Your cart is empty.
Posts Tagged ‘home water filter’
19% of US Drinking Wells Contaminated According To USGS Study
Thursday, October 13th, 2011For the first time a national study has been conducted testing for potential trace contaminants in wells and aquifers. Conducted by the United States Geological Survey, it was found that overall 19 percent of the 5,183 tested untreated public, private and monitoring wells exceeded health-based safety standards. When private drinking water wells were removed from the data set, it was found that a surprising 13 percent of all private wells exceeded the health standards or guidelines. As a result, the report recommends homeowners consider purchasing a home water filter to purify their drinking water to protect themselves from these trace contaminants. According to the study, the estimate of those potentially at risk are 6.5 Million households, or approximately 26 Million people!
A total of 20 trace elements were monitored in the study. The three that were shown to have the highest levels were Arsenic, Radon, and Manganese. These were not isolated to a couple regions, but rather found to be persistent nationwide stating, “Wells with human health benchmark exceedances were widespread across the United States; they occurred in all aquifer groups and in both humid and dry regions.” A copy of the study can be found here.
The wells that were found to be most at risk were the private wells used by homeowners. This is due to the fact that these wells are not monitored by any agency and are not regulated. It is the homeowners responsibility to keep tabs on the water quality and for many reasons this is not commonly done. As a result, an increased amount of contaminants and health effecting trace minerals have seeped into these wells unnoticed.
Arsenic Well Contamination
Here we show the study results in map form for Arsenic:
Arsenic Well Contamination Levels
According to the EPA website on the dangers of arsenic, ”Non-cancer effects can include thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; diarrhea; numbness in hands and feet; partial paralysis; and blindness. Arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and prostate.”
Joseph Ayotte, one of the researchers and a hydrologist with the U.S.G.S. states ”It was a bit surprising how many of these trace elements had exceedances of human health benchmarks, especially compared to other contaminants we are often concerned about. The findings certainly underscore the message we hear from the public health agencies, that everyone should test their wells for a suite of trace elements.” For interested customers, the Berkey PF-2 filters are used inside the lower chamber of our home water filter system for removing arsenic from the water.
Radon Well Contamination
Here we show the study results in map form for Radon:
Radon Well Contamination Levels
According to the EPA website on Radon; “Radon in water is only a concern if your drinking water comes from underground, such as a well that pumps water from an aquifer. Breathing radon in indoor air can cause lung cancer. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe it.. ..radon in indoor air is the second leading cause of lung cancer.” This statement directly corresponds to the radon dangers this study has found.
Joseph Ayotte makes another statement many should pay heed to. He states, “We often get more upset about these anthropogenic contaminants but we have to remember that these naturally occurring elements are often times more of a widespread problem. Not to diminish the importance of the others, but trace elements are also hugely important and arguably more so.” This is in large portion due to the fact that these trace elements build up in the body over time and can cause a slow degradation of health. This can be more dangerous as an individual can experience a slow growing health issue over many years. That individual and their doctor may struggle to isolate the root cause and not recognize that it could be harmful trace elements from their own well water. With this many Americans potentially at risk, we also strongly advocate that home owners take the necessary steps to test their wells on a yearly basis. We also recommend a home water filter like the berkey to remove these harmful trace elements from the water.
One additional poignant USGS statement was that harmful elements “far outpace” other pollutants, many of which get far more public attention. Based on previous USGS research, this 19 percent of wells that were discovered in this study compare with 7 percent of wells contaminated with nitrates and 1 to 2 percent for pesticides and volatile organic compounds.
Manganese Well Contamination
Here we show the study results in map form for Manganese:
Manganese Well Contamination Levels
The EPA does not have primary health risks associated with Manganese, rather they set secondary standards due to impacts “such as the corrosion of iron and copper, may stain household fixtures, and impart objectionable metallic taste and red or blue-green color to the water supply as well. Corrosion of distribution system pipes can reduce water flow.” Manganese can have a “black to brown color; black staining; bitter metallic taste”
Protection With a Home Water Filter
The primary question we have to ask ourselves is: How have these concentrations gotten so high putting so many US citizens at risk, and how does one protect their family? There are two primary causes for these major well changes; natural chemical evolution / groundwater age, and pollution.
The geochemistry of groundwater changes in time due to the contact with it’s aquifer materials. This constant change and reactions with minerals is considered chemical evolution. Basically, the longer the water has been in contact with the aquifer, the more chemically evolved it is deemed to be and thus the greater concentrations of these trace minerals, some of which are harmful to the body such as arsenic and radon. Not stressed enough in this report is the fact that the study analysis is based on NAWQA (National Water-Quality Assessment) Program data collected from 1992 to 2003. Given the statements in the report and prior historical data, our feeling is that these harmful levels have most likely inclined, not declined since this data was collected.
In addition, while not discussed nor a focus of the USGS study, a major and still growing problem is pollution. As our lands continue to be treated with fertilizers and chemicals, in concert with continued land development, population growth, and industry pollution we experience an ever increasing trickling of chemical waste into our groundwater systems and waterways. Many of these chemicals seep and soak through the sediment impacting our wells directly. However, they also contaminate the wells indirectly by surface water runoff flowing into the underground waterway systems and ultimately finding their resting spots in karsts and water aquifers that these wells feed off of. The reality is that has been a growing problem for decades now. We’ve stressed the importance of conservation of karsts before as most folks do not realize that once these groundwater supplies are contaminated naturally or by human pollution, it is very difficult and expensive to reverse the condition. Regardless, protection with a home water filter is essential for homeowners whose wells have been compromised by these harmful trace minerals or chemical pollutants.
Outdated Water Infrastructures May Be A Health Hazard
Thursday, September 30th, 2010Water treatment plants are charged with keeping our water free of bacteria, poisonous chemicals, parasites and other waterborne toxins. However, keeping facilities manned, maintained and up to date is not cheap and requires substantial taxpayer dollars. Even in communities with state of the art treatment facilities, the infrastructure that connects these facilities to homes, businesses, and schools is often in dire need of repair and maintenance.
Extreme rainfall can deluge sewage systems, especially those systems that are called upon to manage both waste water and storm water runoff. Storm water and wastewater can then mix and overflow, ultimately resulting in contaminated drinking water.
The problem is further complicated by limited taxpayer dollars set to the backdrop of towns and states facing major budget shortfalls. In Pittsburgh for example, officials are debating over how to fund needed updates to both their water treatment facilities and maintenance of sewer lines which were installed in 1912.
The condition of infrastructure in Pennsylvania and across the nation has been in the spotlight as federal stimulus dollars begin to dry up. The 2010 Report Card recently released by the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Pennsylvania’s water and waste water management systems failing grades. Local governments are looking to the Commonwealth’s H2O funding announcements to help cover a small portion, but it is estimated that more than $25 billion will be required. Meanwhile, as this gets worked out, the risks to your health ever increase without a home water filter.
The results of a recent study indicate that it may not even take a severe rain event to cause contamination of tap water. Dr. Marc Gorelick, chief of pediatric emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, led a group of researchers that studied the incidence of illnesses following rainfall.
The study reviewed data detailing the number of emergency room visits by children due to gastroenteritis or diarrhea. Children were studied because they, along with the elderly and those in poor health, are the first ones to become ill following an assault upon their immune systems. Researchers found that the average number of emergency room visits increased by 11 percent for four days after any amount of rainfall. The study concluded that the incidence of waterborne illnesses occur more frequently even after comparatively mild rain events.
Study collaborator Sandra McLellan is a senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee’s Great Lakes W.A.T.E.R. Institute (Wisconsin Aquatic Technology and Environmental Research). According to McLellan, water leaving Milwaukee’s treatment plant is very high quality. Dr. Gorelick stated that the mystery “is what happens to water between the time it leaves the treatment plant and gets to your tap.”
The answer to that mystery likely lies in an aging infrastructure of pipes used to transport water. These pipes are kept under pressure and are designed to keep contaminants out of the treated water. However, this pressure can fail after a water main break results in a breach. This can also be an issue after rainfall saturates the surrounding soil, allowing contaminated water to leach into the piping system. In this way, even moderate rainfall or water events can contribute to drinking water contamination.
These variables affect water after it leaves the treatment plant and makes it difficult to guarantee that water exiting the tap will be consistently safe. For this reason, spending the time and resources finding a home water filter should be a top priority.
Berkey Filters Are The Premiere Home Water Filter
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010Clean drinking water is essential to one’s health. To prevent sickness and bacteria spreading in our homes, our loved ones need fresh clean water to drink every day. That is why a handy home water filter is required in every home. The best and most proven home water filter we’ve found is the Berkey water filter.
Home water filters are used to filter treated or untreated water inside or outside the home to produce pure water for safe drinking. These great machines have been tested and proven to eliminate water borne bacteria that can cause various ailments. A Berkey water filter has all the high purification functions desired, along with smooth and elegant designs to match any kitchen style you have at your lovely home. It has been in the market for over 100 years and has proven to be one of the best water filters on the market.
All of the stainless Berkey home water filters are produced with the highest quality 304 grade stainless steel, durable enough to last for decades. This high-grade material allows for fast and easy cleaning while also maintaining a great look on your counter top.
Our most popular system, the Big Berkey home water filter, stands 19.25 inches tall and 8.5 inches in diameter, holding up to 2.25 gallons of water. This fantastic system is operated with no pressure or electricity and can filter 3.5 gallons of water in an hour. It has two chambers, an upper chamber and a lower chamber,that are both very important to the filtration process. Unfiltered water is poured into the upper chamber and is pushed through the black berkeys filter elements located inside the system via gravity. Once purified, this clean water drops into the lower chamber and then awaits use.
Berkey home water filters will remove bacteria such as salmonella, e-coli, and cholera, in addition to eradicating rust and other heavy metals in the water that can have negative impacts on the body. Through a short procedure, this handy machine will provide you with clean purified water as well as saving you from the costs of potential sicknesses caused by unwanted chemicals and contamination.
The great advantage of using a Berkey home water filter is its flexible function. There are instances when unpredictable occurrences such as natural disasters and power blackouts can place our families at risk. Berkey water filters can protect them from the dangers of unsafe water during these times as it requires no electricity.
People all over the United States are becoming more practical these days purchasing only the necessities for achieving health and happiness. The Berkey home water filter is one of these necessities providing the healthiest water for you and your family at a reasonable cost
Home Water Filters Take The Worry Away
Thursday, February 4th, 2010Every time you turn on the tap at home, chances are you find yourself wondering just what is in your water. Unsavory chemicals like chlorine, unwanted additives like fluoride, and a host of microscopic bacteria can seep into every glass. It’s become an all to often event to read frightening headlines about just what has been found in the public water supply.
When it’s time to enjoy peace of mind, home water filters can deliver. When the right system is selected, you will enjoy cleaner, safer water without having to spend a fortune in the process.
The Berkey home water filter system is favored from the British Royal house to Peace Corp camps around the world for very good reasons. Our water filters remove the things in your water that you don’t want without stripping out the vital minerals your body needs.
The gravity water filters we offer are designed to get rid of a number of major concerns in public drinking water. They are highly effective at removing such things as cysts, parasites, and harmful pathogens (to 99.99999%), while also removing many unwanted chemicals and contaminants to undetectable levels. Berkey water filter systems also significantly reduce the fluoride and arsenic levels in your water via the PF line of filters.
When the right home water filter system is used, you can be assured of several things every time you pour a glass of water for a family member. These include:
Enjoying better tasting water – Chlorine and other additives placed into public water supplies can give water a funny flavor that bothers many. When home water filters are used to get rid of the chemicals, the only taste left behind is pure, clean water. In addition to making drinks taste better, the removal of chemicals is also fantastic for the flavors of dishes cooked with water in the mix.
Gaining peace of mind – There is something very comforting about knowing an effective home water filter system is on the job. With harmful bacteria found even in municipal drinking water systems, you can never be too safe. The right water filters will remove any worries and concerns associated with grabbing water straight out of your tap.
Getting your money’s worth – Some home water filters cost a small fortune to put into operation. The Berkey system does not. Our water costs about 1.7 cents a gallon. Plus, the Berkey home water filter system does not depend on electricity to function and it is fully portable. This means it can be counted on to deliver safe, clean water even during power outages. It can also be taken on the road during camping trips and more.
It doesn’t matter whether you are on a well or have city water, turning on the tap can sometimes be a crap-shoot. If you’re ready to stop worrying about what is in your water and start enjoying a cleaner taste, then picking the right home water filter system is a great investment. Berkey water delivers the performance you’re after, at the prices you can afford.
Berkey Home Water Filters - Higher Quality for Less Money
Saturday, November 7th, 2009The general public is slowly beginning to understand that our water supply has been compromised. Whether it be our well water that is being affected by general pollution, or our municipal water that is being heavily treated with disinfectants, our water is not as pure and pristine as we would hope. In response, much of the population has turned to bottled water and home water filters. Unfortunately, bottled water adds to pollution, it can get expensive, and in some cases is simply municipal water that’s been bottled in a city like Atlanta. When it comes to home water filters, all water filter systems are not created equal. Many of the most popular water filters on the market remove or reduce some chemicals and contaminants, but leave gaping holes for other contaminants to pass through to our drinking glass. As I mentioned in my last home water filter post, I will be evaluating many of the other water filter solutions on the market over the next couple months, but would like to begin this journey comparing the berkey water filter against the models; Aquasana, Pur, and Brita. We’ll call them the big three.
The High Quality of the Black Berkey Filter
It seems nowadays health is a topic of conversation on everybody’s mind. The nutritional supplement and organic foods markets continue to grow by double digits year over year and is a testament to the customer’s search for higher quality and better health. Water filtration seems to be slightly behind this awareness curve and is most likely due in large part to the public just recently coming to terms with what’s really happening with our water supply. Just turn on the TV or go out on the internet and you’ll see some other type of contaminant or chemical that’s now being found in our drinking water.
The big three of Pur, Aquasana, and Brita are decent at filtering out some of the more well known disinfectants such as chlorine, but they do so only at ranges between 96-99%. Comparably, berkey water filters remove chlorine to beyond detectable levels. The Berkey also reduces heavy metals such as aluminum and lead, removes pathogenic bacteria and E-coli, nitrates and nitrites, and radon. The other water filters fail to address these contaminants and instead pass them through to your drinking glass completely. Even when it comes to very dangerous VOC’s and THM’s, that have been shown to have correlations to increases in illnesses such as cancer, only Aquasana and Pur have some impact at the 98-99% level. Yet these levels are well below the reduction levels of the Berkey which reduces both VOC’s and THM’s to beyond detectable limits. Finally, it’s important to note that one of the fastest growing water concerns of the public is the fluoridation, or the addition of fluoride, to our municipal water supplies. Again, none of the big three water filters address fluoride. Conversely, Berkey systems have an add-on filter option for the black berkey filter elements called the PF-2 filter that specifically targets both fluoride and arsenic to reduce it by over 99.75%.
Save Money When You Buy a Berkey Home Water Filter
I don’t think there’s anyone in the US or Canada that hasn’t been impacted by the economic depression. It’s been a tough couple years, and while wall street and the government talk about a recovery underway, many of us on main street simply don’t see it. Every decision we make needs to be one that maximizes that value of our hard earned dollar. That leaves many of us spending our time trying to determine how to get the highest quality the for the least amount of money. When it comes to water filtration, if you start to do the math, Aquasana, Pur, and Brita are simply not the most cost effective. A one-time investment in a standard Berkey home water filter such as the Berkey Light or the Big Berkey will cost the consumer $209 or $250 respectively, and provide at least 5 years of high quality filtration. Comparably, the big three require many filter replacements across this 5 year period and result in a total cost ranging between $560 and $658. That’s more than twice the cost for inferior water filtration. Even when the Berkey secondary fluoride filters are added on, the black berkey / PF-2 combination is still cheaper. (chart below) Addt’l details can be found at berkey home water filters comparison chart.
| Model | Big Berkey w/ 2 BB (Black Berkey Filters) | Big Berkey w/ 2 CF (Ceramic Filters) | PF-2 Fluoride and Arsenic Filters (For use w/ Black Berkey Filter | PF-4 Fluoride and Arsenic Filters (For use with Ceramic Filters) | Aquasana Countertop (AQ-4000) | Pur 3 Stage Faucet Filter (FM9700) | Brita Faucet Filter w/ advanced features | Brita Pitcher Filter | |
| 1st Yr Cost 2 | $250 | $250 | $55 | $95 | $170 | $190 | $170 | $177 | |
| 2nd Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $55 | $95 | $78 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 3rd Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 | $95 | $156 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 4th Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $55 | $95 | $156 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 5th Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $55 | $95 | $156 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 5 Year Total Investment | $250 | $250 | $220 | $475 | $560 | $658 | $638 | $657 |
Making choices that affect the health of you and your family are some of the most important choices that you can ever make. Berkey water filters are considered one of the highest quality filtration systems on the market, and they’ll save you money while providing you the healthy drinking water your family needs. To learn more about which water filter system will suit you best, please read this article on how to choose a berkey filter system.
Dr Oz on Home Water Filters
Saturday, October 24th, 2009Just recently on Oct. 20th, 2009, Dr Oz did a segment on water quality showcasing some options for filtering your water. This is a great primer for understanding why home water filters, including a quality shower filter, are critical for the health of you and your family.
Home Water Filters Comparison
Given this is only a 7 minute segment, Dr Oz is unable to explore in detail some of the other water filtration solutions on the market. He covers filters representative of top consumer brands such as Pur, Aquasana, and Reverse Osmosis. While these are quality filters, they do lack some filtration capabilities, and their yearly costs are significantly higher than a basic Berkey water filter. I’ve gone ahead and created a berkey water filter comparison chart to stack up some of the more common and highly advertised water filters such as Pur, Aquasana, and Brita filters to our own Berkey filter. In a follow-up post, I will go into a more detailed analysis on this comparison.
