We have a lot of customers who ask if our reverse osmosis systems are made in America.  We explain that our Galaxy and Aquapurion series are mostly assembled in the USA but they do not use all Made in America parts.  We also explain that our American Revolution RO system is made in America with 100% made in America Parts.  Here’s the deal:  The American Revolution RO is the only reverse osmosis system that is Made in America with 100% American Made Parts.  THE ONLY ONE!

There are websites that say Made in America and you can zoom in and see that their tank is Made in Taiwan!   Others say Assembled in America.  What they leave out is … with Made in China Parts.  I would like to give some of these websites a pass and say that they don’t know any better, but I have talked to they and I believe they are simply trying to deceive you – the customer.

It’s hard to find tanks, brackets, filter housings, membrane housings, automatic shut-off valves, fittings and faucets made in the USA, but we did… and we have the only 100% all Made in USA reverse osmosis system.  Period!

One website says “Proudly built in the USA”  but it is obvious that it has a lot of Chinese or Taiwanese parts.

Another one says “Made in USA” and it obviously isn’t made with US parts.  Maybe you don’t know that, but water treatment professionals know it.  They are really hoping you don’t, so that they can make a sale to you under false pretenses!  Of course, those same guys copied a lot of our website several years ago, so they know little about ethics.

Look, why lie?  We don’t tell people that our Galaxy and Aquapurion systems are Made in USA.  The Aquapurion does use All-American Filters and the Membrane, but it’s not all Made in USA. The American Revolution RO is Made in the USA – 100% – Totally – Everything – End of Story!

My advise is “Just Tell the Truth!”

If you are looking at any RO system, ask if it is made in the USA.  If the “other company” says yes, give us a call and we will tell you the truth.  Most of the time, it is not!

Not everyone cares, and if you don’t then look at our Galaxy or Aquapurion Reverse Osmosis Systems, but if you demand “MADE in USA” for your RO systems, there is only one – the US Water American Revolution RO!

Maybe the ways to end all this is to require a seal of approval; from the government or another sanctioning body validating your claims?  Thoughts?

My short and direct answer is NO!

We do not recommend installers… and especially plumbers.  Most plumbers work under the idea that they need to bill you at least $500 an hour, including parts and labor.  Some plumbers are at $600 to $800 per hour.  Of course, you can’t do that charging for labor only, so when they show up, the usually say something like “Oh my God, you didn’t buy that did you?”  Then they proceed to try to sell you their water treatment system (which is always an inferior system and one they generally know little about).  All they know is that they get a commission for selling it and their boss is happy that they are billing you at $500 to $800 per hour.

Plumbers are also famous to us for installing equipment backwards and breaking parts, because they won’t (or can’t) read the directions.  Our systems are simple to install – we have videos, manuals and tech support 7 days a week.  We have the least problems with installation from homeowners who care about their work.  However, if you are not the mechanical type and want someone to install a system, I suggest calling a Handyman Service.  If you Google “Handyman Service” you will have a multitude of options.  Hire someone who is not afraid to call us and ask a few questions.

Don’t get me wrong.  Plumbers are necessary and I personally know many good plumbers, but many are not that good and are trained to “sell you stuff” and bill at $500 to $800 per hour.  All of the big name brand plumbers in your area are likely of that type.  “Mom-and-pop” plumbers are not so much like that.  The guy who does my HVAC is a “one-man-band” but he gives me great service and has saved me thousands of dollars.  When my neighbor had his heat pump go out, he asked for his name.  The other companies quoted from $6,600.00 to $8,800.00 for the job that he did for $3,600.00!

Cheap is not always better, but getting ripped off is not good either. You need to remember that when you buy from US Water Systems, you are buying direct from the manufacturer and cutting out the middlemen.  So, if a plumber has something for close to the same price, it is generally dramatically inferior.

There are many reason, why you may not want to hire a plumber to install your water treatment system, however, the best payoff in not hiring a plumber is not having to see their buttcrack.

If you Google “alkaline water”, you will get about 4,250,000 results including all kinds of companies trying to sell alkaline water devices, from ionizers and re-mineralization systems to all kinds of strange things that allegedly add alkalinity to the water.  Of course, most promise amazing health benefits up to and including everlasting life (I am only half jesting).

Markus Rothkranz has a website called www.markusnews.com and at one point he used to extol the virtues of alkaline water – something he no longer endorses.  In fact, he says it is not only something he doesn’t endorse – he claims that it is bad for you… and provides scientific evidence to back it up.  This is a 30 minute video, but worthwhile if you are considering alkaline water or an ionizer.

So, there’s that.  Want more?  Molly Shea, Health Editor of Yahoo.com addresses the issue in “Can Drinking Alkaline Water Keep You Extra-Hydrated and Disease-Free?”  The short answer is NO!  In part she writes:

“Water is nature’s perfect beverage. Hydrating, calorie-free, and readily available, the simple drink is as good as it gets for ensuring proper functioning of all your body’s organs. But what if there was a different water, an even more hydrating liquid that goes farther to keep you healthy and thriving?

That’s the premise behind alkaline water, a version of H2O with a pH level higher than 7. (A pH above 7 is considered alkaline, while a pH lower than 7 is acidic — normal water typically has a pH of 7).The thinking is this: Maintaining a bodily pH level of 7.4 is key to optimum health. Because so many foods in the modern diet are considered acidic, drinking water with a higher pH than normal can help your body stay alkaline and disease-free, improving all aspects of health. Proponents call it a better form of hydration, and some drink alkaline water exclusively.

The water comes in two forms: “natural” alkaline water, gathered from areas like Hawaii’s volcanic regions, or “artificial” alkaline water, which is ionized by a machine or made by adding an alkalizing salt to normal water.

While water with extra benefits has been revered for ages, the specialty bottled water industry has boomed in just recent years. “People are drawn to something that impacts the body’s pH [levels]. Whether it’s placebo or fact, people feel that drinking alkaline water will help them get healthier,” says Richard Medina Jr., co-founder of L.A. Distributing Company, a New Age snack and beverage distributor. Even Mark Wahlberg and Puff Daddy got into the game in 2013 co-founding “Aqua Hydrate,” a brand of alkaline water that they tout as a natural hangover cure. 

But for all its celebrity sparkle and dramatic claims, can drinking alkaline water actually make you any healthier?  

What The Science Says:

As alluring as it sounds, the answer is no, says Stanley Goldfarb, MD, hydration expert and professor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “If you drink a lot of alkaline water, all you’re going to do is pee out a huge amount of alkaline material. There really is no rationale for this,” Goldfarb explains. Yes, maintaining the right pH balance is important, but your body does that on its own — no fancy water required.

“What people need to appreciate is that the body is designed to maintain its equilibrium in the face of whatever you take in,” Goldfarb explains. “We are designed to maintain the pH of our bodies in an extraordinarily specific range. We have so many defense mechanisms to prevent an accumulation of alkaline that drinking alkaline water will have little effect.”

As for claims that alkaline water can hydrate better than normal water, delivering vitamins and minerals to your body more rapidly and efficiently — those just don’t hold up. There are no studies that prove that drinking alkaline water is any more hydrating than your average tap, filtered, or bottled water, and any claims that it does so fly in the face of hydration research, says Goldfarb. “When it comes to… whether you’re taking in acid or alkaline, it really makes no difference,” he says. 

But as much as alkaline water’s benefits have likely been overblown, so too have any potential side effects. Some warn against drinking too much alkaline water, for fear that it could lead to alkalosis — when your body’s pH level is too high, causing confusion, headaches, vomiting and more. According to Goldfarb, there’s very little chance that drinking alkaline water, even if you’re drinking it exclusively, could lead to any internal issues. “It’s not to say that you can’t overwhelm your system, but it’s rare.” That said, says Goldfarb, “if you have a disease, the answer changes, so I’m hesitant to say oh, no, drink what you want, [but in general] it won’t make a difference.”

As for whether water that’s naturally alkaline is any better than water that’s artificially alkalized, Goldfarb doesn’t see the evidence. “There’s no difference between natural and unnatural alkaline—it really doesn’t matter.” 

The Verdict:

There are some situations where the pH level of the water you consume does impact your health, Goldfarb explains. “For example, [for] some people who have kidney disease, their bodies cannot rid themselves of acid as quickly as others. If you’re prone to kidney stones, then acidity might be a problem.” A study did suggest that drinking water with a pH of 8.8 (which is more alkaline) can help relieve symptoms of acid reflux, when it’s done as part of a doctor-approved treatment plan. Those exceptions aside, swilling alkaline water won’t make much of a difference. 

If you love the taste of a certain water and have some extra money to blow, spending it on pricey aqua isn’t the worst thing you could do. Just turn a wary eye to health claims and don’t expect any magic. “

If you care, my opinion is that the water treatment technology that removes the most and widest spectrum of contaminants is reverse osmosis.  We know for a fact that removing dangerous chemicals such as Chlorine, Chloramine, Fluoride and many other contaminants is a great idea because it is good for your body.  You need to get your minerals from food and supplements because water is not a significant source of minerals anyway.

(Photo: Stocksy/Aleksandra Kovac/Yahoo)

Since July 10, the citizens of New York City have been on alert following the discovery of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, a bacterial infection that spreads through water systems and can be deadly to smokers and the elderly. Already, ten people have died, 100 have tested positive for the disease, and officials think more people will be diagnosed before the outbreak is contained. For a detailed explanation of Legionnaires’ disease, symptoms ands how it is spread, you can read VOX EXPLAINERS HERE.

Legionnaires’ Disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.  The majority of the cases are caused by Legionella pneumophila.  These bacteria thrive in water temperatures between 77 degrees F and 113 degrees F, which is why cooling towers are a prime source of Legionella.  However, it can also be found in many other areas, such as evaporative coolers, nebulizers, humidifiers, whirlpool spas, water heating systems, showers, windshield washers, fountains, room-air humidifiers, ice-making machines, and misting systems typically found in grocery-store produce sections.  There is even the possibility of hospital-acquired legionella from which the principal source of infection is the drinking-water distribution system.

Mortality from Legionella can approach 30%, so it’s a horrible, killing disease.  However, the purpose of this blog is not to tell you how to treat it, but rather, how to prevent it.  That is the course of wisdom.  It should be noted that if treatment were always easy, Legionella would have been eradicated by now.  The fact of the matter is that Legionella is most deadly to older adults who may be immune compromised or who may have underlying medical conditions.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)  has published a white paper on treatment for Legionella  which is very informative.

There are several control methods available for disinfection of water distribution systems. These include thermal (super heat and flush), hyperchlorination, copper-silver ionization, ultraviolet light sterilization, ozonation, and instantaneous steam heating systems. Because some methods have not always proven completely successful or have not provided permanent protection from recolonization, a combination of these methods may be the most effective way of managing water systems and preventing future outbreaks.

Thermal disinfection, hyperchlorination and copper-silver ionization as well as the use of other biocides are something that we recommend you do or if you are doing these things, we recommend you continue.  We believe that it is imperative to maintain a residual in the water supply for continuous killing capability.  However, Ozonation and Ultraviolet Disinfection are viable options in the treatment to prevent Legionella.

Ultraviolet light or UV, kills Legionella by disrupting cellular DNA synthesis. A UV light sterilization system can be positioned to disinfect the incoming water, or it can be installed at a specific place in the pipe system that services a designated area. No chemical by-products are produced, and the taste and odor of water from a water distribution system containing a UV sterilizer are not affected. The UV sterilization system requires maintenance in order to prevent scale from coating the UV lamps. The system does not provide residual protection, so continuous disinfection is very important.

Ozone, which is generally created using an ozone generator, can be used to kill L. pneumophila. Ozone instantaneously inactivates Legionella; however, it has a short half-life and decomposes quickly back to oxygen. A second form of disinfection may be required in the distribution system for residual protection. Also, ozonation is more expensive than hyperchlorination, and a large amount of space is required for the air preparation equipment or oxygen tanks and contacting tank.

Conclusion:  There is no question that Ultraviolet Disinfection and/or Ozone should be part of any cooling tower treatment regimen – it just shouldn’t be the only method.  There needs to some kind of residual disinfectant and/or biocide to prevent re-contamination downstream.

US Water Systems Ozone Systems

US Water Systems Ultraviolet Disinfection Systems

Hey, I’ve got news for you – the government will let you down!  I know that shocks people who believe that “cradle-to-grave” stuff, but they will let you down – write it down and count on it!  The latest example is the incredible case of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) who are supposed to be the guardians of our environment, dumping three million gallons (That’s 3,000,000 gallons)  of water contaminated with heavy metals and toxic sludge from the Gold King Mine, near Durango, Colorado, when an EPA cleanup crew destabilized a dam of loose rock lodged in the mine. The crew was supposed to pump out and decontaminate the sludge, but instead released it into the tiny Cement Creek. From there, it flowed into the Animas River and made its way into larger tributaries, including the San Juan and Colorado rivers.

This contamination will work its way into the Colorado River and effect the water supply for part of New Mexico, Colorado, Southern Nevada including Vegas, Phoenix, LA and down through San Diego. Hardest hit will be New Mexico, Colorado, Las Vegas and Phoenix and California some, but to a lesser effect.   The water that once was nearly clear is now a mustard color as it is contaminated with heavy metals such as arsenic, iron, lead, zinc, copper, aluminum, cadmium and others.

The immediate impact of this is apparent – fish and aquatic life will die and people who make their living from fishing, rafting and other recreational activities will lose business.  Ranchers, who depend upon the water supply for their livestock and farmers who need it for their crops stand to lose everything!  What the long-term damage may be is difficult to predict.  It doesn’t just go away, as the sediment settles and then can be washed back up with storms, rainfall and flooding.  The water from these rivers could serve up a “toxic cocktail” to anyone drinking the water for months or even years!

Some people like to sit around and lament their misfortune, but others take action.  If you are not the former,  then the news is good.  Companies like US Water Systems who have Qualified Water Engineers and Certified Water Specialists on staff can actually design water treatment systems that can remove these, and many other contaminants, from your water supply.  However, if complaining about the problem makes you feel better… by all means do it!  But, if you water better water, the the solution is just a phone call (800-608-8792) or e-mail away  (support@uswatersystems.com).

In the future, you will see more and more water problems like this and you can wait for the government to solve your problem or you can solve it today on your own.  I personally love the water quality from a home water purification systems and the peace-of-mind in knowing that my family and I are protected from contaminated water.  The technology is already in place to solve these problems and includes Filtration, Reverse Osmosis, Ultrafiltration, Ultraviolet Disinfection, Ozonation, Charged Membrane Filtration, Deionization and other processes.  If you care about your family’s well being, contact US Water Systems at www.USwaterSystems.com.

Photo credit:  Tom Bartles, who lives in Durango, Colorado shared these photos of the Animas River from the viewpoint of his backyard before and after the spill, via http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/10/us/colorado-epa-mine-river-spill/index.html  

The History of Membrane Technology

Before talking about the new Pulsar Charged Membrane Filtration, it would b he helpful if we were to look at the history of membrane filtration.

Membrane technology is not a new technology in itself.  Membrane technology includes reverse osmosis (RO), Nano filtration (NF), Ultrafiltration (UF), and Microfiltration (MF). Absolute rated particulate filters also have one thing in common in that they all rely to some degree on media pore size. In cases, where the pores within the media structure develop an integrity breach or if a breach of the vessel seal takes place, the results can be high levels of microbial contaminants bypassing and the filter material as well as releasing contaminants to enter the clean water system! These high levels of microbes can be catastrophic.

There are many RO, NF, UF & MF filtration manufacturers making microbial claims for bacteria, virus and cyst reduction. Such reduction is normally expressed as a percentage or log reduction value (LRV) for the membrane (spiral, hollow fiber or pleated designs). Pleated particulate filters with an absolute rating of 0.1 – 1 micron may also make claims for microbial reduction.

However, the filter choices and performance often depends upon on the seal integrity within the filter vessel. Double Open End (DOE) or Single Open End (SOE) gasket cartridges on some brands of cartridges  may have very high efficiency capability but their reliance on a “knife” or pressure seal may not maintain appositive  seal sufficient to stop the migration of microbial contaminants due to pressure shifting or pulsations changes from varying flow rates, which can break the seal! Without a proper seal, microbial contamination is likely to occur right from the start. Cartridges using a knife or pressure seal do not have the tolerances sufficient to act as a microbial barrier.

Filter cartridges with a double O-ring seal such as a 222 or 226 (or similar design) that fit into a receiver, within the element vessel, and that provides an O-ring compression necessary to prevent by-pass are the type of filters that should be used.

Integrity of the Cartridge Itself

Now we come to another piece of the puzzle, the integrity of the membrane or particulate filter elements /cartridges. Virus size can be <0.02 um and if the membrane or filter element is not integral all is for naught as microorganism by-pass will surely result. NSF/ANSI Standards 42/61 are for material safety/structural integrity and they do not verify the membrane /element/cartridge are integral. NSF/ANSI Standards 42/61 will assure you that the product material is not imparting anything into the water, and is approved for drinking water treatment units. These Standards are for filtration efficiency issues. Even NSF P231 and P248 protocols, which test for microbial efficiency, are not testing integrity of the elements. NSF is now promoting their latest standard for municipal treatment technology for drinking water NSF/ANSI 419 Public Drinking Water Equipment Performance – Filtration.

Once again it is an efficiency driven standard for microbial LRV but not integrity verification of the elements/cartridges.  Why should we be concerned about the integrity of the filter? The same reason that Public water supplies will not give virus LRV credits to membranes without requiring a continuous integrity verification of the membrane/cartridges for every module typically every 15 minutes. Since this technology is not killing the organisms but merely filtering them, Regulatory Agencies are well aware that if any breach of integrity occurs

Public Water Systems are risking their customer’s health and well being. Death could even result for those having low immune deficiencies who receive a high dose of microbes from a possible breach in the element/cartridge or vessel designs.

Disinfection Technology Preferences

Chorine, Chloramine, Chloride Dioxide and high Dose UV (186mJ) are the preferred methods of disinfection preference in municipal markets. UV and Ozone are routinely used for bottled water and the food and beverage industries. Disinfection per EPA and State Regulations is defined as one or multiple treatment processes combined to provide a validated >= 4 LRV reduction of Bacteria, Virus and Protozoan cyst.

Therefore, anywhere that water is used for drinking, misting, cooling, washing vegetables or other potable water applications, one must be aware that if the water is not properly filtered, microbial contamination can cause food spoilage, cause illness, and liability for those selling, installing and using these devices. Therefore one must be certain that  any filtration devices has technology capable of providing the Log Reduction Values appropriate for the application.

Advancements in Electro-Adsorptive Technology

Electro-adsorptive technology is now commercially available that does not rely on pore size exclusion for high levels of microbial reduction and does not release the retained contaminants in an event of an integrity breach. The electro-positive charge captures/retains contaminants throughout the depth of the pore structure. This method reduces microbes via adsorption + mechanical filtration not simply pore size exclusion.

The electro-adsorptive charge provides a net adsorption efficiency of ~.002 um and mechanically with a mean pore size of approximately 1.2 microns. The charge field removes the negatively charged, submicron particles while larger particles are captured within the fiber structure of the media. This method reduces virus by > 4 LRV with a mechanical mean pore size of approximately 1.2 microns.

Electro-adsorption provides “retention” of the organisms through these charged structures within the media and small integrity breaches, which may occur, does not produce a catastrophic release of organisms. Mechanical pore dependent membranes and filters do not enjoy this benefit.

This filter media has over 400 layers of pore depth created by a wet laid non-woven manufacturing process. This results in a media having a torturous flow pattern, high flow rates at low pressure drop. The charge field results in a high initial removal efficiency as well as high loading capacity. This results in high energy saving. The CMF technology approaches Nano-filtration that requires very high psi inlet pressures.

This media has been sold commercially for years with great results. When used with appropriate and properly prefiltration for particulates provides sufficient life cycles between cartridge changes to satisfy all involved. With a cost comparable to MF and much less than RO/NF/UF membranes making it very competitive in the market place.

While the media performance is excellent it still requires good manufacturing practices and the integrity of the finished product is just as critical as membranes. This media requires manufacturing knowledge and experience as it can be difficult to pleat due to its 1 mm thickness and composite structure. A quality control procedure with 100% NDPT (Non Destructive Performance Test) or reverse bubble testing in alcohol solution is required at the production facility for every cartridge to insure the integrity.

Disposal Issues

Spent elements and cartridges that remove microbes become a bio hazard and without an antimicrobial additive to control these microbes cannot be disposed of as normal waste. This issue is most often overlooked and the elements and cartridges are typically disposed of in the trash. The Pulsar CMF filter is manufactured from a naturally occurring element called boehmite, which has no known Health Side Effects.  The filter is impregnated with Agion® Silver Zeolite Technology which protects filter and reduces tastes and odors from microbes.

Conclusion

Pulsar Charged Membrane Filtration or CMF is a disruptive technology.  It  is one that displaces an established technology and shakes up the industry or a ground-breaking product that creates a completely new industry. When the PC replaced the typewriter, it forever changed the way we work and communicate. Cell phones were “disruptive technology” because it allowed us to communicate from almost anywhere and the Pulsar Charged Membrane Filter System is “disruptive technology” in that a filter system can now remove the following contaminants:

• Bacteria (99.8%)
• Iron
• Virus (90-92%)
• Copper
• Cysts
• Lead
• Tannin
• Chromium VI
• Endotoxins (96%)
• Selenium
• Legeonella (99.9%)
• Tannic Acid
• Silica
• Humic Acid
• Heavy Metals
• Cryptosporidium
• Fulvic Acids

Charged Membrane Filtration or CMF is manufactured with Nano Alumina Fibers that have a Zeta potential of 51 millivolts. A CMF cartridge retains bacteria, virus, cryptosporidium oocysts and even tannin with its strong Zeta Potential. To removes cysts and bacteria, the flow rate is 10 GPM, but if you are removing tannin, the flow is 15 GPM.

How It Is Made

Unlike mechanical filters which rely on “pore size” the Charged Membrane Technology literally “secures” the contaminant. It is “absorbed” in a very real way. The filters have a long life and are easily replaceable.

Health and Safety

The CMF media is manufactured from a naturally occurring element called boehmite, which has no known Health Side Effects. In fact, boehmite has long been used as an additive to food products and digestive analgesics. Additionally, it has passed testing for NSF/ANSI Standard 42 and 61 for potable water and USP Class VI testing and endotoxin testing.

CMF media is engineered this 51 millivolt charge cover the entire volume and depth of the media. A CMF filter accomplished submicron filtration with a “charge” rather than “pore size” filtration, which allows for virtually zero pressure drop and high flow rates. If you compare the Pulsar CMF to “ultrafiltration” membranes, you will find dramatically higher flow rates with less pressure drop.

“What is the best way to treat water to brew beer?“

I get that question a lot, and while beer is 91 to 97% water, the answer is “It Depends!”

It depends upon a number of factors, such as (1) where you are geographically located; (2) whether you have well or city water; (3) whether your water source uses chloramine or chlorine; and (4) what type of beer you want to brew. Let me elaborate on these four factors:

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION – Water quality varies dramatically depending upon where you are located.  In some parts of the country the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels are low and in other areas they are high.  Depending upon your TDS level and what type of beer you are trying to brew would lead you to choose different technologies to treat your water.  For example, if your TDS level was over 300 to 500 ppm, and depending upon what type of beer you were trying to brew, you might want to choose reverse osmosis to lower your TDS levels.

There are exceptional beers brewed with both High and Low TDS levels, but the TDS levels cannot be considered in a vacuum.  pH and other contaminants also need to be considered.  Consider this: RO removes about 97 percent of sodium nitrate from the water. Nitrates reduce to nitrites in solution, which are toxic to yeast.  Also, pH in conjunction with TDS levels have to be considered, as “mash pH” is critical to the brewing process.

WATER SOURCE – Water typically comes from a municipality, a well or a surface source.  How you treat each one varies depending upon the contaminants found.  Therefore a water test is paramount when considering what type of treatment to apply, because the treatment regimen for surface water, well water and municipal water can be dramatically different.  Total alkalinity, bicarbonate levels and other contaminants will also affect the brewing process.

CHLORINE OR CHLORAMINE – If you have municipal water, it may be high or low in TDS, but it also may have chlorine, which is toxic to yeast or chloramine, which is like “chlorine on steroids” because it is like the Energizer Bunny in that it keeps going and going and going.  Chloramine is made with chlorine and ammonia which results in the chlorine lasting almost forever. Chlorine is bad enough for brewing beer, but can be overcome with intense heat which causes evaporation of the chemical.  Chloramine is very resistant to evaporation, which means that it will kill your yeast… or at least maim it! Chlorine and Chloramine are both removed by “prolonged contact carbon filtration” but chloramine requires “catalytic carbon” to remove it.  Should you use granular activated carbon (GAC) or Catalytic Carbon?  Let me answer that question by saying that even if your municipality does not use chloramine today, the likelihood is that it will “tomorrow.” Use Catalytic Granular Activate Carbon or CGAC!

TYPE OF BEER – If you are brewing a stout or an IPA or a lager, you will likely need different levels of pH, bicarbonate, alkalinity and/or TDS.  We don’t try and tell you what mixture works the best – we just supply equipment that enables you to achieve any level of water quality you desire.

So, what type of water treatment is best for brewing beer?  There is no pat answer.  In some cases, it may involve micron filtration followed by catalytic granular activated carbon prolonged contact filtration and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. In other cases it may involve reverse osmosis with addition of pH acids and brewing salts, such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate.  These are often called “Brewing Salts” and are essential to brewers who want the best possible product.

In conclusion, a 5 micron filter and a catalytic carbon filter are ideal in many areas, but the most sophisticated brewers use that followed by reverse osmosis and pH adjustment followed by the introduction of “brewing salts.”  At any rate, US Water Systems offers a number of option for the Home Beer Brewer as well as the Professional Business Brewer.

Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Two Deep Brewing Company.

This post is not written for everyone.  If you believe the United States Government will take care of you cradle to grave, then skip this.  It’s not for you. However, if you believe it is up to you to take responsibility for your own health, welfare and well-being, then read on.

For the uninitiated, due to a series of government snafus (I’m being kind), the water in Flint, Michigan contains high levels of lead. Then there’s the serious matter of addressing the long-term health implications of exposing thousands of children to dangerously high levels of lead.  How do you fix that?  I mean how….?

OK, but this is not a political post.  Who is responsible?  Who is at fault? It makes no difference. If you live in Flint, Michigan you have to ask yourself if you want safe, clean drinking water.  Like a lot of cities, Flint, Michigan has lots of lead pipes and under certain conditions, that lead can leach into the water supply.  We can talk about how it’s the government’s responsibility, but ask yourself:  Has the Government ever let you down?

I you think you are responsible for your water quality, then we can talk.

If I lived in Flint, Michigan I would install a water treatment system like this on my home:

https://www.uswatersystems.com/us-water-quad-pro-filtration-and-bacteria-removal-system-for-well-water.html

It will filter the water, remove the lead, remove the bacteria and provide high quality water for you and your family.  Isn’t that what you want?  As a matter of fact, doesn’t everyone want that?  After that, if you want to purify your drinking water to an even higher level of purity, then you will want to use this for drinking water:

https://www.uswatersystems.com/galaxy-5-stage-reverse-osmosis-system-gx-5050.html

You can complain about your water or you can just be quiet and protect your family.  You have the power.

If you are not sure what you might need, call one of the Certified Water Specialists at US Water Systems.  We care about your water.

Question:

“The specifications on the Aquapurion Permeate Pump RO for water consumption claim much less waste than a standard unit. In a residential application on city water at 60-70 PSI input pressure how much waste would a standard RO and how much water would a Permeate Pump RO waste? Our water is about 25-30 grains hard and the input would be pre-softened.”

Answer:

There is no accurate answer to your question. Here’s why: Most RO systems waste 3 to 7 gallons of water per gallon made, however over the last quart or so (right before the tank shuts off), that edges up to 6, 7, 9, 11. 13, 15, even 19 to 1. So, if you take a glass of water out of the tank, it will waste a lot re-filling it. If however, you take a gallon or two out at a time and not lots of small glasses, the waste will not be as much.

It’s just that over time, most people have found that a permeate pump RO generally saves up to 80% in waste water. That is the claim that the manufacturer of the permeate pump (Aquatec) also makes.  It also makes water faster and with essentially the same pressure coming out as you have going in.

How much you actually waste depends upon how you use water. It’s a good question with no exact answer. The bottom line is: A reverse osmosis system equipped with a permeate pump will waste less water, make better water, deliver higher water pressure and make water faster. If that’s important to you, then the permeate pump is the way to go.

By now, just about everyone who has not been hiding under a rock in America has heard about the lead water problems in Flint, Michigan.  According to the World Health Organization:

“…lead affects children’s brain development resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioral changes such as shortening of attention span and increased antisocial behavior, and reduced educational attainment. Lead exposure also causes anemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. The neurological and behavioral effects of lead are believed to be irreversible.”

Many people want to assign blame, whether it be to the City, the State or Federal Government and I wish them success, but I am here to tell you that this is not an isolated incident.  There are many other cities that have lead problems that have not been publicized or detected.  Consider this information from a variety of media outlets:

• Last week, the city of Jackson, Miss., announced that 13 out of 58 homes randomly tested showed lead levels between 17 and 20 parts per billion (p.p.b). The level that is supposed to trigger federal action is 15. — Time Magazine
• In a 2011  National Resources Defense Council study, 19 cities were found with pollution and deteriorating plumbing. These included: Albuquerque, Denver, Phoenix, San Diego and Fresno. It was also reported that while some cities did a good job of filing right-to-know reports, others published information that was incomplete, misleading, or buried deep in reports. Moreover, nearly all the cities in the study failed to report on the health effects of contaminants found in the water to their residents.  – Salon
• Ohio health officials confirmed the presence of lead in the drinking water in the town of Sebring and said five local children were found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood. — Time Magazine
• Data collected by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that over 40 percent of the states that reported lead test results in 2014 have higher rates of lead poisoning among children than Flint.  — The Washington Post
• Elevated blood-lead levels are seen in a higher percentage of children in parts of Grand Rapids, Jackson, Detroit, Saginaw, Muskegon, Holland and several other cities, proof that the scourge of lead has not been eradicated despite decades of public health campaigns and hundreds of millions of dollars spent to find and eliminate it. — The Detroit News
• 18 Cities In Pennsylvania, Including Pittsburgh, Have Higher Lead Exposure Than Flint.  — CBS Pittsburgh
• Lots of cities have the same lead pipes that poisoned Flint.  –  Huffington Post

This list can go on for hours, but you should understand that even if you are on a municipal water supply, do you really believe that you can trust the water?  If you are a millennial, do you really believe that Social Security will be available for your generation?  Maybe it will… but can you count on it?

Here’s the point:  Are you just going to sit back and wait to see what happens or maybe you want to do something about it now and for the future.  If you want to take control of water right now to protect you and your family from lead there are lots of options.  At US Water Systems, we offer solutions for lead problems in your water that cost as little as $189.95 for a point-of-use drinking water system, such as your kitchen sink.  There are also systems that remove the lead and other chemicals for your whole house.  Then there is reverse osmosis which not only removes lead but also a plethora of other contaminants from the water supply.  In fact, reverse osmosis removes the widest spectrum of contaminants of any water treatment process.  Reverse osmosis is available both as a point-of-use system or a whole house water treatment system. All of the lead removal systems are found on the Lead Removal Water Problems Solutions  page on our Website, and if you are not sure what you need, call one of our Certified Water Specialists at 800-608-8792.  They can help you figure out what is best for your water.

Cheers, 

The Water Doctor

Any consumer who gets their water from a public utility can ask their water provider about the drinking water quality or they can access information on the internet about the water quality. But that begs the question: Can the results be trusted?  Congress held hearing on this every issue last week where Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech professor said utilities can also rig testing procedures to keep the lead number down.

A school superintendent, not from Flint Michigan, but rather from a small school district in Indiana, recently stated this (via The Indianapolis Star):

“I had always assumed that when you purchased water from a utility company that it’s safe to drink.”

The EPA, Water Treatment Experts and scientists all agree that no level of lead is completely safe, but the EPA has not yet disclosed what amount of lead it considers an acute health risk, and its “action level” for lead in drinking water which is 15 parts per billion (ppb), is not the minimum contaminant (mcl) for what’s considered safe. It’s simply a regulatory reference point for corrosion control and/or additional testing.

At the congressional hearings last week on Flint, Michigan’s water, the EPA received withering criticism for ambiguous rules pertaining to lead and lax oversight. Michigan’s governor apologized for his role in the crisis but also placed blame on the EPA, calling its rules on lead “dumb and dangerous.”

Where does the lead come from?  On municipal water supplies it can come from older pipes which used lead in the pipe itself or lead connections. Many cities have an aging water infrastructure (in some areas, it is over 100 years old) that incorporates lead pipes or joints. Also, most homes that were built before 1986 are the ones most likely to have lead pipes, connections or solder, according to the EPA.

Let me cut to the chase – The lead issue in Flint, Michigan is far from an isolated incident.  A USA TODAY NETWORK investigation has found about 2,000 other water systems in all 50 states which have had excessive levels of lead during the past four years.   The USA TODAY NETWORK reported that nearly 200 of these public water systems failed to notify their consumers about the high lead levels and that many were found at schools and day cares.

What the USA TODAY NETWORK  found should scare the daylights out of you:

One water sample at a Maine elementary school was 41 times higher while another at a Pennsylvania preschool was 14 times higher. And a sink in a music-room bathroom at Caroline Elementary tested this year at 5,000 ppb of lead, results released by the school system show.

That’s the cutoff where the EPA labels a substance “hazardous waste.”

It likely won’t do any good to check with your day care or school because less than 10% of them are required to test for lead.  However, the effects of lead upon children is well-documented – lowered IQ, behavior problems and developmental delays, but symptoms don’t show up until dangerous levels of lead have already accumulated.

Happily, there is an easy solution to the lead problem.  Let me set the stage:  Day cares and schools spend a great deal of money to entertain and educated children with devices such as TVs, computers and other electronics. Consumers have cable at home, but it doesn’t work without a TV… and most homes have at least one (usually more) Flat Screen TV that costs upwards of $400.00. Families are not shy about spending for electronics, TVs and computers for their children, but many are loathe to spend two or three hundred dollars to insure their children’s health.

It’s that simple and that inexpensive.  There are several ways to remove lead, both from the water supply coming to the home, day care or school, but the water treatment process which removes the largest spectrum of contaminants is reverse osmosis, which also removes lead.  See, lead is not the last frontier – there are a number of other contaminants that can and will be in the water supply.  The list is too long to enumerate, but reverse osmosis or (RO) substantially removes them all.

A reverse osmosis system can be installed under the kitchen sink and also hooked to the icemaker (if a home has one) so that all of the water not only has the lead reduced, but also a plethora of other chemicals.  Come on people – you spend on cable TV and entertainment.  Don’t trust your child’s health to the government – take it upon yourself and give them the safe water they deserve… and while you are at it, tell your day care or school to install the same thing on their drinking or cooking water.

If you need a place to get a reverse osmosis system, here’s a good place to start:  https://www.uswatersystems.com/drinking-water/reverse-osmosis-systems

I recently had a customer ask about the Fleck ProFlo 5000 and Fleck 7000 valves.  They wanted to purchase a ProFlo 5000 SXT Softener and a ProFlo 7000 SXT Filter.  I had to tell them that I would not recommend that.  Why?

Here’s the thing: Fleck is obsoleting the 5000 and 7000 models on September 30, 2016.  It has been said that they will make parts for 5 more years and then that is it!

We have sold Fleck for 40 years but are moving away from them for a couple of reasons: (1) they are evidently trying to drive business through traditional brick and mortar dealers by denying access of their newest valves to online companies (which costs a unaware consumer double or triple the price); and (2) they no longer warranty their parts like spacers, pistons and seals under their warranty.  They consider it “normal wear and tear” and these parts are no longer covered.

Our Fusion NLT softener has a 10 year warranty on the valve and electronics (Fleck has 5 years) and we cover the wear and tear parts!

Additionally, if you buy a filter and a softener, you have two systems to maintain, two systems that waste water during backwash and regeneration, and two systems that use electricity. Our Fusion NLT Hybrid combines both a filter and a softener into one system.

The Fusion NLT Hybrid uses up-flow brining (which is unquestionably more efficient) and proportional brining (which regenerates the resin with only the precise amount of salt needed to bring it back to a full charge).  We believe that this is the highest efficiency system on the market.

Additionally, the NLT Hybrid uses Catalytic Granular Activated Carbon instead of just GAC.  This is important, because regular GAC does not remove chloramine, and it is only a matter of time until every municipality moves to chloramine… simply because it costs less (Go Figure).

The Fusion NLT Hybrid has a lifetime warranty on the tanks and resin to go with the 10 year warranty on the valve and electronics.  We you build them better, you can guarantee them better. Also, you will see that we have awesome installation and service videos and excellent manuals to go with our great technical support.

Check out the Fusion NLY Hybrid.  I think you will be impressed!

https://www.uswatersystems.com/fusion-nlt-hybrid-metered-water-softener.html

Below is a copy of the bulletin from Fleck notifying dealers that the 5000 and 7000 valves will soon be obsolete:

The simple and easy answer is NO, because in actuality, what many companies call “Salt-Free Water Conditioners” simply do not soften the water. By definition, a water softener is any device that reduces the hardness to below one (1) grain per gallon (gpg).  If it doesn’t do that, it’s not a water softener.  We have tested the following systems as to whether they are “water softeners” or not and here is what we found:

• Pelican Naturesoft – The water we tested coming out of the device was not soft.
• NuvoH2O – The water we tested coming out of the device was not soft.
• Aquasana – The water we tested coming out of the device was not soft.
• Apec Futura – The water we tested coming out of the device was not soft.

Yet, all the above companies persist in calling their products, “Salt-Free Water Softeners.”  You know, if what I am saying is untrue, they could get together and sue me for liebel.  They can’t however, because their products actually do not soften the water.  Let me make it clear, that I am not saying they don’t work. What I am saying is that they should not call their products a water softener if they don’t soften the water.  HELLO!  It’s really simple, it either softens the water or it doesn’t.  I can scientifically prove that they don’t!

Why would they call their products water softeners when they do not soften the water?  It’s simple – people actually think they are buying a water softener that doesn’t use salt so it allows them to recruit more customers… even if their claims are untrue.  Pelican, Aquasana and Apec Futura are all similar technologies to the old Green Wave “tank-type, media-based” water conditioners that US Water Systems used to sell.  I say “used to sell” because we have discovered a better and much more economical method.

On May 1, 2016, US Water Systems released their new line of Green Wave Systems that work better ands cost less than any other system on the market today.  The new Green Wave salt-free water conditioner is the New Standard by which all salt free systems will now be judged!

The Green Wave is the new revolutionary and economic way to deal with hard water. The Green Wave system uses a unique and patented dosing system which adds a small amount silicopolyphosphate (a food grade material) to the water, effectively “sealing” Calcium and Magnesium. Silcopolyphosphate is a “food grade” product and is safe for human consumption according to the WHO and FAO recommendations. It meets all FDA requirements for being “food grade.”

However, with so many chemicals, pesticides, rocket fuel, pharmaceuticals and 35,000 other potential contaminants in the water, we recommend that you utilize a reverse osmosis system for drinking water. RO takes out the silisopolyphosphate as well as all the rest of the “bad stuff.” Reverse osmosis removes the largest spectrum of contaminants of any water treatment process.

The Green Wave prevents calcium and magnesium salt deposits on sanitary systems, faucets, hot water appliances and inside pipework. The Green Wave water treatment method is environmentally friendly, uses no electricity and 100% safe for drinking water.

Hard water is also bad for your skin. Dermatologists and specialists often recommend that patients treat hard water as this is gentler to your skin. Skin irritations and infections can be prevented or considerably reduced by treating hard water before use. By using the Green Wave, no Calcium deposits are left on your skin and soap residues are rinsed off easier and cleaner. Your skin knows the difference.

Features:

• No Salt
• No Electricity
• No waste water
• No carbon footprint
• Environmentally friendly

Salt free water conditioners exist for the purpose of preventing hard water scale, often called lime scale.  The Green Wave Solo is small, but mighty.  It prevents scale better than any salt-free system we have ever tested and is backed with a ONE-YEAR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!

How we got here is important:

US Water Systems has been at the forefront of salt-free water treatment movement for the past decade. We started into the salt-free water conditioning industry over a dozen years ago and soon began using the nextScaleStop TAC(Template Assisted Crystallization) media, the concept of which was from German engineering.  We used it for a few years before switching to the Filtersorb SP3 NAC (Nucleation Assisted Crystallization) which was also of German engineering and in fact, was made in Germany.

While we felt SP3 was superior, we were not satisfied 100% with the performance, so we kept looking at the different available technologies around the world.

We looked at systems that used wires wrapped around pipes, like Easy Water, giant magnets, which are sold by a number of companies, and adding citric acid to the water to lower the pH by companies like NuvoH2O.  In our opinion none of these technologies were as good, than our GreenWave system using the SP3 Filtersorb media… but we weren’t satifsfied.

In 2014, US Water became aware of technology that utilized a very compact system for the prevention of limescale buildup from the Netherlands.  We started testing it and we were very impressed.  Now almost two (2) years later, on May 1, 2016, we are incorporating that technology into our new GreenWave.  We believe that this is the ultimate salt-free water treatment system in the universe.  It is called The GreenWave System.  Not only is it compact, but it works more effectively at preventing limescale than any other product we have EVER tested!  It also is the most economical – Systems start at $399.95.

It does not eliminate the Calcium and Magnesium in the water; however it seals the Calcium and Magnesium so it will not stick to surfaces or heating elements to prevent the buildup of lime scale.  The Green Wave preserves the Calcium as a crucial mineral for the human body, but totally prevents lime scale.  Furthermore, unlike traditional water softeners, the Green Wave does not use salt, does not waste water, uses no electricity and is environmentally friendly.

Here’s the full lineup:

https://www.uswatersystems.com/salt-free-water-conditioner-comparison

What I am about to tell you might defy what you already think you know, but rest assured, this is not a fairy tale.  It is true and it is here and now! I am talking about the Silecte™ media which is the world’s ONLY disinfection media.  Silecte™ is quantum level sanitation.  Silecte™ KILLS BACTERIA through lysis. Bacteria can never become  resistant to Silecte.™

Silecte™ harnesses the same force that binds the universe: subatomic attraction.  It uses no electricity, it adds nothing to the water, there are no chemicals and it has no carbon footprint.

SIMPLY PUT… Silecte™ media is a cationic electron magnet. Silecte™ is a revolutionary new disinfection system for water applications. It’s highly charged substrate and surface areas have millions of potential sanitation sites per square micrometer. The disinfection media surfaces have been modified through a technological breakthrough (US Patent Pending 62/128,160). Any microorganism that comes into direct contact with the surface of the disinfection media is immediately and completely destroyed.

HOW DOES IT WORK? The disinfection capability of the media is a result of energetic positively charged sites that are created at the disinfection media surface. When microorganisms (bacteria, virus, cysts, algae, yeast, etc.) come into direct contact with those dynamic sites, the electrons inside the pathogens are instantly attracted by the positively charged surfaces. This causes the entire structure of the microorganisms to collapse, with the electrons transferring immediately to the media surface.  THE PATHOGEN’S DNA IS INSTANTLY DESTROYED IN THIS DENSE ELECTRON EXCHANGE, CAUSING THE PATHOGEN TO CEASE TO EXIST COMPLETELY.

SILECTE KILLS!  How powerful is it? According to the BS EN 1276 Antiseptic and Disinfectant Standards, “A product that has the ability to reduce by 10E+5 (5 log) the number of viable bacterial cells belonging to referenced strains of P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus and E. hirae is considered a disinfectant”. The EPA and other certified laboratories have tested Silecte™ under these disinfection conditions. The results can be seen in the table to the right.

WHAT THIS ALL MEANS… It simply means that purified, bacteria-free, safe water is available to the masses, even in areas without power. You don’t need chemicals like chlorine or chloramine that produce hazardous disinfection byproducts to have safe water. You don’t need electricity to operate an ultraviolet disinfection system or an ozone system. You don’t need to replace bulbs that contain mercury to have safe water. You and your family can have safe water without any hassle, with the new Silecte™ system.

Silecte™ is a system that could transcend chlorination, ozone and ultraviolet as the most powerful disinfection process and US Water Systems is the Master Distributor of this amazing new breakthrough technology.  We are about a month away from releasing it, but this news is too exciting to keep under wraps. Click on the link below to view the new Silecte™ brochure.

SilecteBrochure

I was asked this question today: “RO systems waster water and I decry waste.  Why would I want to use an RO system?”

My response is simple, because I am partial to RO:  Reverse Osmosis is the singular water treatment process that removes the largest spectrum of contaminants. Translation: If you don’t have a reverse osmosis system, you have more contaminants in your water – end of story!

You use a toilet to flush your crap away, and that wastes water, why wouldn’t you use an RO to flush the crap in your water away?  Think about that one for a minute! Really, a typical RO wastes about 3 gallons for every gallon made.  Few people use more than a gallon or two a day, so it is insignificant.  You flush a lot more water down the toilet!

Commercial-grade high efficiency RO systems are up to 80% efficient (at least ours are).  That means that for every 4 gallons they make, they waste just one.  Small residential reverse osmosis systems are inexpensive and generally waste 3 gallons for every gallon made, but in the scheme of things, how much is that?  I hear people say they don’t like to waste water while they run their dishwasher or washing machine or flush their toilet.  All three of these devices waste 100% of the water they use, but they improve the quality of people’s lives and allow them freedom and convenience.

Why isn’t the water you drink even more important.  Yes, we don’t want to waste anything.  I get that!  So, you could build an outhouse and never waste a gallon of water there, but you still have to wash clothes and dishes, and no matter how you cut it, you are going to have to waste some water. My final question is: If you are going to waste a little water, what better thing to waste it on than the water you drink and the water that sustains your life?

Don’t be wasteful, but don’t be silly either.  Drink RO water responsibly… and with a clear conscience!  Oh,  and by the way, a reverse osmosis system with a permeate pump wastes the least amount of water.  Check them out HERE.

I installed my first lake water treatment system over 40 years ago and since then we have treated hundreds of lake water systems in the traditional manner, like the system in the above photo (link is below):

https://www.uswatersystems.com/pond-lake-deluxe-water-treatment-systems-12-gpm.html

Not only do we use chlorination, but we also use ultraviolet for disinfection as Giardia Cysts and Cryptosporidum Cysts are not always effectively killed by chlorination only.  Actually, UV does not kill bacteria – it simply neutralizes it so that it cannot reproduce.  The bacteria are still in the water although they are “dead men walking.”

In a traditional lake water system we start with a 5-micron backwashing sediment filter (like a sand filter).  This filters out the fish and turtles and all objects above 5 microns in size (which is smaller than the naked eye can see).    Next, we use a proportional injection system to inject chlorine ahead of a contact tank (or tanks).  Ideally, you want a 20 minute contact time so the bigger the tank or the more tanks you have the more contact time there will be.

You can “superchlorinate” which simply means that you add a larger dose of chlorine which reacts more  quickly.  We chlorinate with a Stenner injection pump which uses a peristaltic tube that is dramatically superior to any diaphragm pump, however, the tube should be replaced twice a year (which is simple and at a very minimal cost).

The water is stored in the retention tank until it is called for at which point it passes through a backwashing carbon filter.  Again, bigger is better so that all the chlorine and disinfection byproducts (DBP’s) are removed.  Finally, we go through a 5 and 1 micron pleated filter and then into the ultraviolet disinfection chamber.

This method has worked exceptionally well for us for over forty (40) years. However, some recent advancements in water treatment have us re-thinking this system.  These new methods are what we call “disruptive technology”? A disruptive technology is one that displaces an established technology and shakes up the industry or a ground-breaking product that creates a completely new industry.

When the PC replaced the typewriter, it forever changed the way we work and communicate. Cell phones were “disruptive technology” because it allowed us to communicate from almost anywhere and the Pulsar Charged Membrane Filter System is “disruptive technology” in that a filter system can now remove the following contaminants:

• Bacteria (99.8%)
• Iron
• Virus (90-92%)
• Copper
• Cysts
• Lead
• Tannin
• Chromium VI
• Endotoxins (96%)
• Selenium
• Legeonella (99.9%)
• Tannic Acid
• Silica
• Humic Acid
• Heavy Metals
• Cryptosporidium
• Fulvic Acids

Unlike mechanical filters which rely on “pore size” the Charged Membrane Filter (CMF) technology literally “secures” the contaminant. It is “absorbed” in a very real way. Charged Membrane Filtration or CMF is manufactured with Nano Alumina Fibers that have a Zeta potential of 51 millivolts. A CMF cartridge retains bacteria, virus, cryptosporidium oocysts and even tannin with its strong Zeta Potential. The filters have a long life and are easily replaceable – usually once a year.

Recently, we incorporated Silecte™ Quantum Disinfection into our product line.  Silecte™ media is a cationic electron magnet as it is a revolutionary new disinfection system for water applications. It’s highly charged substrate and surface areas have millions of potential sanitation sites per square micrometer. The disinfection media surfaces have been modified through a technological breakthrough (US Patent Pending 62/128,160). Any microorganism that comes into direct contact with the surface of the disinfection media is immediately and completely destroyed.

The disinfection capability of the media is a result of energetic positively charged sites that are created at the disinfection media surface. When microorganisms (bacteria, virus, cysts, algae,  yeast, etc.) come into direct contact with those dynamic sites, the electrons inside the pathogens are instantly attracted by the positively charged surfaces. This causes the entire structure of the microorganisms to collapse, with the electrons transferring immediately to the media surface.

According to the BS EN 1276 Antiseptic and  Disinfectant Standards, “A product that has the ability to  reduce by 10E+5 (5 log) the number of viable bacterial cells belonging to referenced strains of P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus and E. hirae is considered a disinfectant”. The EPA and other certified laboratories have tested Silecte™ under these disinfection conditions. The results can be seen in the table below.

Chlorination and/or Ultraviolet rarely get to log 3!  This is incredible technology that is revolutionizing water treatment around the world.   Quantum Disinfection requires no contact time – just “contact” with the media (pictured to the right). The media is contained inside a small 10” cartridge that flows up to 10 GPM.  If you need more, you just add a “parallel” system.

Now, in some cases it is possible to eliminate the chlorine, but here is the limitation of Silecte™, or for that matter the Charged Membrane Filter:  The water needs to be clean and clear and not contain algae or other matter than can “blind” the media.

Iron, manganese, tannin, turbidity, algae and other organics have to be removed BEFORE the CMF or Silecte™ Quantum Disinfection, so there is no “one system fits all” application.  You do need to understand that with ultraviolet, the bacteria are still alive but rendered harmless by virtue of eliminating their ability to reproduce, but they are still “dead men walking.” With CMF, they are trapped.  Literally, they are “in jail” and cannot escape due to the zeta charge.

With Silecte™ Quantum Disinfection, the electrons are literally “sucked out” of the microorganism and they cease to exist.  They aren’t dead men walking or in jail – they are totally and completely destroyed!  I don’t know about you, but if it were my water, I think I would prefer that the little critters were just totally gone.

Water treatment professionals have long known that ultraviolet light does not “technically” kill microorganisms.  They understand that UV damages the DNA of a bacterial cell so that it cannot replicate.  Essentially, it is rendered dead because it cannot replicate.  However, they are still in the water, even if they are “dead men walking“!  Now, we also find that in some cases, bacteria may remain dormant after UV disinfection.  In Chemical & Engineering News, dated January 15, 2015, Deirdre Lockwood reported this:

OK, this is nothing salacious – I just like the headline!  Well, there is actually truth in that headline.  The dirty secret is: the inside of a residential reverse osmosis tank accumulates and breed heterotrophic bacteria over time. Heterotrophic bacteria are microorganisms that use organic carbon as food.  They are detected using Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) which is used to measure the bacteriological quality of drinking water.

The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations which have been established by the U.S. EPA state that “lower concentration of heterotrophic bacteria in the drinking water is linked to a better maintenance of the treatment and distribution systems.”  It is believed that low levels of heterotrophic bacteria pose no health risks to humans but a high plate count is an indicator for ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. This can be a breeding ground for more dangerous bacteria, such as Legionella or E. Coli.

Over the years, the water treatment industry has used sanitizing products like Sani-System from Pro Products (pictured to the right) to kill bacteria in drinking water systems such as reverse osmosis systems. Using a sanitizing agent is cumbersome at best, but what happens if the water becomes contaminated with something more than HPC?  Let’s say coliform, e-coli or Legionnaires?  Then what?  Don’t worry about it.  Technology exists that eliminates any type of bacteria.  PERIOD!

Now, if you have an inquiring mind, you can go to www.silecte.com and read all about it.  You will find out that this technology is about the coolest thing to come down the pike in a long, long time.  Simply put, this media utilizes elemental P-type semiconductor technology and solid-state theory, to created Silecte™ disinfection media. This patented media contains a powerful electron flowing surface, eliminating the need for outside power or chemical sources for disinfection.

Chemical-free, power-free, maintenance-free and extremely cost effective, Silecte™ works as a final disinfection solution for all fluid applications on any scale.  As microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) come into contact with Silecte™, the electrons inside the pathogens are instantly attracted by the positively charged Silecte™ surface. This causes the entire structure of the microorganisms to collapse on a molecular scale, with the electrons transferring immediately to the Silecte™ surface. TPC measurements confirm the pathogen’s DNA is also instantly destroyed in the dense electron exchange. In a mere 0.01 seconds, cell lysis occurs and the pathogen ceases to exist completely.

Here’s the real question: Do you want bacteria in your reverse osmosis water or not?  The new Silecte Polishing Filter removes tastes and odors, like all other final filters, but it also kills up to 99.9999% of the bacteria (i.e., that’s a lot) in the water.  To me, it’s worth the peace of mind in knowing that the water my family and I use is just that – water – no bacteria!  I like that a lot!

You can turn any reverse osmosis system into a bacteriological purifier with the new Silecte™ RO Filter. What are you waiting for?

Everyday, consumers purchase hundreds of Reverse Osmosis systems for the purpose of protecting themselves and their family from chemicals and contaminants such as arsenic, lead, chlorine, pesticides, and high TDS while mistakenly believing that their new reverse osmosis system will also eliminate bacteria – IT WON’T!  Reverse osmosis is not designed to remove bacteria.  In fact, we now know that bacteria can grow inside the tank and that in some cases, such bacteria can be very detrimental to some individuals.  Ro tanks can literally become “incubators” for bacteria.. that’s scary!

It is now being discovered by medical researchers that immune compromised individuals, children with autism, infants and the elderly may have severe health issues when exposed to the bacteria in a reverse osmosis tank.  This is often referred to as Heterotrophic plate count (HPC), which is a method that measures colony formation on culture media of heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water.  HPC is difficult to remove, even with the use of disinfectants.  In fact, it is impossible to remove them all.

So, you have a reverse osmosis system to remove contaminants because you researched and determined that RO removes the largest spectrum of contaminants of any water treatment process and now you find out that it can contain significant levels of bacteria which can be just as detrimental as other contaminants, if not more so.  What can you do?

Well, some people have put ultraviolet lights after the RO or on the RO to neutralize the bacteria – UV doesn’t actually “kill” bacteria – it just neuters it so that it cannot reproduce.  However, having a UV under a sink after a reverse osmosis system is usually a bad idea.  The UV light heats the water in the chamber and transmits the heat through the small tubing to the point that the water may actually be very hot when it first comes out of the tap.  The heat created by the ultraviolet light embrittles tubing and fittings which can ultimately end in disaster (i.e., a flood under the kitchen sink).

The purpose of any drinking water system is to reduce the greatest percentage of each contaminant from the broadest range of categories.  Reverse osmosis is the technology that achieves that purpose dramatically better than any other and now the RO system can kill bacteria too.

Nearly all RO systems have a final polishing carbon filter after the tank, right before the water comes out of the faucet.  Until recently, that carbon, while removing tastes and odors became an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.  However, now we have the new media which literally “sucks the electrons” out of any microorganism that contacts it.  The new Silecte Disinfection and Carbon Polishing Filter polishes the water as it leaves the RO storage tank and kills 99.99 to 99.999% of all bacteria.

So you now have a choice:  You can use an inline filter with just carbon to polish the water or you can use a carbon filter which incorporates Silecte Quantum Disinfection Media and polish the water along with killing 99.99% of the bacteria.  Is that a hard choice to make?  You know what I have in my house!  Any Reverse Osmosis can be retrofitted  with the new Silecte Quantum Disinfection Cartridge, or you can buy a filter pack which also has the Silecte cartridge… and now US Water Systems has the new Cobalt Hyper-Safe RO which incorporates Silecte into the final stage and kills bacteria while having enhanced chloramine and fluoride removal.

Cheers!

It used to be that we would get calls from customers who wanted to have good water for a “growing operation” but what they were growing was always a little sketchy.  Of course, they weren’t saying… but we pretty much knew they were growing marijuana.  However, these days as marijuana laws relax, we have many calls each week asking things like: “What is the best way to treat my water for growing marijuana?”

Now that marijuana has gone “mainstream” I think it’s appropriate to discuss how to best treat the water (in States where it is legal, of course).  So, in todays blog, I will address the issues.  No smoke and mirrors – just the facts.

Marijuana, or cannabis plants love H2O:  pure water!  However, many contaminants, including bacteria, suspended or dissolved solids, iron, tannin, manganese, sulfur and a number of other contaminants can dramatically affect your crop.  Pure water is actually very hard to find in nature.  The experienced and profitable marijuana grower knows this and understands how important water quality is in producing the best quality product, faster and more profitably.

Depending upon what part of the country your growing operation is in, the water usually contains significant levels of total dissolved solids (TDS).  TDS measures the levels of sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, carbonate and bicarbonate in the water supply. Some of these minerals are actually good for plants, but again, the wise grower knows that if there are significant amounts of TDS in the water (usually over 150 ppm), it is best to remove the TDS first.  The very successful marijuana growers know that in most cases, reverse osmosis is the best method to treat the water.

Reverse Osmosis removes the largest spectrum of contaminants of any water treatment process.  It essentially strips out all the dissolved solids and allows the grower to add back the appropriate amount of certain trace elements like calcium and magnesium as well as other nutrients and fertilizers that are necessary for optimum growth.  Some growers are not fans of reverse osmosis because they remember the “old-style” reverse osmosis systems that wasted up to 6 or 7 gallons of water per gallon made (15% efficient).  However, the new high-efficiency American Revolution Commercial Reverse Osmosis Systems waste 1 gallon for every 4 gallons made (80% efficient).

Pre-treatment is vitally important for a reverse osmosis system because hardness and chlorine and chloramine are deleterious to reverse osmosis membranes (i.e., hardness and chlorine and chlorine dramatically decrease the life of any reverse osmosis membrane).  Additionally, there are two other factors to be considered when growing marijuana effectively:

• The pH should be no higher than 6.5; and
• The water should be bacteria free (as bacteria has a very hurtful effect upon the marijuana plant).

pH Adjustment – There are systems designed to maintain the water at a pH below 6.5 (you can actually select the exact level you want).

Bacteria Killing – The Silecte Quantum Disinfection System is the method of choice when it comes to killing bacteria.  Ozone, ultraviolet and chlorination are all generally accepted methods, but none offer the bacteria killing effectiveness of Silecte.  Silecte uses no chemicals, adds nothing to the water, doesn’t need electricity and has no carbon footprint.  It kills bacteria at the quantum level and does it better, quicker and deadlier than any other method. See the graphic below comparing Quantum Disinfection to Ultraviolet.

Water Testing – Now, read this carefully, because this is the most important part: It is vitally imperative that a potential marijuana grower obtain a detailed water analysis of their water so supply so that it can be properly treated. Here is what we suggest – A Commercial RO Screen. Once we have that we know exactly how to treat the water and can guarantee the results.