Water is generally classified into two groups:  Surface water and ground water.  Surface water is just what the name implies; it is water found in a river, lake or other surface impoundment.  This water is usually not very high in mineral content, and many times is called soft water, even though it usually is not.  Surface water is exposed to many different contaminants, such as animal wastes, pesticides, insecticides, industrial wastes, algae, and many other organic materials.  Even surface water found in a pristine mountain stream possibly contains Giardia or coli form bacteria from the feces of wild animals, and should be boiled or disinfected by some means prior to drinking.

Ground water is that which is trapped beneath the ground.  Rain that soaks into the ground, rivers that disappear beneath the earth, melting snow are but a few of the sources that recharge the supply of underground water.  Because of the many sources of recharge, ground water may contain any or all of the contaminants found in surface water as well as the dissolved minerals it picks up during its long stay underground.  Waters that contain dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, above certain levels are considered hard water.  Because water is considered a solvent, i.e., over time it can break down the ionic bonds that hold most substances together, it tends to dissolve and gather up small amounts of whatever it come into contact with.  For instance, in areas of the world where rock such as limestone, gypsum, fluorspar, magnetite, pyrite, and magnesite are common, well water is usually very high in calcium content and therefore considered hard.

Due to the different characteristics of these two types of water, it is important that you know the source of your water – surface or ground.  Water is one of the most immediate and essential ingredients of life; without water, all life will end in a matter of days.  Of the 326 million cubic miles of water on earth, only about 3% of it is fresh water, and 3/4 of that is frozen.  Only 1/2 of 1% of all water is underground; about 1/50 of 1% of all water is found in lakes and streams.  The average human is about 70% water and we need 1.5 quarts of water daily.  Water is essential for every bodily process; it carries nutrients to our cells and acts as a natural lubricant to joints and limbs.  You can only survive 5 or fewer days without water.

Water naturally suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat.  Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits t increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fate deposits.  Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in achieving or maintaining desired weight.  Most health authorities agree that for healthy living you should drink eight or more glasses of water every day.  With these facts in mind we should consider water contamination facts:

Less than 1% of earth’s water is drinkable, fresh water.  Untreated, this 1% can contain unhealthy chemical substances.  Harmful, contaminated water is often reported in the news.

Ø  Contamination by Industry.  There have been a half-million new chemicals derived since 1965 alone.  Most of these organic pollutants are modern hydrocarbon chemicals such as plastic and pesticides.  Some are non-biodegradable.  Most are soluble in water and thousands are known to be toxic.

Ø  Contamination in the Distribution System.  Water can become contaminated during its journey from treatment plants to home.  Lead and asbestos-cement pipes, prevalent in municipal water distribution systems, can allow harmful substances to leach into the water.

Ø  Contamination at Home.  Water can become contaminated right at home.  Some older homes have lead pipes.  Some have plumbing systems which use lead base solder to join cooper pipes.  Both can allow lead to leak into drinking water.

Ø  Municipal Water.   Chlorine, used by municipalities to disinfect water supplies, can react with naturally-occurring organic materials in water.  For recent study by U.S. Council on Environmental Quality has established a definite link in the chlorination of water and cancer.  One of the studies showed that the cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated aster is 93% higher than among those who live where the water is not chlorinated.  Joseph M. Price, MD in his book Coronaries/Cholesterol/Chlorine wrote that the cause of arteriosclerosis and the resulting heart attacks and strokes, is none other than the chlorine in our drinking water.  Prevention Magazine ran an article, “Chlorine:  The Poison We Drink,” which stated that chlorine destroys Vitamin E and other vitamins.

Ø  Potential Dangers of Chlorine in Water. Chlorine is added to all municipal water supplies.  This disinfectant hardens arteries, destroys proteins in the body, irritates skin and sinus conditions, and aggravates asthma, allergies, and respiratory problems.  Chloroform is a by-product of chlorination and causes excessive free radical formation (accelerated aging!), normal cells to mutate, and cholesterol to oxidize.  It is a known carcinogen!  DCA (dichloroacetic acid) is another chlorination by-product, DCA is known to cause genetic mutations that can lead to cancer growth and has been found in all chlorinated water for which it was tested.

Ø  Absorbing and Inhaling Chlorine in the Shower.  Chlorine vaporizes in hot shower water and when inhaled into the lungs, is transferred into the bloodstream.  Scientific studies have linked chlorinated water to potentially harmful by-products that can, over time, contribute to such health-threatening conditions as cancer of the bladder, liver, stomach, and colon.  Research has proven that chlorinated water is the direct cause of 9% of all bladder cancers and 15% of all rectal cancers in the U.S.  Heart disease, high blood pressure, and allergies have also been linked with chlorine.  Tests show that your body can absorb more chlorine as a result if a 10-minute shower than if you drank 8 glasses of the same water.  How can that be?  A warm shower opens up your pores, causing you skin to act like a sponge.  As a result, you not only inhale the chlorine vapors; you also absorb them through the skin.

Hard Water

1. What is hard water?

Hard water is the most common problem found in the average home.  Hard water is water that contains dissolved hardness minerals above 1 GPG (grains per gallon) and can be detected generally by spots on glasses or soap scum or film on sinks or tubs.

2. What are hardness minerals?

Calcium, manganese, and magnesium are the most common and are found in ground and surface water.  You may ask how does the calcium get into the water?  Much of our drinking water comes from ground water which originates from precipitation that falls in the form of rain or snow and seeps into the ground, filling the open spaces, or pore space, within layers of sand or gravel (formations) beneath the land surface. As the rain or snow passes through the atmosphere, it becomes enriched with carbon dioxide (CO2) and combines with the H2O (water) to form a solvent of calcium known as carbonic acid (H2CO3). As the rain seeps into the ground, the carbonic acid extracts calcium from the calcium rich stone and forms hydrogen carbonate [Ca (HCO3)2]. When the extraction process ends, the water is saturated with calcium and the carbonic acid forming a carbonic acid/calcium equilibrium.  Depending on the ground quality, the amount of calcium and amount of carbonic acid determines whether more or less calcium is extracted into the water.

3. How do you measure hardness?

Parts per million or grains per gallon are the most common methods.  One part per million (PPM) is just what it says:  Out of one million units, one unit.  Grains, or grains per gallon (GPG), is a weight measurement taken from the Egyptians (one dry grain of wheat equals about 1/7000 pound).  It takes 17.1 PPM to equal 1 GPG.

4. Why should hard water concern me?

For many uses, it would not matter.  For instance, to put out fires, water your lawn, wash the mud off the streets or float your boat, water would have to be pretty hard to cause a problem.  But for bathing, washing dishes and clothes, shaving, washing your car and many other uses of water, hard water is not as efficient or convenient as soft water.  Calcium scale is a hard thick coating or covering of calcium carbonate that forms irregular shapes on heating elements, appliances, as well as creates scale on pipes, hardware of plumbing systems, and surfaces.  Over time, the scale compounds and is very difficult and costly to remove.   This leads to high energy costs for heaters and expensive repairs for ice machines, coffee machines, and other appliances. The scale also may breed bacteria.

Disadvantages of hard water:

• With hard water $2 billion is wasted in cleaning supplies and $1 billion in damages to our washables and linens

• Because hard water and soap combine to form soap scum that cannot be rinsed off, forming a bathtub ring on all surfaces and leaving unsightly spots on your dishes when drying.

• When hard water is heated, the hardness minerals are recrystallized to form hardness scale.  This scale can plug your pipes and appliances such as your water heater, causing premature failure, necessitating costly replacement.  $3 billion in damages to our plumbing with damages to our appliances occurring 50-70% faster than with soft water.

• The soap scum remains on your skin even after rinsing, clogging the pores of your skin and coating every hair on your body.  This crud or build up can serve as a home for bacteria, causing diaper rash, minor skin irritation, and skin that continually itches.

• Hard water creates more than $800 million in increased fuel bills.

• For many industrial uses, the hardness minerals interfere with the process, causing inferior products.

Advantages of soft water:

• Savings of 29.5% on the gas bill; savings of 21.7% on the electric bill.

• Dishes clean more easily and are spot free.

• Laundry is fresher, cleaner, brighter, whiter, and clothing, towels, and linens are longer-lasting.

• Elimination of calcium and lime build up in plumbing.

• Use less shampoo and conditioner; soaps and shampoos lather better, for more manageable hair and softer skin.  You use only 1/2 as much soap cleaning with soft water.

• Stain-free sinks, tubs, and showers.

• No soap scum; clean water helps unclog your pores and keeps your skin smooth and healthy.

Hard Water and Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can be the result of drinking water saturated with inorganic minerals.

Hard Water and Intestinal Problems

 “Hardness in water is actually a public enemy for it is the underlying cause of many, if not all, diseases resulting from poisons in the intestinal tract…”  Dr. Charles Mayo, Mayo Clinic.

5. Who will test my water for hardness?

If you are connected to a municipal supply, call the water superintendent or city hall.  They can either provide the answer or direct you to the proper individual.  Remember the conversion factor:  It takes 17.1 PPM to equal 1 GPG.  In other words, if your water has 171 PPM hardness or calcium present, divide 171 by 17.1 to get the hardness in grains.  This example would be 10 grains, or 10 GPG.

If you are on a private supply, you could contact your county water provider or agency.  Collect a sample in an approved container and send to the city or state health department for testing after contacting them for specific instructions.  Other certified testing water laboratories can be found by using the Yellow Pages or an internet search engine.  By the way, if you are on a private well, YOU, AND YOU ALONE, are responsible for the safety of the water you and your family drink.  You should test your supply for bacteria at least once per year and for other contaminants at least every three years - more often under certain conditions.

6. My water is hard.  Now what?

If your water tests over 3 GPG hard, you should soften it with a mechanical water softening system.  Softening water that is less than 3 GPG, while it makes your shaving and bathing more comfortable, is considered a luxury because the cost is more than your savings.  Over 3 GPM, you will save enough to pay for the cost and maintenance of a water conditioner.

As of this writing, the most economical way and the traditional method for you to soften your household water is with an ion exchange water softener. This unit uses sodium chloride (salt) or potassium chloride and water to recharge or regenerate with the exchange of hardness minerals for sodium.   A water softener replaces the “hardness” minerals with sodium or potassium.  As the hard water passes through the resin, the hardness minerals (ions) attach themselves, dislodging or swapping places with the sodium/potassium ions.  This process is called ion exchange.  When the resin, has no sodium/potassium ions left, it is exhausted and can soften no more water until recharged.  The resin is recharged by regeneration of flushing with salt or potassium water.  Additionally, these softening units require water for backwashing and a brine tank for the salt water mix for regeneration.  The estimated salt required in order to regenerate 100 liters (7.35 cubic feet) of softening resin is up to 25 kg (55 lbs) of salt per regeneration cycle is.  As the salt will eventually expire this will need to be replaced or refilled generally bi-monthly but will vary on water hardness levels.  Regeneration and backwashing are typically performed weekly but this can vary on existing water hardness level and water usage.  The sodium/potassium ions force the hardness ions off the resin; then the excess sodium/potassium is rinsed away down a drain and the resin is ready to start the process all over again.  This cycle can be repeated many, many times before the resin loses its ability to react to these forces.  The amounts of sodium or potassium added to the water are relatively insignificant and should not pose a health problem.  This amount will vary based on the water hardness of the raw water supply.  For comparison of the amount of salt that may be added to your water we can consider if your water contains 10 GPG (grains per gallon), and if you consumed a total of one quart of softened water per day, your intake of additional sodium would be approximately 75 mg.  If sodium is of concern to you or if someone in the home is on a sodium restricted diet should follow the advice of a physician or consider using potassium chloride.  Click here for additional information on Crystal Quest® Water Softener Systems.

A newer technology offering the results of softer water is an anti-scale water system.  This type of softener does not require salt or regeneration and thus no electricity is needed and creates no waste water.  The difference between a water-softening unit and anti-scale system is that the “traditional” water softening unit operates on the basis of ion exchange as explained in a previous paragraph; exchanging calcium and magnesium ions in water with an equivalent amount of sodium/potassium ions. The Crystal Quest®  Eaglesorb®ES3 Anti-Scale media acts as a catalyst by accelerating the transformation or changing of the calcium and magnesium minerals into harmless “Nano” particles. When the inlet water goes into the water conditioner media tank, the up flow pulls the water through the fluidized  Eaglesorb®-media which then acts as a catalyst and pulls the hardness minerals of calcium and magnesium out of the solution and then transforms these minerals into inactive nano crystal particles. Because the hardness minerals have been transformed into nano particles, these nanoscopic particles make their way through plumbing systems without attaching or sticking to pipes, fixtures, valves, or heating elements. Because the calcium and magnesium are still present in a changed non harmful form you may still see a slight residue on plumbing fixtures but this will wipe away easily unlike before where this residue was very difficult to remove.  As the calcium and magnesium are not removed but only changed in structure, allows you to still obtain the benefit of water which is considered calcium enriched as a health benefit and an important nutrient to help prevent some diseases.  The Eaglesorb® ES3 Anti-Scale system is maintenance free and does not require cost for salt, costs for water during backwash or for regeneration material.  Click here for additional information on Crystal Quest® Eaglesorb® ES3 Anti-Scale Water Filter Systems.

7. What should I look for in a water conditioner?

Make sure to choose a unit that has enough resin to treat all the water you and your family will use as well as the level of hardness you have.  As of this writing, the average usage per day per person (including children) for inside the house is 87 gallons.  For a traditional water softener the regeneration or recharging process should be explained to you.  Regeneration or recharging is initiated by an electronic control valve and can be programmed by either gallon usage or time method, such as weekly.

8. I have a water softening conditioner, now my water feels slimy.

When the hardness minerals removed, soap no longer forms a soap curd which left a bathtub ring, or clogged the pores on your skin, clinging to every strand of hair.  You are now truly clean.  That slick, slimy feeling is your natural body oils, without the soap scum.  The old saying that you get squeaky clean is a myth; that feeling was caused by the soap scum on your skin.  That soap scum provided an excellent place for bacteria to hide and grow, causing numerous minor skin ailments.

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Odors in Water

1. My water stinks!  What can I do?

First, you must learn a little about your nose:  Once you smell some things, your sense of smell is dulled for a short while and you cannot make accurate judgments of smell.  For instance, if I blindfold you, have you smell gasoline, then give you a piece of onion to eat and tell you it is an apple, you can’t tell it’s not because your nose isn’t working properly!!  (Your sense of taste isn’t working either.  Smell and taste are closely related and affect each other.)

So, to correctly analyze your problem, you need to become a detective.  The best time to locate the smell is after you have been away from home for a few hours; this allows your nose to become sensitive to that smell again.  With your sensitized nose, go to an outside spigot, one that the raw, untreated water flows from.  Turn it on, let it run a few minutes, and then smell it.  If it smells, we found it.  If not, we must look further.  Many, many smells are not in the raw water at all; they are introduced into the water inside the house.  Go to a cold, treated-water spigot inside the house, turn it on and let it run a minute; then smell.  If this water smells, and the outside, untreated water did not, you must have a device (cartridge filter, water softener, etc.) in the water line that needs to be cleaned and sanitized.

If it is a cartridge, replace the element and sanitize the housing.  If you have a water conditioner, sanitize the unit.  You can sanitize the unit by pouring hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach in the brine well of the salt tank and placing the unit into regeneration.  Refer to product installation and maintenance instructions.

If the cold, treated water inside did not smell, turn on the hot water and let it run a few minutes.  Does it smell?  If it does, chances are you have a part inside your water heater called a sacrificial anode that is “coming apart at the seams” and throwing off a rotten egg odor.  This obnoxious smell can be overpowering and very unpleasant.  The only solution is to remove the anode from the heater, voiding your warranty, or replace it with a new one made with aluminum alloy.  You should consult your professional licensed plumber for information regarding repair or replacement.

2. Okay.  It’s my raw water that smells.  Now what?

First, you must determine what is causing the smell and how strong the smell is.

Minor, musty smell:  If it is a minor, or low-level, smell, you MIGHT be able to solve it with a small, point-of-use Eagle Redox Alloy® or ERA and coconut shell carbon filter.  You can place these types of filters on your kitchen counter, undersink, shower, or in-line going to the cold water where you draw your drinking water.  Or you might solve it with a whole-house filter on your incoming water line to filter all of the water inside your home.

Strong, rotten-egg smell:  A strong, rotten-egg odor in the raw water is usually the result of the decomposition of decaying underground organic deposits.  As water is drawn to the surface, hydrogen sulfide gas can be released into the atmosphere.  In strong concentrations, this gas is flammable and poisonous.  It rapidly tarnishes silver, turning it black.  It is toxic to aquarium fish in sufficient quantities.  As little as 0.5 PPM hydrogen sulfide can be tasted in your drinking water.  In addressing this, a whole house filter with a media that is specific for hydrogen sulfide removal is successful many times. The removal capacities of these types of filters are usually but must be sized to contain enough media to prevent exhaustion
 

Strong offensive odor:  This type of odor can indicate the presence of bacteria.  The use of a ceramic filter, ultraviolet water sterilizer, and ultrafiltration or RO membrane can be used to address this.  Chlorination can be done along with a filtration system containing GAC media to remove the chlorine.

Strong chlorine smell:  For the removal of chlorine or chloramines a special blend of coconut shell granulated activated carbon media is used.  The proper flow rate for the specific water filtration application should be used allowing adequate contact time for maximum contaminant removal.

When using your filter you must be careful not to exceed the manufacturer’s recommended flow rate.  Having your licensed plumber install a flow regulator may be required to ensure this.  If you run water through them too fast, you will not remove the smells.  Whenever you replace a filter cartridge in your system, be sure to sanitize the housing and flush the unit.

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WATER THAT STAINS

1. I have red stains in my sinks and other fixtures.  Help!

Red stains are normally caused by iron in the water.  You must test to determine the amount and the type of iron you have.  Some types are:  Oxidized, soluble, colloidal, bacteria, or organic-bound.  All are a problem!  It only takes 0.3 PPM to stain clothes, fixtures, etc.

Oxidized:  This type of ferric iron is usually found in a surface water supply.  This is water that contains red particles when first drawn from the tap.  The easiest way to remove this type of iron is by an iron removal specialty filter.

Soluble:  Soluble ferrous iron is called clear water iron.  After being drawn from the well and contacting the air, the iron oxidizes, or rusts, forming reddish-brown particles in the water.  Depending on the amount of iron in the water, you may solve this problem with an iron removal specialty filter, or a combination of softener and iron specialty filter.

Colloidal:  Colloidal iron is bacteria which are very small particles of oxidized iron suspended in the water.  They are usually bound together with other substances.  They resist agglomeration, i.e., the combining of like substances forming larger, heavier, more filterable ones, due to the static electrical charge they carry.  This iron looks more like a color than particles when held up in a clear glass, as they are very small.  If this form of iron bacteria gathers in the pipes of your home it can be very difficult to remove.  Running chlorine throughout the entire plumbing system may be needed, followed by proper flushing of the system.  A specialty iron removal whole house system should be installed then to keep this from returning into the home.

Bacterial:  Iron bacteria are living organisms that feed on the iron found in the water, pipes, fittings, etc.  They build slime all along the water flow path.  Occasionally, the slimy growths break free, causing extremely discolored water.  If a large slug breaks loose, it can pass through to the point of use, plugging fixtures.  These types of bacteria are becoming more common throughout the United States.  If you suspect bacteria iron, look for a reddish or green slime buildup in your toilet flush tank.  To confirm your suspicions, gather a sample of this slime and take it to your local health department or water department, for observation under the microscope.  This type of iron problem is very hard to eliminate.  You must kill the bacteria, usually by chlorination.  You must use high amounts of chlorine throughout your plumbing system to kill all organisms.  You may find it necessary to feed chlorine continuously to prevent regrowth.  A specialty iron filter alone will not solve this problem but should be installed to reduce the potential of it making its way to your plumbing.

Organic Bound:  The presence of tannins can be experienced with iron.  When iron combines with tannins and other organics, complexes are formed that cannot be removed by ion exchange or oxidizing filters.  This iron may be mistaken for colloidal iron.  Test for tannins; if they are present, it is most likely combined with the iron.  Low level amounts of this pest can be removed by use of an Eagle Redox® Alloy (ERA) and coconut shell carbon filter which absorbs the complex.  You must replace the bed when it becomes saturated.  Higher amounts require feeding chlorine to oxidize the organics to break apart from the iron and cause both to precipitate into a filterable particle.

2. My stains appear blue or green on water fixtures.

Copper pipes and corrosive or acidic water in some cases will cause a blue or green staining on water fixtures.  If your pH is from 5 to 7, you may raise it by passing the water through a sacrificial media.  By introducing calcium carbonate into the water, the corrosiveness will be reduced.  If the corrosiveness is caused by excess oxygen, the hot water will be much more corrosive than the cold.  Treatment can be obtained with a Crystal Quest® acid neutralizer or pH enhancer providing alkaline results.

3. My dishwasher has brown stains.

This type of staining can be cause by high manganese levels.  Even at lower levels when manganese becomes heated as with hot water in the dishwasher it becomes oxidized.  Staining can also occur with clothes in the washing machine.  If bleach is added the staining can become worse.  A Crystal Quest® whole house system containing manganese removal media can be used to address this problem.

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Water and Health /Disease

1. What is Cryptosporidiosis?

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, which, as late as 1976, was not known to cause disease in humans, until 1993, when over 400,000 people in Milwaukee and Wisconsin became ill with diarrhea after drinking water contaminated with the parasite.  Few people had heard of either cryptosporidiosis or the single-celled protozoon that causes it.  Since this outbreak, concern over the safety of drinking water in the United States has increased, and new attention has been focused on determining and reducing the risk for cryptosporidiosis from community and municipal water supplies.  In protecting your family to this type of contaminant there are several Crystal Quest® water filtration systems to consider; any system containing the multi-stage or ceramic cartridge, UF (ultrafiltration)  membrane, or reverse osmosis membrane.  Also the faucet mount or refrigerator pitcher systems will address cryptosporidium.

2. Should I be concerned of fluoride is in my water?

This is a matter of opinion and is frequently debated.  As Crystal Quest® places no opinion on this subject we suggest doing research individually and making this your personal decision.  If you are interested in removing fluoride from your water, found naturally or added, this can be addressed with the use of a specialty synthetic aluminum oxide fluoride removal media.  To enhance the performance and water quality we recommend using in combination with the multistage cartridge or media.  Proper contact time by adhering to the suggested flow rate for filtration application is important for maximum removal. 

3. When should I test?

Several factors will influence when and how often you test your water.  Where do you get your water?  Has that source changed?  Have you done any plumbing changes lately?  Is there reason to believe your water is contaminated?  Is there a sickness or illness in your family affecting more than one person and over a longer than normal time period?

If you receive your water from a public supply, i.e., a municipal supply or a supply that provides water to more than 25 persons for 60 days per year (states regulate differently; check with your local water department), you can be fairly certain that the water supply is checked on a regular basis.  The frequency of the testing is based on the number of people served and may vary from more than once per week to once per month, or even less; under these conditions, test when you move into a new residence to acquire a baseline of contaminant level, if any.  Retest every three years, unless you have reason to believe that something has changed that could affect the quality of your water.

If you have a private well, you are the only person who is responsible for the water your family drinks and bathes in.  We recommend testing every six months for bacteria and nitrate.  These two tests serve as indicators for other types of contaminations.  That is not to say forget the other tests; just that if you get a bad test from them you should also retest for the other types of contaminants as well.  Private wells should be tested on a regular basis for pesticides, herbicides, metals, organic and inorganic chemicals and volatiles.  Currently, no laws govern the frequency of such testing; that is why YOU are the only person responsible for your family’s water.  We recommend an initial test (for a baseline), and then at least once per year.  Remember, only one day after testing and finding no contaminants, your source could become contaminated.

4. What could I test for?

Coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms that are normally found in the intestinal tract of humans and other warm-blooded animals and in surface water.  The presence of these organisms in drinking water suggests contamination from a surface or shallow subsurface source such as cesspool leakage, barnyard runoff, or other source.  The presence of these bacteria indicates that disease causing (pathogenic) organisms may enter the drinking water supply in the same manner if preventive action is not taken.  Drinking water should be free of coliforms.  There are a few ways to address this particular contaminant; ceramic filter, ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, and ultraviolet (UV) water sterilizer, all of which Crystal Quest® offers.

Cysts and viruses are microbiological contaminants, usually found in surface water supplies.  Giardia lamblia cysts can cause giardiasis, a gastrointestinal disease.  Another “bug” getting a lot of attention lately is Cryptosporidium, a single-cell parasite measuring about 2 to 5 microns in diameter.  Many surface water supplies contain this pest, which also comes from the intestine of warm-blooded animals.  For addressing this type of contaminant ultraviolet (UV) water sterilizer works best but other very effective methods would be any system which contains the 1-micron filter pad as in the multistage cartridge, the faucet mount, or refrigerator pitcher which have the 1 and/or 5-micron pads, reverse osmosis or UF membrane, ceramic or sediment cartridges.

Nitrate in drinking water supplies may reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood (cyanosis) if ingested in sufficient amounts by infants under 6 months of age.  This could cause a disease called methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby” syndrome.  The EPA has established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate at 10 mg/1 (PPM), measured as N.  Unlike coliform or other types of bacteria, boiling the water will actually INCREASE the amount of nitrate remaining in the water, increasing the danger to infants.  If you have high levels of nitrate in your water, treat the water with a specialty Crystal Quest® Nitrate Water Filter system or find another water source; boiling will only make it worse! Please go to our nitrate FAQ’s for additional information.

Arsenic is a semi-metal element that has no taste, odor, or color, and is not easily dissolved.  It occurs naturally in the environment, as a by-product of mining, or agricultural areas when materials containing arsenic are used as industrial poisons.  Arsenic is considered highly toxic and a carcinogen.  A specialty arsenic removal cartridge and proper contact time can remove this contaminant for additional information regarding arsenic please go to arsenic FAQ's.

Lead is now known to leach from older sweat joints in copper pipe.  As the water sits in the pipes, small amounts of lead “dissolve” into the water contaminating it.  Lead is particularly harmful to small children, as they more rapidly absorb the toxic substance into their systems.  The EPA has estimated that more than 40 million U.S. residents use water that contains more than the recommended levels.  Any Crystal Quest® water filtration system containing our Eagle Redox Alloy® will address the removal of lead in addition to many other contaminants.

To have these and many other potential contaminants tested for most certified water testing laboratories offer testing geared towards either well or municipal/city water sources, with levels of testing available to fit your needs and budget.  This is generally a good starting point for testing.

5. How do your products compare to Brita-style pitcher filters and faucet-mounted water filters?

Pitcher and faucet-mounted filters generally rely solely on activated carbon filtration.  While activated carbon is very effective at removing a wide range of contaminants, the problem with this type of filters is that they contain only activated carbon however the Crystal Quest® Pitcher and Faucet Mount Water Filter offers additional contaminant removal with the inclusion of our Eagle Redox® Alloy (ERA) media.  This media also increases the filters cartridges capacity and deters bacteria growth within the unit.  This type of water filtration is great for smaller budgets and should be used with fairly good water conditions.

6. My water appears cloudy what does this mean?

Cloudy water can indicate turbidity from iron bacteria or suspended sediments.  If the cloudiness clears up after setting at room temperature beginning from the top and moving to the bottom, can indicate calcium or hardness.  To correct these issues consider for iron bacteria, iron removal or multistage media.  For suspended sediments implement a sediment or turbidity filter/media and for water hardness the use of ion exchange or anti-scale media.

7. I am specifically concerned about removing parasitic cysts like Cryptosporidium and Giardia from my water. Can you suggest a filtration or purification method?

You have a few choices. You can select any counter top or under counter water filter that features a 5-micron coconut shell carbon block filter. These cysts generally range from about 4-10 microns in size and can be eliminated by these filters.  Reverse osmosis will also remove these contaminants as an RO membrane's pores measure only about 1/10,000 of a micron.  While ultraviolet purification is ideal for other microbiological contaminants such as bacteria and viruses, it is not always effective against cysts as they require a longer exposure time than is sometimes possible in a home UV system.  A ceramic, ultrafiltration membrane, or any system containing a 1 or 5-micron filter pad will also help to remove these types of contaminants.  Chlorination of the raw water is always good in terms of offering additional protection against cysts, bacteria, or viruses and then having a water filtration system with granulated activated carbon (GAC) installed to remove the chlorine.  

8. What type of filtration will address E.coli?

Reverse osmosis is generally effective at removing bacteria, however a secondary ultraviolet system is recommended for optimum security against E.coli and other bacteria.

9. What if I have radon, radium, uranium, or Alpha Emitters in my water?

Reverse osmosis would be the best filtration method in addressing these more difficult contaminants.  The use if Ion exchange resin would be considered as a secondary choice for radium, uranium, or radon, followed then by granulated activated carbon (GAC) for radium and radon only.  For uranium arsenic removal media with a mixed bed if Eagle Redox Alloy® can be used.  Alpha Emitters are best addressed with reverse osmosis.  When using media filtration for the removal of these elements it is most important that a slow water flow be used to maximize the contact time with the water and media for best results.

10. I have a high salt content in m water.  What can I do?

Reverse osmosis is the only effective method of removing salt from the water.

11. In addition to chlorine I have chloramines in my water, help!

Practicing a slow flow rate of your water filtration system and having a unit specifically with the coconut shell granulated activated carbon blend media would be recommended.  This specially formulated media has been enhanced to address this in particular.  A reverse osmosis system will also remove chloramines. 

12. My community frequently issues boil advisories to deal with short-term water problems.  If I boil my drinking water, am I safe?

Yes and no.  A rolling boil for at least two minutes is effective in killing harmful organisms such as E.coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium.  However, boiling does not remove many other contaminants such as heavy metals, in fact, it concentrates them. While these contaminants do not often cause immediate acute sickness, long-term exposure to them is certainly unhealthy, especially at concentrated levels.

13. Are National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified water filters better than non-NSF certified water filters?

Not necessarily.  To become certified by NSF, water filter manufacturers have to pay NSF various fees on an ongoing basis.  A large number of manufacturers choose not to pay these fees and therefore not to have their products endorsed by NSF.  NSF testing and certification can offer additional reassurance that the product and its components are structurally sound according to the specifications, do not leach toxicities, and the filtration reduction claims are true.  NSF certification or lack of it however should not be the sole consideration when purchasing a water filter; you should evaluate a water filter based on the materials it is composed of and the reputation of the company that stands behind it.

14. What are general considerations when choosing a water filtration system?

Aside from water conditions such as contaminants and water hardness do you want filtered water throughout your whole house or drinking and cooking water only?  For whole house applications the gallon per minute flow rate and size of feed water supply line should be considered.  To ensure maximum contaminant removal it is important to install a system of proper size for adequate contact time of the water and media.  For a kitchen sink is something desired for the countertop being installed with a diverter on the existing faucet or installed under the sink which requires a licensed plumber to install by tapping into the cold water line?

15. Can your countertop filters be mounted on any faucet?

Our counter top water filters can be attached to more than 95% of all faucets as originally equipped or with the use of the internal thread adapter that is included with your unit.  Adapters for most of the remaining faucets can be obtained from a quality plumbing supply store or you may inquire with Crystal Quest® regarding a universal CDV1 adaptor, this item is located on the parts page of our website.

16. Do your systems come with all necessary parts for installation and are they difficult to install?

For each product, we list all components that are included with your system. Unless you have an unusual installation, you will not require any additional parts to complete your installation.  All of our systems also include filters that should last approximately one year or longer!  You will not have to purchase replacement filters for 12 months!  This estimation can vary based on existing water conditions and usage.  Our countertop systems are very easily installed by the homeowner but any system to be installed on a cold water line such as a whole house, undersink, or in-line system application requires some mechanical aptitude, so you should request the assistance of a certified licensed plumber for installation of these units.  This also ensures that all state and local plumbing guidelines are followed.  Warranties can be voided if these types of systems are not installed by a licensed plumber. Detailed installation instructions are provided with your product.

17. Can my Crystal Quest® undersink unit also filter my refrigerators water and icemaker?

Yes and costs very little.  We offer as an optional item to our undersink systems the Crystal Quest® Refrigerator/Icemaker Hook-up which can be installed to your undersink unit and with the provided hose can easily be connected to your refrigerator.

18. I have seen water filters at my local home center retail store that are cheaper than yours. Are they the same thing?  What is the difference?

The quality of water filters on the market varies dramatically.  When comparing different filters, you should consider at the following:

• Quality Materials.  Look at the materials that were used to make the filters. For example, TFC or thin fiber composite membranes are better than cellulose triacetate or CTA membranes in reverse osmosis systems, and coconut shell activated carbon is generally better than all other forms.  (Note: all of our activated carbon filter products use arsenic free coconut shell carbon, and all reverse osmosis systems use TFC membranes.) 

• Micron Rating.  Most filters have a specified micron rating which indicates the nominal size of particles they are able to remove.  The smaller the micron rating the better - this means that your filter will remove smaller particles.  A 20 micron filter is not necessarily worse than a 5 micron filter; it depends on what the filter is for.  If it is a whole house sediment filter which serves as the first filter before your activated carbon filters than a 20 micron filter would be preferred to 5 microns because the 5 micron filter would clog too quickly.  However, when looking at a reverse osmosis system for example, micron ratings of the various component filters and the number of pre-filters in the system itself can be compared to give you a relative indication of quality and effectiveness.  Be very wary of manufacturers and retailers who do not indicate micron ratings for their filters - there is a good chance their products are of inferior quality.

• Manufacturer Reputation.  How long has the manufacturer been in business and do they have a good reputation in the marketplace?

• Be sure you are comparing like products and there cost.  How many filter cartridges are there and what types are included, which and how many contaminants are being addressed, what are the capacities of each.  The answer to these questions can vary greatly from brand to brand.

19. I have another brand of water filter in my home. Will your replacement filters fit in my unit?

Most likely yes, as long as the housing is not tapered. Our replacement filters are designed to be universal and to fit most other point-of-use and whole-house filter housings on the market. If in doubt, email a photo of your existing filter together with its physical measurements (diameter and length) to us and we will confirm for you.

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Arsenic Free Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Filtration (GAC/ Carbon Block) FAQ’s

1. What is activated carbon?   

Carbon is an extremely porous material that attracts and holds a wide range of harmful contaminants. Activated carbon is carbon which has a slight electro-positive charge added to it, making it even more attractive to chemicals and impurities. As the water passes over the positively charged carbon surface, the negative ions of the contaminants are drawn to the surface of the carbon granules.  Crystal Quest® uses only arsenic free coconut shell activated carbon both in granulated or block form.  We choose to manufacture our filtration systems with this form of carbon as there is less chance of any leaching of natural contaminants during the forming stages of the raw material for unwanted potentially harmful contaminants such as arsenic.

2. What forms does it come in? 

Activated carbon filters used for home water treatment typically contain either granular activated carbon (GAC) or powdered block carbon (carbon block) with Crystal Quest® using specifically arsenic free coconut shell carbon.

3. Which is generally better, GAC or carbon block?

Although both are effective, carbon block filters generally have a higher contaminant removal ratio and are more resistant to channeling.  Channeling can occur when in a loose media the water flow forms a path which can potentially minimize the filtration results due to a lack of maximum contact with the water and media.

4. Are all carbon filters equally effective?

No.  Activated carbon filters are usually rated by the size of particles they are able to remove, measured in microns, and generally range from 20-microns (least effective) down to 1-micron (most effective). The two most important factors affecting the efficiency of activated carbon filtration are the amount of activated carbon in the unit and the amount of time the contaminant spends in contact with it.  The more carbon the better.  Particle size also affects contaminant removal rates.  The most common carbon types used in water filtration are bituminous, wood, and coconut shell carbons.  While the coconut shell carbon typically costs 20% more, it is by far the best of the three for most water filtration situations.

5. Can I use taste and flow rate to determine when to change the filter?

Although these methods can certainly indicate a change in the filtration capacity they are not scientific.  Either the calendar method, with the use of early replacement to air on the side of caution, or for the most scientific method, a water test should be performed.  You should always follow the manufacturer's filter replacement schedule to ensure optimal filtration.

6. What is backwashing and do you recommend it?

Backwashing is the process of forcing water through a filter in the wrong direction to unclog the dirt and sediment which has blocked the filter.  Backwashing is a common practice for certain whole house and commercial units which are treating large volumes of water for utility purposes but it is not a recognized practice for small point of use drinking water systems although can be performed manually to deter channelization of any loose granulated form of media ensuring maximum contact with the water and media.

7. Do you sell silver-impregnated carbon filters?

No.  Most research suggests that silver impregnated carbon filters have a very short-lived effectiveness in preventing bacteria growth in a water filter system.  There is greater risk that unhealthy levels of silver ions will be passed into your drinking water than from potential bacteria build-up in your carbon filter if proper maintenance of your system is followed.

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KDF/ERA or Eagle Redox Alloy® FAQ’s

1. What are Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500?

Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 are a high-purity copper-zinc formulation that uses a basic chemical process known as redox (oxidation/reduction) to remove chlorine, lead, mercury, iron, and hydrogen sulfide among other contaminants from water supplies.

2. How Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 work?

Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 works by exchanging electrons with contaminants.  This "give and take" of electrons converts many contaminants into harmless components.  During this reaction, electrons are transferred between molecules, and new elements are created.  Some harmful contaminants are changed into harmless components while others are electrochemically bound to the Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 media.

3. What contaminants does Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 remove?

Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 process media works to reduce or remove chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide, lead, iron, mercury, calcium carbonate, magnesium, chromium, bacteria, algae, and fungi.  Redox media removes up to 98% of water-soluble cations (positively-charged ions) of lead, mercury, copper, nickel, chromium, and other dissolved metals.  In most cases, more than 98% of chlorine is removed if operated within recommended flow rates.

4. Why Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 used in shower water filters?

Eagle Redox Alloy® 6500 and 9500 are found in the Crystal Quest® line of home shower water filters because of its effectiveness at higher operating temperatures and flow rates.

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 Ultraviolet Water Sterilizer System FAQ’s

1. What is UV?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is at the invisible, violet end of the light spectrum.  Even though we can't see UV light, we are exposed to UV rays from all light sources, including the sun.

2. How does ultraviolet light sterilize water?

UV rays penetrate the cells of harmful bacteria and viruses in our drinking water, destroying their ability to reproduce.   Without this ability, these organisms die and no longer pose a health threat.  It is a simple but very effective process, with the system generally destroying 99.99% of harmful microorganisms.

3. Why not use chlorine instead?

Chlorine changes the tastes and odor of water.  Chlorination can also produce harmful by-products called trihalomethanes (THMs) which are linked to incidence of cancer.

4. Does a UV system use a lot of energy?

No, the UV unit will use about the same amount of energy as a 60 watt light bulb. It is a cost effective, natural way to increase water quality where microbiological contamination is present and to provide peace of mind where microbiological contamination is a greater risk.

5. Why do UV sterilizers require sediment pre-filtration?

UV systems require pre-filtration to maintain effectiveness as sediment and other contaminants in the water can create a "shadow" which prevents the UV rays from reaching and disinfecting the harmful microorganisms.

6. How often does the UV light bulb (lamp) need to be replaced?

It is essential that you change your UV lamp annually. The ability of the lamp to emit UV light decreases over time.  Remember - UV light is invisible!  Even though the lamp is still glowing after one year, there might not be enough UV light reaching your water to be effective.  Crystal Quest® UV sterilizer systems include an indicator light to identify time for replacement.

7. How often do your need to replace the sleeve?

The sleeve is the outer cover for the lamp and it does not need to be replaced unless it is broken.  It will need to be cleaned several times a year in order to keep the bulb effective in delivering a high UV dose.

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Reverse Osmosis (RO) FAQ’s

1. What is reverse osmosis?

Reverse osmosis, also known as hyperfiltration, is the finest means of filtration available today.  It is the most common treatment technology used by premium bottled water companies.  Reverse osmosis refers to the process of forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure.

2. How does reverse osmosis work?

Reverse osmosis uses a membrane that is semi-permeable, allowing pure water to pass through it, while rejecting the contaminants that are too large to pass through the tiny pores in the membrane.  As water flows across the membrane, it becomes divided into two streams.  The production stream is the purified water that is forced through the membrane.  The impurities are left behind. The concentrate stream serves as a rinse that carries those impurities off the membrane surface and into a drain.

3. Can Reverse Osmosis be used on well water or water from other untreated sources (lake or river)?

Yes, RO is generally an excellent choice for homeowners with well water.  However, it is important to note that reverse osmosis does not provide total protection against all microorganisms.  You should have your water tested for bacteria and virus contamination before relying solely on reverse osmosis.  If microbiological contamination is present or suspected, you should combine reverse osmosis with an ultraviolet system for maximum effectiveness and protection against bacteria and viruses.  A water softener or whole-house iron filter may also be advisable (depending on the level of relevant contaminants in your well water) to prevent premature membrane expiration thereby ensuring maximum membrane life and effectiveness.

4. What factors affect my RO system's performance?

The quantity and quality of water produced by a Reverse Osmosis system are affected by your feed water.  A high TDS (total dissolved solids) level or poor quality feed water plays a large role.  One example is hard water which increases your waters TDS level therefore hard water can reduce the water production time of your RO.  Cold feed water temperature as well a low water pressure can also reduce the production time of your RO. 

5. How often does the reverse osmosis membrane need to be replaced?

With proper maintenance of your sediment and activated coconut shell carbon block pre-filters, your reverse osmosis membrane should last 2-3 years.  Capacities are estimations and vary based on your existing water conditions and water usage.

6. Why are reverse osmosis systems always combined with carbon and sediment pre-filters?

The only major category of contaminants that reverse osmosis is not highly effective in removing is organic compounds.  This type of contaminant is specifically targeted with activated coconut shell carbon block pre-filter.  Pre-filters also prevent the reverse osmosis membrane from being clogged by sediment, chlorine, and other contaminants, thereby enhancing its effectiveness and life span.

7. Are all reverse osmosis systems equally effective?

Absolutely not.  Like all water filters, the effectiveness of a reverse osmosis system depends greatly on the quality of its components - especially its pre-filter cartridges (quantity and quality) and the membrane itself.  Lower quality pre-filters will suffer from premature membrane expiration, as well as reduced performance, purified water output, and membrane life.

8. I notice that a reverse osmosis system will remove just about everything from my water, including some nutrients that are good for the body. Should I take a supplement to counteract the nutrients that I will no longer get through my water?

No, this is not necessary.  Depending on the system being used these nutrients will vary in the filtered water.  You should already be getting all of the nutrients such as essential salts, vitamins, and other trace minerals from the food you eat and the other beverages you drink.

9. Will reverse osmosis lower my waters pH level?

A reverse osmosis systems resulting filtered water can lower the pH level of water.  This level will vary depending on the raw waters pH and on the RO system being used.  Crystal Quest® manufactures various units and optional add-on remineralizer cartridge that will address this concern.  A Crystal Quest® associate can help you in determining which system would be best for your needs.

10. What is "cross flow"?

Quality reverse osmosis systems use a process known as cross flow to allow the membrane to continually clean itself.  As some of the fluid passes through the membrane the rest continues downstream, sweeping the rejected contaminants away from the membrane and down the drain.  This prevents contaminants from backing up against the membrane and clogging it.  This process and the water it uses are sometimes referred to as reject or waste water and the amount can vary on water conditions.

11. How much purified water can a home RO system produce?

Crystal Quest® point of use RO systems come standard with a membrane that produces about 50 gallons of purified water per day with a day being a 24 hour period.  An upgrade is available at a relatively low cost which allows you to boost production to 75 or 100 gallons per day.  The actual amount of water produced in your home will depend on your household water pressure and existing water conditions.  Because reverse osmosis water purification occurs slowly (it is a very fine filter), a storage tank is used to hold 3.2 gallons of purified water at all times so filtered water is always at your fingertips.  Larger whole house ROs are available and to determine an appropriate sized system for your needs and application speak with a Crystal Quest® representative.

Click here for additional information or clarifications for Crystal Quest® Reverse Osmosis systems.

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Economical, Effective Solutions

With Crystal Quest® water filter systems, water travels through several stages of filtration.  The end result is to eliminate or greatly reduce a wide variety of contaminants such as but not limited to:  Chlorine, arsenic, nitrate, Chromium III, unpleasant odor and taste, lead, iron (II, III), toxic chemicals, hydrogen sulfide, Trihalomethanes, asbestos (volatile and synthetic) pesticides, Cadmium, Chromium VI, Chromium III, selenium, mercury, calcium, carbonate, magnesium.  In addition, a Crystal Quest® water filter can disinfect and deter microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and fungi by the reaction of an oxidation reduction process.

A professional Crystal Quest® associate can help you determine which system best fits your needs.  If you are interested in assistance phone in and speak with an associate or fill out our  Water Quality Questionnaire that can be completed and sent by fax or emailed to Crystal Quest® for a system recommendation or submit a water quality report by a certified water testing laboratory to support@crystalquest.com.   

• No chlorine or chlorine by products.
• No more bottled water or heavy cooler bottles to lift.
• No more inhaling and absorbing chlorine and other chemicals in the shower or bath.

Sparkling Clean Water

With the most advanced and effective water filtration and conditioning system in the market you can get great tasting, healthier water for drinking, flavorful beverages, crystal clear ice cubes, cooking and tasty food.

Crystal Quest® guarantees the performance of filtration systems identified as “Guaranteed Performance” units.  This guarantee offers assurance of the removal of specific system contaminants and also assures that the filtered water is free of leaching of toxicities.  Details of this guarantee can be viewed at Crystal Quest® Guaranteed Performance.

The following are governmental links that provide additional information about water quality and regulations.

http://www.who.int/topics/water/en

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/

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