Alisa Meredith

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TDS In Water – All You Need To Know

January 29, 2022 No Comments

What Is TDS?

Water containing dissolved minerals and salts doesn’t taste or look right. The dissolved minerals and salts are also known as total dissolved solids (TDS).

TDS in water refers to dissolved ions level in water. These ions include calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and nitrates, and they occur naturally in water after filtering through bedrock and soil. Although a certain level of TDS in water is normal and beneficial, increasing TDS levels beyond what should accumulate naturally cause problems.

Why Is TDS Measurement Necessary?

The best way to understand your drinking water quality is through water TDS levels measurement. Total dissolved solids are organic and non-organic sediments found in water, contributing to water’s taste, odor, and appearance. Sources of TDS in water include old piping, fertilizers, pesticides, and run-off from road salts.

When Are Total Dissolved Solids A Problem?

When total dissolved solids become a nuisance, they become a problem. Low TDS levels in water make water corrosive to metal piping and fixtures, causing corrosion byproducts that make water have a bitter or off-taste. In addition, it also indicates high levels of trace metals leached from home piping or aquifer. High TDS levels in water give the water a salty taste while eroding the metal piping in your home and causing a premature failure of your appliances.

Although a high concentration of total dissolved solids in water is not a health hazard, it is a secondary drinking water standard. Therefore, regulating TDS is more aesthetic than it is a health hazard.

Elevated TDS levels in water indicate that the concentration of dissolved ions causes water corrosion and a salty or brackish taste, resulting in scale formation and decreasing efficiency of water heaters. Furthermore, elevated TDS levels suggests that the water contains ions above primary and secondary drinking water standards. These ions include arsenic, nitrate, copper, lead, and aluminum.

How Does High TDS In Drinking Water Affect Your Health?

Elevated TDS levels affect water’s taste; however, they are not harmful to human health. Nevertheless, TDS levels above 500ppm need further investigation for heavy metals and toxic particles, while TDS levels above 1000ppm are unsafe for consumption. When considering your health, the type of dissolved solids in water is more essential than the amount of the contaminants. Using a home water test kit or laboratory analysis, you can test your water for harmful substances like lead, pesticides, and herbicides.

How To Remove TDS In Water

Specific water treatment systems effectively reduce or remove TDS from water even if the TDS level is higher than 500ppm. Although there are several useful filtration systems for removing TDS in water, depending on its type, reverse osmosis systems, deionization, and water distillers are more comprehensive for removing a majority of TDS in water

Reverse Osmosis

The reverse osmosis (RO) system is a comprehensive filter for removing contaminants. The system pushes water through a semipermeable membrane using pressure. In addition, the membrane has tiny pores for blocking contaminants, including total dissolved solids, while allowing clean water to flow through to the other side.

The Waterdrop 800GPD Tankless RO System with UV Sterilizing Light

The G3 P800 reverse osmosis (RO) filtration system has powerful 3-stage filters and a water scale inhibitor for preventing water scale build-up. In addition, with its improved 7-layer RO membranes, the system effectively reduces water contaminants, including chlorine and heavy metals.

Water Distillation

Distillation is a water purification method mimicking natural purification through atmospheric water evaporation. Water distillers eliminate total dissolved solids and water contaminants by converting water to steam – TDS cannot convert to steam, unlike water. Afterward, it is free of contaminants when the water converts to liquid.

Conclusion

Although TDS in drinking water is not harmful to your health, concentrated levels of the contaminants are not safe for consumption. You can employ water purification methods like reverse osmosis and distillation to make your water contaminant free.

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What Is The Sufficient Amount Of Water For Your Dog?

January 25, 2022 No Comments

Every living thing has cells, and water is the major component of these cells. Your dog needs water to keep its body functioning as expected. Without water, it is at the risk of dehydration. So, it is best always to clean your dog’s water bowl and refill it with water regularly, preferably every day. Another thing to watch out for is an increased consumption of water. In that case, your dog may be ill.

This article attempts to answer the question of how much water a dog should drink. Read on to find out how your dog is faring in the water consumption department.

How much water should a dog drink?

Most scientific resources agree that the ideal water intake is 1-2 ml per kilogram of body weight per hour. That is like 25-50ml/kg in 24 hours. So, a dog with a 10kg body weight will ordinarily require 480ml of water in the space of 24 hours. This is not resolute, considering every dog has unique body composition and metabolism rates. Furthermore, how much food and the type of food a dog eats can also affect the amount of water they consume.

If your dog is drinking more water than usual but still under the expected daily consumption limits, it may be at the risk of dehydration. Conversely, anything above 50ml/kg within 24 hours may point to polydipsia. Polydipsia is confirmed if it is above 100ml/kg within the same time frame. Polyuria is a situation where your dog produces more urine than normal.

What are the implications of insufficient water in dogs?

The body requires to carry out several functions effectively. So, without water, your dog is at risk of dehydration and illness. If it continues for long, organs are deteriorated, with the liver, kidney, and other essential organs giving way. Death is the climax.

You can expect a healthy dog to drink just sufficient water to be properly hydrated. However, certain situations may occur where your dog may experience dehydration or be at a high risk of dehydration. These include kidney malfunctioning, metabolic problems, cancer, and pregnancy.

What causes constant thirst in dogs?

If your dog drinks and urinates excessively, then it may be suffering from an underlying health problem. Some medical conditions that fit the bill include diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases, cancer, fever, liver disease, infection, and Cushing’s syndrome. In addition, your dog can drink more than usual if it is under certain medications. Whatever the probable cause is, visit your veterinarian if your dog is always thirsty.

What are the indications of overhydration?

The chances of your dog getting overhydrated until it causes a problem are slim. Overhydration often points to an underlying medical issue. But in other cases, it may not point to any reason or situation. For example, your dog is overhydrating if you notice an increased frequency of urination, increased saliva production, vomiting, or bloating.

Always report to the veterinarian if you notice an increased water consumption by your dog. Your veterinarian may advise rationing the water you add to their bowl over the day, provided the dog is not suffering from any medical problem.

How does a dog know when to drink water?

Your dog has several cells in its body, each with different needs. Therefore, the electrolyte composition and fluid levels remain within a narrow range. The most interesting part is that even your dog doesn’t know about these involuntary changes in its body. Every animal has a natural thirst instinct that notifies them when they require water to continue performing optimally. Dehydration in dogs becomes prominent only after days of complete absence of water, especially with vital organs failing.

Once there is a fluid or electrolyte deficit in your dog’s body, its brain cells signal to the kidney and other parts of the body. In response, hormones are secreted into the bloodstream, transporting them to the receptors on specialized cells. Eventually, the body automatically adjusts the amount of urine produced while increasing the blood volume and keeping the blood pressure constant.

The brain’s thirst center sends a clear sign to the brain, prompting the animal to drink water to make up the fluid volume. This chain of communication involves the brain, kidneys, and adrenal glands. It ensures the body can maintain a fluid balance that keeps all the organs working perfectly and ultimately keeps your dog healthy.

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The Best 4 Ways to Save on Your Water Bill

January 25, 2022 No Comments

Are you looking for ways to trim your utility bills a little each and every month? Doing so can go to great lengths in improving not only your monthly budget, but your weekly and annual budgets as well. By looking into your water usage you can gain helpful insight into ways to conserve water, save money, and help the environment. Is this something that would interest you? Let’s check out the top four ways you can make small changes within your home, to create significant savings for your family this year.

Top 4 Tips to Save on Your Water Bill

1. Shorten Your Shower Time

Did you know by shortening your overall shower time by a mere 4 minutes, you can save nearly 1,000 gallons every 3 months? That totals to 4,000 gallons of water or more saved each and every year. You can accomplish this goal by focusing on getting in the shower, getting the job done, and hopping out. Once you develop this skill, you will notice up to $100 in savings on your annual water bill, which trickles down with further savings to your other utility bills.

2. Install Aerators on Your Faucets

By installing aerators on your water faucets you can reduce the amount of water used at the tap, creating a more forceful flow. Simply attach the aerator to the faucet head, and it will inject air into the stream to reduce the amount of water flowing from the faucet head itself. As the water flows, the aerator compacts the amount of water, while also increasing water pressure overall. Ultimately, you will save money, and reap the benefits of increased performance at the tap.

3. Forego Handwashing: Use Your Dishwasher

Washing your dishes by hand uses more water on average compared to that used by a dish washer. If you spend more than 3 minutes standing at the sink to hand wash your dishes, you are spending more in water and time than a dishwasher would. Your typically dishwasher utilizes 6 gallons of water per cycle. The kitchen faucet, on the other hand, requires 2 gallons per minute.

4. Adjust Your Sink’s Water Temperature

There are ways to use less money and energy when filling up for drinking or cooking. If you are boiling water to cook noodles on the stovetop, for example, it’s more efficient to use tap cold water, and allow the stove to heat it up. By comparison, a stove is more efficient at heating the water to temp, than the water heater is. Ultimately, it costs less money using this method, and wastes far less water than heating at the tap.

The Importance of Water

Mammals Require Water

Without an adequate intake of water, a human being can only live for a few days. Mammals of all shapes and sizes require access to clean, pure drinking water in order to survive and thrive. It’s important that your water source also provides beneficial and necessary minerals that are commonly stripped away through RO processing and UV filtering. These minerals are essential to the function of your bodily organs, and go to great lengths in preventing dehydration, proper food absorption, and more.

Growing Crops for Food Requires Water

We simply cannot grow crops for food without the use of appropriate irrigation systems. The produce we have all come to love, including fruit, vegetables, berries, legumes, and more, must have regular water to grow and produce. If we suffer through a series of droughts, we won’t have much food to feed the population around the world. When less and less rainfall occurs, the entire ecosystem is affected in the general region. Plants are destroyed, food cannot grow, and the citizens will be left to pay the price. Ultimately, we could all quickly face starvation without adequate water for plants, as well as ourselves.

Water Provides Nourishment

The source of life begins with water. The foundation of all good nutrition must be supported by adequate amounts of healthy, purified drinking water. Your body is comprised of 60% water, which serves as a clear indication of the value of water. Adequate nutrition also supports the function of physiological systems, as well as other parts of the body. Furthermore, in order to maintain proper amounts of blood, blood flow, and the transportation of oxygen, we must have water.

Conclusion

Unlike they would have you believe, the amount of drinking-grade water available on the planet is small and finite. For this reason, we must strive to prevent pollution to our water sources, in an effort to preserve the supply available to us. With the rapid increase of our population changing on a daily basis, the amount of water available to each individual person shrinks by the minute. As such, it’s imperative to begin putting efforts into place in order to save the limited resource we have available on our planet.

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Why Your Tap Water Smells Like Sulfur

January 18, 2022 No Comments

Some tap waters have faint odors but are bearable while others are just way too much to even tolerate. If your water smells like sulfur, you know how incredibly horrible it can be. Everyone compares the smell of sulfur to rotten eggs and cannot really be overlooked. The good news, you don't have to tolerate this smell. You are probably thinking what's going on with my water?

What Is Sulfur Smell?

If you've never experienced the smell of sulfur coming out of your faucet, you are lucky. You really need to find a way to get rid of it. It can be a big problem if this smell is coming from your kitchen and bathroom sinks and your shower drain.

What Is Causing The Smell Of Sulfur In Your Water?

In most cases, your water contains hydrogen sulfide. Even if it's only a small amount, the emanation coming from your water is unbearable. The good news, hydrogen sulfide will not harm your health even if the mere thought of turning on your tap is something you prefer not to do.

Just understanding the smell is not enough, you should understand the source. Here are several points to consider:

If the smell of sulfur only happens when using hot water, it's probably caused by your hot water heater.

If the smell is present, no matter what the water temperature is, it's probably coming from your plumbing system or well water.

On the other hand, if the smell is only present in one room, it could be a problem with your pipes or drains in that area.

What Can I Do About The Smell of Sulfur Coming From My Well Water?

It's really important you have fresh, clean water from your well. You need to have the well tested to make sure the water level is correct and whether there is a presence of bacteria and/or chemicals.

If you discover the presence of hydrogen sulfide or sulfur bacteria, it's important to have good ventilation in order to allow the gas to escape.

If the smell is caused by your water heater, contact a professional to take care of the magnesium anode. Another choice would be to flush the water heater with a chlorine bleach solution. You can use a water filtering system to remove impurities such as sulfur bacteria, especially if your water source is a well.

How To Improve Your Water

If you are suffering from smelly water, you can get a water filtration system to rid of impurities from your drinking water. Also, look for an excellent RO system or for companies that provide filtration services and provide guidelines. You will be amazed how many bacteria a water treatment can eliminate. Water filtration water coolers will remove up to 90% of bacteria and that rotten sulfur smell. No matter where the sulfur smell is coming from, you should follow these steps to get rid of it:

ONE – Check for the smell and the source from your well or hot water. It's recommended to run the tap and check if there is a smell. If you notice sulfur smells, it might be hydrogen sulfide gas. If it smells like oil, it could be manganese. You should probably hire an expert to help out.

When you notice the smell, run the water from the taps. Like iron, sulfates in water can interact with the anode rod in your water heater. Change out the anode rod with an aluminum rod to remove the problem. This will stop creating hydrogen sulfide gas and the smell of sulfur. If this is caused by your well, you will have to bring in a specialist to treat the water. Ask friends or family members if they know of a treatment service near you and is available within your budget.

If you cannot find someone to help out, find a water-heater odor killer to get rid of the smell. Also, you can use hydrogen peroxide to kill the smell. You will get clean drinking water.
TWO – If the smell is coming from a water heater, you can find various ways to eliminate the smell. The best way is by testing the water when there is an odor problem and finding out where the source is coming from.

If the water source is the public system and the odors are coming from cold water, contact the water utility for their recommendations. If the source is from your well, you will need a water analysis to find the best treatment for the problem.

In order to complete the test, it should include an analysis of minerals such as manganese and iron. Other tests should help you know about other issues including tannin, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfate.

For a well, a sample test must be performed close to the well. This will help you understand what water treatment should be used depending on the water chemistry. Well water needs testing to remove E. coli (Escherichia coli) and coliform which are health requirements. Because other people will be drinking the water, you need to have a bacteriological, metals, and mineral test performed.

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What You Should Know About Traveling After The New Year

January 18, 2022 No Comments

With the New Year come resolutions we all want to live up to. Traveling to faraway places is no exception. Directly after the New Year was ushered in. what a great time to go on vacation somewhere you have never been before.

What IS The Benefits Of Traveling

While traveling to places you've never been to can be a lot of fun, it can also hold a lot of meaning. Traveling breaks up the hum-drum, normal routines many of us fall into. It gives us the chance to get out of our comfort zones and discover so many new and exciting things.

Maybe your New Year's resolution was to get out of a bad relationship and meet new people. What better way than taking a trip, embarking on a brand new adventure.

Traveling Can Improve Your Overall Health

When you travel, you will discover lower stress, better blood pressure, and can remove the chances of heart disease. Even if your mini-vacation consists of getting out of your chair at work and taking a long relaxing walk. Your body will appreciate it and you will feel so much better. Taking a trip overseas is even better. Walking through ancient ruins or small villages can be so uplifting, leaving depression far behind.

Broaden Your Horizons & Perspectives

When you travel, you discover how other people live, what they do to have fun. Getting involved with other people can shift your outlook and attitude by giving you the opportunity to just enjoy yourself! When you return home, you might hear a song or taste a dish that transports you back to that very special place and time.

Discover The Goodness In The World

We all spend too much time listening to the negative comments coming out of the press and sometimes we forget it's not all that bad. When you travel you see our world in a different light. Whether you are discovering new customs, families sharing, discovering small acts of love, and kindness. Seeing positive actions warms us from the inside out and gives us a renewed outlook surrounding humanity. When you return home, these are the things you will always remember.

When you return home from a wonderful vacation somewhere else, there really is no place (anywhere) like home. Greeting your pets, taking a bath in your own bathtub, watching one of your favorite shows, or just curling up in your bed with your very own covers. There's just nothing like it.

4 Tips For Traveling

If you travel to a place you have never been, chances are you will mess up somewhere. You've missed out on cultural awareness, you've said or done something foolish, missed the bus you need, and can't figure out what to do next. Some great tips for travel will help you save money and become a more savvy traveler.

Do Some Research

Research means learning as much as you can about your destination before you ever get there. Read reviews and talk to locals about the safest places to places to stay and other places to steer clear of. Check with your State Department's website for updates on a given country and as an added touch, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

For added security and precautions, you should know whom to call in an emergency. Get needed information to contact your nearest embassy or the local police station as well as other places dealing with emergencies.

Money Issues

Find out what amount of money is safe to carry. The best approach is to stay away from traveler's checks or a lot of cash. Use your ATM or debit card to draw out small amounts of money at one time. Again, it's recommended you talk with the right departments in the country you are traveling to for good advice.

Securing & Protecting Your Hotel Room

This can be tricky if you are someone who tends to trust too much. Even if the hotel has a reputation for great security, take other steps to keep you safe. Always lock and deadbolt your door and make sure your windows are closed and locked. You can purchase a door jammer which is a portable device to slide under the door for further protection.

Whether you are there or not, give the impression you are in the room. Leave the ”Do Not Disturb” sign on the outside of the door, keep your curtains drawn, your windows closed, and do not let strangers into your room. If someone at your door claims to work for the hotel, check with the front desk and see if they sent someone up to your room, if not, have them send up security. Do this before ever opening the door.

Hydration Is Key

While flying to your destination, realize airplanes are very dry and can dry you out in record time. Most people do not drink enough water, to begin with, but if your mouth feels dry, get water from the flight attendant as often as needed. Purchase a bottle of water before getting on the plane and have re-hydration salts with you. Mix them together to remain well hydrated.

Conclusion

On top of traveling for fun, it can also be a learning process. No matter your age, race, or how much money is in your pocket. Traveling is an excellent way to learn new things, new cultures, and even new local cuisine. It can also teach you the dos and don'ts.

All said you do not have to travel overseas, take a walk to your local park, sit on a bench, bring your dog along with you, and meet new people. Every time you meet new, interesting people, you are growing.

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The Effects of Hard Water on Your Hair

January 18, 2022 No Comments

Have you ever noticed an overwhelming dullness or dryness when looking at your hair? You shampoo and condition as normal, perhaps even clarify, but the lack of life never completely goes away. If you live in an area where hard water is rampant, your hair may not be to blame. You can put an end to the frustrating effects hard water is placing on the overall manageability of your locks. But first, let’s take a look at what exactly hard water is, and how it puts a strain on your glorious tresses.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is comprised of a variety of minerals and compounds, including metallic elements from time to time. Households suffering from hard water may find themselves dealing with calcified appliances, as well as white build up within coffee makers, water kettles, and more. Did you realize that, with enough time, hard water causes your clothes and linens to fade and stiffen after washing and drying? Furthermore, the ability to wash your dishes, clothing, and skin is hindered considerably, which is often noted by the inability of soap to create suds. Soft water, on the other hand, is comprised of rainwater, filtered water, and more.

Can Hard Water Harm Your Hair?

The overall mineral content of your tap water have direct consequences on your hair and skin. Most commonly, these signs involve a change in the look and feel of both, as well as the volume of your hair or elasticity of your skin. If you have found yourself suffering from these symptoms, it may not be your fault, but the fault of your water.

Dry, Brittle Hair

Managing dry and fragile hair can become an incredibly frustrating experience. Once your locks becomes dry they also become weak and brittle, prone to breakage. Dry hair is incapable of protecting itself through natural oils, which leads to a brittle nature, frizz, and difficulty maintaining or styling.

The minerals found in hard water sources are responsible for drying out your hair, which renders the use of shampoo, conditioner, and other moisturizing treatments almost completely ineffective. Your hair follicles are coated by said minerals, which prevents treatments from penetrating through to the follicle itself. In turn, this results in dry hair, even with the use of clarifying hair products.

Dull, Lifeless Hair

Who doesn’t seek vibrant, lustrous hair? For many people, unfortunately, the hard water flowing through their faucets and shower head is the main cause of hair that’s brittle and dull in nature. This causes people to invest in more expensive treatment options and products, which are basically useless thanks to their hard water.

And once the minerals in hard water begin to build up on your hair follicle, it makes the entire experience that much harder. You may notice your hair sporting a dull sheen due to the buildup of various minerals and metals. The minerals will continue to coat your follicles, until your hair is completely matte in appearance.

Less Body

Buildup does more than just affect the appearance and strength of each individual follicle, it also adds weight over time. This results in limp hair, with far less volume, which many people attempt to counteract with volumizers. The downside to these products is that, due to the mineral buildup, they are almost completely, if not completely, ineffective thanks to hard water.

Reduction of Hair Color

Hard water leads to faded and dull hair color in the case of natural and dyed hair alike – it doesn’t discriminate. For those who do sport dyed or bleached hair, however, it is common for color to fade quickly when washed in hard water.

Signs of Hard Water on Hair

What are the common signs your hair may produce when washed in hard water?

Shampoo can’t lather due to the presence of minerals in hard water counteracting the fatty acids of soap. Calcium especially clings to various cleaning agents, resulting in a sticky solid that is nearly impossible to remove through rinsing. If you struggle with soap scum build-up on your shower walls, hard water may be to blame. Plus, if it’s on your shower walls, you can bet it’s on your hair, too.
Hair is frizzy, dry, and brittle. Hard water actually dries out your hair and skin by preventing moisture from reaching and penetrating each strand. Dry hair also leads to tangles and frizz, as well as thinning over time. If you or your family are suffering from these symptoms, it’s always best to check in on your water quality, before assuming the worst. In many cases, the health of your hair and scalp can improve through the use of improved water.
Hairs begins breaking off at the root. Again, calcium deposit build-up is the culprit, this time on the scalp. Unfortunately, this may be mistaken as a sign of hormonal hair loss, when it’s due to hard water. The problem here may not even originate with the hair root, but rather general brittleness of the shaft due to an overabundance of mineral build-up. If your hair is weak, regardless of how healthy your follicles are functioning, it might be time to look at your water source.

How Can You Treat Hard Water?

Healthy, beautiful hair is the goal of most women and men around the world. By exploring various solutions, you may successfully eliminate the harm hard water is placing on your tresses. While many well-meaning online articles suggest the use of lemon juice and vinegar to strip the mineral build-up off of your hair, it may be to no avail. The acid levels of these products may create new problems, or do the opposite of your intended goal. If you are looking to avoid the consequences of hard water on your hair and skin, it may be time to explore a whole house water filter, RO system, or shower head filter to remove the abundance of minerals from the water.

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Hurricanes And Everything You Need To Know About Them

January 11, 2022 No Comments

What Is a Hurricane?

Hurricanes are large, swirling storms that produce winds. Usually, the winds have at least 119 kilometers per hour (74 mph) of speed. Although cheetahs are the fastest animals on earth, hurricanes beat their speed. Therefore, winds from hurricanes cause severe damages to buildings and trees.

Hurricanes form over warm ocean water. Nevertheless, they still strike land sometimes, and when they do, they push a wall of ocean water ashore. The wall of water ashore is also known as a storm surge. Due to the heavy rain and storm surge that accompanies a hurricane, it can cause floods.

Categories Of Hurricane

Hurricanes have five different categories, and they differ in speed. The first category of hurricanes is faster than a cheetah, and it produces winds with speeds between 119 and 153 km/hr (74-95 mph). The second category hurricanes move at speeds between 154 and 177 km/hr (96 -110 mph), equal to or greater than a baseball pitcher's fastball.

Hurricanes in the third category have speeds close to the serving speed of professional tennis players. The winds in this category are between 178 and 208 km/hr (111-129 mph). Fourth category hurricanes are faster than the world’s fastest rollercoaster at speeds between 209 and 251 km/hr (130-156 mph).

How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?

The phonetic alphabet was used to identify the North Atlantic Ocean's tropical cyclones between 1950 and 1952. However, the US Weather Bureau adopted women's names in 1953. Eventually, the rest of the world adopted the naming system, with the World Meteorological Organization gaining naming rights. The organization names hurricanes based on the part of the world the storm occurs. Until 1979, only women names were used to name hurricanes around the US. During this period, the naming system was decided to alternate a list that included men's names. Therefore, six different name lists alternate every year. A hurricane's name is retired and replaced if it does significant damage.

Are Hurricanes Different From Typhoons?

The only difference between hurricanes and Typhoons is geography. Several of the world's oceans experience tropical storms. Although these storms are the same, they differ in name. Storms in the Atlantic ocean, the eastern pacific ocean, the Gulf of Mexico are called hurricanes. Typhoons are storms occurring in the western pacific ocean, while storms in the Indian Ocean, Australia, and the Bay of Bengal are called cyclones.

What Is The Effect Of A Hurricane On Water Supply?

Hurricanes occurring with a tidal surge or flooding can contaminate the public water supply, and this contaminated water supply can cause illnesses when consumed. Therefore, people in hurricane-affected areas shouldn't assume the water is safe for drinking. Some water treatment plants in areas hit by tropical storms or hurricanes may not operate.

Storm damage and flooding can contaminate water lines if they are in operation. It is advisable to listen to public announcements regarding public water supply safety. You should get your well tested and disinfected if it gets flooded; the test and disinfection should be done after the storm passes and the floodwaters leave. If you have any questions about testing, you should direct them to your local or state health department.

How Can You Stay Safe After A Hurricane?

Steer Clear Of Damaged Buildings

Hurricanes can damage buildings, making them unsafe. Therefore, you should avoid damaged buildings till local authorities say it is safe.

Strange noises could mean that a building is about to fall. If you hear shifting or unusual noises, you should leave your home or building.

Eat Safe Food And Drink Safe Water

Food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water is unsafe, so you should throw it away. Unsafe food may still look, smell, and taste normal, but it can make you sick. Furthermore, your perishable foods may not refrigerate properly; therefore, you should throw them away. You should also discard foods with a usual color, odor, or texture. If you're in doubt about food safety, you should throw it out.

It is best to always listen to reports from local officials, especially advice on water precautions in the home. Avoid using water you have been told or suspect to be contaminated; this includes making ice, brushing your teeth, making baby formula, washing your hands, washing and preparing food, or washing dishes.

Water safe for cooking, drinking, and personal hygiene should be bottled, treated, or boiled. You can get specific recommendations on boiling or treating water in your area from the health department in your state, tribe, locality, or territory.

Learn more to know how to get safe food and water supply.

Stay Away From Your Home Till Its Safe

After evacuating your home during a hurricane, it is understandable that you want to get back to see the extent of damage and get back to your daily life. However, returning home is not easy, and it is also unsafe.

Conclusion

Hurricanes damage buildings, the natural environment, and our homes. Not only that, but they also contaminate local utilities. You can protect yourself and your family when hurricanes happen by knowing about them in advance.

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Which States Rank the Best Tap Water in America?

December 28, 2021 No Comments

Water is essential for human life, and yet it's a struggle to access clean water even in developed countries like the U.S., where millions lack this basic need. For example, there are those who have been facing crises due to contaminated sources such as Flint Michigan which has suffered through its seventh year with respect to its tap water contamination issues while just weeks ago 15 million Texans lost access during a historic winter storm causing epic flooding across much of Texas making them unable (or unwilling)to use bottled or boiled bottles filling up landfills.

Water Quality

Some people have to live with bad water, and others thrive in a state boasting delicious tap water. Tap water quality varies from place to place so it’s important for each individual's lifestyle needs that he or she be aware of what kind will work best for them.

A good way to know if you're getting safe drinking supplies (or not) would simply involve checking your source: is this coming out of the kitchen faucet? If so then go ahead and use those glasses; however, if there are pipes buried deep underground delivering clean water straight into our taps via aquifer infiltration—then by all means give preference toward using anything other than residing cups made primarily out of plastic material.

What Makes A State Have Bad Water?

A state can have poor water quality due to a number of different reasons. The main reason for unclean water is due to the pipes that carry the water. A leak in a pipe that carries water creates a vacuum, in which untreated water is sucked into the pipe with the treated water, according to an article from National Public Radio about Inez, Kentucky’s water. This water then flows through people’s homes and faucets. Old pipes can also leak lead into the water, bringing harmful chemicals to your glass.

Best Cities for Water Quality:

Rank City

1 Columbus, OH
2 St. Petersburg, FL
3 Aurora, CO
4 Frisco, TX
5 Overland Park, KS
6 Naperville, IL
7 Minneapolis, MN
8 Charlotte, NC
9 Peoria, AZ
10 Raleigh, NC

Worst Cities for Water Quality:

Rank City

191 Lancaster, CA
192 Midland, TX
193 Torrance, CA
194 Laredo, TX
195 Grand Prairie, TX
196 Metairie, LA
197 Cape Coral, FL
198 Oceanside, CA
199 Moreno Valley, CA
200 Garden Grove, CA

Highlights and Lowlights:

Columbus, Ohio is a city that has been combating pollution in its water for over 50 years. The Cuyahoga River used to provide Cleveland with drinking water but when it caught fire in 1969. There was no way to make up for the loss of this essential resource and so far hasn’t fully recovered yet.

Columbus performed well in all of the categories that are relevant for home buyers. They received above-average marks across a variety of criteria, making them one Columbus to consider if you're looking at purchasing your next house.

The SoCal area of Southern California did not fare well when it comes to water, coming in at the bottom. The rest areas Mid-to high tier for this region is a relief.

So why does Garden Grove have such a high share of homes lacking plumbing or kitchen facilities? It could be because it's one of the poorest cities in Southern California.

Southern California is in the midst of a water quality crisis. Many other regional cities, like Moreno Valley, received poor scores this year due to their high natural hazards risk metric ratings- no surprise for those dealing with such an ongoing issue.

Who Is Responsible for Monitoring The Tap Water?

The Federal government passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 which gave each state power to set its own standards for tap water quality as long it met the United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. These included contaminant limits, test scheduling, and methods that are followed by individual suppliers within a given area or State that runs these annual tests once per year after they’ve been conducted locally then provides you with a report on what's present if any - often referred.

What's in your water? You might not think it, but there are a number of dangerous and potentially harmful substances lurking just below the surface. Contaminants include things like lead which can seriously damage organs over time as well as various chemicals from industrial waste sites that have been released into lakes or rivers nearby (and often times contaminated). I've taken some quick statistics on contaminants found across America so far this year - how they're distributed geographically wise along with what dangers each presents if you drink more than an EPA-approved limit for yourself every day.

If You Live in A State That Has Bad Tap Water

If you live in one of the states that made this list, there’s no need to pack your bags. While bottled water might be an option for some people as a healthier alternative or just because it tastes better than tap water; we recommend investing in something like filtration systems which can make drinking dirty lake/stream runoff easier on our bodies (and wallets).

Water filtration is one way to make tap water healthier for drinking. Filters can remove harmful contaminants, and it's easy enough with our helpful guide!

This article will tell you what kind of filters are best suited for your needs, as well as some other tips on caring for them so they last longer than expected.

The easiest and most affordable way to get clean water in your home is with an under sink or countertop filters. You can also install a whole house filter if you want the convenience of one system that provides all-purpose filtration for everything from drinking glasses, cooking utensils such as pots and pans; it's great when traveling too.

In Reverse Osmosis

Does Coronavirus Affect My Water Quality？

December 28, 2021 No Comments

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. People who are closer than 6 feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. Each health department determines community spread differently based on local conditions. For information on community spread in your area, please visit your local health department’s website.

There is no higher priority for EPA than protecting the health and safety of Americans. EPA is providing this important information about COVID-19 as it relates to drinking water and wastewater to provide clarity to the public. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low. Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. EPA also encourages the public to help keep household plumbing and our nation’s water infrastructure operating properly by only flushing toilet paper. Disinfecting wipes and other items should be disposed of in the trash, not the toilet.

Federal health officials are conducting studies on whether Omicron is more transmissible, causes more serious illness, or evades vaccine protection compared to other variants of the virus. Results are expected in the next few weeks.

“Omicron in Houston is cause for concern but not panic,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the City of Houston. “It’s important to remember that vaccination is our best tool to reduce cases, prevent serious illness and death, and slow the emergence of new variants.”The health department routinely tests the city’s wastewater for the virus that causes COVID-19, including variants, and recently started testing samples for Omicron. People infected with COVID-19 shed the virus in their feces.

The wastewater data helps to more quickly identify emerging outbreaks and hotspots needing interventions to help stop the spread of the virus.

The size of COVID-19 virus particles is about 0.125 microns or 125 nanometers. RO filters usually have membranes with a minimum pore size of about 0.0001 microns. Therefore, they are 1000x smaller than these virus particles. Therefore, you can effectively trap bacteria and viruses larger than 0.0001 microns with an RO filter.

The virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in untreated wastewater. Researchers do not know whether this virus can cause disease if a person is exposed to untreated wastewater or sewerage systems. There is no evidence to date that this has occurred. At this time, the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through properly designed and maintained sewerage systems is thought to be low.

Researchers have analyzed the available information which suggest that standard municipal and individual septic systemexternal icon wastewater treatment practices should inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC is reviewing information on COVID-19 transmission as it becomes available. Guidance will be updated as new evidence is assessed.

A specialized form of water filtration, a reverse osmosis system gives you purified water from the tap with a simple DIY set-up. Installing a reverse osmosis system can eliminate concern over the most common water contaminants and reduce dependency on plastic water bottles. These multiple-stage water filtration systems remove up to 99 percent of total dissolved solids (TDS) from your water supply, providing water that tastes fresh and is clean from contaminants.

While there are plenty of water filtration options on the market, a reverse osmosis system uses a specialized filter that is so fine virtually nothing but water molecules can squeeze through. Tankless RO systems filter water on-demand and have less water waste, while typical units hold purified water in a storage tank. When comparing options for a reverse osmosis system, check out the clean-to-waste water ratio, the size of the container or storage tank, and the speed of filtration to find a model that can meet your needs. Also consider whether you want a system with a re-mineralization filter, which adds back in beneficial amounts of calcium and magnesium.

In All Reviews

Why You Should Stay Hydrated during Winter

December 27, 2021 No Comments

The summer months are known for their higher temperature, so most people stay hydrated over this period. However, when winter comes, our water intake drops. This is understandable, considering the cooler weather conditions are different from what we experience during the hot summer days.

But the truth is drinking lots of water have nothing to do with the time of the year. You should even drink more water during winter than in the summer. This post highlights five major reasons for increasing your water intake and staying hydrated during the cold months.

When Is Water Too Much?

You can drink as much water as you can within a day. That said, you need to watch out for water toxicity—the kidney filters over 0.7 liters of fluid every hour. However, if you drink more than a liter within an hour for several hours, you can experience water intoxication. The first symptoms are low sodium levels (hyponatremia), nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, vomiting, cramping, and head pain. Overhydration hardly leads to death, but you should consult a doctor if you experience drowsiness or seizures.

Consider hot beverages.

Not everyone is comfortable drinking much water during the winter. If this is you, you can try out hot beverages. For instance, you can mix lemon with hot water or warm a cup of hot green tea. That way, you stay cozy while providing your body with the much-needed liquid for its seamless running.

Can you eat your water?

This is not a call to eat ice cubes. Instead, we are asking you to consider fruits and vegetables with higher water content. Consuming celery, strawberries, and broccoli will get you closer to your daily water intake goals.

Not every liquid is good for you.

You don’t have to drink every liquid that comes your way just to meet your daily intake goals. For instance, your body loses water when you drink alcohol and caffeine. Therefore, an easy way to stay hydrated is to cut soda, coffee, and alcoholic beverages intake.

Another cool hack is the air humidifiers. You can make the dry winter air wet by adding moisture, and this will help you stay hydrated and protected from dry skin and throat irritations.

Why Drink More Water during Winter?

You become more energetic.

If you regularly find yourself craving that midday caffeine boosts to get through the day, then you may be suffering from dehydration. Dehydration and daytime fatigue are synonymous. That is why staying hydrated is important. With sufficient liquid in your system, your body functions effectively and efficiently. The lack of water in your body system forces the body to resort to extra energy resources, leaving you exhausted and tired.

Have a glass of water close by and sip regularly to stay energized and alerted as you run the day.

You avoid winter weight gain.

We seek comfort in different forms, especially when the weather is not really friendly. Unfortunately, most people find theirs in sweet, unhealthy foods with high calories. But you can avoid this. How? A glass of water just before you sleep is an excellent place to start. When you are hungry, the brain usually mistakes it for hunger. So, drinking water makes the feeling go away, and you can go on without snacking or eating more food.

Drinking sufficient water also facilitates the seamless running of our digestive systems. That is even more important in periods when we eat more than usual. So, always drink more water to aid digestion.

What Are The Signs of Dehydration?

You may not easily notice sweats on your body during winter because of the cold. However, the multiple clothing layers covering our skin, combined with perspiration, cause subtle dehydration that we hardly notice. So, it is essential to stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water during the day.

Your immune system improves when you ensure adequate hydration, giving infections zero chance of attack. Also, staying hydrated in the cold weather can help you stay warmer. The water in the body helps maintain temperature balance. So, your body temperature drops without sufficient water, and you become cold.

How Do You Stay Hydrated?

Here are a few healthy ways to drink more water every day:

Have a refillable water bottle close to you, and refill with drinking water every time you exhaust the content.
Add flavor to your water by squeezing some fresh fruit in it.
Replace soda with water after meals and snacks.
Reduce or stop the intake of energy drinks, soda, and other sugary beverages.
Introduce more vegetables and fruits into your meals for extra fluids.

These tips will help you make considerable progress in your quest to stay hydrated and healthy in the colder weather.

Finally…

We need water to survive. Unfortunately, we end up taking “just enough” to survive most times. That might be a problem in the long run, especially in the winter months. When the colder months come, drink more water than usual to stay healthy, strong, and overall better for the spring.