Water is a fundamental part of every living organism. A good number of living organisms have a greater percentage of their body mass consisting of water. The availability of water in human animal bodies aids the proper functioning of metabolic processes in the body and we can safely conclude that no human or animal can live without water.

 Even though access to clean drinking water should be a basic human right, a growing number of regions face serious challenges with lack of drinking water resources especially due to climate change. The challenge of enabling access to clean and safe water is not only limited to developing countries but also developed countries in the East and West.

Such a dire need for water in the lives of humans and animals however, requires that only clean water be consumed as unclean water may pose its fair share of detrimental effects in the bodies of humans and animals. Today we look at 5 reasons why water purification is essential and has to be done before consumption.

1. Extra Security

Almost all countries globally are furnished with municipal water treatment systems which are usually quite effective. However public water treatment is not infallible.  There is an increasing numbers of incidents where water contaminants from sewage, heavy metals from old or faulty water pipes or residue from the use of industrial pesticides have found their way into the tap water. Tremendous weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, can also put a strain on municipal water treatment facilities and impair their proper functioning

Therefore, it is not unreasonable to want an extra layer of security to supplement your local or municipal water treatment. You can do this by using a household water purification which can remove a wide range of impurities from the water and will help ensure that you will not end up drinking unsafe water.

• Removal of Contaminants

A wide range of contaminants find their way into the drinking water system and we often wonder how this happens when we have such “foolproof” water treatment systems. Heavy metals, pesticides, sewage and pathogenic contaminants often find their way into the water supply and as the municipal water treatment systems get old, it becomes virtually impossible to remove every trace of these unwanted contaminants from your drinking water.

The local water authorities in charge of the municipal water treatment regulates how much of a specific substance is acceptable for the water to contain. While water that lives up to these standards is usually considered safe to drink, it may actually not and you may have your own preference for how high a level of contaminants you feel comfortable having your drinking water contain. A private water purification lets you set your own limits.

• Protection of one’s health

Drinking water containing pathogenic substances (bacteria and viruses) can lead to serious health issues in both humans and animals. Diseases such as diarrhea, cholera and dysentery easily attack the body and are caused by the consumption of contaminated water. If you live in an area where such diseases are a risk, the most effective way to protect yourself is by using our Reverse Osmosis water purification system or EcoV-Tabs where the RO System cannot be installed.

The pore size of the membranes used for reverse osmosis is measured in nanometer, which is small enough to stop both virus and bacteria. In addition, reverse osmosis also removes common chemical contaminants, such as sodium, chloride, copper and lead. EcoV-Tabs eliminate pathogenic substances like bacteria and viruses and although the water may remain a little turbid compared to that passed through our reverse osmosis system, it will be free from any disease causing substances.

• Environmental Protection

As the whole world is advocating for “Going Green” you may also want to consider the amount of plastic material piling up in your backyard. With your own water purification system, you will be able to reduce a lot of unnecessary expenses on plastic containers that come with bottled mineral water. Generally, bottled water is considered to be convenient because it is portable. However, that convenience comes with problems and a high environmental cost. Costs such as pollution associated with the manufacturing of plastic, energy, and transportation, as well as extra water use, make bottled water an unsustainable choice for drinking water.

• Elimination of Bad taste and Odours

One of the most irritating things to ever happen to a thirsty person is them having to drink water with a very bad taste or smell. One of the culprits in municipal drinking water is chlorine which most industries use as a disinfectant. Inefficient water treatment systems may result in bad smelling or tasting drinking and turn some municipalities turn to using excess chlorine in order to cover the bad smell or taste. This causes the water to have a strong chloride smell making it unpalatable for drinking.

Water purification does not only help remove harmful contents but it also improve the taste, smell and visual appearance of your drinking water. It reduces the amount of chlorine, soil residue, and organic and inorganic substances.

All in all, water purification is an investment in your health, the environment and a smart way to reduce how much you are spending on bottled water.

The post THE 5 WHY’S appeared first on Ecovision Africa.

If so, you may be experiencing a serious hard water problem which definitely needs immediate attention. The good news is that you are not alone!

What is hard water?

We all know that due to gravity, water is always on the move. In rivers, it can carve canyons and create valleys. When groundwater passes through rocks, it scraps off some minerals like calcium and magnesium. The minerals dissolve and wash into your groundwater supply. The higher the mineral content, the harder the water. Simply put, hard water is water with a high mineral content. While hard water is not necessarily a health concern, it sure poses a serious threat to your appliances and faucets.

How do I know my water is hard?

It’s not rocket science! It is very easy to tell whether or not your water is hard. For example, soap is less effective in hard water. Instead of completely dissolving, some soap manages to combine with the mineral deposits in hard water, requiring you to use a lot more soap to clean than necessary. Undissolved soap may still cling to your skin or hair after a shower, leaving it dry and dull.

Hard water minerals can also leave scale deposits. This chalky, plaster-like buildup can be found on faucets, appliances, sinks, and bathtubs. At first, the impact on your plumbing may be less obvious. Mineral deposits in pipes can reduce water flow and raise water bills. Scale build-up accelerates as the flow is restricted. Obstructions can cause damage to pipes and clog appliances, resulting in inefficiency and even costly repairs or replacements.

Effects of hard water                      

Hard water creates mineral buildup in water heaters. When calcium and magnesium are heated, they form a rock-like scale. This puts a burden on the water heater, causing it to expend more energy to maintain hot temperatures or, in the worst-case scenario, causing the unit to fail completely. When hard water is used in dishwashers or washing machines, it creates lime scale in the elements and some irreversible etching on your kitchenware. With hard water, all appliances that use or process water, such as ice makers and coffeemakers, will eventually perform less efficiently. Mineral build-up shortens the life of equipment, which is a major cause of service calls and replacements.

So what’s the solution?

At EcoVision, we have two main alternatives for dealing with hard water, which are water softeners and water conditioners. Salt-based water softeners remove minerals from the water, whereas salt-free water conditioners keep minerals from adhering to your pipes and appliances.

Our next Issue discusses Water Softeners and Conditioners in detail. You will learn more about how we can help you get rid of your hard water forever!

Your Hard Water Guide

The post ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HARD WATER appeared first on Ecovision Africa.

Today we focus on how we can soften your hard water to avoid all the problems that come with it.

Soft water aids in the reduction or elimination of scale deposits caused by calcium and other minerals, as well as the longevity of a home’s plumbing, water-centered appliances, and fixtures. It is often a good idea to test a home’s water for hardness and chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals that a homeowner may not want in their water.

In the previous issue we mentioned to ways in which hard water can be treated which are, the use of water softeners and the use of water conditioners. In this issue, we will take a closer look at water softeners and how they work.

What is a water softener?

A water softener is a filtration system that works to remove high calcium and magnesium concentrations that cause hard water. When water flows through a Water Softener, the system filters out these hard water minerals, and the softened water exits the system to flow through plumbing. Water softeners, believe it or not, are similar to magnets. A traditional bar magnet has one “positive” and one “negative” end. Assume you have two bar magnets and try to connect both positive ends. So, what happens? They are polar opposites. It’s impossible to get them to connect, no matter how hard you try. But what if you connect the positive end of one to the negative end of the other? They instantly connect!

Water softeners work on the basis of the fact that positive and negative things attract. If you understand this concept, then you will definitely understand how a water softener works.

The two main culprits of hard water, Calcium and Magnesium, are both positively charged molecules. Furthermore, as hard water flows through the softening system, it passes through a filter filled with negatively charged resin beads. As with magnets, opposites attract as hard water moves through the resin beads. SNAP! This happens through a process known as ion exchange where positively charged ions are exchanged for the negatively charged ones. A water softener consists of three parts: a control valve, a mineral tank, and a brine tank. These three work together to remove minerals from hard water, monitor water flow, and clean the system on a regular basis via a regeneration process.

The Mineral Tank

The mineral tank is the chamber in which hard water is softened. The hard water enters the tank via the water supply line. Water seeps through the bed of resin beads, depositing the water-hardening calcium and magnesium ions. The water exits the tank soft and flows through your pipes to your household appliances.

The Control Valve

The amount of water passing through the mineral tank and into your home is measured by the control valve. The valve contains a meter that measures the amount of water that enters the mineral tank. The resin beads exchange sodium ions for hardness ions as hard water flows through the mineral tank. This depletes the resin’s capacity to continue softening water effectively over time. The control valve automatically initiates a regeneration cycle when the beads become too clogged with mineral content to continue removing calcium and magnesium ions. This maximum capacity is pre-programmed into the control valve’s onboard computer and is determined by a number of factors such as the size of your home, the number of occupants, and the hardness of your water.

The Brine Tank

The brine tank aids in the regeneration of the water softening system. It is a smaller tank located next to the mineral tank. The brine tank contains a highly concentrated solution of salt (or sometimes potassium) that is used to restore the positive charge of the resin beads. Salt in the form of pellets or blocks is manually added to the brine tank. These dissolve in the water at the tank’s bottom. When the control valve detects that the resin’s softening capacity is dwindling, the heavy brine solution is drawn from the tank and flushed through the resin in the mineral tank. If the salt in the brine tank runs out, the water flowing through the unit will no longer be softened.

How much would a Water Softening System Cost me?

At EcoVision a household water softener ranges in price from $600 to $1,500.  Industrial water softeners will differ in price based on the daily water usage. If you live in a hard water area, a water softener is not a luxury; it is an essential investment in your home and property. The size and model of water softener that is best for you are determined by the size and hardness of your water. Keep in mind that, despite their seemingly high cost, water softeners can last for 20 years or more. They also have very low operational costs on a monthly basis. They run on very little electricity (no more than a bedside alarm clock). If properly backwashed, water softener resin can last for more than 20 years.

In the next issue we’ll look at water conditioners and how you can use them to soften your water.

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