Daily consumption of high quality water ensures both short and long term of our well being.   

Where do we get our drinking water from?

Hassles and Hazards of Bottled Water (18 kilograms)

• Need to order  and change bottles (inconvenience)
• Storage of bottles (waste space)
• Muscle and back aches due to lifting
• Spilling when changing bottle
• Possible contamination when changing bottle
• High Cost

Water and Health

The human body is two-thirds water. Water is essential fluid that is involved in every function of the body. It helps transport nutrients and waste products in and out of cells. It is necessary for all digestive, absorption, circulatory, and excretory functions, as well as for the utilization of the water-soluble vitamins. It is also needed for the maintenance of proper body temperature.

To ensure proper functioning of the human body, an adequate amount of water each day-at least eight glasses (2 litres) – has to be consumed. Besides having adequate amount of water, the quality of the consumed water will affect the health of individual – both short and long term.



Things in water that are bad for you when they are present in excessive amount:

1.  Calcium. 
Calcium that is found in natural food sources is beneficial to us.  However, the type of calcium found in water supply is not readily absorbed by the body and typically manifests itself as gall bladder and kidney stones. Low concentration of calcium in water is not harmful for health.  However, when it is present in high concentration in water, they will cause various problems.Calcium makes water hard and hard water is problematic. Hard water leaves destructive lime deposits that discolor and wear out whatever it comes in contact with. It strips plumbing fixtures of their finish, discolors clothing, increases water heating costs and shortens the life of your hot water heater due to scaling (deposits). Hard water is not as effective at cleaning and leaves soap deposits on clothing and your skin even after rinsing. It clogs your pores and coats your hair, complicating cosmetic and hair care routines.

2. Chlorine
Chlorine has been commonly used as a disinfectant in water treatment, just as it is being used to kill bacteria in our daily life.  However, it does not kill all pathogenic microorganisms, such as cryptosporidium cysts.  Thus, it does not guarantee to produce completely safe water, especially when the water is stored in water tank in many tall-rise building before usage.

Chlorine also gives water a very unpleasant odor and taste. This discourages people from drinking as much water as they should be every day.

3. Fluoride
For decades, fluoride has been intentionally added into drinking water during water treatment as fluoride is believed to strengthen teeth and help prevent cavities. However, there are augments over this assumption.  In certain part of the world, high concentration of fluoride has been found in ground water that is used for consumption. 

Fluoride is a highly toxic compound. Fluoride has been linked to numerous health problems in the thyroid gland, kidneys, brain and nervous system and in the immune system.  Hence, excess consumption of fluoride is bad for your health.  For infants, the effect is more serious:

New Fluoride Warning for Infants

Does your drinking water contain added fluoride? If so, keep it away from infants under the age of one. This directive was issued recently by an unlikely source: the American Dental Association (ADA).
In a November 9th email alert sent to all of its members, the ADA noted that "Infants less than one year old may be getting more than the optimal amount of fluoride if their primary source of nutrition is powdered or liquid infant formula mixed with water containing fluoride." The ADA went on to advise: "If using a product that needs to be reconstituted, parents and caregivers should consider using water that has no or low levels of fluoride."

The ADA issued this advice because babies exposed to fluoridated water are at high risk for developing dental fluorosis—a defect of the teeth which can result in staining and even corrosion of the enamel. In addition, on October 14th, the Food and Drug Administration stated that fluoridated water marketed to infants cannot claim to reduce the risk of cavities.
Dental fluorosis is not the only risk stemming from a baby's exposure to fluoride. In the same week that ADA issued its advisory, an article in the British journal, The Lancet, reported that fluoride may damage a child's developing brain. The Lancet review described fluoride, along with the rocket fuel additive perchlorate, as an "emerging neurotoxic substance" due to evidence linking fluoride to lower IQs in children, and brain damage in animals.

"Newborn babies have undeveloped brains, and exposure to fluoride, a suspected neurotoxin, should be avoided," notes Hardy Limeback, a member of a 2006 National Research Council panel on fluoride toxicity, and former President of the Canadian Association of Dental Research.

Fluoride is linked with other health problems as well, including weakened bones, reduced thyroid activity, and possibly, bone cancer in boys, according to a recent report from a team of Harvard scientists, the US National Research Council and other recent studies.”

Source: Mothering Magazine News Bulletin November 2006 and Fluoride Action Network (FAN) & Environmental Working Group (EWG).

4. Iron.
Iron is one of the earth's most plentiful resources, making up at least five percent of the earth's crust. Rainfall seeping through the soil dissolves iron in the earth's surface and carries it into almost every kind of natural water supply, including well water.

Dissolved ferrous iron gives water a disagreeable taste and metallic odor. When the iron combines with tea, coffee and other beverages, it produces an inky, black appearance and a harsh, unacceptable taste. Vegetables cooked in water containing excessive iron turn dark and look unappealing.  In the presence of certain kinds of bacteria, the bacteria utilize the iron, leaving behind a reddish brown or yellow slime that can clog plumbing and cause an offensive odor. This slime or sludge is noticeable in the toilet tank when the lid is removed.

Concentrations of iron as low as 0.3 mg/l will leave reddish brown stains on fixtures, tableware and laundry that are very hard to remove. When these deposits break loose from water piping, rusty water will flow through the faucet.

5.Bacteria (E.Coli). 
E. coli comes from human and animal wastes. During rainfalls, E. coli may be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes, or groundwater. With proper water treatment, E. coli are removed effectively.  Nevertheless, leakages in water network system or improper design and maintenance of water storage tanks in buildings may cause them to end up in drinking water from your tap.

Although most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, certain strains produce a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. Infection often causes severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Documented cases resulting in death are not uncommon and typically affect the young, the old, and those with deficient immune systems most severely. The infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. About 2%-7% of infections lead to this complication.

Example of contamination of drinking water by sewage (including E.Coli) in Singapore:
http://www.getforme.com/community_currentissues_others_BukTimahPlaza.htm

The good News is that Pristine Water Systems can remove the above-mentioned contaminants effectively, producing a high quality water that protects your health and ensures your well-being!



Drinking Water Contaminants Information  (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#mcls 

List of Drinking Water Contaminants & MCLs

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs or primary standards) are legally enforceable standards that apply to public water systems. Primary standards protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water.

National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations
National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs or secondary standards) are non-enforceable guidelines regulating contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. EPA recommends secondary standards to water systems but does not require systems to comply. However, states may choose to adopt them as enforceable standards.

• List of National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations
• National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations - The complete regulations regarding these contaminants available from the Code of Federal Regulations Web Site.

To read more, click to download pdf file.