A common tap water treatment strategy across municipalities in America is called disinfection. Water treatment facilities use a disinfectant (chlorine and/or chloramine) to kill any viruses, parasites or bacteria. Artificial fluoride is also added in the hopes of improving dental hygiene. In some rare circumstances even after water leaves the treatment plant, old pipes can even put lead in tap water, as is the case in Denver. For households wishing not to have these additional substances added to their drinking water, there are some alternatives.
For people who reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado, healthy living is probably a top priority. In fact, Colorado Springs ranks third in one respected list of the most health conscious cities in America.
That said, many Colorado Springs residents have never considered what’s in their tap water, including the amounts of fluoride and chloride present. Those who do and are looking for healthier drinking options can turn to bottles or jugs of distilled water or spring water from the grocery store. However, with all the water a person needs to consume to stay properly hydrated, frequent resupply trips can be inconvenient.
Since April 3, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that all Americans wear cloth, non-medical-grade face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus. While these measures can help to reduce infection rates, staying at home is still considered the safest action you can take. However, while some activities like working remotely can be done from home, practicing self-isolation creates challenges regarding obtaining essential provisions like food and water.
Fluoride is an inorganic, monatomic anion with the chemical formula F-. Fluoride ions come from the element fluorine and can be found naturally in soil, rocks and water. Although, fluoride is present in most rainwater, fresh and saltwater sources, the concentration is low, at around 0.3 mg/L. In addition to this naturally occurring calcium fluoride, a synthetic, industrial version of fluoride is often added to tap water in the form of sodium fluoride, fluorosilicic acid and sodium fluorosilicate.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all water utilities to create and distribute annual drinking water quality reports. In this blog post, you will get an overview of this 2019 report distributed by the City of Boulder. According to bouldercolorado.gov, the goal of the City of Boulder 2019 Drinking Water Quality Report is to provide customers with safe and high-quality drinking water. The City of Boulder water supply comes from Barker Reservoir, North Boulder Creek, Boulder Reservoir and Carter Lake.
When individuals or organizations achieve "greatness" in any area, others like to know about it. Whether their accomplishment is demonstrated by winning a championship or receiving an award, it helps people know how to rank them. Drinking water is no different. We all have our favorites, whether we choose based on taste or some other factor. But how do the professionals determine greatness in the area of water quality?
Most agree that tap water isn't always the best tasting or most healthy water option around. Still, most are content to get all their drinking water straight from their sink. So, why the disconnect between what we would prefer and what we actually get? For some, the default is to do things the way they've always been done. For others, they would rather not pay extra for something perceived to be free.
Since water is such a vital component of our lives, it's important to know exactly what we are drinking. Potential contaminants can include microorganisms, viruses, protozoa, bacteria, metals and organic compounds from industrial processes. The Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards show the limits on the amount of contaminants allowed in tap water by public water systems. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration regulates commercial and bottled water.
The water cooler is a staple in many offices. This is where the infamous company gossip happens right? Maybe a great company idea? Popular culture sure says so. The office water cooler has been around for as long as there have been modern offices. Larger companies are expanding into other beverages, but we believe water is still the absolute best a company can offers its employees. Of course, we are a bit biased.
Kids love to play. It's the time of life when they are most active. It is also when their bodies do the most growing and maturing. They need nourishment, healthy diets, and yes, lots of water! Many of us know the health benefits of drinking water, but getting children to drink more water can sometimes be the tricky part for parents. I don't recall getting very fired up about a glass of water when I was a child. I wanted juice boxes and orange soda. So how can a parent get kids excited about water?
