Why Choose Grooved Over Smooth Sediment Water Filters

Many people believe bigger is better. Even AT&T is an advertising campaign wrapped around this idea. With water filters, the analogy holds true. What if you could also get more for less? That is exactly what you get with the Neo-Pure grooved sediment depth filters.

To highlight the benefits of the grooved water filter design, we can look to human anatomy. When comparing the human brain to a simpler animal's brain, such as a frog, one of the most noticeable things is the wrinkles of the human brain. Scientist have explained that these wrinkles exist because “as the human brain evolved, it grew in size.” To accommodate this growth without increasing the size of the skull, the brain developed “wrinkles, so more brain surface can fit into our skulls. More cerebral cortex equals more intelligence.” (http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/why-brain-covered-in-wrinkles)

This is the same principle that's involved in making many types of machines or a car radiator. This technology is now offered in the Neo-Pure grooved sediment water filter. Just like the brain fitting inside the skull, sediment water filters have to fit into a filter housing that is a very specific size. So how do you get more surface area, thus more filtering ability? Add grooves to the filter!

The Neo-Pure sediment grooved water filter cartridges increase the surface area for longer cartridge life when compared to non-grooved polypropylene filters. Sediment grooved cartridges are commonly utilized for pre-filtration in commercial beverage systems and both home and business in reverse osmosis systems, and UV water purification systems. These filters are designed to be compatible with many brands such as Culligan, Cuno, Aqua-Pure, and many others. Less expensive, greater filtering, and works with many different filter system brands are just a few reason it’s time to get your groove on.

Save $600 a Year if You Change your Clock, Change your Refrigerator Water Filter

Over the past 6 months there have been numerous major news stories that have put the spotlight on our drinking water supply. Just recently a report indicated that a large number of California residents rely on contaminated drinking water. CaliforniaHealthline.org states that 680 of 3000 facilities tested depend on contaminated ground well water, affecting about 21 million people. In another example, a study conducted by the Research National Center for Health Statistics concluded that tap water could be linked to food allergies in children. An 18% increase in reported food allergies and food allergy related hospitalizations doubled when exposed to higher levels of levels of dichlorophenol. Dichlorophenol (DCP) is not a chemical added to the water during treatment, but is defined as a byproduct of chlorination during the water disinfection stage.

Although refrigerator water filters are not a total solution for disinfecting and purifying your home’s drinking water, they do offer some measure of protection from common water contaminates. FreshWaterSystems.com has a long-running semi-annual campaign that’s tied to daylight savings time as a reminder to replace the water filter in your refrigerator. Our slogan “Change your clock, change your filter” takes the guess work out of when you should change your filter. It also provides an easy to remember schedule that’s based on manufacturer’s minimum change frequency. “Change your clock, change your filter”. So for about as much time as it takes to change your smoke alarm battery, which is also done at the daylight savings time change, you can have clean great tasting water.

As a special offer and solution for the convenience of bottled water, FreshWaterSystems.com is offering 40% off our Tritan BPA Free Sports Water Bottles. To take advantage of this offer add a 27 oz. Tritan water bottle to your cart and enter coupon code “Tritandeal” during checkout.

Virtually all refrigerators sold in the past 10 years offer an indoor ice and water dispensing system. These dispenser systems offer clearer ice and cleaner better tasting drinking water without having to have a separate water filter appliance. At the heart of having this cleaner and better ice and water from your refrigerator is the water filter cartridge. The second most frequently ask question we get about refrigerator filters at FreshWaterSystems.com is why should it be changed? Refrigerator water filters use a carbon based filter media that absorbs contaminants. Over time the media becomes exhausted and needs replacing. Here are some benefits of regularly replacing the filter:

1. It greatly reduces the levels of chlorine in your water. 97% of city water supplies use chlorine to disinfect drinking water.

2. It provides a more polished taste to the water and reduces bad smells.

3. Prevents unabsorbed water contaminants and newly formed bacteria from being reintroduced into your drinking water.

4. Prevents a drop in water pressure and slow flow rate from the water dispenser.

5. Instead of buying bottled water, if you drink water from your refrigerator you can save about $600 a year from and stop lugging home those heavy boxes of bottled water or plastic bags of ice.

And don’t worry, replacing your refrigerator water filter is easy and now there is an eco-friendly replacement water filter brand. We have added a full line of Swift Green Water Filters, that’s a greener alternative to conventional fridge filters. There are 18 different Swift refrigerator water filters that have been fully tested and are compatible with leading brands such as Samsung, Maytag, Whirlpool, and LG. Not only are these replacement refrigerator water filters eco-friendly and carry the Water Quality Association’s (WQA) Gold Seal, but they offer a considerable cost savings over the original manufactures’ replacement filters.

On March 10th, 2013 Fresh Water Systems would like to remind you to “Change Your Clock, Change Your Filter.”

World Water Wonder #2 The Beppu Hells of Japan

FreshWaterSystems.com has started, on our Facebook and Google Plus pages, a new series of post that highlight some of the most interesting bodies of water on the planet. As a follow up to our most recent post “What’s the Name of the World Water Wonder” here is the answer to that question. Be sure to check back regularly for new world water wonders.

The name of this world water wonder is the Beppu Hells. These pools of uniquely colored water are located in Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan. Beppu is a small city that was founded in 1924 and is home to a little over 100,000 residents.

Beppu actually contains over 2800 hot water springs, which form the world’s second largest naturally used resource for geothermal energy. Although there are 2800 springs, the springs are most commonly referred to as the “Nine Hells of Beppu”. The unique red coloring of the pool shown above, Chinoike Jigoku, is a result of high concentrations of ferrous minerals that contain iron (Fe). Below is a list of just 9 of the named pools, with a little information about their defining characteristics.

1. Umi Jigoku: Its meaning is “sea hell”. The water in this pool is a turquoise blue in color, and it’s temperature is hot enough boil eggs.
2. Oniishibou: Its meaning is “shaven head hell”, which comes from its boiling gray-colored mud that resembles the shaved head of Buddhist monks.
3. Shiraike Jigoku: Its meaning is “white pond hell”. This pool is filled with boiling white-colored water; the hue comes from a high concentration of calcium.
4. Yama Jigoku: Its meaning is “mountain hell”. This pool was created from the eruptions of a now extinct volcano, whose forces were so great that it created a small mountain surrounded by small pools.
5. Kamado Jigoku: Its meaning is “cooking pot hell”. This is a collection of boiling hot springs flanked by a red devil statue that is featured as the “cook”.
6. Oniyama Jigoku: Its meaning is “devil’s mountain hell”. It is difficult to get any meaning from its characteristics, but the unique features found in this pool are its crocodiles and a very strong water current.
7. Kinryu Jigoku: Its meaning is “golden dragon hell”. This spring is featured with a “steaming dragon”, where the steam is supplied by the spring itself and is directed out of the dragon’s nostrils. The dragon gives the illusion of flying when the steam spouts out at sunrise.
8. Chinoike Jigoku: Its meaning is “blood pond hell”. Chinoike gets its name from the bright reddish colored water, which is caused by high concentrations of iron and other ferrous minerals.
9. Tatsumaki Jigoku: Its meaning is “spout hell”. Tatsumaki is a hot water geyser that erupts about every 30 minutes, at an approximate temperature of 221 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unfortunately, many of the same minerals that give the Beppu pools their stunning color are not so pleasant when they are found in our home’s water supply. Higher concentrations of calcium lead to hard water, while too much iron can give your water a metallic taste and a reddish-brown tint. If you suspect elevated levels of these minerals or other substances in your water supply, it is always good practice to have your water tested, or check with your local municipal water supply. You can search the EPA’s website for a local water quality report.

N6A4HHGW2P4T

Neti-Pot Users: You Think You have Boogers Now?

Neti Pot Deaths Linked to Brain-Eating Amoeba in Tap Water

This past summer we’ve seen three deaths attributed to the Naegleria amoeba. Known as the “brain eating parasite”, this organism conjures images of tiny zombies eating away at your brain! While the reality is not quite as dramatic as those images might imply, the results of infection by this organism are just as deadly. Of all the documented cases found in the U.S., only one person has survived.

This parasitic amoeba thrives in the water in warm climates, and can survive in water as warm as 113 degrees Fahrenheit. This amoeba usually infects humans by entering the nasal cavity and then using the brain as “food”. You would think that the best method to avoid infection by this amoeba would be to simply avoid swimming in warm, stagnant waters, right? Well, a recent incident suggests even tap water may be a risk.

In June of 2011, a man died of the infection (Naegleria meningoencephalitis) after using his home’s tap water to fill his Neti pot. Although municipal water is treated and disinfected at the plant, it is still possible for contamination to enter downstream. In this case, health officials found the amoeba in the home’s plumbing, even though no traces were found in the city’s water samples.

Now that the amoeba has been discovered in someone’s home water supply, how can you as a homeowner protect yourself from this deadly parasitic organism?

The best way to protect against this organism, and any others that may be lurking in your home’s plumbing, is to use only disinfected, boiled or distilled water in a Neti pot. Water can be easily sanitized at the point-of-use with an Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system, handheld UV sterilizer, or countertop water distiller. Simple carbon or sediment filtration devices, like countertop filters or faucet/pitcher filters are not enough to combat these organisms.

Ultimately, we are all responsible for ensuring the quality of water in our homes for ourselves and our families. Visit Fresh Water Systems today and discover the right water treatment solutions to fit your family’s needs. At Fresh Water Systems, we believe that by improving the quality of water, we are improving the quality of life.

Resources:

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/healthquest/brain-eating-amoeba-parasite-spreads-to-tap-water

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hJJNqMhvAsuLZ7cXpM11Al3X5TRA?docId=CNG.83ee0e0b78131c032c34c66cff72e552.321

http://www.webmd.com/news/20110818/brain-eating-amoeba-faq

 

Green Water That Doesn’t Need to be Filtered

From FreshWaterSystems.com, Why is the Chicago River Green for St Patrick’s Day?

Would you jump into a pond or lake if the water was green? Would you drink water from your water faucet if it were green? Well people not only swimming, playing, but are flocking from miles around to see the Green river. Over the last 40 + years this tradition has taken place in Chicago where is holds it’s annually St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

In 1961 a Chicago plumber was wearing a pair of overalls that were stained almost a perfect Irish Green color. The plumbing business owner, who by the way was a bit obsessive about being clean, asked his employee how his uniform way dirty with green stains. When the employee was questioned about where he has been, he responded that he was out in the field trying to trace a disconnected water waste line was located. In order to find the line the plumber poured green dye into the water system and was checking the river’s edge to see where the source of the leak might be.

For some of us who think that this might have been causing pollution to the river, you are right. After the first few years environmental groups raised the issue that the oil based die could be harmful to the rivers ecology. To keep the tradition alive, Stephen M. Bailey the inventor of the green river idea, experimented with several new dyes to settle on a vegetable dye that was truly green (as in eco-friendly). See more about the history of the dying of the Chicago Green for St. Patrick’s Day.

The river and all that water colored green is really a sight to behold, but it is not something you would want to see coming out of open a faucet for your drinking water. Green water, when not dyed, is more than likely inundated with algae growth. Typically the factors that contribute to algae growth in water is excess sun light, phosphates, and nitrates. In many cases people who use surface water can experience issues with algae growth. Here are a few algae water filter tips with you are dealing with excessive algae growth.

1. Spin Down Filter: A Rusco sediment trapper filter can be used as a pretreatment before water entering your whole house filter.
2. Pleated Water filter Cartridge: Harmsco pleated polyester filter cartridges, which outperform conventional cartridges by lowering filtration costs, Increased dirt holding capacity, and no additives or binders, which may cause foaming
3. Is your filter housing Clear? Algae need sunlight to grow. If you are using clear filter housing and it is exposed to light this might be part of the issue. A suggestion to correct this is to use opaque filter housing such as Pentek Big Blue Filter housing.

Now that what cause water to be green, let’s look at some “Green” Eco-friendly water filters and filtration systems.

• UltraFiltration Systems: With an Ultrafiltration water filter system there is no waste water, no holding tank, and it reduces many of the same contaminates a RO system does. Learn more about how UF drinking water filtration systems work, or see the NEO Pure TL3 system.
• Swift Green Filters: What makes Swift “Green” is in the filter media and materials used during their manufacturing process. From the coconut carbon filter media to the recyclable packaging, learn why using a green replacement refrigerator water filter does not have to cost more.
• UV Water Purification: Ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection technology is more effective than chemicals in destroying certain waterborne contaminants without altering the taste of water. Unlike other water purification types that often use chemicals to disinfect drinking water there are No by-products with the use of UV which is safe and chemical free. Plus, UV water system does not alter water chemistry and its constituents, such as pH, taste, odor, or color. See and learn more about UV Water Filter Systems

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the leader in water filters and water filtration systems, FreshWaterSystems.com

The What, Why, Who, and How about Chromium 6 Water Contamination

Over the past week there has been a lot of press and talk about hexavalent chromium water contamination. The recent report by Environmental Working Group found high levels of Chromium 6 in 31 of 35 major cities drinking water supply. What does this mean for people and business? Let’s take a look at the what, why, who, and how about Chromium 6 water contamination.

Chromium 6 Water Contamination Updates: Updated 1-6-2011 There have been recent updates and movement by government officials about chromium 6 in our tap water. We will keep you up to date about what officals are doing to protect our drinking water supplies.

• United States Senators Boxer and Feinstein Call on EPA to Address Chromium 6 Contamination in Drinking Water. 12-21-2010
• Head of the EPA likely tighten drinking water standards to address carcinogen hexavalent chromium detected in the tap water of 31 cities. 1-6-2011

What is hexavalent chromium (Chromium 6)?
Chromium is a chemical element that has the periodic symbol of Cr, and is the 21st most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Chromium has proven to be a very beneficial element in the construction and manufacturing process of many things. For example a major development in the manufacturing of steel was to add chromium. By adding this element to steel it helped make resistant to corrosion, discoloration, and hardened it to form stainless steel. A few other industries that commonly use hexavalent chromium in their manufacturing process include the tanning of leather, and in the creating of dyes and pigments because of its unique properties.

Why Chromium 6 is a problem in tap water?
There are many trace elements and chemicals in our water supply, but since the science was not available, when the EPA drinking water standards were created, no regulations are in place Chromium 6 in water supplies. What are issues with chromium 6 getting into our bodies? “Hexavalent chromium compounds are genotoxic carcinogens. Chronic inhalation of hexavalent chromium compounds increases risk of lung cancer (lungs are especially vulnerable, followed by fine capillaries in kidneys and intestine). According to some researchers, the damage is caused by hydroxyl radicals, produced during reoxidation of pentavalent chromium by hydrogen peroxide molecules present in the cell” (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexavalent_chromium )

Who is most affected by the news of high levels of Chromium in Tap Water?
On Monday December 20th, the Environmental Working Group released a report indicating that hexavalent chromium has leached into the ground waters, from which millions of Americans regularly use for drinking, cooking and bathing. This water pollutant, hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6, is an odorless and tasteless chemical that was made famous in the film "Erin Brockovich".
In this most recent study by the Environmental Working Group, drinking water samples were taken from 35 U.S. cities and a shocking 31 cities were found to have high levels of hexavalent chromium water contamination. The highest concentrations of chromium-6 were found in Norman, OK, Honolulu HI, and Riverside, CA. We have started a petition to be directly sent to Government officials. If you want to see change please help us make or water supplies safe by sending a message to the EPA. We have started a petition to be directly sent to Government officials. If you want to see change please help us make or water supplies safe by sending a message to the EPA.

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

How do you Filter Hexavalent Chromium from your Tap Water?
If you are concerned about chromium in your drinking water, the FDA recommends installing a home water filtration system that has been certified to remove chromium-6 (hexvalent chromium). Look for NSF and the Water Quality Association certified reverse osmosis systems and water distillers.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems: these systems are one of the most common treatment methods for household drinking water because of its ability to remove a wide variety of water contaminates. RO systems have proven to be one of the most effective water filtration systems to reduce hexavalent chromium. Reverse Osmosis systems are approved by the EPA for removing chromium from drinking water. Currently reverse osmosis drinking water systems are on Sale and starts at $167.00
Home Water Distillers: Home or countertop water distillation systems offer 99.9% pure water by removing unwanted and harmful water contaminates more effectively than other water purification systems that are currently on the market. Operation is simple, and has a low cost because there are no filters or other components that require frequent changes. FreshWaterSystems.com offers water distiller systems that start at $289, and for a limited time many models offer Free Shipping.
Reverse Osmosis Filters: If you live in an area that has been identified as having high levels of chromium and you already own a reverse osmosis system, the most important thing you can do is to remember to change your filters. Depending on your system, there is a series of filters that should be replaced on regular intervals. Most post and pre filters need to be replaced every 3-6 months. Reverse osmosis membrane elements are typically changed once a year. We have 1000's of filters In stock and ready to ship today.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filters

Osmosis is a simple, yet extraordinary process. It may be one of those biological terms that scare you, but keep faith, it's easy to understand.

Picture a beaker full of water. An open-ended tube is submerged in the water. The water level is the same between the tube and the beaker.

But something strange happens when you place a semi-permeable layer across the bottom of tube. Suddenly, as the water from the beaker seeps through the semi-permeable layer, the water level in tube exceeds the water level in the beaker.

The beaker holds more water. The tube is thin. When the water seeps through the layer, it is trapped inside the tube. It rises higher than the water level in the beaker. This is osmosis.

Here's picture to show you:

Reverse osmosis, then, occurs when the opposite happens. Reverse osmosis is important for water filtration. Reverse osmosis is just as simple and extraordinary as osmosis, but to people, it has a lot more impact. Seeing how we need water to survive and all.

Factory water systems use reverse osmosis to make water clean and refreshing. Think of this way:

The beaker is now full of salt water. The tube, with its semi-permeable layer across the bottom, is submerged in the water. Over time, as the water filters through the semi-permeable layer, the salt is removed from the water. This is reverse osmosis. When you use a water filter device, this process is sped up and made thorough. By using reverse osmosis in a water filter, your water is safe from toxins or other pollutants.

Learn more about why reverse osmosis is important for your health.

Or you can view Fresh Water System's Reverse Osmosis Filters.

How do I know it's time to change my filter?

While usually dependent on the quality of your incoming water, most sediment filters should last between 6-12 months, or when you notice a pressure drop. This drop in pressure is a sign that your filter is becoming plugged. A chlorine taste and odor filter should last between 4-6 months, or when you notice a change in your water pressure.

Take advantage of Freshwater Systems' Free Filter Reminder Service. You will receive a filter change reminder at the interval you specify via email.