As a proud partner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and veteran defenseman Brent Burns, Kinetico Advanced Water Systems helped celebrate Burns’ birthday on game night. Brent Burns joined the Hurricanes in 2022 and has played in over 1,400 games during his prestigious career spanning over 20 years.

Watch: Brent Burns moonlights as a service tech “Trent” for Kinetico

Game night kicked off with a warm welcome for Burns, with commemorative jersey t-shirts (showing Burns’ signature beard) tossed in the first period. “Trent” from Kinetico work shirts were also sold in the shop. Under the thrill of lights during a timeout, fans joined in singing Burns a celebratory happy birthday.

The team from Kinetico Advanced Water Systems, Raleigh office, attended the game to show full support for Burns and the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes would go on to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2.

Sponsoring the Hurricanes’ Game Night for Burns’ 40th

Your Defense Against Contaminated Water

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems is one of the more than 300 independent Kinetico dealers in North America selling Kinetico non-electric water softeners, filters and drinking water systems. Kinetico products are widely renowned for their quality, carrying third-party certifications and wide industry recognition as the preferred choice for many businesses and restaurant franchises.

At Advanced Water Systems, we provide free water analyses to residents and businesses that request them and seek cleaner water. Our water analysis identifies basic properties of a water sample and determines the best treatment methods to remove harmful contaminants.

Learn more by contacting us at (919) 925-2613 or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

The post Kinetico Advanced Water Systems & the Carolina Hurricanes Celebrate Brent Burns appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

What Is Hardness Scale?

If you have hard water, which is water containing dissolved minerals, hardness scale deposits are very likely to form. This chalky substance will build up around areas where water is being used like toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, water heaters and washing machines. This buildup will cause unsightly staining that is difficult to clean, damage to water using appliances and serious issues with inefficiency in dishwashers and water heaters.

What Causes Hardness Scale?

Water often contains a variety of naturally occurring dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals come from the surrounding rock in an underground aquifer, hence the term “hardness”.

Water that is hard will leave behind the deposits of these minerals wherever it is used. It is important to note that it takes very little of these minerals in your water to cause problems, which is why it is so important to address quickly.

Hardness Scale Measurement

Your water’s hardness is determined by the levels in milligrams per litre (mg/L) or grains per gallon (gpg) of calcium carbonate — a compound of calcium, magnesium and other trace metals/minerals. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), hard water classifications are as follows:

• Soft Water: 0 to 60 mg/L of calcium carbonate
• Moderately Hard Water: 61 to 120 mg/L
• Hard Water: 121 to 180 mg/L
• Very Hard: Over 180 mg/L

In simple terms, the harder your water, the more likely you are to experience scale buildup in your home’s plumbing system and appliances.

Signs and Locations of Hardness Scale in Your Home

You will typically notice hardness scale around faucets, shower heads, coffee pots, dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines, outdoor hose spigots, glass shower doors, tub drains and leaky pipes. Most often, these deposits look like a white, chalky buildup but they may also appear rust-colored or brown.

While hardness scale is unsightly, it is even more problematic in areas that cannot be seen like the inside of plumbing pipes, buildup around water heater coils and inside the components of your dishwasher and washing machine.

Impacts of Hardness Scale in the Home

Scale can be very unattractive and give your appliances an unkempt appearance. Scale deposits actually damage the finish on many faucet types. But it is the effects of hard water that can’t be seen that are much more detrimental to the appliances in your home. If these mineral deposits grow unchecked, they may begin to cause problems like:

• Clogged pipes and disrupted water flows.
• Scale enhances corrosion in some cases, leading to leaks.
• Stains or other damage on clothes, dishes and other household items.
• Foul-tasting or bad-smelling tap water.
• Higher energy bills caused by added strain on water-using appliances.
• Shortened appliance lifespans due to accelerated wear and tear.

In addition, significant scale deposits within plumbing systems may cause corrosion, leaks or may cause pipes to even burst.

Health Effects of Scale in Water

The calcium and magnesium within the scale are inorganic minerals transferred to the water from underground rock. As a result, these hardness minerals are generally not bioavailable in the human body. Therefore, removing these minerals from the water is not a health risk.

The best resource of calcium and magnesium in your diet would be the edible vegetables and other foods that take the inorganic minerals and convert them to organic, bioavailable minerals that the human body can utilize.

There may be other physical risks from hard water. For example:

1. Hard water’s mineral content may dry out or irritate your hair and skin. It may also make bathing and hygiene more difficult. For example, you might have to use more (and spend more money) on moisturizer, soap, shampoo and conditioner to truly cleanse your body. In many ways, with softer water, looking and feeling good can be a lot easier and less expensive.
2. Hardness reacts with cleaners to form soap scum or soap curd, which sticks on surfaces and gets trapped in clothing. Soft water saves significant money spent on cleaners.
3. Scale deposits may create areas where germs and bacteria can thrive. These bacteria may pose various health risks — such as legionnaire’s disease — to those exposed.

On the one hand, various home cleaning solutions can help you remove scale after it builds up. However, if you want to avoid the hygienic inconveniences of hard water, a better solution may be to soften the water itself.

Water softening products like Kinetico’s Ion Exchange systems can combat the sources of scale within your water. That way, you don’t have to waste time and money cleaning troublesome staining or replacing damaged water-using appliances.

Learn More About Kinetico’s Water Softener Solutions

What Is Soap Scum?

Soap scum is a pervasive issue caused by dissolved hard water minerals in the water interacting with the soap. Soap scum is a chalky residue or film, usually white or gray, that builds up where you most often use water and soap, such as shower heads and faucets, washing machines and in your shower on the floors, drain, walls, tiling and grout, fixtures, curtain and shower doors.

Soap scum leaves unsightly, hard-to-remove stains that can contribute to mold growth. On its own, soap scum is harmless. Keep in mind that pink stains in your shower are not actually soap scum, but are a type of mold — pink mold — caused by Serratia marcescens bacteria.

If you’ve ever noticed a white film on your clothes after washing, that can also be from soap scum, though may be attributed to excessive detergent use or appliance issues.

How to Remove & Reduce Hardness Scale Deposits

Combatting scale in your home can help you achieve a cleaner, healthier environment. The goal is to remove or reduce scale that has built up on various surfaces. A number of natural and chemical removal methods can help.

Chemical Scale Removal Methods

A variety of specialty products (e.g., Simple Green®, Lime-A-Way, Amaz Clean & Green and CLR products) contain chemicals and acids will break up and dissolve scale’s mineral deposits. After applying these products, you can wipe the residuals away and reveal clean surfaces.

However, these chemicals may be harsh on some products if used improperly or excessively. Therefore, you should always check if your product is safe before using it. They are also expensive.

Natural Hardness Scale Removal Methods

If you aren’t one for using a lot of chemicals when cleaning, several natural equivalents may help remove scale. For example, the acids in vinegar and lemon juice can be very effective at breaking down mineral deposits. Moreover, the particles within baking soda or borax can help chip away at particularly difficult buildup.

Still, natural products may take longer to dissolve and remove hardness scale. They might also not combat germ and bacterial buildup as effectively as other materials.

While they can help combat scale, chemical and natural removal products are simply cleaning up the problem. They cannot fix the causes of scale. Without a preventive water softening solution, scale will continue to build up over and over again. Kinetico’s Ion Exchange systems can help break that cycle.

How to Prevent Hardness Scale Long-Term

Because the minerals within hard water cause scale, the best way to prevent this problem is to remove those minerals. To put it simply, you need to soften the water. One of the most effective ways to do so is via ion exchange.

During the ion exchange process, hard water passes through dedicated water softening tanks. Charged resin beads within the tanks will pull harmful dissolved metals and minerals out of the water and exchanges them for a benign mineral (e.g., sodium). Afterward, the resin beads are flushed of the minerals through a process of regeneration. The process then starts again.

Contact Kinetico For Hardness Scale Removal Solutions

Got hardness scale buildup? Kinetico Advanced Water Systems has the solutions to soften your water and make cleaning, bathing and drinking altogether better experiences.

Schedule a free water analysis to learn more about what’s hardening your water, or give us a call at (888) 788-3181.

The post What Is Hardness Scale & How Do I Remove It? appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

Drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth and even bathing with contaminated water can put you at risk. A water test is the quickest way to find out what’s in your well water and to guide the best treatment solution (filtration, purification, softening, etc.) for your home.

Common Well Water Contaminants and Their Impact

From bacteria and heavy metals to pesticides and chemical runoff, there is no shortage of naturally occurring and manmade contaminants that can enter well water. Well water quality is continually in flux over time due to geographic location, your well’s age and depth, changes in nearby industrial activity and environmental factors such as heavy rains or a change in seasons.

Even with a water treatment system, if you suspect your water is contaminated or experience any of the symptoms outlined below, it’s best to stop consumption and get your water tested immediately.

1. Microorganisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Parasites)

Are you worried that your well water is making you sick? Drinking water that contains microorganisms such as bacteria (including E. coli), viruses and parasites can cause gastrointestinal disruption, illness and infection.

Microorganisms commonly enter your well through leaking underground septic or storage tanks, agricultural runoff (especially from animal feedlots), aging pipes and from animal solid waste that pollutes the groundwater. Heavy rains and snowmelt can also wash microorganisms into your well, including those naturally found in the environment.

• Symptoms: Consuming water contaminated with harmful microorganisms can cause symptoms quickly — within a few hours to a few days. Most microorganisms are colorless and undetectable by taste in water, though high levels of fecal coliform bacteria may change water color slightly. Signs of waterborne illness include vomiting, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, fever and headache.

Boiling water offers a quick fix to kill bacteria, but for a long-term solution, look to ultraviolet sanitization. UV sanitization eliminates microbiological contaminants without the need for chemicals (shock chlorination).

2. Heavy Metals

Many heavy metals, both essential and toxic, occur naturally in rocks and soil. These enter well water through mineral dissolution, groundwater movement and, in some cases, erosion and surface runoff. Agricultural runoff and industrial activities such as mining, improper waste disposal and manufacturing can also introduce potentially toxic metals into groundwater, contaminating the well.

While not all heavy metals in water will be toxic, the impact on your health depends on their form and concentration. Common metals in well water include arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, barium, zinc, copper, manganese and iron.

• Symptoms: Drinking water that contains high levels of heavy metals can increase your risk of both acute and chronic liver, kidney and intestinal damage. Tell-tale signs that your water contains metals include discolored water (often brown or orange), rust around drains and a foul or fishy smell.

Do you have an older well and pipes? Corrosion of aging plumbing lines can release heavy metals directly into your drinking water.

Reverse osmosis purification and cation exchange water softeners both offer significant removal of heavy metals from well water. It can also be useful to have your pipes and plumbing systems checked for corrosion.

3. Hard Water Minerals

Hard water is one of the most common water quality issues for people on well (and city) water. Hard water refers to the high concentration of dissolved minerals in water, such as calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron. These minerals occur naturally in the rock and soil in and around your well’s aquifer.

Over time, minerals can build up in the well and increase water hardness when left untreated. Similarly, mineral accumulation in your hot water heater can reduce its lifespan and efficiency, leading to corrosion and reduced water flow.

• Symptoms: Drinking hard water is not a serious concern for your health, though excess minerals may produce an unpleasant taste or odor in the water. Hard water can often dry out your skin and hair, contributing to non-cosmetic issues like eczema, brittle hair, flaky scalp and clogged pores. In your home, hard water presents in a variety of ways depending on the mineral, including mineral build up in pipes, staining on plumbing fixtures, reduced efficacy of soap to get clean, soap scum residue in the shower, cloudy or spotted dishes and a reddish-brown waterline stain in the toilet.

Many homeowners on well water will benefit from installing a water softener to mitigate the presence of hardness minerals.

4. Nitrates and Nitrites

Nitrate is a common well water contaminant which converts into nitrite in the body when ingested. Nitrates (and nitrites) occur naturally in the environment at low concentrations, and can make their way into your well water through decaying organic matter and nitrification, human and animal waste runoff, fertilizer runoff and leakage from landfills.

• Symptoms: High levels of nitrites in your blood can reduce its ability to carry oxygen, resulting in shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. Healthy adults can usually break down nitrates/nitrites at lower levels. Infants are at the highest risk and can develop methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) — a dangerous condition which causes trouble breathing and blueish-brown skin around the lips, fingers, nose and toes.

People with wells on or near agricultural land may be at a higher risk for nitrate contamination, since raising livestock and using nitrogen fertilizers can increase pollution. With no smell or taste, only with a proper water test can you detect the presence of nitrates/nitrites in your well water.

Significantly reduce nitrate to safer levels in your well water using an anion exchange water softening or reverse osmosis purification system. Carbon and sediment filtration cannot remove nitrates.

5. Pesticides, Herbicides and Organic Chemicals

Whether it’s the pesticides from lawn care or chemicals from pharmaceutical production, synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs) can make their way into your well water. Industrial agriculture, along with the manufacturing and waste disposal process of many household products — including inks, paints, solvents and disinfectants — can contaminate private wells through leaching, spills and runoff into shallow wells.

• Symptoms: Water containing pesticides and organic chemicals even at low levels can impact human health, though this varies by the chemical type and duration of exposure. Over time, and at higher levels, drinking chemically contaminated water can cause damage to organs like the kidneys and liver, as well as the circulatory and nervous systems.

Looking to safeguard your water from SOCs? Reverse osmosis purification and activated carbon filtration both offer high removal rates of pesticides and other synthetic organic chemicals from water.

6. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that can pose serious health risks when consumed. Found in paints, fuels, dyes, degreasers, aerosols and solvents, many VOCs are highly toxic even at low levels and include benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and trichloroethylene. VOCs commonly contaminate well water through leaching, infiltration and spills from industrial facilities, processing plants and landfills.

• Symptoms: Long-term, VOCs can disrupt cellular function and contribute to the “onset and progression of autoimmune diseases.” After immediate exposure, drinking water with VOCs may cause ENT irritation, nausea, headaches and disorientation. Not all VOCs are easily detectable in water, though in some cases can give your water a gasoline smell. Laboratory analysis is required to test for VOCs.

The most effective ways to reduce and remove the majority of VOCs from water are chemical filtration and reverse osmosis purification, both of which can protect your health and plumbing.

7. Additional Contaminants

There are many other contaminants that can make their way into your well water, including fluoride, radionuclides (uranium, radium, radon), PFAS forever chemicals and particulate matter (like sand or plant debris). The quality and pollution level of your well water is heavily dependent on your well’s location, construction and upkeep. Routine water testing and well maintenance are both smart steps homeowners can take to ensure cleaner, safer and better-tasting water.

For more information, please visit the EPA’s national drinking water regulations which detail maximum contaminant limits (set for public drinking water), pollution sources and potential health effects.

Enjoy Cleaner, Safer Water With Regular Testing

Routine well water testing at least once per year, according to the CDC, can help reduce risks of waterborne illness and contamination.

Well water testing using a state-certified laboratory test is especially important if you:

• Newly built your well
• Notice changes to your water’s quality (taste, color, odor, clarity)
• Performed plumbing, well or water system repairs
• Members of your household experience unexplained vomiting or illness
• Live near factories, farms or mining operations, especially following heavy rains/floods

If you’re on a community well, check with your neighborhood association to see if any water treatment is in place and what options they may provide.

How Kinetico Systems Can Help

Every homeowner’s well water makeup will vary. Take the guesswork out of getting cleaner, safer water with Kinetico. Our Water Quality Consultants can provide the solutions you need for every aspect of your well, from laboratory-grade water analysis and water system installation to routine maintenance.

Offering a state-of-the-art, non-electric design, our water systems are among the most certified in the industry, backed by a comprehensive warranty and best-in-class customer service. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your free water test.

The post Understanding Well Water Contaminants and Their Symptoms appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

How Does Sulfur Get in Your Water in the First Place?

There are several ways hydrogen sulfide gets into your water supply, and depending on whether the water is hot or cold, the solution may be different. First, check the smell of water from your hot and cold faucets. Do both have the rotten egg odor or is one tap’s smell more noticeable than the other?

Sulfur is a naturally occurring element normally in the form of sulfate in groundwater. It can also be found as an industrial or mining byproduct. SRB activity reduces the sulfate to sulfide, generating the odors. Whether you have city or well water, hydrogen sulfide gas can be an issue for homeowners’ water.

Hot Water Rotten Egg Smell

If you smell sulfur only when the hot water is on, then it can be caused by the presence of sulfur-reducing bacteria in the anaerobic environment of the water heater. In addition, the magnesium anode rod in tank water heaters enhances odor production due to chemical reactions between it and the water.

As the anode rod corrodes it reacts with the water and enhances the rotten egg odor production. Replacing the anode rod with a different type and flushing the water heater often helps this situation. Contact a plumbing specialist if you need water heater repair and maintenance.

Cold Water Rotten Egg Smell

If there’s a smell of rotten eggs coming from your cold water, too, then the sulfur reducing bacteria could be in the groundwater, well, plumbing system or water softener. Pollution of your municipal water source is another possible cause of the smell. There are many sources of drinking water pollution, from runoff into rivers to naturally occurring contaminants, which often aren’t filtered by basic water treatment.

Conditions for Hydrogen Sulfide Production

To properly specify water treatment equipment for hydrogen sulfide issues, it is best to understand the possible sources of contamination.

• Bacteria: Hydrogen sulfide gas is produced when sulfur-reducing bacteria feed on sulfur-containing compounds in the water under low-oxygen conditions.
• Geological sources: Certain types of bedrock, like shales or sandstones, can contain sulfates. In addition, volcanic areas or hydrothermal areas are regions where H2S is prevalent and can get into the groundwater. 
• Chemical reactions: Water heater anode rods can drive chemical reactions in the water heater that enhance rotten egg odors.
• Sewage and other pollution: While unlikely, pollution and sewage issues may be causing the rotten egg smell in your water. It’s important to get your water tested for E. coli and other contaminants harmful to your health and home.

Corroding Pipes

As pipes in your home age, they can begin to break down and corrode. This process causes a chemical reaction between the metal of the pipes and the water which creates hydrogen sulfide. Corroding pipes are also more susceptible to bacteria growth, in turn making your water smell or taste like rotten eggs.

Is Water Containing Sulfates and Sulfides Safe to Drink?

Small amounts of hydrogen sulfide in your drinking water is not a health risk, but may make the water taste badly. High concentrations of sulfate in the water can lead to gastrointestinal issues for some people. The EPA’s secondary limit for sulfates is 250 mg/L in drinking water. Drinking water purification by reverse osmosis can reduce sulfates in drinking water — up to 98% with a Kinetico RO system. It is best to have your water tested by a water quality professional if you notice a persistent rotten egg odor coming from your tap.

Health Impacts of Sulfur in Water

Drinking water with sulfur in it may cause diarrhea, cramps and dehydration, as well as gastrointestinal irritation. Babies and people with sensitive stomachs will particularly experience these symptoms. Showering or bathing in sulfuric water increases bacteria growth on skin and subsequent inflammation and irritation.

Sulfuric water impacts your home with potentially expensive side effects. Sulfur bacteria and the additional bacterial growth it causes produce a slime; this can clog your plumbing, well and even irrigation systems. Over time, the presence of bacteria and hydrogen sulfide corrodes pipes, damages appliances and may leave your plumbing fixtures and kitchen silverware stained gray, black or reddish brown — all costly side effects of poor water quality.

• Gastrointestinal issues: Sulfur acts as a mild laxative and can trigger diarrhea, nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort, especially for infants and people with sensitive stomachs.
• Dehydration risk: If you suffer from diarrhea as a result of drinking sulfur-rich water, this can dehydrate you due to fluid loss.
• Taste and odor: The unpleasant smell of rotten eggs in your water can be off-putting , whether cooking, drinking or even brushing your teeth.
• Typically no major health risks: Sulfuric water poses no known long-term serious impacts on your health. While rare, the source of sulfur bacteria could be sewage leaching into your water supply, which can pose more serious risks. Get your water tested if you are unsure and to help address the root cause.

How Do I Treat Sulfuric Water?

Get rid of unwanted sulfur smells and hydrogen sulfide in your water with a reverse osmosis purification system. Reverse osmosis filters almost all contaminants found in water, including sulfur bacteria, minerals, metals, pharmaceuticals, PFOS, PFAS and GenX chemicals.

For chronic hydrogen sulfur odors, a dedicated specialized filtration system can help reduce these odors throughout the home. The Kinetico Sulfur-Guard backwashing filtration systems are specifically designed to handle rotten egg odors in well systems.

It’s also recommended to schedule yearly maintenance for your hot water heater to flush the system, prevent corrosion and extend its lifespan. Water heater maintenance and the installation of a whole-home water system both help protect the efficiency of your appliances long-term from sulfur bacteria, from your washing machine to the dishwasher and garbage disposal.

Improve Your Health With Kinetico Advanced Water Systems

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems specializes in helping homeowners get rid of odd water smells and impurities, for better tasting and healthier water for your whole family. Looking to stop water contamination at the source? Investing in a whole-home water purification system removes sulfur bacteria and other contaminants before they even make it to your tap and water heater.

Schedule your free water analysis today to get a complete understanding of your water and find the best treatment solution for your home.

The post Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs? appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?

Reverse osmosis is a process where water is purified by forcing it through an ultra-fine semi-permeable membrane using line pressure. The thin-film membrane is so tight that contaminants are rejected and only pure H2O can pass through it. The reject water with the removed contaminants goes to the drain and the permeate, or pure, water is stored in a tank and delivered to the point of use as needed.

Permeate (Good) vs. Concentrate (Bad) Water

When researching reverse osmosis systems, you might run across the terms permeate water and concentrate water.

Permeate water is the purified water that has passed through the RO membrane. Concentrate water is wastewater that holds materials filtered out of the permeate water. Pressure within the RO system stops permeate water from filtering back into the concentrate water. That way, you can avoid cross contamination.

Properly designed reverse osmosis systems are exceptionally effective at removing a wide range of contaminants. Kinetico’s RO solutions offer patented features no other systems have that make them more efficient, longer lasting and more effective at removing up to 98% of contaminants.

The Role of Reverse Osmosis in Municipal Water Treatment Facilities

Some municipal water treatment facilities use reverse osmosis as a step in the water treatment process. This is typically the case when EPA-regulated contaminants are present in the water supply.

Most consumers do not have purified water delivered by their municipality, however, and in cases where it does exist, there are always operational concerns that could cause the systems to go down or insufficiently clean the water. Residents on private water supplies, such as wells, must take care of their water themselves.

As a result of the slow degradation of our water quality, it is not surprising that many homeowners and businesses are installing reverse osmosis systems in their homes and places of business for better and safer drinking water. With a Kinetico RO system, you’ll be investing in the most effective and efficient water purification solution with minimal waste water, state-of-the-art design and a long warranty.

What Will RO Purification Systems Remove From Water?

Reverse osmosis purification systems are capable of removing a vast array of contaminants from water. This includes natural and man-made minerals, chemicals, metals and other non-H2O substances.

The Kinetico K5 system, with its advanced design, effectively removes a wide range of contaminants that pitcher or fridge filters may leave behind, including, but not limited to:

• Dissolved minerals like sodium, calcium, silica, nitrates, sulfates and other dissolved solids that impact the quality of the drinking water.
• Heavy metals such as cadmium, uranium, arsenic, mercury, lead, copper and zinc, all of which may pose health risks to those exposed.
• Biological substances like viruses, bacteria and fungi are removed by the K5 because of specialized customization using Flex Filtration.
• Pollutants and toxins such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Moreover, the K5 is certified to remove harmful PFAS and GenX, which are “forever chemicals” that are ubiquitous in our environment and in our water. If you don’t remove these chemicals they can pose significant health risks.

Forever chemicals like PFAS and other emerging contaminants are coming into focus with government agencies with regard to regulations. However, implementation of changes takes a long time — until 2029 for the EPA’s latest rule on PFAS — and are subject to change. Moreover, other contaminants like microplastics are not even on the radar yet. All the more reason to put control of your drinking water quality in your own hands.

Why You Should Invest in a Reverse Osmosis Purification System

Investing in a Reverse Osmosis system is one of the wisest investments a person can make to improve and enhance the drinking waster quality for their family or clients. The benefits of having a system such as the Kinetico K5 are manifold and include:

1. Improved Water Quality

Reverse osmosis purification from the Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station offers exceptional water quality, customized to your family’s needs. It provides safer, cleaner purified water for the whole family that tastes better for drinking and cooking.

2. Eliminate Taste and Odor Issues

Water with contaminants causes a host of issues in the home, especially when it comes to drinking water. Metallic taste, rotten egg odors, chlorine smell and taste are just the obvious things that a reverse osmosis system corrects. The unseen dangers of disinfection byproducts, microplastics and forever chemicals are also mitigated for the best quality drinking water.

3. Health Benefits

Above all, the safety of your drinking water is paramount when it comes to protecting the health of your family. Reverse osmosis systems such as the Kinetico K5 offer a customizable solution to handle a wide range of health-related water issues like bacteria and viruses, as well the documented dangers of THMs and PFAS.

4. Low Maintenance and Durability

The Kinetico K5 system is non-electric and has a special membrane-cleaning feature that provides quality water and a long system life. The system includes an automatic shut-off and delivers the water at high flow rates from the dedicated faucet(s). Filter changes are controlled by water use, rather than time and the system shuts off automatically when the filter change is needed.

5. Convenience and Cost Savings

The engineering design of the Kinetico K5 minimizes waste water to ease your water bill. The self-cleaning membrane means savings on membrane changes. Filters are changed when needed, maximizing their use and minimizing the expense. Moreover, the cost savings from eliminating bottled water are enormous.

How Kinetico Advanced Water Systems Can Help

More and more people are turning to Kinetico for their drinking water needs. You can trust the water quality experts at Advanced Water Systems to provide sound analysis of the water in your home or business so the proper systems can be recommended to achieve your water quality goals. For further information about our free water analysis, contact one of our water specialists today.

The post What Is Reverse Osmosis: How It Works & Why Invest In It appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

Why Is There Iron in Well Water?

Most private wells draw their water from underground aquifers within the earth’s crust. This groundwater is usually exposed to iron from a variety of sources, some of the most notable of which are as follows:

• Naturally occurring iron — which is one of the most prevalent elements within the earth’s crust — may enter the groundwater from iron-bearing soil and rock that host the aquifer.
• Corroded or damaged steel piping may rust, causing iron to enter the water passing through it. Badly corroded buried pipes might also leach iron into the soil which can seep into the groundwater below.
• Industrial waste may contain a variety of minerals, impurities and contaminants that enters groundwater sources when not disposed of properly.
• Agricultural activities utilizing industrial fertilizers often contain iron that can seep into the groundwater when applied to crops.

Iron in drinking water is not a Primary Contaminant regulated by the EPA. As a Secondary Contaminant, community wells and other municipal water systems are typically not subject to drinking water regulations regarding iron.

Similarly, private well supplies are not governed by the Safe Drinking Water Act with regard to iron, and therefore private well owners will need to manage their own well water treatment and sanitization. Without proper water treatment, including ion exchange and filtration, iron-bearing well water will cause a host of problems in your home’s plumbing system.

Is Iron in Well Water Dangerous?

Iron is an essential nutrient that people consume as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Levels of iron in drinking water are typically insufficient as a source of nutritional iron and should not be considered as such. The small amounts of iron in well water rarely poses substantial health risks to consumers. Excessive iron consumption can cause adverse health effects like liver damage and heart problems.

Moreover, iron in water can foster conditions that allow iron bacteria to thrive. This bacteria can lead to further issues in plumbing systems along with the taste and aesthetics of the water. Therefore, water testing and proper treatment identification is needed if you ensure your home and health are not impacted by iron issues in your water.

How to Identify Iron in Well Water

A few tell-tale signs of high iron in your well water include:

• Rust-colored stains on your sinks, tubs, clothes, dishes and even on your skin and hair.
• Buildup of mineral deposits on sinks and faucets.
• A metallic taste or foul odor that makes cooking with or drinking well water unpleasant.
• Cloudiness or discoloration that makes your water appear red, yellow, orange or brown.
• Small particles or flecks in the water that will usually sink to the bottom of a container.
• Clogged pipes that contain a foul-smelling sludge.

Types of Iron in Well Water

The iron within well water may take various forms. These include:

1. Ferric iron: Also known as “particulate iron” or “red water iron,” ferric iron is insoluble in water and often gives it a red or yellow color. You might also notice rust-colored flecks or particles in your water that sink to the bottom of the container.
2. Ferrous iron: Often called “clear water iron,” ferrous iron is fully dissolved in water. However, it will begin to oxidize after exposure to air, and particles will begin to appear. Therefore, it may leave deposits on appliances, stain clothes and cause other inconveniences.
3. Colloidal iron: Contains microscopically small, undissolved particles — may also exist in the water. It’s similar to ferrous and ferric iron, and may stain sinks and other surfaces.
4. Bacterial iron: When certain bacteria enter your water they can begin to feed on iron in the water creating a slime-like biofilm. This film usually appears as a thick, foul-smelling sludge that can easily clog wells, pumps and piping systems. Some of these bacteria may represent a health risk.

Various tests can help you check your well water for the presence of iron and other contaminants. However, iron contamination might not be obvious to the naked senses. Professional water testing is a more accurate way to determine whether you have an iron problem and determine appropriate solutions.

How Kinetico Removes Iron From Well Water

The unpleasant stains, smells, tastes and other problems associated with having iron in your well water are not something any family should suffer through. Kinetico offers a variety of solutions which can mitigate all iron problems.

1. Filtration Systems

Various filtration systems can help mitigate particulate iron within your well water. For example, sediment filtration often will remove ferric iron particles and other insoluble contaminants from the water. This results in clearer water and helps prevent your appliances from becoming stained.

They may also require relatively low maintenance beyond periodic filter changes. However, filters often are not good at removing dissolved ferrous iron from the water, meaning you might have to use a filtration system in conjunction with other water treatment methods.

Learn More About Kinetico’s Filtration Systems

2. Water Softeners (Ion Exchange)

Ion exchanges help “soften” your water by removing dissolved contaminants like ferrous iron that make the water “hard.” Softening water can have a number of household benefits, such as reducing strain on your appliances and preventing mineral deposits around faucets. In turn, you might be able to extend the life cycle of your appliances, reduce your utility bills and gain various other advantages.

Kinetico’s ion exchange systems use charged beads to attract contaminants and metals like iron and remove them from the water on a 24/7 basis. The beads are then flushed of the contaminants via a regeneration process that allows the process to start over again. That way, your home can continue to receive soft water on an ongoing basis.

Explore Ion Exchange Systems

3. Reverse Osmosis Systems

A reverse osmosis (RO) system can provide high levels of water purification far beyond those offered by standard fridge or sink filters. Using semi-permeable membranes, the RO system can help attract various contaminants like sediment, PFAS and iron and remove them from the water.

These systems are often very good at removing extremely fine particles, and may help cut down on the various types of iron in your water. Kinetico can implement reverse osmosis systems at individual faucets or on a whole-home basis, delivering clean, clear water wherever you need it.

View Kinetico Purification Systems

Depending on the nature and extent of the iron in your well, one or more of Kinetico’s systems may work best for your needs. The best place to start determining which options are best for you is with a free water analysis from one of our expert water quality consultants. During the test, we can check your water for the presence of ferrous, ferric and colloidal iron and then recommend which solutions are best for your household.

The Benefits of Removing Iron From Well Water

Whatever your chosen method of combatting iron in your well water, doing so can have advantages such as:

• Improved taste: The cleaner the water, the better it is likely to taste and smell. Less iron can likely help remove the tell-tale metallic scent from your water.
• Cleaner appliances and fixtures: Less iron often means fewer hard water stains, rust and mineral deposits on your appliances and around drains.
• Increased appliance lifespans: Hard water may cause dishwashers, washing machines and other appliances extra strain. The lower the levels of these contaminants, the better and longer these appliances might function.
• Healthier water: Reducing the amount of iron in your water can ensure that you aren’t putting too much into your body at once.

Well Water Maintenance and Prevention Tips

In addition to using various water filtration and purification solutions, there are several other things you can do to further manage iron, iron bacteria and other contaminants within your well water:

• Checking and changing your filters regularly
• Conducting periodic water tests
• Servicing and maintaining your equipment
• Scheduling yearly private well sanitization services or using a UV system to help kill bacteria and other contaminants

Trust Kinetico for Your Well Water Needs

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems has the expertise and solutions to provide exceptional water treatment and filtration options for whatever’s clouding your water. Schedule a free water analysis to see whether iron or other contaminants are present, or give us a call at (833) 202-2622.

The post How to Remove Iron From Well Water appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

Unlike municipal water, private well water isn’t treated for consumption regulated by the EPA. While most wells have a basic sediment filter that removes dirt and debris, these filters are unable to remove microorganisms, chemicals and other pollutants that can cause both short and long-term harm.

Why You Should Test Your Well Water

When was the last time you had your well water tested? Testing allows you to:

• Protect your and your family’s health: Bacteria, nitrates and heavy metals can make their way into your aquifer and cause serious health issues, including gastrointestinal problems, developmental issues in children and diseases.
• Ensure your water is safe: Even if your water looks clear and tastes fine, there could still be dangerous contaminants. Knowing for sure that your water is safe to drink, cook with and bathe in brings invaluable peace of mind.
• Track changes: Natural and environmental factors, like heavy rains or your neighbor using nitrate-rich fertilizer, can alter your well water quality. Identify and keep track of any changes to your water over time so you can take action when needed.
• Water system maintenance: Regular testing will help you verify that your system is working as intended, ensuring that harmful contaminants are being effectively removed.

By routinely testing your well water, you’re taking essential steps to safeguard your family’s health and ensure the quality of your home’s water supply.

How to Test Well Water at Home

Start by performing a water test to get a comprehensive understanding of what’s in your well water and how it should be treated.

While you can purchase water testing kits from home improvement and big-box retailers, these are much less precise, and often won’t check for many harmful contaminants that you should be testing for when compared to a professional water test.

If you are looking for a quick way to check your water at home, try these simple tests. Note that even if your water passes all of these observable tests, it still can contain undetectable pollutants.

Water Color, Taste and Odor Test

Fill a clear glass with your well water and swirl it around the glass.

Does the water have a brownish tint when you hold the glass up against a white background? Do you see any visible solids settling at the bottom or the sides of the glass? Does it smell like rotten eggs? Without swallowing, swish the water around your mouth to check for bitter, chlorine, chemical, swampy or metallic taste.

If you notice any of these telltale signs of bacteria and sediment contamination in your water, seek professional water treatment to prevent possible illness.

Visual Water Hardness Test

You can commonly identify hard water by white or cloudy stains around your faucet, toilet, tub or shower drain — indicating a variety of unwanted minerals in your water. Iron staining will typically be orange or brown, manganese leaves black stains and low pH water is usually turquoise or green.

If you see a chalky white substance around faucets and spigots, limescale could be building up in your pipes, which can eventually cause lower water pressure and broken pipes.

Another way to check if you have hard water is the soap test. Fill a container with water and dish soap and shake it and you’ll see bubbles and froth form on the surface. When you have hard water, you’ll see fewer bubbles form and the liquid will turn cloudy as the soap interacts with the minerals.

Boiling Water for Dissolved Solids Test

Fill a pot with water and heat to boiling. As the water evaporates, any impurities will precipitate and get left behind.

After the water boils off and the pot cools completely, see if there’s white residue on the bottom — that’s calcium carbonate that, while harmless, can leave unsightly spots on your pots and pans. More importantly, it can mean you have hard water that contains high levels of dissolved solids and other hard-to-spot contaminants.

Contact a Professional for Water Testing

While all of the testing methods outlined above provide a small indication as to your well water’s quality, they are not nearly thorough or reliable enough to ensure safe water quality.

At Kinetico Advanced Water Systems we offer a free water analysis to assess the makeup of your water and perform a detailed risk assessment. Our team can also test for more complex contaminants like pesticides, arsenic and radiologicals using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. After your water test, we’ll work with you to create a custom water solution to fit your budget, needs and the specifics of your well.

How Often Should You Test Your Well Water?

No matter where you live, the CDC recommends getting your well water tested at least once every year using a state-certified laboratory test, especially for bacteria and nitrates. However, you may need to test your well water more often, depending on your well aquifer’s location and condition.

For example, if your well system has undergone any repairs, it’s always a good idea to test the water afterward to ensure it wasn’t contaminated during the process.

If you live near farms, factories or mining operations, chemical pollutants used in industrial processes can seep deeply and reach groundwater. Excessive rain from storms or flooding can worsen the situation and introduce them into your well water.

Additionally, if members of your household are experiencing unexplained vomiting, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal distress, test the water immediately for contaminants.

Always be alert to changes in your water’s taste, odor and visual appearance. Routine testing can help ensure your water is safe to drink and help you catch issues early on. Our Water Quality Consultants can set up recurring testing throughout the year for your peace of mind.

How to Treat Well Water

Once you’ve tested your well water and have identified contaminants, the next step is to find the right treatment solution tailored to your specific water issues.

Well Water Filtration Solutions for Homeowners

Installing a water filter, softener and/or purifier will be the best way to ensure your well water is safe for drinking and bathing, as part of the 4+ essentials of total water treatment.

At Kinetico, we recommend that private wells always have a UV system installed. Without ultraviolet sanitization, the well should be chemically sanitized once per year. This solution adds chemicals to the water and does not provide ongoing, long-lasting protection from bacteria and viruses like UV does.

• Filtration removes sediment, chemicals and contaminants that make your water murky and unpleasant tasting.
• Water softeners that use an ion exchange process get rid of excess minerals like calcium and magnesium that cause soap scum, dry skin and hair and will reduce the lifespan of any water-using appliances. The dual tank design of a Kinetico system can also handle dissolved manganese and iron.
• The third step in whole-home water management is purification — a reverse osmosis system eliminates heavy metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other contaminants for better-tasting, more refreshing water.
• Remove bacteria and viruses through ultraviolet (UV) sanitization — an important step for private well owners or anyone removing disinfection chemicals from their home’s water supply.

What About a Filtration Pitcher, Fridge Filter or Brita?

Well water contaminants impact more than just your drinking water. While a pitcher-style filter will catch some harmful contaminants — like lead, chlorine and mercury — most filters of this kind can’t remove all contaminants, such as microbiologicals (i.e., viruses, bacteria), PFAS forever chemicals, iron and trace pollutants like pesticides.

Water pitchers also require regular filter changes, usually after a certain number of gallons used. These costs add up over time while generating non-biodegradable plastic waste. Recent lawsuits have been filed over the effectiveness of pitcher filters compared to how they are advertised.

Does Boiling Well Water Make it Safe to Drink?

Boiling well water eliminates dangerous microorganisms and kills bacteria, but does not remove non-biological contaminants. It also concentrates all dissolved solids that do not interact with the condensation of the water, such as fluoride and other metals harmful to your health, increasing your exposure.

Only a custom water treatment solution can provide complete coverage. Be sure to boil your water for disinfection for at least one minute, or three minutes when at altitudes of 5,000 feet or higher, according to the EPA.

How Do You Clean & Maintain Wells for Drinking?

Proper upkeep will prevent contamination, protect your health and extend the life of your well. If you don’t have a UV system installed (which provides lasting physical sanitization), you will need to perform a yearly chemical sanitization.

This process involves disinfecting the wellhead with a high concentration of chlorine, stirring the well thoroughly with pressurized water and sending treated water into your home. After 24 hours, you’ll run the water until the disinfectant chemicals are flushed out. A bacteria test then confirms the results.

Well Water Testing & Treatment With Kinetico Advanced Water Systems

Safeguard your home’s water supply and enjoy long-term peace of mind with Kinetico Advanced Water Systems’ comprehensive water management solutions. Contact us today to get your free water analysis, or give us a call at (833) 202-2622.

The post How to Test and Treat Your Well Water appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

What Are Forever Chemicals?

PFOA, PFOS and GenX are part of a larger classification of chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They’re also termed “forever chemicals,” due to their persistence (they rarely break down because their chemical bonds are so strong). Associated health issues include a greater risk of certain cancers and the potential for reduced birth weight for infants.

Where do these toxic forever chemicals come from? Forever chemicals are used in the production of many household items — nonstick frying pans, water-repellant sports gear, cleaning products, microwave popcorn bags, cosmetics, firefighting foam and more.

As a result of their heavy use, forever chemicals have made their way into our environment and bodies of water. While companies have started phasing out or limiting PFAS use in products, due to how slowly these chemicals degrade, once we drink them, they can remain in our bloodstreams indefinitely.

What to Know About the EPA’s New PFAS Regulations

In April 2024, the EPA set the first-ever legally enforceable limits for PFAS levels in water as part of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). These new standards will go into effect nationwide, though public water systems have until 2029 to meet the established PFAS regulations.

This final rule sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX), along with MCLs for PFAS mixtures where there are co-occurring levels of forever chemicals. The EPA estimates that the new standards for drinking water will limit exposure for approximately 100 million people and prevent thousands of deaths and illnesses across the US.

Homeowners should keep in mind that despite the new regulations — set to limit people’s PFAS exposure within viable frameworks of public water treatment — the EPA also set health-based, non-enforceable recommendations stating that NO amount of PFOA and PFOS in your water is considered safe.

Translation: your tap water will be cleaner in coming years, though it still poses health risks due to forever chemicals (many of which are known carcinogens) alongside other man-made contaminants such as microplastics, chlorine and heavy metals.

PFAS Contaminant Level Limits

Below are the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for PFAS compounds in public drinking water, as set by the EPA.

Effects of Drinking PFAS-Contaminated Water

Even at low concentrations, exposure to forever chemicals can seriously harm your health. Over time, these chemicals accumulate in your bloodstream and vital organs, taking upwards of 15 years to break down assuming no additional contact.

Scientific research is ongoing, but studies suggest that PFAS exposure:

• Disrupts your body’s natural hormones and thyroid function
• Compromises your immune system’s ability to fight infection
• Causes developmental issues in children, such as low birth weight
• Increases likelihood of certain cancers, including thyroid, prostate, kidney and testicular
• Raises cholesterol
• Causes liver damage through long-term chemical accumulation
• Decreases fertility in men and raises blood pressure in women who are pregnant

In addition to getting proper water treatment at home, if you’re concerned about your PFAS exposure, the Silent Spring Institute created a quick guide to getting a PFAS blood test.

NC Regions With the Highest PFAS Levels

North Carolina and much of the east coast’s water supply are heavily contaminated with forever chemicals. As part of an ongoing commitment to tracking and improving homeowner water quality, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created an interactive map showing PFAS contamination throughout the United States.

The table below lists the average maximum contaminant levels of PFAS in NC water measured in parts per trillion (ppt). Many of these numbers are significantly higher than the EPA’s new MCLs for regulated compounds, especially for cities like Pittsboro and Greensboro. While we can expect PFAS levels to drop as the 2029 regulation nears, the EPA’s limits only account for six out of the several thousand known forever chemicals.

There are over 5,000 synthetic PFAS compounds contaminating public water, which is why the cumulative levels are so important to track. The EPA has no official guidelines on the total concentration of all PFAS in drinking water, in part because testing methods only exist for a few dozen PFAS, though the EWG has proposed a health standard of 1 ppt based on extensive peer-reviewed studies into PFAS toxicity.

Without proper water treatment at home, there is no way to guarantee your tap water is free from forever chemicals.

PFAS Concentrations in NC Public Water Systems*

*Additional public water treatment entities also monitor for PFAS concentrations and their findings are not reflected here unless otherwise noted. The accuracy of this information is subject to change based on evolving science, contamination and water utility treatment methods.

Is NC Water Safe to Drink?

Yes and no. Public water treatment facilities exist in order to make safe drinking water readily available to residents. So yes, your tap water is safe, though it also contains contaminants that can cause long-term health complications, while damaging your hair, skin and even household appliances.

The water from your tap is only so clean given the limitations of both infrastructure and funding. For example, chlorine and chloramine are common agents used in water treatment to kill disease-causing bacteria and microorganisms.

This “safe delivery” guards against disaster, but doesn’t mean your water is free from harmful disinfection chemicals, PFAS, pesticides, hard water minerals, trace metals and many other contaminants.

Additionally, the EPA’s new PFAS guidelines won’t go into effect until 2029, leaving the responsibility on the homeowner to ensure water is properly purified for years to come. As the EPA states directly, even at the revised maximum contaminant levels for PFAS, many of these chemicals pose health risks in any concentration.

Start your journey to clean water today with a free, science-backed Kinetico water analysis.

How to Combat Forever Chemicals in Your Water

Basic filtration systems, like a pitcher filter or those built into a fridge, aren’t typically designed to effectively remove PFAS from your water. Only reverse osmosis water purification can protect you and your family from the harmful effects of toxic forever chemicals for years to come.

At Kinetico, our K5 Reverse Osmosis water purification system has been recognized as the preferred technology for removing PFAS by the state of North Carolina, the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

K5 effectively removes 99.999% of PFAS from water, in comparison to 66% from a Brita pitcher and roughly 50% from the average fridge filter. While some pitcher filters specially target PFAS, they come with a high price tag, slow refill times, require costly replacement filters and, most importantly, ONLY filter drinking water — leaving you open to PFAS exposure from every other tap, whether cooking, bathing or doing laundry.

Worried About Your Drinking Water? Contact Us!

Don’t sacrifice your peace of mind when it comes to your water supply. Schedule a free water analysis to see what contaminants are in your water, or give us a call at (833) 202-2622.

The post What to Know About the EPA’s Announcement on Forever Chemicals in NC Tap Water appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

But is water that offers so many positives — reducing inflammation, wrinkles, improving organ function and athletic performance — too good to be true? The scientific research is limited, though offers a window into many possibilities.

What Is Hydrogen Water?

Hydrogen water, also known as hydrogen-rich water, is water infused with molecular hydrogen (H₂) gas. There are several ways to drink hydrogen water, including using a hydrogen water bottle or infuser, which is an electrically powered device that generates hydrogen gas once turned on and regular water has been added.

You can also purchase bottled water already infused with hydrogen, as well as molecular hydrogen tablets, which use magnesium to create hydrogenated water when dissolved.

6 Potential Benefits of Hydrogen Water

The possible benefits of hydrogen water stem from its antioxidant properties and its ability to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics of hydrogen have also been shown to mitigate oxidative stress, a condition that can cause disease and illness due to cell tissue and DNA damage.

Hydrogen water also may boost elite athletic performance, increasing energy, endurance and reducing fatigue.

While we are only at the beginning of our understanding of the benefits of hydrogen-infused water and its effect on our bodies’ cellular mechanisms, below are some of the commonly cited benefits that have been observed in the limited studies available.

1. Antioxidant Properties

Molecular hydrogen acts as a potent antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons that can cause damage to cells and contribute to various health issues, including inflammation, aging and diseases — even cancer.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Hydrogen water may help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can lead to health problems, such as heart disease, arthritis and neurodegenerative disorders. By neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, hydrogen water may help alleviate inflammation.

3. Enhanced Athletic Performance

Some studies suggest that drinking hydrogen water improves athletic performance by reducing fatigue and improving recovery time. It is believed that hydrogen’s antioxidant properties, when consumed via hydrogen-rich water, may help mitigate the oxidative stress that occurs during intense exercise.

4. Brain Health

Hydrogen water has been posited to have neuroprotective effects, potentially benefitting cognitive function and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, hydrogen water may help preserve cognitive function and protect against age-related decline.

5. Skin Health

Hydrogen water may contribute to healthier skin by combating oxidative stress and inflammation, which are both implicated in skin aging and various dermatological conditions. Some research suggests that drinking hydrogen water or using it topically can promote clearer skin and a more youthful-looking complexion.

6. General Wellness

While more research is needed fully to understand the effects and benefits of hydrogen water, many people report feeling more energized and an overall sense of well-being after regularly consuming hydrogen water. Its purported benefits for gut health and immune system function are also areas of ongoing research.

So, Does Hydrogen Water Really Work?

It’s important to note that while there is some scientific evidence supporting the potential benefits of hydrogen water, more research is needed to fully understand how it benefits us at a molecular level and its effectiveness against health conditions. For people simply looking to stay better hydrated, hydrogen water offers few benefits for the cost compared to drinking purified, clean water.

Additionally, individual responses to hydrogen water may vary, and it should not be seen as a substitute for medical treatment or a balanced diet and lifestyle. As with any supplement or health product, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating hydrogen water into your routine, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

Contact Kinetico Advanced Water Systems for Your Water Needs

Get cleaner, purer water for your whole home with Kinetico Advanced Water Systems. Whether you need water treatment or want to learn more about contaminants coming from your tap, contact us today to set up your free, science-backed water analysis.

The post Hydrogen Water: Myth or Legit? appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.

What Is Well Water?

Wells get their water from groundwater found in aquifers, which are underground layers of porous rock saturated with water. The well system pumps water directly into your home, lightly “filtering” the water using a sediment filter or gravel screen to remove particulates.

Because well water is otherwise untreated in its natural state, it can be high in dissolved minerals, metals and other undesirable pollutants that can cause problems throughout the home.

Whether your water comes from a private well or community well, which are common in both rural and some suburban areas, the burden almost always falls on the homeowner to address treatment.

What Affects Well Water Quality: Common Minerals & Contaminants

The makeup of your well water depends on several above and below-ground factors, such as geographic location, well depth and age, soil and aquifer composition, surrounding land use and extreme weather events. With so many opportunities for well water to become contaminated, homeowners and new home buyers need to be aware of what’s actually coming out of their taps!

Which Minerals Are in Well Water?

Common minerals in well water include calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, sulfur, iron and potassium. In excess, these and other minerals harden your water, staining fixtures like tubs and faucets, while negatively impacting your health — causing eczema, non-cosmetic skin issues and drying out hair. Hard water won’t generally make you sick, but it might have an unpleasant taste or foul odor.

Resolve issues caused by hard water using a water softener system — a popular solution for many homeowners. All Kinetico water softeners are designed to effectively and efficiently remove hard water minerals and metals, safeguarding your health and saving you money long-term on costly home repairs.

What Types of Contaminants Are in Well Water?

From bacteria to pesticides, untreated well water can contain harmful, sometimes toxic contaminants. Some of these will noticeably impact the taste, smell and quality of your water, while others go easily undetected without a water test.

Common well water contaminants include:

• Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites) – Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, coliforms, E. coli and other bacteria; viruses, such as enterovirus, norovirus, hepatitis A and rotavirus. Parasites (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, to name a few) are rare but can show up in well water and should be treated immediately.
• Heavy metals and minerals – Lead, copper, arsenic, chromium, iron, cadmium and others, depending on your location and surrounding environment.
• Fluoride – Occurs naturally in aquifers and groundwater, with the erosion of rocks and sediment containing fluoride-rich minerals. Fluoride also may leach into wells from industrial runoff.
• Nitrates – Found in chemical fertilizers, animal waste, sewage; also can be naturally occurring.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – Benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and trichloroethylene; found in both residential and industrial solvents, paints, dyes, degreasers, aerosols and gasoline.
• Pesticides, herbicides and organic chemicals – From lawn care runoff, as well as pharmaceutical production, agriculture, manufacturing and other industries.
• Radioactive elements – Uranium, radium, radon, gross alpha, gross beta.

The sources of these contaminants are widespread, getting into your water through chemical runoff, nearby construction or manufacturing pollution, septic tank leaks, sewage and animal waste leaching, as well as aging water pipes and the natural movement of groundwater.

It is difficult to prevent contaminants from seeping into your well’s water supply. Professional water treatment systems will neutralize harmful pollutants present in your well water.

Potential Health Risks of Drinking Untreated Well Water

Contaminated well water impacts your health differently depending on your immune system, age, level of exposure and the type of contaminant. When in doubt, always seek professional medical advice concerning your health. Below are some of the health risks associated with well water contaminants.

Drinking and even brushing your teeth with water containing microorganisms can make you sick, with symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to gastrointestinal infections, dizziness and fever.

Heavy metals in your water? Drinking these increases your risks for nervous system and organ damage, autoimmune disorders, cancers and anemia.

Fluoride consumption is often overlooked due to its orthodontic benefits, though drinking water with high fluoride levels can cause skeletal fluorosis and tooth discoloration or pitting. Recent research also has linked excessive fluoride exposure to reduced IQ levels, especially in children.

Nitrates (found in fertilizers and runoff) convert into nitrites when ingested; at high levels, nitrites change the hemoglobin levels in your blood, making oxygen less available throughout the body. This is especially harmful for infants under six months, as nitrites can cause methemoglobinemia — blue baby syndrome — a serious, acute condition resulting in blueness of skin, trouble breathing and even death.

Tap water containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides or herbicides, when left untreated, increases your risk of leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers. Not all VOCs are cancer-causing, though they may be toxic to your nervous and hormonal systems, liver and kidneys when exposure occurs at moderate to high levels. VOC exposure means both drinking and bathing in polluted water, as well as inhaling indoor or outdoor contaminated air.

Stop using your well water immediately and seek medical attention if you think your water is contaminated or making you ill.

Signs of Well Water Contamination

If you notice any of the below in your water supply, contact Kinetico to get your water checked and treated.

• Cloudy, opaque water that has visible sediment
• Water with a metallic, soapy, salty, chemical or generally foul taste or odor
• Your water smells or tastes like rotten eggs
• Staining of showers, tubs, sinks, fixtures, dishwashers and clothes (often brownish-red, green or black)
• Scaling buildup on shower heads, around faucets, in pipes
• Soap scum on dishes after running the dishwasher

When Is Well Water Most at Risk for Contamination?

Test your well water immediately if:

• Your government has issued a statement about water contamination, spills or natural disasters in your area
• You recently performed maintenance on your well
• You notice a change in your water’s smell, taste or appearance
• You have unexplained illnesses in your household
• You have highly susceptible family members (e.g., infants, the elderly, people with autoimmune disorders and those pregnant or nursing)

How to Make Your Well Water Safe for Drinking & Household Use

Start by performing an in-depth water test to get a comprehensive understanding of what’s in your well water, and how it should be treated.

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems offers a free water analysis to assess the makeup of your water and perform a detailed risk assessment. Our team can also test for more complex contaminants like pesticides, arsenic and radiologicals using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. After your water test, we’ll work with you to create a custom water solution to fit your budget, needs and the specifics of your well.

Well Water Filtration Solutions for Homeowners

Installing a water filter, softener and/or purifier will be the best way to ensure your well water is clean and safe for drinking and bathing, as part of the 4+ essentials of total water treatment. Each treatment method is designed to target different types of contaminants, which is why it’s crucial to first test your water and choose the correct, corresponding water system.

Keep your private well clean by getting it sanitized once per year, or sooner if you suspect your water has been contaminated.

If you only need to kill off bacteria and microorganisms, boiling your well water will make it safe to drink, though won’t remove non-biological contaminants. Be sure to boil your water for at least one minute, or three minutes when at altitudes of 5,000 feet or higher, according to the EPA.

Improve Your Well Water With Kinetico Advanced Water Systems

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems is your partner for understanding the makeup of your water and resolving issues. Get started today with a free water analysis for your home’s well.

The post Is Well Water Safe to Drink? appeared first on Advanced Water Systems Group.