Tapping Our Water Supplies
by: Peter Young
H2o. Two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen, are all that make up the most important substance to all living things on earth.
Water, as it is more commonly known, has a slight hint of blue in its most pure form and is known to be the most universal solvent. In its three states, water takes on many different forms: water vapour and clouds in the sky, waves and icebergs in the sea, glaciers and aquifers on land to name a few.
Earth?s water is 97% saltwater and undrinkable by humans. The other 3% is freshwater or potable water but of which, 2% is frozen in glaciers and polar icecaps. Our bodies are made of about 65% water making it vital our health. To function properly the body requires between one and seven litres of water per day to avoid dehydration.
By means of evaporation, precipitation and run-off, water is constantly changing from one state to another, in what is know as the hydrologic cycle. Run-off is the flow of water after rain which recharges ground water or aquifers. In many countries water is becoming scarcer as human population in those places increases, and its availability is a major social and economic concern.
Increasing pollutants in water are also becoming a greater cause for concern as more contaminants, such as fertilizers and chemical waste, are found in our water supplies.
Gone are the days, in many developed nations, where municipal tap water is considered safe for drinking.
Here are a just few commonly found, unwanted contaminants:
Chemical
Lead - Found in water supplies with lead solder or pipes, especially when water is soft or corrosive. While lead is never desirable, concentrations greater than 15 micrograms per litre (15 ug/L also known as parts per billion or ppb) can cause brain, nerve, and kidney damage, especially in young children.
Nitrate Nitrogen - Nitrate nitrogen is commonly used lawn and agricultural fertilizers.?It is also a chemical formed when decomposing waste materials, such as manure or sewage.?
Fluoride ? Added to water to reduce tooth decay but controversy surrounds exists over its benefits and dangers. In low quantities fluoride is use commonly in health applications but levels found in water should be monitored and known.
Bacterial and parasite
Cryptosporidium - is a parasite commonly found in lakes and rivers, especially when the water is contaminated with sewage and animal wastes.
Escherichia coli - (usually abbreviated to E. coli) is one of the main species of bacteria that live in the lower intestines of warm-blooded animals and are necessary for the proper digestion of food. Its presence in groundwater is a common indicator of fecal contamination.
Bottled Water
Today, because of a much increased awareness of water contaminants, more often people are drinking bottled water, or filtering water for consumption. Bottled water can be categorised into three sources:
Spring water - Derived from an underground aquifer from which water flows naturally to the earth's surface. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring. If some external force is used to collect the water through a borehole, the water must have the same composition and quality as the water that naturally flows to the surface.
Mineral water ? Water from an underground source that contains at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. Minerals and trace elements must come from the source of the underground water. They cannot be added later.
Purified water ? normally comes from municipal sources - in other words - the tap. Municipal water is usually treated before it is bottled.
As can be seen, there arises many questions to the authenticity of bottled water label advertising. If you drink bottled water, always read the small print to see where it came from or what it "claims" to be.
Another way of removing unwanted contaminants in water is by filtration.
Filtering and Purification
Filtering and purification don?t need to much explaining as to what they do but what must be pointed out, is the many different types and their effectiveness against different contaminants.
Boiling - Water heated to its boiling point for one minute kills micro organisms that normally live in water at room temperature.
Carbon filtering : Carbon with a high surface area due to its mode of preparation adsorbs many compounds, including some toxic compounds. Water passed through activated charcoal removes contaminants.
Distilling : - Involves the boiling of water producing water vapour, leaving behind contaminants. The water vapour then rises to a cooled surface where it condenses back into a liquid to be collected. Although this method does not completely purify, it produces 99% pure water.
Reverse osmosis : Pressure is applied to contaminated water forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. Reverse osmosis is said to be the most thorough method of large-scale water purification.
There are many more water purification methods which are also effective but depending on which geographic location they are used, each one must be studied before making a decision on the best one.
Earth?s water, more than ever is becoming an important subject, especially when 1 in 6 people on the planet do not have access to safe drinking water.
Maybe before studying water on Mars, we should take a closer look at what is happening to our own - right here on earth.
About The Author
Written by Peter Young. This article from Water Well is free for use as long as hyperlinks below remain in place and active. Water health and conservation www.water-well.net
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8 Tips On Open Water Swimming
8 Tips On Open Water Swimming
by: Kevin Koskella
So you're ready to get out there and do some open water swimming to prepare for your next triathlon? Before you go dipping into your local body of water, keep these tips in mind:
1. Never swim alone. For safety purposes, always swim with a group or bring along a friend. Given the unknown elements, a dangerous situation may arise such as fog, currents, boats, etc. where you will be in much better shape with others around.
2. Adjust to cold water. If the water you are training in is cold, below 66 degrees fahrenheit, be prepared. Wetsuits are necessary. Wearing a swim cap and earplugs can help keep your head warm. Get in the water slowly and only get in for 5-20 minutes the first time out, gradually increasing your time in the water with each swim.
4. Upon exit of your cold water swim, drink warm fluids, take off your wetsuit, and dress warmly.
3. On sunny days, apply sunscreen...
8 Tips On Open Water Swimming
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Making Your Dog Win In Sled Races
Making Your Dog Win In Sled Races
by: Jack Russell
So, you decided to train your dog win in sled races. Here are some tips to do it.
1. Provide dry and clean bedding.
If you want to have a winning dog, provide him first with a clean and complete house. It is your duty and responsibility that your dog must have adequate and clean bedding.
2. Give high quality diet.
Give your dog the best diet that you can find. All year round, feed him with the best diet possible. This includes giving the dog some quality fat in his diet. Fat gives your dog enough energy to run. How much fat you give depends on various factors. For example, Alaskan Huskies are burning fat seemingly by just standing still! Some dogs like Malamutes and Siberians do not require fat as much. Don?t scrimp on quality.
3. Follow schedule.
Make a regular schedule for your dog to relieve himself. Stick to the schedule. Making a schedule to relieve your...
Making Your Dog Win In Sled Races
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Water Retention
Water Retention
by: Sharon Hopkins
If you think you are too big for your clothes, your face is puffy and looks swollen when you get up in the morning, then you are suffering from water retention. The other symptoms are bloating of the stomach or tightness of the ring in the finger. Your shoes will pinch and all these events will cause you a lot of discomfort. This is called water retention or edema.
Usually, our bodies have the ability to balance the water levels in the body depending on the food that we eat or drink. But at times, this balance tends to go haywire. The leading causes of edema are excessive salt and alcohol intake, long periods of inactivity and monthly hormonal fluctuations or pregnancy in women. A sudden gain in weight or swollen ankles are the only signs of water retention.
The common home remedies for water retention are:
? Go into deep water: Exercising in the swimming pool will be an excellent remedy for curing...
Water Retention
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Prevent Water Damage in the Laundry Room
Prevent Water Damage in the Laundry Room
by: Terry Allen
The washer and drier are usually located in the laundry room and create heat and moisture. Simple maintenance is required to help avoiding water problems and mold.
The Washer
The washer is connected to both cold and hot water lines. Check them frequently. Start with the joints and fix a leak if you find it. Be sure to check both ends of the water lines. Clean or replace the filters once in a while. A blocked filter will slow the water flow into the washing machine, and may cause some malfunctions. This problem is worse in areas with ?hard water?. Inspect the shut off valve by looking for drips into the washing machine while it is not in use. If you detect a leak, replace the valve.
Hoses & Filters
Like in most appliances, problems often start in the hose. Keep at least 4 inches between the water connection and the back of the washer. This space will prevent the hose...
Prevent Water Damage in the Laundry Room
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Oxygenated Water Supplements
Oxygenated Water Supplements
by: Chester Ku-Lea
Oxygen and water are essential elements for the proper functioning of the body. Water usually contains anywhere between 1 to 10 ppm (parts per million) of dissolved oxygen. Ponds usually contain the lowest amount. Streams and rivers usually have the highest amount. Tap water in most large cities is usually around 5-7 ppm of dissolved oxygen. Oxygenated water contains approximately 200,000 ppm.
The air you breathe is 15% to 20% oxygen. In some major cities, the oxygen content can be as low as 9%. An inadequate supply of oxygen is called "hypoxia" and may cause symptoms such as:
? lack of energy
? shortness of breath
? reduced mental clarity
? suppressed immune system
? joint and muscle aches and pains
Failure to breathe with the whole lung (shallow breathing) can reduce the volume of air and oxygen we take in.
Pollution and lack of vegetation can reduce...
Oxygenated Water Supplements
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Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
by: Michael McGroarty
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HOW TO GET RID OF STANDING WATER IN YOUR YARD
Do you have one or more areas in your yard that hold water after a rainfall? This is a common problem, and sometimes difficult to solve. Over the years I?ve talked with dozens of people trying to battle this problem, and on several occasions I have been hired to solve the problem. So what can be done?
Too often people come to me asking what kind of a tree, or what kind of shrubs can be planted in a wet area to dry it up. This is the wrong approach. Most plants,...
Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
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