Water for Wellness: Happy National Wellness Awareness Month!

August is National Wellness Awareness Month! It is a time to focus on promoting overall health and well-being, encouraging individuals to prioritize their health through sustainable habits and self-care. This annual observance serves as a reminder to evaluate daily habits, adopt sustainable lifestyle practices, and explore new ways to enhance physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s a perfect opportunity to reset, refocus, and recommit to your wellness goals. 

The concept of National Wellness Month emerged in 2018 as part of an effort to shift the wellness conversation from a luxury topic to a lifestyle one. One of the most foundational and attainable changes a person can make is increasing their intake of clean, healthy water. Wellness through water is a reachable step towards better health.

Water is a vital cornerstone of good health. It plays a key role in many of our body’s functions, including bringing nutrients to cells, getting rid of wastes, protecting joints and organs, and maintaining body temperature. Consuming fresh, clean water is a critical part of promoting wellness throughout your body. Quite simply, we cannot function without it.

The optimal amount of water intake varies for each individual. Factors like activity level, climate, and overall health can influence how much water a person needs daily. Recommendations vary greatly from the often-cited 64 ounces up to a hefty 15 cups (120 ounces) of water consumed per person per day. For some, 64 ounces might be sufficient, while others may need more. However, despite its importance, many people don’t consume enough water on a daily basis. Factors such as busy schedules, lack of awareness, or even simply not feeling thirsty can lead to chronic underconsumption.

Under consumption of water can lead to alarming side effects, including low energy, mental fog, increased risk of stroke, moodiness, slower metabolism, headaches, and more. Dehydration can happen quickly, but can also compound over time through continued underconsumption of water. The great news is that dehydration is easy to prevent and correct. Simply consume enough water to rectify any negative effects. Drinking water throughout the day, even when you’re not feeling particularly thirsty, helps maintain proper hydration levels and supports all of your body’s systems in working more efficiently. But equally important to how much water you consume is the quality of that water.

It is imperative to look at the quality of water you consume when you increase your intake. Whether your water comes from a municipal water system, community well, private well on your property, or somewhere else, contaminants (including lead, pesticides, microplastics, and more) are present in most water systems. Over time, these impurities can contribute to health issues, such as digestive problems, skin irritation, and even more serious diseases like cancer or neurological damage. 

The best way to ensure safe, clean drinking water that will not introduce additional toxins and contaminants into your body is to utilize a whole-home water filtration system. Water filtration systems allow clean, mineral and contaminant-free water to run through your home faucets, making it easier to stay hydrated and healthy. 

Clean, accessible water encourages better hydration habits by making it more convenient and appealing to drink water regularly. It’s a practical upgrade that aligns perfectly with the goals of National Wellness Month, empowering individuals to take control of their health in simple, sustainable ways. 

To begin your journey to healthier you, analyze the health of your water with a FREE water test from Water Unlimited. Request a free water analysis HERE.

Protect your Plumbing: How Soft Water Prolongs the Life of Plumbing and Appliances

Homeowners aim to extend the longevity of their properties while minimizing costly repairs. One effective solution is adding a water filtration and softening system. This installation can significantly prolong the life of plumbing and high-usage appliances.

Understanding Hard Water 

Hard water contains minerals like lead, calcium, magnesium, chlorine and more, affecting about 85% of U.S. homes. It leads to scale buildup, appliance inefficiencies, and increased costly plumbing maintenance. Hard water is due to the presence of dissolved minerals that enter water as it flows through rocks and soil, resulting in deposits that diminish plumbing efficiency and lifespan.  

Impact on Plumbing

Mineral deposits from hard water accumulate in pipes and fixtures, reducing flow and putting strain on plumbing systems. Over time, this buildup can lead to clogs that affect water streams, particularly in showerheads and faucets. Rain shower heads and extendable sink faucets are often the first to be affected.

Effects on Appliances

Essential appliances in modern homes such as dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and refrigerators are particularly susceptible to the damaging effects of hard water. These appliances rely on large volumes of water to operate efficiently, and when that water is mineral-heavy, it can cause serious long-term issues.

Mineral deposits can clog hoses, nozzles, and internal components. Over time, this leads to reduced efficiency and increases the likelihood of malfunction or failure. In fact, hard water can reduce the lifespan of water-using appliances by 30% to 50%. As appliances work harder to function, utility costs also rise.

Benefits of a Water Softener

Installing a water softener can effectively eliminate mineral build-up, enhancing appliance performance and longevity. Improved efficiency also lowers water and energy consumption, ultimately reducing household utility costs.

A whole-home water filtration and softener system is one of the most effective solutions to protect your appliances and improve overall water quality. These systems provide clean, mineral-free water throughout your home, delivering multiple benefits, including:

  • Longer-lasting appliances
  • Cleaner clothes and dishes
  • Reduced buildup on fixtures and drains
  • Improved water flow and pressure
  • Fresher, better-tasting water and ice
  • Decreased energy and water bills

Investing in a water softening and filtration system not only preserves your appliances but also enhances your home’s efficiency and comfort. Water Unlimited offers a Free Water Analysis test to assess your water’s hardness. You can schedule your appointment HERE.

Stay Cool This Summer: The Importance of Clean Water for Hydration and Wellness

As the heat increases, so does the importance of hydration with clean, fresh water. Contaminant free water is the best fluid to ensure hydration and support overall health. Proper hydration helps regulate body temperature, support brain function and mood, and keep our joints lubricated and our digestion smooth. In warmer temperatures, increased water consumption is important to maintain proper hydration. 

It is imperative to look at the quality of water you consume when you increase your intake. Whether your water comes from a municipal water system, community well, private well on your property or somewhere else, contaminants including lead, pesticides and more are present in most water systems. These impurities can contribute to health issues and increased water consumption will only exacerbate the effects.

The best way to ensure safe, clean drinking water, that will not introduce additional toxins and contaminants into your body, is to utilize a whole home water filtration system. A whole home water filter will reduce your consumption of bottled water which is better for your health, wallet and the environment. Water filtration systems allow clean, mineral free water to run through your home faucets, making it easier to stay hydrated and healthy. 

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends active people consume at least 16 to 20 ounces of fluids, 1 to 2 hours before outdoor activity. After activity, you should consume 6 to 12 ounces of fluids every 10 to 15 minutes that you are outside. When consuming significant quantities of water, it is very important your water source is clean and contaminant free.

Contaminants including chlorine, heavy metals like lead and mercury, bacteria, pesticides, and even microplastics are present in our water. You can reduce your exposure to contaminants by installing a state-of-the-art water filtration system in your home. A good filtration system removes or reduces these contaminants, giving you access to clean, fresh water that supports overall health. Whether you’re using it for drinking, cooking, or even for your pets, cleaner water means fewer toxins entering your body.

The digestive system plays a crucial role in eliminating toxins in the body and drinking an adequate amount of water plays an essential role in digestion. Water keeps the digestive system hydrated, which is necessary for the production of digestive enzymes and gastric acid. In addition to the production of essential enzymes and acids, water itself helps break down food and absorb nutrients. Cleaner water means fewer toxins entering your body.

Water is also crucial for regulating body temperature. When the body gets too hot, it sweats, and the evaporation of sweat helps to cool the body down. Water helps the body absorb and dissipate heat, preventing overheating, and it also helps with maintaining a healthy core temperature. Summertime conditions require additional hydration through fresh, clean water to maintain an optimal body temperature.

“Approximately 60% of our body is made up of water,” says Sarah Adler, MS, RD, a performance dietitian with UCLA Health Sports Performance, Powered by Exos. “So we need to make sure we’re replenishing our losses, especially with increased sweating in the summer.”

Adequate hydration is also crucial for optimal brain performance as it affects various cognitive functions like memory, concentration, and attention. Dehydration can impair brain function, leading to symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Hydration is key to your families’ health and having fresh filtered water flowing into your home makes optimizing your health easier than ever. Water Unlimited offers a Free Water Analysis test to see where your water may lie on the hard to soft scale. You can schedule your appointment HERE.

Water Safety Starts at Home: How Water Filtration Systems Protect Your Family

Whole home water filtration systems protect your family from contaminants flowing into your home daily. Whether your home water comes from a municipal water system, community well, private well on your property or somewhere else contaminants including lead, pesticides and more are present in most water systems. You can reduce your families’ exposure to contaminants by installing a state-of-the-art water filtration system in your home.

Removes Harmful Contaminants

The most obvious benefit of a water filtration system is improved water quality. Water filtration systems are designed to remove various contaminants from tap water, including chlorine, lead, bacteria, viruses & pesticides. Tap water can contain a variety of contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals like lead and mercury, bacteria, pesticides, and even microplastics. Over time, these impurities can contribute to health issues such as digestive problems, skin irritation, and even more serious diseases like cancer or neurological damage.

A good filtration system removes or reduces these contaminants, giving your family convenient access to clean, fresh water that supports overall health. Whether you’re using it for drinking, cooking, or even for your pets, cleaner water means fewer toxins entering your body.

Protects Children’s Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can be easily irritated by contaminants like chlorine and filtered water can help prevent skin problems among your entire family. Hard water or water with high levels of particulates can also strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation and dryness. Over time, this can cause or exacerbate conditions like eczema or dandruff. Softened filtered water allows your skin cleansing & hydration products to work as intended because it reduces mineral build up on your skin. If your skin is coated with minerals due to hard water, your products cannot work as intended. 

Although mineral build up may not be visible, it can increase dryness & act as a conduit for a slew of other skin issues including irritation, acne, inflammation, wrinkles, and premature aging. Using filtered water throughout your home including in your sink, bath and shower can help protect your families’ skin from these drying effects.

Better for Cooking

Clean water is not just important for hydration; it also plays a key role in the food we prepare. Water used for cooking can affect the taste and quality of your meals. Contaminants in water, such as chlorine or fluoride, can interfere with flavors and even disrupt the cooking process. For example, chlorinated water can react with certain ingredients, affecting both flavor and texture.

With filtered water, you’ll get purer ingredients, allowing your food to taste better and be free from unwanted chemicals. Whether you’re brewing a cup of coffee, cooking pasta, or making soup, the quality of the water you use directly impacts the final product.

Cost Savings

A whole home water filter will reduce your costs in purchasing water and extend lifespan and functionality of home appliances. Whole house water filtration systems can help protect high water usage appliances like water heaters and dishwashers from mineral buildup and damage. Mineral build-up inside appliances also reduces efficiency and increases your water costs. As systems become filled with mineral deposits, water flow is decreased, in-turn decreasing the efficiency and effectiveness of your most used appliances. Water filtration systems allow clean, mineral free water to run through your home maintaining your appliances efficiency regardless of the quality of water that arrives at your door. By reducing the need for bottled water and extending the lifespan of appliances, water filtration systems can save money in the long run.

Hydration is key to your families’ health and having fresh filtered water flowing into your home makes optimizing your health easier than ever. Water Unlimited offers a Free Water Analysis test to see where your water may lie on the hard to soft scale. You can schedule your appointment HERE.

Water Unlimited – Increase your Sustainability with Clean Water

Image by: Castorly Stock

Enjoying fresh, clean water in your home isn’t just a priority for health, but also sustainability. Softened water can help you extend the lifespan of your appliances, reduce your home energy usage, conserve water and more. Hard water is due to the presence of dissolved minerals that it picks up as it flows through or around rocks and soils containing these minerals. Hard water can actively work against your home’s sustainability.

Reduce Consumption

Hard water can shorten the life of your most used household appliances. Dishwashers, laundry machines, water heaters and refrigerators are important daily-use appliances in most modern homes. When one of them is out of commission it significantly impacts the functionality of your home. One of the best ways to reduce wear and tear on your water-using appliances is installing a whole home water filtration and softener system. Hard, mineral filled water can clog hoses, fixtures, and more reducing the overall lifespan of your water-using appliances 30-50%. The most sustainable thing anyone can do is to keep and maintain the items we already have. Installation of a water softener can eliminate the risk of mineral build-up and keep your appliances working longer.

Optimize Efficiency

Mineral build-up inside appliances also reduces efficiency and increases your water costs. As systems become filled with mineral deposits, water flow is decreased, in-turn decreasing the efficiency and effectiveness of your most used appliances. Water filtration systems allow clean, mineral free water to run through your home maintaining your appliances efficiency regardless of the quality of water that arrives at your door.

Conservation

Reduce your environmental impact by having fresh, clean drinking water in your home. Billions of plastic bottles end up in landfills each year and take hundreds of years to decompose. A water filtration system allows you to consume the freshest, cleanest water right from your tap and ditch the bottled water for good.

Choose an Efficient System

Not all water softeners are created equal in efficiency. Reverse osmosis technology efficiently uses a semi-permeable membrane that separates water molecules from everything else. The leftover contaminants get drained away in waste water. The Kinetico K5, produces only 1 gallon of waste water per gallon of filtered water. With an efficient water softener system, you’ll enjoy soft, filtered water without the excessive waste, allowing you to reduce your environmental footprint and lower your overall expenses.

Installing a water softener can increase your house-hold sustainability by reducing the mineral content in your water, extending the life of your appliances, and keeping your energy bills in check.

Spring Clean Your Water: The Importance of Regular Filter Maintenance

Spring is the time we all think about sweeping out those winter cobwebs and getting our homes in summer shape. Be sure to include maintaining your water filtration system on your list of to-dos. Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to system malfunctions or even complete breakdowns. So, make sure you know what your system needs and keep up with the schedule. Your system will thank you with reliable performance.

Fresh Filters

Although most water filtration systems have an indicator to notify when to change the filter, it’s a good habit to check your systems filters on a regular basis. Some systems may require only one change per year, while others may require more frequent changes. Check with your manufacturer on the recommended frequency for filter changes. Regular filter changes ensure your system works to the best of it’s ability to remove contaminants like lead, chlorine, and sediment.

Flush Away Debris

Over time, sediment, debris, and air can accumulate in your water filter system, leading to clogs or reduced efficiency. To avoid this, professionals recommend flushing your system each spring. Flushing helps maintain water flow and removes impurities that could affect water quality, in addition to maintaining your systems peak energy and filtration efficiency.

Sanitize Your System

Bacteria, algae, and mold can build up over time in your filtration system without periodic sanitization. Whether your source water originates from your city, a municipal well, or a private well on your own property, all water contains impurities in addition to those we can remove through the filtration system. Bacteria, algae and mold thrive in wet, dark environments like your water filtration system, so it is near impossible to completely avoid the presence of these organisms, but consistent disinfecting keeps your water healthy and safe for your family. Sanitizing keeps your system working properly and ensures that the water it delivers is safe and clean. 

Test Your Water

Annual water testing will ensure your system is working as it should. Many water system companies provide free water analysis to periodically analyze your water quality and confirm that your system is working properly. Even if your water appears the same (clear, no smell, etc.), quality can change at any time. The quality of your water source (before your water filtration system) can change at any time, so annual water tests are integral to ensure your system is providing the best quality water.

Is this DIY?

If you’re not familiar with your system or don’t feel confident working on it, it’s best to leave your spring maintenance to the professionals. If you open up your system or tamper with certain components, you could void your warranty.

Show Yourself Some Love This Valentines: Feel Beautiful Inside and Out With Soft Water That Enhances the Health of Your Hair, Skin, and Nails.

Soft water in your home helps support the health of your hair, skin, and nails by ensuring excess minerals are not deposited and products can work efficiently.

What is soft water?

Soft water contains low amounts of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, whereas hard water has higher detected levels of minerals. Hard water is formed when water passes through deposits of chalk, limestone or gypsum. It is estimated that 85% of homes in the United States have hard water. Hard water can be treated using ion exchange water softeners to remove excess minerals and dissolved rock, significantly enhancing water quality. 

How does soft water enhance the health of your hair, skin & nails?

Homes with a water softener enjoy a better lather, better bathing experience, and peak performance of products applied to hair, skin, and nails.. Softened water also eliminates the harmful effects hard water has on your body due to mineral build up and destruction of natural oils in your skin and hair. 

Hair

Soft water increases the efficacy of your products and protects your hair from mineral build up. A 2018 study by the National Library of Medicine concluded that there is, “a significant statistical decrease in the strength of hair,” after being treated with hard water. Removing minerals including calcium and chlorine allows your products to work more efficiently and ensures minerals are not deposited onto your hair strands which leads to breakage, dullness & lack of luminosity. Mineral build up from hard water may be why your hair products don’t work as well as they claim to. Soft water will help your cleansers break through any build up and prevent future deposits to bring you the healthiest hair yet.

Skin

Enhance your skin’s vibrance and hydration by ensuring the water in your home is soft. A study published in 2021 concluded that water hardness, by itself, could lead to severe dry and irritated skin. Soft water allows your skin cleansing & hydration products to work as intended because it reduces mineral build up on your skin. If your skin is coated with minerals due to hard water, your products cannot work as intended. Although mineral build up may not be visible, it can increase dryness & act as a conduit for a slew of other skin issues including irritation, acne, inflammation, wrinkles, and premature aging.

Nails

Consistent hand washing with hard water can cause your nails to become brittle & flaky. Hard water minerals can also dry out your nail beds and stunt the growth of your nails. After some time, your nails can become thin, weak and discolored. You can’t control the mineral content of all the water you use to wash your hands, but you can ensure that the water at home is soft to ensure the long term benefits for your health.

Enjoy the benefits of soft water in your home!

Take your hair, skin, and nails to their most beautiful by having your home water tested and obtaining a water softener system if needed. Water Unlimited offers a Free Water Analysis test to see where your water may lie on the hard to soft scale. You can schedule your appointment here

Southwest Living November 2024


 

 

Kickstart Your Year with Clean Water: Benefits of Water Filtration Systems 

As the new year rolls in, it’s the perfect time to reassess your lifestyle, make healthier choices, and invest in your well-being. One of the most fundamental, yet often overlooked aspects of health, is the water you drink. This year, why not kickstart your health goals by incorporating a water filtration system into your home or office?

  1. Healthier Water, Healthier You

The most obvious benefit of a water filtration system is improved water quality. Tap water can contain a variety of contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals like lead and mercury, bacteria, pesticides, and even microplastics. Over time, these impurities can contribute to health issues such as digestive problems, skin irritation, and even more serious diseases like cancer or neurological damage.

A good filtration system removes or reduces these contaminants, giving you access to clean, fresh water that supports overall health. Whether you’re using it for drinking, cooking, or even for your pets, cleaner water means fewer toxins entering your body.

  1. Improved Taste and Odor

Have you ever noticed a chlorine-like taste or an unpleasant odor in your tap water? Many people find that the taste of unfiltered tap water can be off-putting, and it’s no surprise. Chlorine and other chemicals used in the treatment process can leave a distinct taste or smell that makes drinking water less enjoyable. 

With a filtration system, you can improve both the taste and the odor of your water. Filtration removes the chlorine, sediments, and other chemicals that can create unpleasant flavors, making it easier and more pleasant to stay hydrated.

  1. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

Sure, bottled water might seem convenient, but when you do the math, it’s clear that it can become quite expensive over time. 

Water filtration systems, on the other hand, require a one-time investment, with a very low ongoing cost for maintenance. By installing a filtration system at home, you save money in the long term and reduce your reliance on single-use plastic bottles, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.

  1. Environmental Benefits

Speaking of sustainability, one of the biggest advantages of using a water filtration system is the positive environmental impact. By eliminating your need for bottled water, you’re cutting down on plastic waste that often ends up in landfills or the ocean.

By choosing filtered water over bottled water, you’re making a small but meaningful change toward a healthier planet.

  1. Better for Cooking

Clean water is not just important for hydration; it also plays a key role in the food we prepare. Water used for cooking can affect the taste and quality of your meals. Contaminants in water, such as chlorine or fluoride, can interfere with flavors and even disrupt the cooking process. For example, chlorinated water can react with certain ingredients, affecting both flavor and texture.

With filtered water, you’ll get purer ingredients, allowing your food to taste better and be free from unwanted chemicals. Whether you’re brewing a cup of coffee, cooking pasta, or making soup, the quality of the water you use directly impacts the final product. 

  1. Skin and Hair Health

If you’re struggling with dry skin, brittle hair, or scalp issues, the culprit could be the water you’re showering in. Hard water or water with high levels of chlorine can strip the skin and hair of their natural oils, leading to irritation and dryness. Over time, this can cause or exacerbate conditions like eczema or dandruff. Using filtered water in your shower can help protect your skin and hair from these drying effects. 

  1. Convenience and Peace of Mind

Finally, having a water filtration system in place offers peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your drinking water. Whether you’re at home or at the office, you know that your water is clean, safe, and healthy.

A Fresh Start Begins with Fresh Water

As you set your intentions and goals for the new year, remember that something as simple as clean water can have a profound impact on your health and well-being. Investing in a quality water filtration system is a small change that can bring big benefits to your life—from better hydration to improved skin health and a more sustainable lifestyle.

This year, make clean water one of your priorities. Your body, your budget, and the planet will thank you!

 

 

Photo Credit: Photo by Oleksandr P:

Eco-Friendly Water Treatment Solutions for Your Home

When it comes to water quality, what you don’t see can cost you more than you realize. Hard water causes stubborn stains, shortens the lifespan of appliances, and drives up energy costs, while bottled water contributes to environmental waste and unnecessary expenses. Fortunately, there’s a better solution—one that’s good for your home, your wallet, and the planet.

With a modern water filtration and softening system, you can enjoy fresh, filtered water without the environmental toll of plastic bottles and protect your appliances from the damaging effects of hard water. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals, skyrocketing energy bills, and wasteful habits.

Eco-Friendly Drinking Water

Buying plastic bottles of water might seem like a convenient choice but it comes with a hefty cost to the environment. Billions of plastic bottles end up in landfills each year and take hundreds of years to decompose. By replacing this routine with installing a water filter in your home, you’ll save money and eliminate the hassle of lugging around plastic bottles, all while making a positive impact on the environment.

Hard Water Stains and Harsh Chemicals

We all know that hard water can cause unsightly stains on glass, tile, porcelain and other surfaces. This leads many people to rely on harsh chemical cleaners to remove them. Many ingredients used in cleaning products can be harmful to both your health and the environment. Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) found in many cleaning agents are a significant source of pollution in the environment. With a water softener in place, you can prevent these stubborn stains from forming in the first place and avoid using harsh chemicals to remove them.

Effects of Hard Water on Appliances and Energy Use

Hard water doesn’t just cause pesky stains; it takes a toll on your home’s appliances and energy bills. Mineral buildup inside your hot water heater can lead to premature failure and reduced efficiency. This means your heater has to work harder, using up more energy and increasing your utility costs. Installing a water softener can prevent this by reducing the mineral content in your water, extending the life of your appliances, and keeping your energy bills in check.

Low-Waste Water Systems

Not all water softeners are created equal. Ones that use reverse osmosis technology don’t use any chemicals to make your water pure and safe. They use a semi-permeable membrane that separates water molecules from everything else. The leftover contaminants get drained away in waste water. However, the amount of wastewater a system produces is an important factor to consider when choosing a water softener. Some systems produce up to 3 gallons of waste water per 1 gallon of filtered water while others, like the Kinetico K5, produce only 1 gallon of waste water per gallon of filtered water. With an efficient water softener system, you’ll enjoy soft, filtered water without the excessive waste, allowing you to reduce your environmental footprint and lower your overall expenses.

Make the Switch Today!

By addressing hard water and ditching bottled water, you’re not just making your life easier—you’re investing in your home, your health, and the planet. Modern water filtration and softening systems offer a simple, eco-friendly solution for clean, soft water. Start saving money, energy, and time while protecting the environment. The benefits of soft, filtered water are crystal clear!