Our environment is already suffering from the results of human activities and industrialisation. One effective way to limit the damage and get things back in control is by implementing the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (the 3Rs) approach.

Many people still think that the 3Rs only apply to the manufacturing and chemical companies. Truly, industrial wastes should be reduced and some materials should be recycled and reused. However, it doesn’t end there.

The role of public in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The public can also take part in protecting the environment and building a sustainable future. In Australia alone, there are over 20 million people. Even if a small percentage of those is participating in protecting the environment, it can readily result to a large impact. The results will also amplify and accumulate if they are applying environment-friendly practices on a daily basis.

How can people start with the 3Rs?

We can begin by analysing our daily activities. It’s likely that in most of those we can find opportunities where we could prefer more environment-friendly practices. For example, maybe we can just walk or ride a bike when we’re going somewhere instead of driving. This will reduce our fuel consumption and reliance on fossil fuel.

Another example is our drinking water consumption. In that one activity we can apply the 3Rs in one go. Here’s how. Instead of regularly buying bottled water, we can have a stainless water bottle where we can regularly fill it up. We Reduce the waste because we’re not using and throwing plastic bottles. We also apply the Reuse and Recycle approach because we can use the stainless water bottle again and again.

This small change can add up especially if we’re doing it every day. Think of how many plastic bottles that won’t end up in the landfill every year. We’re already on our way to saving the environment and minimising the waste.

The key here is to start with our daily habits and activities. One small change can totally add up and it doesn’t require too much effort at all. It can easily be a part of our daily lifestyle. In addition, each individual can benefit from applying environmentally sound practices. Plastic water bottles themselves may contain chemicals (that might leach out) that might harm our health.

In summary, implementing the 3Rs in our activities including water consumption can benefit both the environment and our health. The steps are simple and you can take action today.

Staying hydrated is one of the most underrated health tips today. It’s almost free and in developed societies, clean and safe water is always available. However, many people around us (especially our friends and family) forget to drink enough water each day.

If you tell your friends and family to drink more water, it’s likely that they’ve heard the same advice from lots of different persons and sources. It’s likely they already know the health and environmental benefits of drinking more water and utilising reusable water containers.

What can you do to effectively “influence” them?

It seems an impossible task. But there are two common effective ways to finally make them drink more water using healthy and sustainable practices. Here are they:

Set an example

This is the most effective way to persuade other people. If you’re doing something healthy regularly, people will notice and one day they might ask you about your activities.

Arguments and data seem abstract to many of us. But if we see someone actually doing something, it’s more real and more tangible. We can easily relate and “if she’s doing it, I can do it also.” Convincing other people with data (no matter how scientific) might not be effective at all. Showing (not telling) might be a more effective approach.

Give your family and friends something they can use each day

Instead of providing them with more data and sharing them links to health-related articles, why not give them something tangible that they can bring every day?

You can give them stainless water bottles they can bring to work or school. No words are needed when you do this. With a stainless water bottle, they can easily bring water with them wherever they are. You’re making the habit (staying hydrated) easier for them to adopt because you’ve given them something they can readily use.

Action speaks louder than words

It’s an old saying but it’s still true today. Our loved ones might appreciate it more if we just do something instead of telling about it. Our actions can reach them easily and they will truly remember it.

Setting an example will show people that you’re practicing what you preach. This is important especially if you’re advocating for healthy and environment-friendly practices. Your actions and habits should align with your advocacies.

Gifts are also a good way to make people start a healthy habit. For example, if you give someone a pair of running shoes, you’re actually encouraging him or her to run and get fit (without saying anything). The same thing happens when you give people stainless water bottles. Even without explaining yourself, you’re making it easier for them to drink more water and stay healthy.

To adults, dehydration can cause fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. In addition, it’s hard to focus on a task when we feel thirsty. It’s almost impossible to give our 100% if our bodies are screaming for water.

That’s the case wherever we are. It doesn’t matter if we’re at school, home, or office. Both our brains and bodies will be affected by dehydration. It can happen especially when we’re at work. We often forget to drink water because of the work pressures, our own lifestyles, and other things.

This will in turn affect employee productivity. Physically and mentally, the results will show. Whether in meetings or in manual labour, dehydration will make the person perform below 100%. Sometimes, the person might not be productive at all.

But this doesn’t have to be the case. There are quick and simple solutions you can start right now to drink more water and prevent dehydration. No employee should endure the thirst and no one should get used to it. Aside from immediate effects, there will be long-term consequences.

So how do you prevent dehydration easily in your workplace? Here are a few tips:

Install a drinking fountain or water cooler in the workplace

One often forgotten reason why people get dehydrated is there’s no available drinking water around in the first place. Employees won’t drink water if there’s nothing around. That’s why many often just prepare a cup of coffee or buy sugary drinks so they can drink something. Some even buy and bring bottled water. However, they sometimes forget and as a result they don’t have water with them at all.

It could also be that the water source is far from their desks or stations. It becomes less motivating to get or drink water if one has to walk dozens of steps before they reach it. People would just forget about it and reach out to whatever beverage is near.

But if there’s an indoor drinking fountain or water cooler nearby, employees can drink anytime. Thirst doesn’t choose a convenient time and we can experience it whatever we’re doing. If there’s a nearby source of clean water, it becomes easier and we can stay hydrated all day long.

Have a clean and sturdy water bottle nearby

It also helps if you have drinking water within an arm’s reach. This way, you can drink water anytime even while you’re sitting and glued on the computer screen. For many office workers, they don’t notice that hours have passed already sitting there in one place. Hours might also pass before they get a chance to go to the drinking fountain or water cooler.

That’s where a water bottle can help. If it’s filled with water, employees can easily reach out and drink anytime. It becomes even easier if it’s always in their view while they’re working. They can take a few sip every now and then. This prevents dehydration and will help keep them sharp all through the office hours.

If you choose to bring a water bottle, make sure it’s reliable and stylish. The material should be sturdy (such as stainless steel) so you can count on it for months and years. The overall container should also be stylish because you will be bringing it with you and everyone will see it. This way, you can bring it easily and wherever you’re going (even during events and conferences).

Physical wellbeing can improve productivity

A healthy mind goes with a healthy body. If our bodies stay hydrated, it’s more likely that we can perform at our best. Both our minds and bodies will function properly and we can focus more on the task at hand.

A reliable drinking fountain or a stainless water bottle can help with that. It’s a small investment but the rewards will be worth it. In addition, the employees’ health is prioritised as well.

Why we need to BAN single-use plastic water bottles

By Suzanne Soto-Davies

We need to work together in order to make change happen. 

We need to BAN single-use water bottle sales in Burlington, Ontario. The research is plenty, the reasons are too. Work together with us and let’s make this happen!

Chances are that you have indoor plumbing in your home – so why are you purchasing and transporting bottled water from your supermarket?

Myth: Bottled water is healthier water.

Fact:

Just look at the labels of bottled water: Sources are from “deep, pristine pools of spring water” or “majestic alpine peaks”. In reality water is just water, and municipal water systems are well-regulated. While public safety groups correctly point out that many municipal water systems are aging and there remain hundreds of chemical contaminants, there’s very little evidence that suggests bottled water is any cleaner or better for you than its tap equivalent. Yet bottled water is extremely expensive, with one regular single-use litre bottle costing more than a litre of gasoline. The truth is, most bottled water is just filtered water.

Bottled water is regulated as a food product under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and as such, water bottling plants are inspected on average only once every 3 years. Tap water regulation on the other hand, is far more stringent, with municipal tap water being continually tested – both during and after treatment. Check your bottled water labels carefully: The source of the spring or mineral water must be clearly identified, otherwise it may come from any source, including a well or municipal water supply, and may be treated to make it fit for human consumption.

A WWF study concluded that in 50% of the cases studied, the only difference between tap and bottled water was that the latter contained added minerals and salts, which “do not actually mean the water is healthier.”

The plastic often used to make water bottles contains a variety of health-harming chemicals that can easily leach out and contaminate the water, such as cancer-causing PFOA’s (perfluorooctanoic acid), PBDEs (flame retardant chemicals), which have been linked to reproductive problems and altered thyroid levels, phthalates, which are reproductive toxins, and BPA, which disrupts the endocrine system by mimicking the female hormone estrogen. If you leave your water bottle in a hot car, or reuse it, your exposure is magnified because heat and stress increase the amount of chemicals that leach out of the plastic.
Read the full article here .

aquafil Water Bubblers and Refill Stations keep the public refreshed and hydrated and eliminate the need for single-use plastic water bottles. Everyone can make a difference and help the environment by using public water bubblers and refusing to buy or use plastic bottled water. Call us today on 1300 400 006 to find our more about modern day water bubblers.

Do you find yourself easily fatigued, struggling to keep up with the day?

Is your skin lacking in richness and vibrancy, making you come across as dull and tired?

You may think that’s just how you are, but the reality of the situation could be far different – you could in fact just be severely dehydrated. It is estimated that nearly 80% of Australians may be suffering from chronic dehydration – this news isn’t quite as shocking and surprising as you may initially think.

After all, we as a nation have become ever more susceptible to alternatives to water – soda, milk, and coffee have become favourites for many households. Although there’s nothing wrong with consuming these beverages every once in a while, you have to be careful because they could very well be contributing to dehydration.

In order to reverse the trend and regain optimal health make a conscious effort to consume more water – the Institute of Medicine recommends drinking at least 10 cups daily.   The benefits of hydration cannot be understated – this article digs deep into the matter, bringing to light the benefits you can expect to see once you make hydration a part of your daily life.

1. Suffering from a dry mouth? Water is the solution

A dry mouth is known to cause bad breath, not to mention a general unpleasant taste – severe cases of a dry mouth can even cause cavities.

Consuming water can help cure a dry mouth, since water is known to add moisture to both your throat and lips.

2. Water boosts your cardiovascular health

Dehydration is known to significantly reduce your blood volume, meaning your heart has to do more work to pump blood and oxygen to your cells – this is why you may become easily fatigued climbing up a few set of stairs.

Decreased blood volume contributes to a variety of different complications, each complication taxing and harming your overall cardiovascular health.

Water luckily puts an end to decreased blood volume – consuming enough water boosts your cardiovascular health, making it easier for your heart to do its job.

3. Water cools down your body

Do you know why your face gets red during exercise? It’s because your body is expanding blood vessels close to the skins surface in an effort to release heat.

It’s important to keep our bodies cool and drinking water allows for just that.

4. Water helps your body work better

Hydration means your muscles receive adequate nutrients, allowing your cells to easily and efficiently remove waste so your body performs better as a whole. As you can probably imagine, the opposite occurs if you’re suffering from dehydration.

5. Water is great for your skin

If you want to increase the look and feel of your skin, drink water.

Water keeps your skin looking young and vibrant – giving your face a natural and youthful glow.

6. Water is great for cleaning toxins from your body

Water makes it possible for your kidneys to remove waste from the blood– if you’re suffering from dehydration it’s tougher for your kidneys to perform their role – this is why some people go on to develop UTI’s (Urinary Tract Infections) and kidney stones.

7. Prevents fatigue

If you’re not drinking enough water, you’re going to suffer from fatigue, considering water is one of the greatest sources of energy. This is the case because water is crucial for the completion of a variety of different tasks, from restoring the body to eliminating waste – it’s no wonder why dehydration contributes to serious fatigue.

8. Reduces the occurrences of digestive disorders

Dehydration is linked to various digestive disorders, from ulcers to constipation to bloating to gastritis. Drinking an ample supply of water ensures your body easily and effectively purges toxins, allowing you to eliminate and reduce the occurrence of the aforementioned digestive disorders.

Conclusion:

The recent report announcing the severe dehydration of Australians has contributed too many cases of fatigue, disease, and reduced health. It’s important that we understand the dangers of dehydration so we can change our behaviour and start consuming adequate levels of water. Schools and workplaces need to lead the movement by implementing more water dispensers and fountains – doing so will greatly lower the number of Australians that are suffering from severe cases of dehydration.

Introduction

Reverse Osmosis is arguably the most efficient method of water filtration available today. It’s useful for removing almost all types of water contaminants that may be found in home water or water from water bubblers. These range from sediment, bacteria & viruses, mineral salts and organic material to elements like chlorine and fluorine.

Most of the contaminants in the system are removed at the osmotic membrane chamber, with the application of pressure of around 35 psi. The system is reliable for providing high-quality water for water coolers and therefore is a crucial home water filtration system.

The 5 Stages

As the name suggests, the systems combine 5 filters in one unit. These filters can be grouped as pre-filters, RO Membrane and Post-filters. The pre-filter stage consists of 3 high-efficiency SED and carbon pre-filters, whose main aim, apart from taking care of large molecule water contaminants, is to protect the RO membrane.

Stage 1: 5 Micron Polypropylene Sediment filter

This is the initial stage in the system and is charged with taking care of all the solid substances that are above 5 microns in size, and removing them from the system. These are usually any sediment that is present in the water, like sand and metals. The filter can last up to 6 months.

Stage 2: Carbon Water Filter

This stage deals with most of the chemical contaminants found in water, like pesticides, herbicides, chlorine, etc. It also removes lead, aluminium, oils and various other contaminants. Chlorine quickly destroys the reverse osmosis membrane pores while oils bring about clogging in the membrane. Eliminating them in this stage effectively takes care of the RO membrane. The carbon water filter is also effective in removing any taste or odour present in your water.

Just like the sediment filter, these filters also last between 6-9 months. They are very useful in the system and therefore should not be used for longer than necessary, lest they lead to the extra cost of a damaged RO membrane.

Stage 4: Osmotic Membrane

This is the most crucial part of the system. It carries out fine filtration. When water reaches the chamber, it is forced through the semipermeable membrane, with the application of pressure. Only the tiny molecules of water can pass through this membrane, and therefore all other contaminants are left behind, together with some water.

This water that contains a significant percentage of contaminants is then piped out, and into the drain. The pure water that passes through the membrane is directed to a pressurised tank for storage. This is about 75-80% of the water fed into the system. The membrane has an approximate lifespan of 18 months.

Stage 5: Inline Activated Carbon Water Filter

This is the last step in the system. Its purpose is to provide further purification of the water, a process known as ‘polishing’. Water passes through the stage only when the faucet of the pressurised tank is opened. This filter then provides quality improvement services to the water, by removing any colour, taste or odour that might have been left behind.

Conclusion

This system is a sure way of providing high-quality drinking and cooking water for your family. It helps you get rid of bottle water, which proves uneconomical in the long run. Aquafil is committed to helping you take care of your health and as well as the environment, and you can, therefore, contact us if you need assistance in any of these.

Substitute your bottled water with a reverse osmosis water filtration system, and save not only your money but also the environment!

Reverse osmosis systems play a crucial role when it comes to purification of drinking and cooking water at home for storage in water coolers or for use in drinking fountains. These systems currently stand as the best filtration systems that offer high-quality water production. This is majorly because they are made of different stages of filtration, combined into one unit.
This makes sure that all possible water contaminants present in your water are taken care of. These contaminants range from sediment, mineral salts and other unwanted substances like chlorine. Some are removed through simple carbon filtration, while others are eliminated at the semi-permeable membrane chamber, with the use of a pressure of around 35-40 psi. Only water molecules are small enough to pass through this membrane and therefore the other contaminants are left out and filtered at this stage. The fact that it removes a lot of minerals will mean that the system should also be cleaned and maintained, to ensure continued supply of high quality purified water.

About the Maintenance

Reverse Osmosis System Maintenance will surely depend on the quality of water that it filters. One of the parts of a reverse osmosis that should be diligently taken care of is the reverse osmosis membrane. This is basically the part of the system that takes care of most of the contaminants contained in water.

Doing maintenance on the system will ensure peak performance of your water filtration system. The system has a normalised salt passage standard and also a standard permeate flow. If the salt passage increases by 15%, you should consider doing a system maintenance. This also applies if the permeate flow decreases by the same ratio.

The RO membrane cleaning can be done in place, or the membranes can be removed and taken to a specialised company that offers RO cleaning services. The latter is usually more effective. This is because certain factors have to be considered in the cleaning process. Some are PH and water temperature. The flows also have to be checked and therefore should be done by a professional company.

Preventive Maintenance

This is a type of maintenance where you have technicians regularly check your system to ensure high-quality performance and effective output. During these visits, any filters that need to be changed will be changed, and any necessary repairs done.

After such servicing, you will be provided with a report of normalised data trends.

The 3 Stages’ Maintenance

Most reverse osmosis systems usually have 3 stages of filtration i.e. the pre-filter, Reverse Osmosis phase and the Post-Filter phase. The 5 stage Reverse Osmosis Systems can also be grouped into these 3 main stages.

Pre-filter Maintenance

This stage comprises of cartridge filters that sift out solid particles. This is to protect the RO membrane from damage. These filters should be changed after around 6-9 months, failure to which it will put the RO membrane at risk, and lead to more cost incurrence.

RO Membrane Maintenance

Since this is the most crucial part of the RO system, its maintenance is of utmost importance. It should be cleaned after a period of 3-4 months, to prevent clogging of the system.

Post-filter Maintenance

This is the last stage of the system, and its main goal is to ensure production of high-quality water, by removing any contaminants like chlorine that may have been left behind in the process. It comprises of carbon filters, which should be changed within a period of 6-9 months.

Conclusion

Reverse Osmosis Systems cost quite an amount, and therefore should be able to provide undoubtedly high purification standards for water to use in office water coolers. However, this cannot be achieved without carrying out scheduled maintenance of the system. Apart from ensuring production of high-quality water, maintenance also increases the lifespan of the system. It makes 10-15 years of efficient production achievable.

You can contact us if you are looking for a reverse osmosis system, or for any assistance in maintenance and repairs. We also supply water cooler filters, water coolers for sale, water cooler dispensers and water bubblers. Just get in contact and we shall be willing to assist you.

Water filters are the most efficient way of reducing water contamination and removing contamination in your water. Contaminated water contains sediments and disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. There are filters specialised for filtering certain water contaminants, and there are generalised ones that filter many contaminants. Modern filters come in various shapes and sizes and are capable of filtering chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals and other sediments. The following are some of the types of water filters and how they operate.

Reverse Osmosis (Osmotic Membrane Technology)

This is the most efficient filtration technology, and it’s capable of filtering nearly all the water contaminants including heavy metals, fluorine, chlorine, sediments, and excessive nutrients and minerals. The technology applied here is the use of semi- permeable membrane combined with a pressure of about 35- 40 psi. The membrane has tiny pores, which can only the tiny water molecules to pass through.  All other particles are left behind, washed and piped out to the main drain.

The semi-permeable membrane is usually fitted with other filters in a system known as Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System. 5 stage reverse Osmosis System uses a total of 5 filters to ensure that the water is completely purified. The filters which are usually combined with this membrane include sediment pre-filter, carbon pre- filter and a carbon post- filter.  The pre-filters protect the osmotic membrane from damage while the post-filter is meant to polish the filtered water to ensure it is of high quality. This water can then be stored in filtered water coolers, office water coolers and let out in water cooler dispensers, faucets or drinking water fountains.

Activated Carbon Filters

Just as the name suggests, these water filters are made up of special carbon. The type of carbon used here is the one that has been activated to attract a large number of impurities present in water. Activated carbon filter can be found as a complete stand-alone filtration or in complex systems like the reverse osmosis system. Its design technique allows it to have large bonding sites for organic impurities.

These filters work by a process known as adsorption. This is the process through which the impurities found in water chemically bond with the activated carbon. After water enters the filter, these impurities typically attach themselves to the activated carbon. The level of filtration depends on some factors such as the speed of water flowing through the filter and the concentration of carbon.

Alkaline/Water Ionizers

The alkaline water ionizers water filtration technology works through a process called electrolysis, which raises the water PH. Usually, water is subjected over electrically charged plates that separate it into its acidic ad alkaline components. The negatively charged electrodes attract the positive ions hence leading to reduction. The positively charged electrodes attract the negatively charged ions hence resulting to water oxidisation. The reduced water is ideal for cooking and drinking while the oxidised water can be used for laundry, cleaning utensils, cleaning wounds and even for sterilisation.

UV Filters

UV filters make use of ultraviolet radiation to get rid of pathogens that may be present in your water. In this process, water is usually exposed to UV rays which are then absorbed by the microorganisms found in water. The UV rays alter the DNA of these microorganisms hence destroying them and leading to their death. This is the best way of eliminating waterborne diseases to provide safer drinking and cooking water.

Infrared Filters

Infrared water filters are commonly used for water softening. They depend on light and heat to give water a softer feel. Soft water is usually free from heavy metals and excess minerals and nutrients.

Conclusion

The type of water filter you choose depends on the level of water contamination. When purchasing a water filter, you should consult an aquafil expert since different water filters come with different filtration technologies. Aquafil will advise you on the best system that will solve the water problems in your area. Get in touch for information on water filters, refill statins and other  products including bubblers, water coolers Sydney, office water coolers, and water cooler dispensers and drinking bubblers among other quality products provided by aquafil. These are better solutions than buying single use bottled water every day, which will prove expensive and environmentally unfriendly in the long term.

We are committed to promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle to you and your family, as well as protecting the environment around us.

Introduction

There are different water contaminants such as heavy metals, lead, excessive minerals, and nutrients. The various water contaminants have various methods of finding their way into the water. In this article, we are going to look at lead as one common and dangerous water contaminant.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that exists almost in all parts of the world. It is classified in the group of carbons and contained in most of the equipment we interact with and use in our day to day activities and functions. It is a threat to both the health of children and even adults, though children are the most to its effects.  Children affected by lead suffer from constipation, fatigue, learning difficulties, slow growth rate, and development, vomiting, and loss of appetite among other health problems. For an adult, you may experience abdominal pains, memory loss, headache, muscle pains, reduced sperm count in males, joint pains, high blood pressure among other symptoms.

How do you know that your water is contaminated with lead?

Unlike chlorine, lead does not have a taste or smell, and neither can it be seen. The best way of determining the presence of lead in your water and the level of contamination is by testing your water. This is the only reliable way to enable you to protect yourself and your family members from consuming lead-contaminated water.

How does Lead get into the water?

Plumbing is the primary source of lead contamination in water. In most cases, the pipes used in transporting water are usually the cause of lead contamination. Older homes are likely to suffer from lead contamination in their drinking and cooking water. This is because some of the pipes used in transporting water in these homesteads were laid several years ago before the community realised the dangerous health effects of the substance.

How to remove lead from water

It is important to know the level of lead contamination in your water before deciding on the best method of lead removal. The following are some effective methods of removing lead contamination from water. They can be used alongside your office water coolers, water drinking fountains and home water cooler dispensers.

Using a Lead Water Filter

Lead water filter is the best way of protecting yourself and family members from lead ingestion. Filters can be installed in water cooler dispensers, office water coolers, drinking fountains and water bubblers. A water filter can be placed under the sink, on top of the counter, on water pitches or you can just attach it to the faucet.  Filters come in various types and forms including water filter coolers, water cooler filters, and others. Before purchasing any water filter, always ensure that it is NSF certified for Lead Removal.

Replacing Lead Water Pipes

Most of the plumbing lines, especially water pipes that were laid several years ago, have high levels of lead. Knowing the type of pipe that supplies your domestic water is imperative when it comes to protecting yourself from lead. You can determine the presence of lead in your water supply system by yourself using very simple methods. One of the best ways of detecting the presence of lead is by using a coin to scratch the pipe and then check the colour. Pipes made of copper have the colour of a penny while those made of lead have the colour of nickel. It is easier and cheaper to replace lead water pipes that have been used for private home plumbing. However, for public plumbing, it is relatively expensive and arduous, and you may resort to other methods like water filters.

Flushing out Water before usage in the morning

Though it is a wasteful practice, it may act as a short term solution to lead contamination. If you rely on public plumbing for your water supply, you may opt to flush water in the morning. Flushing out is meant to get rid of the water that has stayed in the lead pipe overnight hence increasing chances of lead leaching from the pipe into the water. This method may not be very effective, but it reduces the level of lead contamination in water.

Conclusion

Lead contamination poses great health dangers. It is, therefore, important to detect the presence of lead contamination in your water then reduce it, or remove it altogether. Aquafil are your partners in safe drinking water. Contact us today for assistance on lead removal techniques from your water supply system as well as for the purchase of water coolers Sydney, office water cooler, filtered water coolers, and drinking fountains among other quality products.