an IBWA member).  Crystal Clear can provide good, pure, clean drinking water through water treatment and purification equipment in the Des Moines area to treat your water so it tastes better.  It’s an easy and healthy choice over the pop alternative.  

What a great thing to do for your body, throw out the pop, give your body what it needs to survive, good water!

[waterexpert-blog]

Soft water in septic tank systems

I have been reading about concerns of having a water softener with a septic tank.  There is much speculation for and against.  The argument being that the sodium content of the water can negatively affect the bacterial growth in a septic system.  Some states, thankfully not Iowa, even ban the use of water softening equipment with septic tank systems

After spending some time researching this, I have found much positive information based on studies designed to address these concerns (done by reputable sources such as NSF or National Sanitation Foundation & WQA or Water Quality Association). These studies showed that softened water has slightly higher sodium content over untreated water and can actually promote bacterial growth in the septic systems, bacteria growth in septic systems is good!

Here is a great informational website for questions and answers concerning this.  Also, here is another link to the debate and study of this age old issue.

Does anyone reading this have a softener coupled with a septic system?  I would love to hear from you.

[waterexpert-blog]

Productive Employees

Water is such a crucial element to our existence.  A person could only survive one week without water.  Our bodies are made up of 70-80% water.  On an average day, an adult can lose 80oz of water.  This is through normal processes: breathing; perspiration; and normal bodily functions. 

Studies have shown that being fully hydrated increases energy levels, most commonly daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration.  Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes & bacteria that can cause disease.  Drinking water can also significantly reduce joint and/or back pain.

Now apply all this to your place of work in Des Moines.  If you are not fully hydrated, you lose brain function, your short-term memory is affected, reaction time greatly decreases & illnesses are greater, with employees taking time off, being hurt on the job, or spreading diseases, just from simple water loss in the body.  And the bottom line is that when people don’t like the taste of their drinking water or are concerned about the chlorine or fluoride content, they drink less and go for the sugary soda beverages.

There is a great article about avoiding dehydration at the workplace, if you would like to know more information about this, read the complete article HERE.  There is information how you can greatly increase productivity and decrease illness and injuries within your workplace.

[waterexpert-blog]

Fluoride and Your Water

 There has been a lot of speculation about fluoride in our water and if it is good for us or not.  Everything we seem to be reading tells us that it is not good for us.  Just in Des Moines, Iowa there is a huge concern for the amount of fluoride in our tap water.  One article was published in the Sunday edition of the Des Moines Register 5/8/2011.

The second article was published 4/20/2011, and claims to be the same conclusive results of 24 studies that have been done internationally.  This article has a much greater grasp on the effects of fluoride and the damage done to our bodies, our health. 

Please take time to read these, awareness is the key to changing our water to be good, clean & healthy for us to drink.  In the meantime, the best way to have good, clean, healthy water is to have Crystal Clear Bottled Water delivered, or a filtration system in your home, such as a reverse osmosis system.

[waterexpert-blog]

Earth Day Series...cont.

Today we celebrate the earth, and of course, the need to protect our environment for future generations.  Speaking of those generations, ever notice how many clothes they leave us to wash?  In another part of our water softener series for Earth Day, it is important to mention the three environmental (and $$$ saving!!) reasons for using a water softener with a washing machine. 

  Less laundry soap.  With soft water, only 50% of the detergent was needed to yield the same stain removal results compared to hard water, similar to that of Des Moines. 

No need to heat the water.  With soft water, cold water yielded the same stain removal results compared to hard water, similar to that of Des Moines.

Then, there is the appliance aspect.  A washing machine was operated for 240 complete cycles with softened water and showed no signs of scale buildup.  A washing machine using hard water showed scale & deposit buildup that needed to be cleaned in order to function properly.  

  Water Softening allows us to use of less detergent, save energy by lowering water temperatures & increase the longevity of your clothes washer.  What is not to love about this?  Everyone needs a water softener!!

[waterexpert-blog]

Earth Day Series

A study conducted by Battalle Memorial Institute compared the difference of household appliances / products that use water.  Gas water heaters, electric water heaters, tankless heaters, showerheads, faucets, dishwashers and washing machines are some of the best examples.

A gas water heater, using water with a hardness of 10 grains per gallon, as found in Des Moines, Iowa, can have an 8% loss of efficiency.  There was no loss of efficiency over the 15 year life of a water heater when using softened water!

Water softening helps your appliances operate more efficiently, a benefit to the earth and to your wallet!!

[waterexpert-blog]

Disturbing New Reports of Iowa's Water Quality

Just released from the DNR, the new Iowa Water Quality Map.  Please take a minute to learn about your local water sources at the  DNR Water Quality Map and information.  A great local company for a local problem is Crystal Clear Water.  They are able to customize the best water treatment solution for your water, whether it be a softener, a carbon system to remove chlorine, a drinking water system like reverse osmosis, or even bottled water.

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Energy Savings

In conjunction with earth day, April 22nd, it would be a good time to talk about ways to help our environment.  Being born and raised in a small town in Iowa, we were taught to conserve, which led to helping the earth.  I read something that caught my eye...."Softeners among 'very best' household energy savers", which was discovered in a study by Battelle Memorial Institute. 

This study found that a water softener extends the life and improves the efficiency of ALL the water using appliances in your home!  This saves the environment and saves money (what a plus!).  I will be blogging about the benefits of water softeners through the month of April. 

[waterexpert-blog]

Chlorine Removal

Everyday it seems there is yet another concern about the water we use.  Chlorine is not a new health concern, but how many people know of the effects of chlorine and your body?  Here is an article, published just last week which will help you to see the risks of chlorine in your water and your body.

   Please visit www.ccbw.com to learn more about our whole house chlorine removal systems.

Be back next week to see you at 'The Water Blog'!!

[waterexpert-blog]

Big Box Store Softeners

I saw this review on the Whirpool Water softener...

"Don't buy it. We have tried everything to get it to produce soft water. Support on it is terrible. She reads out of the same booklet that comes with it, which is no help. We have had it three months and no soft water as yet. Goes through the motions and uses the salt but no results. Our untreated water is not very bad to start with. We are now up to number 17 on the settings from starting on number 7. I wish we had not bought it.  I would not recommend this to a friend"

I would agree with this customer, you are better off purchasing water softeners through a professional, check out Crystal Clear Water.

[waterexpert-blog]

Bad water affecting your bread?!?!

Let's talk about tap water and your bread.  Recently published, was an article about tap water being bad for making bread.  The article claims that chemicals in the water kill the yeast.  As much as one might want to test that theory, I think I will continue using a pure water for my cooking needs.  For more information on pure water visit www.ccbw.com and find out more about getting a pure water delivered to your home or business, especially if your business is making bread!

How do you feel about tap water and your bread?  I welcome any thoughts, questions or concerns.

[waterexpert-blog]

New to blogging...but years of experience with water!

We have been involved in Iowa drinking water for 35 years have a combined experience in water treatment systems of 30 years.  We focus mostly in Des Moines and the surrounding area but try to cover a 90 mile radius to help as many Iowans as possible.

We have come accross and solved most problems that people have run into and would like to share our knowledge with you.  Please feel free to ask questions and we will take time to give your our most honest and informative answers...as any Iowan would!!