We are celebrating our new web store! Take 20% off everything with discount code 20off at checkout.
Don’t miss this very special sale on Sawyer, Katadyn, PurestOne, Vortex Water Distiller Kits, Rainshow’r, Premium 10-stage, LifeStraw and more.
Thanks for stopping by!
Highwater Filters will donate 5% of sales to earthquake relief until the end of April. Clean drinking water is crucial in the aftermath of earthquakes in Ecuador and Japan. We hope you will consider donating to a charity of your choice.
Charity Navigator is an excellent resource when researching where to send your donations.
One organization that we like is Waves for Water. Although they are not listed by Charity Navigator, it is because they are only 6 years old and an organization needs to be at least 7 years old to be listed.
We also offer great discounts to relief groups who are taking water filters to affected areas. Contact us for more info.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. Thank you for caring.
photo from usgs.gov website.
By Lorraine Marie
You’re way ahead of the curve if you’ve decided to remove fluoride from your water. After all, there are still municipalities thinking “hey, let’s be smart and fluoridate the water!” When we peek back at history, the rush to fluoridate public water involved very little thought, just some circumstantial evidence regarding dental health, combined with the too-hasty social fervor to jump on the bandwagon of “science has a solution for everything.”
The science showing how questionable fluoridated water is came later, but too late. The brainwashing had begun. There is reluctance to loosen the grip on tightly held beliefs, apparently…even half a century later.
Now we have a different scenario: when we decide to de-fluoridate, it seems we still don’t have enough answers to make a 100 percent sure choice about the filter we should use to accomplish the task. There are too many variables, such as the level of pollutants in the pre-treated water, pH level, how quickly the water passes through a particular filter system, etc, to allow us to find nice neat little test results that provide an obvious answer.
For example, some will point to activated alumina for fluoridation removal. It is said to be 98 to 100% effective, as long as you get the flow rate just right. There is an additional bonus of also removing arsenic and lead. The fluoride is mostly gone, but now there can be activated alumina to get out of the water.
Reverse osmosis sounds like alumina déjà vu: 90 to 95% of the fluoride can be removed, but it takes two to four gallons of water to capture one fluoride-free gallon. That gallon is basically devoid of life force, requiring the addition of other ingredients to boost it back up to life-supporting status.
Then there is bone char. It is said to be the oldest method of freeing water of fluoride 
content, with up to a 90% removal rate. How bone char and activated carbon differ may be pertinent to your search for the best water filtering method. Bone char is made with animal bones that are heated to 1,292 degrees F., in low oxygen conditions, which enhances the product’s adsorption abilities. For vegans, it may not be an option. In contrast, activated carbon is similarly processed, and can be derived from animal or vegetable sources.
Dr. Richard Sauerheber, professor of chemistry with University of California, has looked extensively at the fluoride issue, and believes bone char filters are the most effective.
Getting rid of fluoride in your drinking water can also boost your health, since other unhealthy contaminants can be removed via filtering. Activated carbon filter methods can, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (consulted since they are not sellers or promoters of any particular filter brand), rid water of chlorine, disinfecting products, heavy metals [think arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, zinc], parasites, pesticides, radon and volatile organic chemicals, such as dichlorobenzene, methyl tert butyl ether and tricholoroethylene. The Environmental Protection Agency says radio-nuclides can be removed with granular activated carbon. I could not determine for sure if thallium is removed with activated charcoal filtering, but it is used in hospitals for internal poisoning from thallium.
So yes, take action to avoid poisoning yourself. The bone char filters may be the best route. I think about the village in Alaska, Hooper Bay, where the town’s fluoridated water system malfunctioned and 296 residents were poisoned. It was 1992. Most of the victims had severe GI pain as well as symptoms associated with heart malfunction. One person died. Fluoride can be nasty stuff, obviously, and there is evidence it may bio-accumulate in the body.
It’s clear that treated carbon products have an impressive history of service to health and well-being.
Just one more example: if you are dealing with an algae issue, Ohio State University reports using activated carbon, combined with a membrane filter, for “significantly” reducing algae toxins.
To truly make the best water filtration choice, it’s wise to invest in a thorough water test and determine what is in your water to start with.
Bone Char and GAC products Extra Savings!
We now carry Bone Char filters, GAC for Chlorine removal and GAC for Chloramine removal. We also sell bulk Bone Char and GAC by the lb. Bundle up and get added protection from fluoride and heavy metals! 
See all our GAC products here.
Use coupon code GACSD to get 5% off our already low sale prices!
We’ve got a variety of counter top and under counter combinations to choose from. Feel free to contact us for more information! info@highwaterfilters.com . 509-685-0933. We love to talk about your water treatment needs.
Thanks for stopping by!
This gallery contains 1 photo.
We demonstrate how to avoid the problem of bucket water warming up too fast by cooling the Vortex coil directly in the river. Worked like a charm. For more information and to purchase the Vortex, please visit our website. View … Continue reading
We are celebrating Memorial Day with Big Savings this weekend.
Check out the low, low prices on Katadyn, Sawyer, PurestOne, Rainshow’r, New Wave Countertop filters, Vortex Water Distillers, Lifestraw and more.
Remember our fallen soldiers and loved ones.
Have a safe holiday!
To many of us, the idea of toxic chemicals released by fracking into our water supplies seems remote. We assume only folks living next door to hydraulic fracturing operations in Texas, Ohio or Pennsylvania could possibly be affected.
Hydraulic fracturing has now been applied more than a million times to onshore U.S. oil and gas wells. Worldwide, more than 2.5 million hydraulic fracturings have occurred, with more being planned every day.
Fracking chemicals
Fracking is the process of injecting water, chemicals and sand into shale rock to release natural gas. There are numerous negative consequences of fracking near communities, as the process produces a toxic wastewater that cannot be treated by standard water sanitation facilities. In fact, people who live in areas where fracking occurs may be consuming toxic water straight from their faucets, as many watchdog groups warn.
FracFocus.org has compiled an extensive list of chemicals used in fracking, along with maps and regulations for individual states. The chemical chart is sorted alphabetically by the Product Function to make it easier for readers to compare chemicals to fracturing records .
According to Food and Water Watch.org, more than 7,500 accidents, leaks and spills related to fracking occurred in 2013, negatively impacting water quality in rivers, streams and shallow aquifers. There have also been more than 1,000 documented cases of water contamination near fracking sites around the country, although the process is still used to extract natural gas in spite of claims made against its impact.
Water for fracking operations is mixed with sand and toxic chemicals, including over 100 suspected endocrine disruptors and carcinogens (including lead, mercury and uranium), Food and Water Watch states. Also, giant holding ponds or tanks are needed to store the chemically contaminated waste water that comes back up the hole after wells have been fractured.
Benzene
Besides the fracking chemicals, the fracturing process may release benzene into nearby water sources. Benzene is clear and has a sweet smell. It can be tasted once it reaches .5—4.5 parts per million. One ppm is equivalent to a single drop in 40 gallons of water. However, Benzene is toxic in water at .005 ppm, which can’t be detected by taste or smell.
Because Benzene is found both naturally and as a result of industrial sources, people are exposed to small amounts of the chemical daily. However, when we are exposed to high quantities of Benzene, serious health problems can develop. Drinking water contaminated by Benzene can cause stomach irritation, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsion, rapid heart rate, vomiting, or in extreme cases, coma or death.
Fracking technology has been in use for decades, but only recently has the industry developed the capacity to drill horizontally within the rock formations, which requires massive amounts of water and potentially toxic chemicals. But industry secrecy about the chemicals injected into the shale has made it difficult for scientists and government agencies to get the facts on health and environmental impacts of fracking.
Industry oversight
Individual states regulate fracturing that occurs within their borders, and they have different rules over the use of the process. The EPA says it is working with states and other key stakeholders to help ensure that natural gas extraction does not come at the expense of public health and the environment. According to the agency’s website:
“The Agency’s focus and obligations under the law are to provide oversight, guidance and, where appropriate, rulemaking that achieve the best possible protections for the air, water and land where Americans live, work and play. The Agency is investing in improving our scientific understanding of hydraulic fracturing, providing regulatory clarity with respect to existing laws, and using existing authorities where appropriate to enhance health and environmental safeguards.”
New York, Vermont have already banned fracking and now California is contemplating a ban, thanks in great part to forward-thinking environmental protestors and community action groups.
FracTracker.org, a non-profit that launched in 2010, provides oil and gas maps for over 30 U.S. states with drilling activity. Simply click on your state to learn about fracking operations. These maps may include drilled wells, violations, proximity to vulnerable populations, pipelines and proposals, waste disposal sites, sand mining operations, and more.
Hydraulic Fracturing 101
Activists such as these, who are rapidly becoming more organized, larger and stronger, are busy gathering data and proof that fracking is not good for the environment – despite industry claims to the contrary. Consider this innocent-sounding summary of fracking by Halliburton, a leader in the hydraulic fracturing industry:
[Incidentally, the “good bit of water” Halliburton refers to is actually a lot of water. In south Texas, home to the hydraulically fractured Eagle Ford Formation, for example, the portion of water use for oil and gas well drilling and completion was 6 percent as of January 2012, compared to 64% for irrigation, and 17% for municipal use, according to Wikipedia.]
Fracking discovered in 1866
Halliburton is not alone in its praise of this new technology credited with bringing wealth and vitality to communities. In “A Brief History of Fracking,” Brian Hicks, investment director for the income and dividend newsletter The Wealth Advisory, explains how the concept of fracking is not new. It was devised in 1866 by Civil War veteran Col. Edward Roberts who patented the “Exploding Torpedo.”
As the story goes, Roberts witnessed Confederate exploding artillery rounds plunging into the narrow millrace (canal) that obstructed a battlefield in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Roberts’ observation gave him an idea that would evolve into what he described as “superincumbent fluid tamping.”
“Nobody knew it at the time, but Roberts’ “Exploding Torpedo” was the birth of the modern-day shale fracturing industry…”
Skip ahead to 2015 and “the U.S. now has 200 years’ worth of natural gas… and is predicted to be the largest oil producer in the world by the end of the decade, thanks to fracking,” says Hicks.
“Oh, and by the way… because the United States is using more natural gas as a result of the fracking revolution, the country’s CO2 emissions are at a six-year low…”
Fracking is good for the environment, Hicks concludes.
U.S. touted as fracking leader
Fracking is not, of course, limited to the United States. Citing U.S. shale-extraction success and energy revitalization, Japan and Algeria are among the most recent countries to begin fracking operations – also with heavy public opposition.
Hacina Zegzeg, a coordinator for a protest movement who lives and works in In Salah, Algeria, said in a January 2015 online Observer article that her group organized protests in 2014, but the debate cooled a bit because the government agreed to hold off beginning the extraction of shale gas until 2022.
“However, at the end of December last year, the prime minister came to inaugurate the country’s first drilling site, located about 28 kilometers from In Salah… And we had not even been warned about his visit. All this reignited the movement.”
Zegzeg said a shale gas mining operation poses a serious threat to her town because the groundwater table is fossilized, meaning that the water doesn’t replenish itself.
“We are at risk of having polluted water and running out of water entirely,” Zegzeg said.
Being proactive
So long as humans rely on fossil fuels and can find a way to get to it, this debate will continue. Meanwhile, freshwater sources dwindle worldwide. If you live in an area where fracking is ongoing or being considered, learn all you can. Have your water tested. Contact your legislators to hold energy companies accountable for any contamination caused by fracking and to disclose the chemicals they use.
When a commodity as vital to life as clean water is at stake, we would be wise to be overly cautious rather than rely on government agencies to protect us.
From Love Canal, N.Y., (the nation’s first Superfund site) to the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., news stories abound of disastrous situations where authorities failed to warn residents of unsafe water in a timely manner, or even attempted to cover up or downplay the hazards. Meanwhile, unsuspecting residents became ill drinking and bathing in polluted water.
Yet, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll, 59 percent of survey respondents view the Environmental Protection Agency favorably. In other words, they believe the EPA informs and protects them. Pew conducted the survey Jan. 7-11 among 1,504 adults nationwide.
I suspect the 6,000 residents of Glendive, Mont., are less trusting of the EPA and their local government since a ruptured Bridger Pipeline Company pipeline poisoned their town’s drinking water supply in January with benzene, a human carcinogen found in oil and gas.
Benzene in nature
Often, industry professionals and government agencies point out that so-called hazards such as radiation, ozone, mercury, lead and benzene, to name a few, occur organically in the environment. A poster produced by Environmental Programs at Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center states that benzene is produced naturally by volcanoes and forest fires and does not build up in living organisms.
“It is also present in many plants and animals and in fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Benzene evaporates very quickly into the air. It can pass into the air from water and soil. It reacts with other chemicals in the air and usually breaks down within a few days.”
This makes benzene sound benign, doesn’t it? The information poster concludes by stating that benzene can cause cancer and disrupt the immune system in humans.
Yellowstone River and benzene
The Bridger pipeline split on Jan. 17, 2015, spilling approximately 30,000 gallons (some sources say 50,000 gallons) of crude oil into the Yellowstone River four miles upstream from Glendive. Glendive’s treatment plant officials did not issue an advisory against drinking the carcinogenic tap water until 48 hours after the catastrophe, according to news reports.
According to the EPA, the 12-inch diameter, ½-inch-thick pipeline broke between two block valves approximately 6,800 feet apart where the line crosses under the river.
“To date, response crews have collected 548 barrels of oil (about 23,000 gallons) out of more than 1,200 barrels that could have been released. Most of the oil recovery was from within the pipeline after it was shut down. Additional oil has been recovered from on-ice recovery efforts.”
The EPA says workers conducted water sampling at the Glendive Water Treatment Plant and environmental specialists took water samples along the river at the site of the release and at select points downstream. “Additional environmental sampling will also be conducted to determine the extent of the spill’s environmental impact and to guide future response and recovery plans once the ice breaks up.”
“Brief” water contamination
The EPA said Glendive’s public drinking water supply was “briefly contaminated soon after the spill when volatile organic compounds, specifically benzene, showed up in early sampling results.” Solutions were put in place to mitigate these VOCs and the water treatment plant has since been decontaminated and the main distribution lines flushed through the city’s fire hydrants.
“Residents were instructed to flush the pipes in their homes and businesses and advised that they could continue using their water as normal. DEQ has confirmed that the municipal water delivery system now meets standards set out by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.”
The EPA ordered additional monitoring equipment to install at the intake to detect VOCs and other oil constituents entering the system, sounding an alarm that will trigger a shutdown of the treatment plant if benzene levels reach 2 ppb (less than half of the benzene maximum contaminant level).
The EPA also sampled 10 shallow groundwater wells near the break. No VOCs were detected.
Ten days later, city water was again deemed safe.
Not safe for all creatures
A month later, however, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks advised fishermen to use caution when deciding whether to eat fish they caught in the area affected by the spill. In February, detectable levels of petroleum were found in tests of fish pulled from the Yellowstone River downstream from the broken pipeline.
Apparently, the fish didn’t read the EPA’s press release certifying the water as safe to use.
The state agency said sampling for contaminated fish – as well as cleanup of the spilled oil – has been difficult because ice covers most of the river downstream from the spill site.
FWP fisheries biologists were able to catch several species of fish at sites downstream from the break. The fish were sent to laboratories in Billings and Wisconsin, which tested the edible muscle tissue and internal organs for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – or PAHs.
“Published research indicates that petroleum compounds can accumulate in fish for 40 or more days after a spill. FWP will resume catching fish after the ice leaves the river and test tissues for PAH accumulation.”
The agency said petroleum compounds can also be passed on to fish through the food chain when micro-organisms, insects, worms, crustaceans and other aquatic animals absorb petroleum compounds then eaten by fish.
The advisory was issued as a precaution, instructing anglers to tend toward conservative decisions and prudent practice when it comes to the health effects of the oil spill.
Prevention
Lois Gibbs, the Love Canal housewife who rallied neighbors in a 3-year fight to force legislators to listen and the EPA to evacuate 833 households from their highly toxic, dioxin-laden neighborhoods, said in 2008, “The federal government’s failure to prevent harm for American citizens is unacceptable: When will government learn to err on the side of caution instead of risk equations?”
Gibbs, the founder/executive director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, was speaking about the Food and Drug Administration’s decision that bisphenol-A (BPA), a common plasticizer used in a variety of consumer food and beverage containers, is safe for babies.
Seven years later, a newly published study reported an association between BPA with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The study, by researchers at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM) and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), shows that BPA is not metabolized well in children with ASD.
Perhaps we cannot rely on government agencies to keep us safe from all hazards lurking in our environment. But, we can be proactive. First, have your water tested.
Home water filters are available today that can eliminate dangerous pollutants, whether they occur naturally or from horrific oil spills, leach from chemical dump sites or seep into the groundwater from landfills.
As Lois Gibbs says, wouldn’t we also be wise to err on the side of caution?
Manure doesn’t immediately come to mind when envisioning deadly overflows. Two liquid manure mishaps, however, were among the top-10 manmade poisonous spills of all time, according to “Wave Goodbye: 10 of the World’s Worst Toxic Floods.” The rivers of cow pies and hog poo were as lethal as coal ash slurry and mining waste tainted with arsenic and cadmium.
Besides harmful chemicals, the Natural Resources Defense Council reports that animal waste contains disease-causing pathogens, such as Salmonella, E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and fecal coliform, which can be 10 to 100 times more concentrated than in human waste. More than 40 diseases can be transferred to humans through manure.
Perhaps we don’t think of animal manure that way because it was once a natural byproduct of raising livestock, back when most farms had no more than a couple dozen cows, sheep or hogs. I can still recall the sensation of cow patties squishing between my naked kid-sized toes as we herded the neighbor’s modest 35 or so Holsteins from the pasture in the 1960s.
I didn’t much like sliminess when tramping through a fresh patty, although it was natural, green and usually involved no more than one or two pies per episode. Incidentally, we also cupped drinking water with our bare hands from the creek in that pasture and weren’t later curled over with gastroenteritis.
That family farm, like thousands of others, no longer exists. A subdivision occup
ies the land, while industrial-sized factory farms produce milk elsewhere. Not only has farm size exploded in recent decades, with many recording animal populations in the tens of thousands, not mere hundreds. But, the number and amount of hazardous chemicals found in the manure produced there has also increased. Running barefoot through it is not advised.
Horse manure, for example, responsible for damaging crops and home gardens after normal application, has been found to contain herbicides that were traced back to the horses’ feed. Manure also contains high concentrations of phosphorous and nitrates. So, when a flood of the stuff accidentally runs across the landscape, plants and creatures above ground are not the only things harmed. Manure spills kill wildlife in natural waterways and contaminate drinking water supplies in wells, aquifers and reservoirs.
When thousands of gallons of manure flow from a lagoon into a nearby creek, the farmer is commonly blamed and fined. In many cases, however, the containment systems failed – a faulty or nonexistent check valve, broken pipes, cracked concrete walls, soil berms saturated by rain or lagoons overflowing by excessive rainfall. Government agencies established to protect the environment have also been accused of not doing enough to prevent catastrophes. In December 2014, for example, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources advised residents of a manure spill that could contaminate water wells, but did not mention the number of gallons or how the spill happened.
Some recent mishaps include 25 million gallons of hog waste spilling from a North Carolina farm in 1995, 3 million gallons of cow manure at a New York dairy farm, 640,000 gallons of manure spilled from a Wisconsin dairy in 2014, 300,000 gallons of manure at Arlington Agricultural Research Station in Wisconsin in 2013 and 200,000 gallons of hog manure spilled in Illinois in 2009 . These are but a few of the disasters filling the news and damaging ecosystems.
Meanwhile, whatever the cause, water everywhere becomes tainted. Sadly, we can’t wish ourselves back to a pristine world of unspoiled, crystal clear water and harmless cow patties. We can, however, protect ourselves with a simple household water filter system.
And be sure to wear your shoes in the barn.
From sea to shining sea, all year long, the news overflowed with stories of catastrophic water pollution events that made people sick, destroyed ecosystems and cost uncalculated billions to clean up. The poisons are many – everything from naturally occurring gases released by mining to dumped dry-cleaning solvents and coal ash used as landfill.
2014 started with four states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia) finally confirming that fracking was responsible for contaminating water wells. Four days later, a disastrous Jan. 9 coal-washing chemical tank leak in West Virginia sickened hundreds of people. Incidentally, the same site was responsible for a similar chemical spill six months later.
By the time it was revealed on Dec. 29 coal ash was the source of water contamination in Wisconsin, so many environmental calamities occurred during the year that it is impossible to list them all here. Unless you’re one of the unfortunate residents affected, these stories are usually quickly forgotten among the stream of assaults against Mother Earth.
Here, briefly, are a few of the hugest water-pollution stories topping the news in 2014:
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter, again
To get an idea of the potential contaminants in your drinking water, see this report by the Environmental Working Group that compiled records from 48,000 public water suppliers, creating the largest drinking water quality database in existence. More than 300 pollutants were detected. To use the database online, simply enter your zip code to see the results of public water sources near you.
EWG also compiled a water filter resource guide to help consumers choose a system.
To find information about the many water filtration products that we carry, please visit the Highwater Filters website.
From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, numerous reports documented the health dangers of lead pipes. Although not until the 1920s, many U.S. cities eventually banned or restricted the use of lead pipes for water distribution. Meanwhile, efforts by the Lead Industries Association, which formed in 1928, encouraged cities and homeowners to continue installing lead pipes, extolling lead’s virtues over iron pipe (malleability and increased system longevity).
A century later, consumers question the safety of current popular pipe materials including cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) flexible piping used by a growing number of green homebuilders. Touted for economy and easy installation, whispers of concern have dogged the green home industry. Do chemicals leach into drinking water when stagnant in the pipe or when it’s used for hot water applications?
Consider piping as a vessel. We wouldn’t drink from a lead cup, would we?
When the U.S. Pure Food and Drugs Act passed in 1906, it was 100 years behind public outcries for government oversight of manufacturing. Oddly, the law had no pre-market approval system for food ingredients or drugs. The government could act only after products were on the market.
Before the law, the general attitude was for consumers to be responsible for awareness of potential contaminants. A 1906 USDA Bureau of Chemistry bulletin instructed housewives how to discern if the milk, cereal or canned beans they purchased contained harmful adulterants.
The bulletin strongly defended manufacturers, stating it would not be in their interest to shorten the lives of their customers nor impair their appetites by knowingly adding poisons. Several more decades passed before ingredient-listing was required, delayed because manufacturers feared scaring off customers or giving away secret recipes, according to the FDA.
Suspected toxins
Americans are again calling for more information about the products they put on or in their bodies. Again, regulation lags for consumer information about materials used to store or otherwise hold food and beverages. It can take decades from the time concerns about harmful ingredients arise until any government actions are taken to remove carcinogenic or toxic-containing products from the market. In some cases, there is simply no regulation of contaminants, such as is the case for bottled water sold in the United States.
How many years did we drink soda from plastic bottles containing Bisphenol-A (BPA) before we realized that once in our system, the synthetic chemical compound emulates estrogen? To learn more about bottled water, BPA and water filters, see this 2013 Highwater Marks blog.
First developed in 1891, BPA began appearing in plastic products worldwide in the 1950s. For 60 years, BPA has been used without regulation establishing its safety. The Toxic Substances Control Act passed in 1976, but labeled BPA a “grandfather” chemical, meaning it was never evaluated and was presumed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to research by consumer law firm Baum, Hedlund, Aristei and Goldman, PC. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Medical Journal cite numerous health problems associated with BPA use.
So, is it any surprise that pipe commonly used to transport drinking water into our homes may also leach toxins into that water – and we don’t have to be made aware of it? Under scrutiny recently is PEX potable water pipe.
PEX has several advantages over metal pipe (copper, iron, lead) or rigid plastic pipe (PVC, CPVC, ABS) systems. It is flexible, resistant to scale and chlorine, doesn’t corrode or develop pinholes, is faster to install than metal or rigid plastic, and has fewer connections and fittings, according to PEXinfo.com.
Europeans began using PEX around 1970; it was introduced in the United States in 1980. PEX use has been increasing ever since, replacing copper pipe in many applications, especially for hot water.
Several California groups blocked adoption of PEX for a decade for concerns about toxins getting into the water, either from chemicals outside or inside the pipes such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and tertiary butyl alcohol. California eventually permitted PEX use in all occupancies. An environmental impact report and subsequent studies determined there were no causes for concerns about public health from PEX piping use.
A 2002 Regional Food Control Authority report, “Volatile organic components migrating from plastic pipes (HDPE, PEX and PVC) into drinking water,” by a research team in Norway indicates VOC migrated in significant amounts into the test water from PEX pipes. The full report is available for purchase online.
A 2014 study by University of South Alabama graduate student Matt Connell presented new drinking water impact results regarding plastic pipes in green buildings. At an American Water Works Association conference, Connell discussed the degree chemicals leach from popular plastic plumbing pipes. Also attending, environmental engineering professor Andrew Whelton described drinking water odor and chemical leaching results for six brands of PEX pipe. Their downloadable presentation is available here.
Following a 28-day study on water quality, including taste and odor and chemical leaching, the researchers concluded that PEX pipes’ test results are highly variable among manufacturers.
“There were wide variations between the magnitude of chemicals released by PEX pipes. One PEX pipe significantly altered drinking water quality while the other did not,” their report states.
Connell and Whelton said little information is available for plastic pipe sold in the United States. “To aid homeowners, builders, and water professionals in their desire to select plumbing pipe that ensures safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water, more data are needed,” they reported.
“There is a bigger concern in the weeks after installation,” concluded Hilary Ohm, owner of Highwater Filters, after studying the researchers’ reports. “Over time, the dangers are minimal. However, flushing water that has been standing for a period of time and using a filter are the best ways to protect consumers from any harm.”
History indicates consumers would be wise to research piping materials instead of relying on industry professionals or the government for safety and health information. As an added measure, install a water filter and test your water.
Two products purported to remove the chemicals that leach from PEX (MBTE and VOCs) are the PurestOne and the Premium 10 Stage.
Environmental Protection Agency strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and to support local efforts to protect the supply of safe drinking water and upgrade the community water system. EPA requires all community water systems to prepare and deliver an annual consumer confidence report, sometimes called a water quality report, to their customers by July 1 of each year. Homeowners with private wells are advised to test their water at least annually or more often if problems are suspected due to odor or nearby activities (fracking, mining, agricultural, etc.)
We’ve extended our sale for Cyber Monday. Last day!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends. Sale ends Sunday.
The Deadly Virus is not a Reason for Filtering Water – but a Host of Other Contaminants AreHistorically, people have occasionally been wide off the mark concerning water cleanliness and safety. Who can forget the iconic “Whites Only” drinking fountains of the last century designed to prevent disease spreading between races?
In the photo below from the Library of Congress archives, a young man is drinking water from a “colored” dispenser at an Oklahoma City streetcar terminal in 1939. Even with paper cups at hand, folks feared they would become ill if using the same water cooler. Many Caucasians actually believed they could catch a multitude of infectious diseases from non-whites while using public restrooms, restaurants, drinking fountains and even transportation waiting areas from only the slightest human contact. This irrational and outright shameful discrimination was aimed not only at Blacks, but also Asians, Native Americans and Hispanics and continued openly until the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964.
Meanwhile, U.S. municipalities and factories nearly killed the Great Lakes and other major waterways with industrial waste, mercury, lead, phosphates and raw sewage. In 1969, the Cayuga River actually caught fire in Cleveland it was so full of flammable chemicals.
“There was a time, not so long ago, when pollution was accepted by many as the price one paid for living in an industrialized society. By the 1960s, our rivers had become so polluted by municipal and industrial wastes that fish could not survive in them and humans could not swim in them; millions of yards of garbage and millions of gallons of oil were routinely being dumped at sea; visibility in our major cities was obscured by smoke from factories and exhaust from automobiles; and industrial wastes, buried in drums and dumped in landfills, was contaminating soil and groundwater.” Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Prosecution of Environmental Pollution Crimes.
This legal dumping went practically unchecked until the 1970s, and continues illegally and accidentally today, as evidenced by news stories of toxic waste spills, too numerous even to list here. Basically, pick a state and you can find a recent, horrific poisonous spill story to accompany it. Yet many trust their water supplies to be safe.
Today, fear of contracting Ebola, or Fearbola, has many panicking and rushing to purchase home water filter systems. Filtered water is, sadly, a wise choice for most of us today, but not because of Ebola. If we can believe the Center for Disease Control reports, the likelihood of contracting Ebola through water sources is nil. According to the CDC, Ebola is not spread through the air, by water, or in general, by food. Even before the first Ebola cases were reported in North America, however, some water filter dealers began marketing their products as Ebola filters, preying on illogical fears.
Still, numerous other pollutants are prevalent in our water. These include nitrates, nitrites, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, parasites, bacteria, lead, mercury and radon, to name a few of the potentially hazardous contaminants lurking silently in private and public water supplies. Simple, at-home water-test kits are available at local department stores. The Environmental Protection Agency compiled this handy chart to list common contaminants.
In short, filter your water to protect your health, but be aware of the actual contaminants.
Check out our website at Highwater Filters for all your water treatment needs. We offer low, low prices, super fast shipping and the best customer service.
Sorry, this sale is over.
All Katadyn water filters are on sale during our annual Labor Day celebration. Don’t miss out on our low, low prices.
Katadyn Pocket marked down to $252!
All Katadyn water filters on Sale!
In honor of Memorial Day, we have just reduced all Katadyn water filters in the Highwater Filters’ webstore. We’ve got great discounts on all models.
Also, take 30% off Katadyn replacement filters with the purchase of a filter (must use coupon code at checkout for discount.)
All Katadyn filters on sale!
Please take a few minutes to visit our website @ Highwater Filters and take advantage of this rare sale. Two weeks only!
And check out our other portable, non-electric water filters and purifiers. We’ve got a great selection at low, low prices.
We ship same day and guarantee your satisfaction!
Please remember our fallen heroes.
Be safe during the holiday!
Happy Holidays from Buckley!
Sorry, this sale is over. To get the same great savings, please contact us at info@highwaterfilters.com for coupon codes. Sorry for the inconvenience. The manufacturer has a strict pricing policy.
We’re celebrating the holidays with big savings on all Katadyn water filters.
This will be our last Katadyn sale of the year and the last one until Memorial Day so take advantage of the low, low prices.
All Katadyn filters on sale
Here’s a list of the savings:
Pocket: $288
Expedition: $1250
Siphon: $62
BaseCamp: $62
Hiker: $59
Hiker Pro: $69
Vario: $72
Combi: $159
Mini: $80
Gravidyn: $215
Ceradyn: $232
Katadyn My Bottle Filter Water Bottles: $33
Katadyn My Bottle Purifier Water Bottles: $50
Carbon Cartridge: 40% off with purchase of any filter CCDEAL ($11.97)
And make sure you check out our big selection of portable, non-electric water filters and purifiers and home water filter systems.
Just in time for the holidays, we’ve just reduced many of our Sawyer products including the Sawyer Mini ($18) and the Sawyer Mini gift pack ($72). Limited time only!
We are adding new products all the time and welcome your inquiries. Email us at
info@highwaterfilters.com with questions. We are happy to provide the information you need to make an informed decision about your water treatment. If we can’t answer your questions, we will try to find the answers.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
12/05/13: Christmas Sale going on now! Deep discounts on all Katadyn products. Pockets: $265! Lowest price on the web! Get your’s now. Click here for great values on Katadyn products.
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter on Sale Now!
Our annual Thanksgiving sale on Katadyn water filters has begun! We’ve dropped our prices way down to give customers a great opportunity to purchase a quality Katadyn product at an affordable price. The popular Katadyn Pocket is marked down to a low $265. While supplies last!
All Katadyn water filters are discounted! (Sorry, Katadyn is back ordered on the Vario so this is not currently part of the sale. Check back closer to Thanksgiving to see if we have them back in stock.)
The holidays are coming and there is no better time to buy a filter for someone you love. Or why not spoil yourself?
And make sure you check out our many other low-priced water filters, purifers and our many accessories. We strive to keep our prices the lowest on the web.
Come check out our webstore at Highwater Filters for great deals on portable and home water treatment system.
Sincere condolences to all who have been effected by the recent terrible typhoon in the Philippines.
Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!
We are excited to offer the much anticipated Sawyer Mini water filter, SP128, the latest innovation from the Sawyer family. Weighing in at about 2 oz, with a capacity of 100,000 gallons, this is sure to be a popular item for every home emergency kit or backpacking adventure.
Our introductory price of $22 makes this new filter a bargain for even the most thrifty consumer.
The Sawyer Mini comes with a 16 oz mylar bag and a backflush syringe. I see this as an addition to every Bug Out Bag or emergency kit. Every backpacker is going to want a Mini as a backup water filter or as their primary means of treating water on the trail. Its versatility is a real plus. Its weight and low price makes this new model something that everyone is going to want.
We were just informed that a large shipment of Minis was shipped to us yesterday so we are expecting delivery Monday, Sept 23 Tuesday, Sept 24th. We will ship same day, if possible. You can order now to be one of the first to receive your new Sawyer Mini!
Made in USA.
Thanks for stopping by!
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter on Sale Now!
Sorry, this sale is over. Please email us at info@highwaterfilters.com for the lowest prices on the web for Katadyn filters.
12/05/13: Christmas Sale going on now! Deep discounts on all Katadyn products. Pockets: $265! Lowest price on the web! Get your’s now. Click here for great values on Katadyn products.
It’s that time again. Labor Day is one of the 4 sanctioned periods that Katadyn allows for resellers to advertise discounted prices on Katadyn products. So for two weeks we are dropping our prices so cost conscious consumers can take advantage of great deals on all the quality water filter products that Katadyn manufactures.
Highwater Filters has one of the best selections of Katadyn products on the web and our prices are hard to beat. Don’t take our word for it, go online and compare.
Katadyn Vario on sale!
We’ve got a great selection of portable, non-electric water treatment products. We also have home water filter systems that connect to your kitchen tap or can be installed under the counter. If you care about the quality of your drinking water, you owe it to yourself to ensure that your water is safe.
Here’s a list of all the savings on Katadyn products:
Pocket list price $369.95 Sale price $265
Expedition list price $1499.95 Sale price $1250
Siphon list price $79.95 Sale price $62
Base Camp list price $79.95 Sale price $62
Hiker list price $69.95 Sale price $55
Hiker Pro list price $84.95 Sale price $69
Vario list price $94.95 Sale price $69
Combi list price $219.95 Sale price $159
Mini list price $109.95 Sale price $80
Ceradyn list price $317.95 Sale price $232
Gravidyn list price $294.95 Sale price $215
MyBot Purifiers list price $59.95 Sale price $50
MyBot Filters list price $39.95 Sale price $33
Enjoy your savings on Katadyn products at Highwater Filters.
Please have a happy and safe Labor Day.
Thanks for stopping by!
This?
Do you lug bottles or jugs from the store with purified or “natural” water because you don’t trust the water coming from your tap? What makes you trust the water in those bottles? Did you know that bottled water is not regulated and has no real guarantees for quality? Could what is in those bottles be making you sick?
An old friend of mine recently asked me for a suggestion for an alternative to bottled water because she is concerned about BPA in the bottles she buys from the store. I told her she has good reason to be worried. Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical used in some plastics, including many water bottles. Studies have shown that it can seep from plastic into food and beverages. Although the FDA currently considers it safe in small amounts, evidence is building that it could have negative effects on children and fetuses, even in small doses. BPA is an endocrine disruptor. It mimics estrogen. In 2006, the US gathered 38 experts to review studies and they concluded that: “BPA at concentrations found in the human body is associated with organizational changes in the prostate, breast, testis, mammary glands, body size, brain structure and chemistry, and behavior of laboratory animals.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A)
The FDA is continuing to study the effects of BPA but has yet to recommend a total ban. Does this make you feel more secure? Not me.
Besides possible negative health effects from bottled water, the problem of plastic trash littering our roadways, water bodies and landfills just makes filtered tap water all the more practical. Add to that significant costs and inconvenience of buying water from the store and a filter at your tap becomes that much more attractive.
or This?
Now is an excellent time to invest in a water filter system for your home. Highwater Filters has just reduced all our NuWaterUSA water filters so it’s more affordable than ever to start drinking delicious-tasting, pure water straight from the tap.
I used to lug 5 gallon jugs home with reverse osmosis water, which was good but cumbersome to handle. Now I have an attractive counter top housing with a T.R.A.P. radiation filter. The water tastes great and it removes a long list of contaminants that are a concern in many municipalities. Since the nuclear accident in Fukushima, I’ve been concerned about radiation and was very happy to discover this great product that includes zeolite in the media for removal of radioactive particles. Here’s a list of what the TRAP removes:
▪ Iodine -131 , Radium-226, Strontium-90, Cesium-137
▪ Uranium-238, Ionic contaminants, Hexavalent Chromium
▪ Lead, Copper, Cadmium, Zinc, Perchlorate, Chlorine, Ammonia
▪ Organic compounds, Trihalomethane, MTBE, Pesticides, Hormones
▪ Pharmaceutical residuals, Suspended Materials, Sediment, Algae Molds, Odor
Since my friend lives on the East coast and is less concerned about radiation, I suggested she consider the PureStar filter. It removes volatile organic compounds (VOC), as well as chlorine, chloramine, and disinfection residuals such as trihalomethanes (THM). The special blend of pH neutralizer media delivers a non-acidic water. This results in a great tasting drinking water that is also wonderful for cooking, coffee and tea. The Purstar filter works to reduce or remove chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide, lead, mercury, calcium carbonate, magnesium, chromium, bacteria, algae, and fungi. Redox media removes up to 98% of water-soluble cations (positively-charged ions) of lead, mercury, copper, nickel, chromium, and other dissolved metals. In most cases, more than 98% of chlorine is removed if operated within recommended flow rates. Remove chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide and heavy metals from water Controls scale, bacteria and algae. She reported back that she and her husband did a side by side test with filtered and unfiltered tap water and the PureStar won hands down.
We’ve got a number of countertop and under counter systems to choose from and several different filters for different needs. You can choose from single, double or even triple filter system to target multiple contaminants of concern including fluoride, arsenic and VOC chemicals including chlorine. Complete systems start at only $69. The countertop models are a cinch to install. The undercounter models may require the assistance of a plumber. You can check them out here.
Do yourself a favor and make your life easier and healthier. Start drinking clean, great tasting water straight from your tap.
Feel free to contact me at info@highwaterfilters.com for any questions you have about our home water filtration systems. And if you are looking for something portable to treat water, we’ve got a great inventory of affordable and effective products for camping, backpacking, travel and emergency use at Highwater Filters.
Thanks for stopping by!
For the first time Highwater Filters is forming an affiliation with another company that we feel has a product that some of our customers could really benefit from. If you need a backup system for your deep water well, or if you are living off the grid, this product will amaze you.
Made in the U.S.A. (in the “Show Me State”) by Well Waterboy Products LLC, the WaterBuck Pump is designed for deep water wells that traditionally are difficult to pump without electricity. It’s an efficient manually operated water pumping machine with enormous mechanical advantage — well beyond the ability of common hand pumps, but in the range of large-diameter windmills.
Using a simple combination of human shape, motion, weight and strength, volumes of water can be pumped from deep water wells. Depths far beyond what could even be considered are now possible with the WaterBuck Pump.
They’ve got different models to choose from based on your needs. They even have a model for community groups and for irrigating crops!
At Highwater Filters we are always looking for the best products that we think our customers will find value in. We look for quality, affordability, ease of use, durability and size. We value efficiency and portability. We favor American-made products because we believe in supporting local economies and American workers.
We believe no other manufacturer exemplifies the qualities we look for in water treatment better than Sawyer.
Sawyer products are based on technology used in kidney dialysis. Sawyer worked with a fiber manufacturer to improve the technology so that Sawyer products can withstand a decade or more of use. They wanted to make sure that Sawyer filters and purifiers could be back-flushed again and again without causing damage to the micropores. The results are impressive. So much so that Sawyer offers a “million gallon guarantee” on all their filters and purifiers. Some call that a gimmick as there is no way to really know how much water has flowed through your Sawyer product. It may seem gimmicky but it’s just another way to say their products carry a lifetime guarantee.
From Sawyer’s website:
“The proprietary water filters are comprised of tiny “U” shaped micro-tubes that allow water to enter into their core through tiny micro-pores. The high number of those tiny tubes and their surface area allows the filter to have one of the fastest flow rates in the world. This high flow rate eliminates the need to store water, reducing the possibility of water contamination after the filtration process.
Each filter is certified for ABSOLUTE microns; that means there is no pore size larger than 0.1 or 0.02 micron in size. This makes it impossible for harmful bacteria, protozoa, or cysts like E. coli, Giradia, Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella typhi (which cause Cholera and Typhoid) to pass through the Sawyer PointONE™ biological filter. At 7 log (99.99999%) the filter attains the highest level of filtration available today.
If viruses are an issue, we offer the Point ZeroTWO Purifier (0.02 micron absolute pores), the first and thus far only portable purification device to physically remove viruses, which it does at a >5.5 log (99.9997%) rate, exceeding EPA and NSF recommendations.”
Sawyer products are used all over the world to treat contaminated water. They are very effective for the removal of biological contaminants such as bacteria, protozoa and cysts. Their products are a favorite with backpackers, campers, travelers, relief workers, survivalists, missionaries and everyday people who want to be ready for any emergency where drinking water could be compromised or unavailable. Their light weight and fast flow rate is hard to beat. The fact that they have an unlimited capacity saves consumers money by avoiding the cost of replacement filters. And, despite the fact that they are made here in the USA, their prices are hard to beat.
If you are looking for the best value in water treatment, you will be very happy with the products that Sawyer has to offer. Check out our website at Highwater Filters to find the best prices on all Sawyer water filters and purifiers.
Thanks for stopping by!
12/05/13: Christmas Sale going on now! Deep discounts on all Katadyn products. Pockets: $265! Lowest price on the web! Get your’s now. Click here for great values on Katadyn products.
All Katadyn filters and replacement cartridges on sale!
Two weeks only ~ Sale ends June 3.
Katadyn Pocket marked down to $249!!!
Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to buy a Katadyn product for rock bottom prices.
Katadyn has a strict pricing policy and resellers are not authorized to advertise below the list price except for 4 times a year for a 2 week period. Memorial Day is one of those times!
Win a Free Lifestraw!
We are giving away a LifeStraw to 5 lucky winners. To enter, all you have to do is go to the Highwater Filters’ facebook page and like us. If you share our page on your timeline, we’ll enter you twice! Drawing will be held June 30.
We are poor self-promoters on social media and with your help we can up our game a notch and get more people to be aware of the great prices, exceptional customer service, and super fast shipping at Highwater Filters.
And make sure you check out our fantastic deals on our many other portable, non-electric water treatment products for camping, hiking, survival, disasters, travel, relief and emergency preps.
Thanks for stopping by!
The Senate has passed the “Marketplace Fairness Act” in a nod to traditional brick and mortar businesses who feel they are at a disadvantage with online retailers who are only compelled to collect sales taxes on purchases made by customers residing in a state where the retailer has a “physical presence.” The bill passed overwhelmingly with bi-partisan support. It is seen as a way to “level the playing field” between brick and mortar stores and online retailers and to help state and local governments collect billions in lost revenue because consumers are not reporting the tax they owe on purchases when filing their tax returns.
Word in the media is that it won’t be so easy to pass the House. I have contacted my Congresswoman to let her know how this bill will affect me as a small business person.
The one consolation for some small businesses like mine…and it’s a big one, is that businesses with less than $1 million in sales will be exempt.
Big online retailers like Amazon.com and Overstock.com are on board with this bill. It makes sense for them since they are already charging sales tax in many states where they have distribution centers. But ebay is leading the way to advocate for an exemption of businesses with less than $10 million in sales and less than 50 employees. This would take the burden off a lot of small business that would like to grow and hire employees.
As the bill stands now, small businesses like mine will be at a great advantage. We will be able to keep our prices low while avoiding the tedious and expensive job of collecting and disbursing sales tax to the 45 states that have them. As long as our sales are kept under $1 million, we will have a competitive edge. It is regretful that it may affect my willingness to grow Highwater Filters to the size I envisioned when my company began to prosper. I had high hopes for millions in future annual sales and a growing workforce from my small local community. I had scores of ideas on how to contribute a portion of our profits to worthy causes both locally and globally. Now I might have to adjust my vision and settle for a profitable small business run out of my home. I’ll still be able to support my community and projects I believe in, but it will be on a much smaller scale.
This bill is an enormous disincentive for companies like mine to grow and create jobs.
Although I understand the loss in revenue that state and local governments experience from the growing internet retail trade, putting too much burden on small online retailers could put many businesses under. We already incur the expense of shipping orders to our customers. Adding sales tax could reduce sales enough to put many of us out of business. That would be a sad outcome to this well-intentioned bill.
If you believe this bill will be bad for small businesses and consumers, please call your member of the House and let your voice be heard. The future of online purchases is at stake.
Thank you.
The Vortex Non-electric Water Distiller with drain assembly
The best non-electric water distiller just got better. The Vortex Non-electric Water Distiller Kit by Highwater Filters now comes with a drain assembly to facilitate the draining of the cooling water inside the bucket. We have yet to see another distiller of its kind with all the features of the Vortex.
What makes the Vortex better than other water distillers? For one, it doesn’t depend on electricity, so when your power goes out, you will still have a way to purify your water. The Vortex is used with a pressure cooker, which is the boiling container for your contaminated water. Any heating source can be used including a camp fire, gas, wood, dung etc. The Vortex is also portable and can be easily disassembled and transported along with your pressure cooker. The Vortex is made of quality parts, 100% U.S.A made. We searched for hoses, post filters, clamps, grommets, buckets and drain assembly components and made sure they meet or exceed standards for safety. We guarantee satisfaction and offer a 10 year warranty.
The Vortex adaptor that is installed on our pressure cookers increases the flow rate of the distiller. By increasing the size of the vent hole in the pressure cooker lid, the Vortex adaptor allows more steam to be released for a faster flow. We factory install the Vortex adaptor to ensure professional quality and your safety.
The Vortex is the most affordable water distiller of its kind available. We went to great lengths to keep our costs down without compromising the quality of the materials.
We couldn’t find any stainless steel pressure cookers made in the USA, but we found a great quality cooker made in Spain by Magefesa. We’ve kept the price competitive and offer a number of different sizes for your convenience.
4 qt Magefesa with Vortex adaptor
8 qt Magefesa with Vortex adaptor
10qt Magefesa with Vortex adaptor
12qt Magefesa with Vortex adaptor
14qt Magefesa with Vortex adaptor
What is the advantage of distilled water over other methods of water treatment? In an emergency when the power goes out, distillation is one of the best ways to remove contaminants from water. Microbial filters that remove bacteria, protozoa and cysts are great for backpacking and camping in the mountains, but when clean water sources are not readily accessible, distilling is an effective method for removing chemical and heavy metal contamination, in addition to microbes. It will even make sea water drinkable!
What will distilling remove? Fluoride, arsenic, radioactive particles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, salts…the list is extensive. Distilling is one of the most highly recommended and oldest methods of water purification available. In an emergency, the Vortex Non-electric Water Distiller really is a smart system to have on hand.
Have questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us below or at info@highwaterfilters.com. You can even call me at 509-685-0933. I love talking about the Vortex. Give me a ring!
The Vortex hooked to a Magefesa pressure cooker
Vortex coil installed in bucket.
The Vortex shown with Grover Rocket Stove
Here’s the video we made of our first two tests of the Vortex:
Please visit Highwater Filters for all your water treatment needs.
Thanks for stopping by!
Announcing the new Sawyer Squeeze SP129 now available at Highwater Filters. We are one of the first resellers to get our hands on this brand new product. This is the same great Sawyer Squeeze water filter that is so popular with those who like a lightweight, effective, affordable filter but this one comes with just one 1L pouch. And best of all is the price! With a list price of only $49.99, this is sure to be a big hit with Sawyer fans.
Introductory Offer: Sawyer SP129 Squeeze filter for only $36.99! Don’t miss out on this fantastic price for what is sure to be a very popular filter.
Make sure you check out our wide selection of portable, non-electric water treatment at Highwater Filters. We’ve got the best selection of Sawyer products, Katadyn, LifeStraw, Rainshow’r, PurestOne, NuWaterUSA home water filter systems and more!
Thanks for stopping by!
Introducing the Vortex Non-electric Water Distiller Kit by Highwater Filters.
We are so excited to add our very own product to the water treatment market.
We think we have designed the best water distiller of its kind. We strove to make this distiller kit affordable, unlike most of our competition. We went to great lengths to source parts from USA manufacturers. The Vortex is 100% USA made.
As our test video demonstrates, the Vortex really works.
The Vortex is designed to be used with a pressure cooker that has an external stem valve on the lid. Not all pressure cookers have this type these days. Most older models do.
Any heat source that can boil water can be used with the Vortex including camp fires, gas stoves, electric stoves, rocket stoves, wood stove etc. We tested the Vortex on a Grover Rocket Stove (made in Utah) and were so impressed we have them available for sale.
We tried to find a stainless steel pressure cooker made in America, but found that none exist. So we found a great quality cooker made in Spain by Magefesa. We’ve modified the lids with our exclusive Vortex adaptor to increase the flow rate and to make connection a snap. We have several different sizes to choose from. If you want to use your own cooker, just make sure it has the external valve that used to be standard on most pressure cookers but now are much harder to find. The Magefesa Star R has the right kind of valve. Vintage Presto stainless steel pressure cookers, made in the USA, have a compatible valve. We will try to compile a list of other brands that can be used in tandem with the Vortex system.
The exclusive Vortex coil and adaptor fitting are manufactured in house from US-made 316L Stainless Steel.
The Vortex is designed to be installed in a 5 gallon bucket, or other suitable container. Assembly is easy but does require drilling two holes in the bucket. For a limited time, we have pre-installed bucket kits available, for your convenience.
We think you’ll agree with us that the Vortex is the best non-electric water distiller available anywhere.
Go here for more information and to purchase a Vortex Water Distiller Kit.
Video: The Vortex test one and two
Thanks for supporting small and local businesses!
We wish all our customers and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous Holiday Season. May the coming New Year be a good one.
Thank you for helping to make 2012 an overwhelming success for Highwater Filters.
Highwater Filters would like to extend deep-felt condolences to all the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic shootings in Connecticut. The entire country mourns the loss of so many innocents. May your hearts and psyches heal from this inconceivable event.
Scientists seem to be getting closer to solving the mystery of why there is an increasing amount of people with food allergies in the developed world.
Could it be that our water is the culprit? New research points to chlorinated water and the increased use of pesticides, weed controls and household products that use dichlorophenols as an active ingredient.
Dichlorophenols are a byproduct of chlorine and are commonly used in pesticides and household products. Researchers have found that people with high levels of it in their bodies are up to 80% more likely to have food allergies.
There has been an increase in food allergies among our children as well. 4 percent of children suffer. Some common foods that cause allergic reactions are cow’s milk, wheat, soya, eggs, celery, kiwi fruit and other fruits and vegetables.
In Britain, where food allergies are also on the rise, water may not be the culprit. British researchers maintain that although dichlorophenols are used to treat drinking water, regulations are much stricter than in the US. Researchers in Britain suspect other sources of dichlorophenols such as triclosan, an anti-bacterial used in lipsticks, face washes, toothpaste and kitchen utensils. When broken down, triclosan can form dichlorophenols.
This link comes as no surprise to me. A couple of years ago I was intrigued to learn that food allergies and some common auto-immune diseases such as colitis, Chrohn’s disease, asthma and MS are rare or unknown in the undeveloped world. Recent studies linked intestinal parasites, that are common in people in the third world, to the lack of these diseases. Or more accurately, the lack of parasites in people of the developed world are linked to food allergies, asthma and other auto-immune diseases. It only makes sense that water treatment and products designed to kill bacteria and germs would also be effective on good microbes and parasites that keep our bodies healthy.
The discovery of the link between parasites and disease has led to a whole new industry of “parasite therapy.” People have actually cured themselves by traveling to Africa and walking barefoot around latrines or flying to Thailand to have parasites transferred from the feces of a donor to the patient. It might make one squirm at the thought, but if it works, I’d give it a try.
If you live in a city or town and use municipal water, your water is most likely treated with chlorine. Drinking chlorinated tap water is risky business. The good news is that there are many great products out there that will remove chlorine from your water. At Highwater Filters, we have a variety of countertop and under counter systems to keep your water safe. You can check them out here.
Drinking tap water isn’t the only way to become contaminated with chlorine. Bathing and showering in chlorinated water is suspect as well. Skin absorbs chemicals and chlorine is no exception. If you want to reduce your exposure, Rainshow’r makes some great products for your shower and bath to remove harmful chemicals.
Read more about the chlorine/food allergies link here.
Read more about parasite therapy here.
Thanks for reading!
Small Business Saturday is November 24th. It’s a day to show support for small businesses, which help fuel our economy.
At Highwater Filters, we appreciate your business and continue to strive to provide the best service that we possibly can. Your feedback is so encouraging.
Many of our customers ask us how we can offer such great bargains on our quality water treatment products. We are committed to being competitive. We take advantage of every discount available to us so we can pass the savings on to you. We buy in quantity to get the best deal. We pay in advance if we can get a better price. We take advantage of free shipping, even if it takes longer. That forces us to keep on our toes so we won’t run out of inventory before the slow boat arrives at our door. We don’t always anticipate our customers’ needs and wants accurately, but we try hard to make sure you are happy. We hustle to get you the best products for the best prices and delivered fast! What’s not to love?
Thank you for supporting us! We are not participating in Black Friday sales and we aren’t offering any additional discounts on our already great deals. We already have rock bottom prices. At Highwater Filters, every day is like Black Friday. We hope you agree.
We love our customers. We feel so much love from them, too. Thank you to all who have sent us such positive feedback!
Thanks for reading and supporting small businesses!
When tragedy strikes people come together. It’s human nature. It’s what we do.
The recent “super storm” that has hit back east is no different. It has tested the boundaries of human endurance through so much loss. It’s almost unimaginable. So many have lost everything they own. Many have lost loved ones. So many still are just hanging on by a thread.
And so many have risen to the challenge to make sure that all those who are in need will get help and will be given encouragement that they can get through this terrible tragic event. We must all band together during these very difficult times.
It’s been difficult for me to put all my reactions into words in the aftermath of the recent storm. I was born in Queens. I spent many summer vacations at the Jersey Shore while growing up. My great grandmother ran a boarding house in Atlantic City. My roots run deep in some of the worst hit areas. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have suffered loss.
We at Highwater Filters are committed to helping in times of crisis. With that in mind, we pledge 5% of all sales for the next two weeks will be donated to disaster relief to those in the most need. We want to donate cash if that is needed most. We can also donate water treatment to organizations who need them. Please contact us at admin@highwaterfilters.com if you have a need.
We want to cut through the red tape, too. Let us know if we can help your organization.
Just go to our website and order anything in the next two weeks and 5% of your purchase price will be donated to direct aid to storm victims. If you have a charity you want to direct proceeds to, let us know. We like to refer to Charity Navigator before giving. Check them out here.
Thanks for caring.
Diarrhea is the leading cause of death among children in undeveloped countries and the sad thing is that these deaths can be prevented. Contaminated drinking water is the leading cause of diarrhea and the LifeStraw by Vestergaard Frandsen is a low cost and effective way to remove contaminants at the point of use.
Treating water at the source is not sufficient in many areas of the world. Contaminants can easily infect water that is transported for miles in unsanitary conditions. The LifeStraw is a personal use water filter that can provide up to 1000 liters of clean drinking water to many who live at risk of water borne diseases. Not only that: it eliminates the need to boil water which saves valuable resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits go way beyond simply saving young lives. The implications are global.
Vestergaard Frandsen are the creators of the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter and the LifeStraw Family water purifiers that can provide up to 18,000 liters of purified water for a village. They operate on a “profit for purpose” business model and are guided by their humanitarian goals. They are committed to the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals and they have designed several products that help to eradicate disease in undeveloped countries. They are a European-based company with headquarters all over the world. My research shows them to be an admirable company with an outstanding business ethic and model. I am finding more and more companies who follow similar models of social entrepreneurship. It’s inspiring to see.
The LifeStraw has only recently been introduced to the US and Canadian markets. They have become an instant favorite with many survivalists, preppers, humanitarian workers, missionaries, emergency relief workers and world travelers. Their low cost and light weight are big selling points. No emergency kit should be without one.
The LifeStraw is available at Highwater Filters for the low price of $19.95. As a special incentive, we are currently offering free shipping on all LifeStraw orders. You probably won’t find a deal like this anywhere on the web. The LifeStraw comes packaged in poly wrap with instructions included. Many purchase one for each member of the family. It makes sense at only $19.95 a person.
All of our water treatment products come with our guarantee for your complete satisfaction. We stand by our products and our customers. We know you’ll be glad with your shopping experience at Highwater Filters.
Read more here about Vestergaard Frandsen and the LifeStraw.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sorry, this sale is over. Check back soon for more great deals on Katadyn and other water treatment products.
All Katadyn water filters and accessories have been deeply discounted to help usher in the Fall Season here at Highwater Filters. You won’t find lower prices anywhere on the web during this two week blowout sale. Katadyn sets the standard in portable water filtration. Rugged construction, reliability and easy portability make it a must in many backpacker’s, prepper’s or relief worker’s gear. With the holiday seasons just around the corner, it’s a good time to get prepared and make sure you are protected when the need strikes. Check out all our Katadyn products and make sure you peruse our great selection of portable, non-electric water treatment including Sawyer water products, the LifeSaver portable water distiller kit, the LifeStraw, and a variety of home water treatment products. Just visit us at highwaterfilters.com for all your water treatment needs. Thanks for supporting Highwater Filters and other small and local businesses! 
Few debates are as divided as the arguments over whether fluoride should be added to our water supplies to prevent tooth decay. Studies show that in the 3/4 of the country that fluoridate their water, tooth decay is lower. But rural areas where fluoridation doesn’t occur also have higher poverty rates, which tend to have higher rates of dental neglect. It’s easy to spin the data to justify fluoridating the water. But is it really a good idea?
Without proper regulation, adding fluoride to drinking water supplies can cause physical damage to developing teeth. Fluorosis is a disfigurement of the tooth enamel caused by high concentrations of fluoride given to children ages 3 months to 8 years. For some it is a minor cosmetic blemish. For others it is more pronounced. Fluoride in small doses may be effective in preventing tooth decay, but what are the down sides? Aren’t there always down sides? 
Part of this debate centers around whether citizens have a right to determine whether their water should be treated. In Portland, OR it seems the city council and the mayor think they know what is best for the people. They don’t want to put the decision whether to fluoridate the water to a referendum. They think they know best. They claim they are protecting the poor, who they feel are the ones who suffer from the lack of fluoridation. But couldn’t the $5 million dollars they plan to spend, plus almost $600,000 annually for maintenance, be spent of educating everyone on good dental care? How about helping the poor to get dental coverage so they can see a dentist regularly? It just doesn’t seem right to impose a mandate to add a known toxin to the water supply.
The only consolation we have is that for those of us who don’t want to drink toxins in our water, we can filter most of the bad stuff out. If I had fluoride in my water, I would get a double countertop or undercounter filtering system with a NuWater Concepts fluoride filter coupled with either a TRAP radiation filter or a PureStar water filter cartridge (both also made by NuWater).
Dentists and health advocates may have good intentions, but it’s important to put the issue in perspective. Without better research, we really don’t know all the possible risks to health that fluoridating our water could pose. Some studies have raised questions about lower IQ’s in places where water is fluoridated. That is the last thing we need right now. Let’s err on the side of caution.
Just say no to fluoridation.
Read more here: New York Times and here: Oregonlive.com
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for the prepper on a budget
The popular LifeStraw is now available at Highwater Filters. Originally only available outside the U.S., Danish company Vestergaard Frandsen has now made them available in the US and Canada.
The lightweight and inexpensive straw is capable of removing bacteria, cysts and protozoa to EPA standards. It has a capacity of about 250 gallons. While this doesn’t stand up to the likes of Sawyer water products, the price can’t be beat for only $19.95. And as an introductory offer, Highwater Filters is offering Free Shipping.
The LifeStraw was designed for distribution to third world countries to decrease water- borne illnesses. Vestergaard Frandsen consider themselves humanitarian entrepreneurs and describe their business model as “profit for a purpose.” But now many in the developed world are seeing the value of this product.
We’ve found that many preppers are purchasing multiple Lifestraws when they order. It makes sense for every individual in your household to have their own means of filtering water in an emergency. If you get separated, isn’t it smart to make sure everyone has a safe means to drink water?
We’ve been offering the Lifestraw for less than a month now, and they are selling like hotcakes. For less than $20, this is one very good investment to add to your security in the event that an emergency takes place. Don’t you think it would be wise to have a supply in your emergency kit?
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Frackers experiencing water shortages
As heat waves have baked much of the US this year, water is becoming more and more scarce as drought grips the nation. Energy companies are faced with obstacles in producing enough power to meet the increased needs of an overheated population.
Natural gas frackers have been especially hard hit. It takes millions of gallons of water to extract natural gas from deep underneath the ground. The water is treated with chemicals that form a brine, that when forced at high pressure during extraction, aid in the release of natural gas from fractures in the earth. With farmland in desperate need of all available water, frackers have been eyeing any available water sources. They are offering to buy any excess from farms. They are traveling long distances to truck water back to their extraction sites.
Nuclear power plants are also facing obstacles and shutdowns due to the heat. If water temperatures rise too high, they will not cool down the reactors to necessary temperatures and operators are forced to shut down the plants. Other power plants that discharge heated water into rivers and lakes are faced with shut down as well. If discharged water is too warm, it can kill fish. As we’ve seen recently in the mid-West, the high temperatures have created massive fish kills in some water ways. This prevents the power plants from operating when temperatures get too hot.
It’s important to assess the future and understand our needs for water. We must use our resources wisely. It’s time to get serious about conservation of both water and energy. It’s time to ramp up development of clean alternatives and water-wise energy production.
Some say we can’t afford to. I say we can’t afford not to. Some say it won’t matter what we do if China, India and other developing countries don’t as well. We need to work with other nations and make it a global effort. Nothing else will solve the looming catastrophe.
We all depend on water for survival. It’s time to protect our future. Real changes must be made soon.
Thanks for reading!
Derailment in Montana with shipment of Sawyer Filters. Photo by Patti Kern-Parcel
Announcing a Train Wreck Sale at Highwater Filters!
We are seriously over-stocked on some of our Sawyer products after a train derailment in Montana on July 18th delayed a big order en route from Florida. With little information about the fate of our shipment, we were forced to request an identical order for more of the same. It apparently took over a week to clean up the mess but by last Friday, the derailed shipment was on its way. Both the delayed shipment and the replacement shipment arrived this week. There was no damage to any of the products that were on the wrecked train!
We need to move the excess inventory this unfortunate event caused. For a limited time, we are reducing prices on the SP131 Sawyer Squeeze, the SP181 Sawyer All in One Filter and the SP191 Point Zero Two Purifier Kit. These prices will probably never be this low again.
And check out our new promotional deal: Our 40/40 Special. Buy any water treatment product of $40 or more and get a Katadyn Carbon Cartridge for 40% off! You need to use the coupon code CCDEAL to get your discount.
Highwater Filters now sells the LifeStraw and Watersafe City Water and Well Water Test Kits!
Thank you for supporting small and local businesses.
Sawyer SP191 Point Zero Two Bucket kit
Sawyer SP181 All in One Filter with bucket adpator
Sawyer SP131 Squeeze Filter
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter on Sale Now!
December 2014: On Sale Now! Only $251.99!
12/05/13: Christmas Sale going on now! Deep discounts on all Katadyn products. Pockets: $265! Lowest price on the web! Get your’s now. Click here for great values on Katadyn products.
We just got in a brand new shipment of Katadyn Pocket water filters.
We want to move these fast so we are providing a super great deal at$250! That’s a discount of $119.95. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better price anywhere on the web.
You’ll need the coupon code PKTSVR in order to take advantage of this low, low price.
We realize that times are hard now for a lot of folks everywhere. Please take advantage of this great deal if you are looking to get the best quality product to keep your water resources free on harmful contaminants during emergencies, disasters, travel, and camping.
There are a lot of choices out there for you as a consumer. Thank you for considering Highwater Filters for your water treatment needs.
Go to our webstore at www.highwaterfilters.com for other great discounts.
Thanks for stopping by!
The looming problem of the continued acidification of our oceans is compounded by the fact that oceanographers don’t even understand much about it. That is why the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are proposing increased monitoring of our oceans in order to understand better the implications of the rapid increase in ocean acidity being witnessed recently. It appears there may be a “perfect storm” taking place that does not bode well for our aquatic creatures. Coral reefs, mollusks, crustaceans, sea grasses and even clown fish are being directly threatened right now. We all learned in school how the food chain works. The extinction of these species can have devastating effects on many, many other species. This is not the first time it’s happened, either. 55 million years ago, the oceans were this acidic and mass extinction took place. But scientists seem especially alarmed at how quickly the oceans are acidifying today.
What is the cause and what can be done about it? Scientists say that the oceans have increased acidity by 30% since the Industrial Revolution. Acidification is caused by a chemical change when sea water absorbs CO2. The same stuff that many scientists believe contribute to our changing climate. Ocean acidification is now being tagged with the name “Climate Change’s Evil Twin.” This is not good folks.
Will aquatic life adapt to the changing acidity in our oceans? That doesn’t seem likely. One scientist explained that there is a “saturation point” that when reached could trigger a catastrophic series of events that will change our oceans forever as we know it.
What scientists suggest needs to be done is to reduce CO2 emissions. There may not be any other solution. It’s going to be a tough pill to swallow. It may simply be too big to be possible to get down our gullets.
Drastic reduction of CO2 emissions is possible. It will take a concerted effort of people all around the globe but especially in the US and Canada. We use more than twice the energy per capita that others in the world consume. We have lots of room for saving.
And saving life is what this is all about.
Read more here:
NOAA Research Plan Highlights,
AP article: US scientist: Ocean acidity major threat to reefs, Climate Watch,
PressRelease from Center for Biological Diversity
Thanks for reading!
Use coupon code PKTSVR for sale price of $259!
This sale is over. Please email for a promo code for the best possible prices on Katadyn water filters.
I’ve just drastically reduced all Katadyn products in our Highwater Filters store.
This sale will go on for two weeks. Don’t miss out on these rock bottom prices.
Beat the heat and the high prices of our competition. Why pay more when you can get great savings at Highwater Filters?
What will you do with the money you save?
Sale ends July 7.
Thanks for stopping by!
Highwater Filters is a Solar Champion!
Highwater Filters is proud to be a co-producer of the film project “The Solar Champion” by filmmaker Gerry Balasta. I happened across this project when Gerry posted a CNN ireport about it (See video link below). I was hooked by the inspiring message in the film. I communicated with Gerry and learned about his projects in the Philippines to help the scavengers of the huge landfills there. Thousands of people eek out their existence by collecting garbage from the landfills. It’s a dangerous and unhealthy existence. Gerry has been helping some of the people living at one of the landfills by featuring them in his films. He gave them acting lessons and directed them in the films. He set up a foundation to help the people living under very primitive conditions to get educated and to get their basic needs filled. He has partnered different organizations and businesses to help these people on the fringe of society. Gerry documents the plight of these people so well in his award-winning film “The Mountain Thief.” I was so impressed with his efforts and by this moving film that I am supporting the production of “The Solar Champion.”
I believe in this movie and hope you will see why I did and be inspired too.
Good luck, Gerry!
Here’s the link to the video trailer and the Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the film: The Solar Champion
Here the link to the trailer for The Mountain Thief trailer.
Check out the Highwater Filters web store for the best prices on portable and home non-electric water filters.
Thanks for stopping by!
I made this video to demonstrate how easy it is to assemble the Sawyer SP191 Point Zero Two water purifier. Unfortunately, WordPress only allows me to upload videos that are less than 10 MB!
So here is the link to my video on youtube:
Sawyer .02 Water Purifier Assembly Video
Go to Highwater Filters to get the best price on the Sawyer SP191 on the web. This is our most popular product. It’s easy to see why. If you want the added protection against viruses, this is the purifier for you. It’s lightweight, field cleanable, affordable and Made in the USA. Guaranteed for a million gallons!
On Sale Now!
Thanks for watching!
Use coupon code PKTSVR for sale price of $259 on Katadyn Pocket!
Please honor and remember all the fallen soldiers who have sacrificed their lives during military service. This is a time to reflect on our losses.
At Highwater Filters, we are commemorating Memorial Day with a blowout sale on all Katadyn Products. Check out the incredible savings. These low prices are only good until Monday, so hurry.
Please be safe this weekend. Don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers!
On Sale Now!
Use coupon code PKTSVR for sale price of $259 on Katadyn Pocket!
Due to restrictions on pricing by the manufacturer, Highwater Filters cannot normally mark down our Katadyn water filters. However, if you use this promo code at checkout, you will receive $100 off* the list price of $369.95 of the popular Katadyn Pocket.
PKTDEAL
*Sorry, due to manufacturer’s restrictions, this promo code is not available for international orders.
I just received a big shipment of Pockets, so take advantage of this great deal, while it lasts.
Spread the word about our great selection of portable and home water filters and our great prices. We guarantee satisfaction.
Thanks for stopping by!
In honor of Earth Day 2012, Highwater Filters is having a 3-day sale to celebrate our beautiful Earth. Check out our rock-bottom prices on Katadyn, Sawyer, TRAP Radiation filters, LifeSaver Portable Distiller kits, PurestOne Purifiers, Rainshow’r Dechlorinating Filters and more. We only have one Earth and water is a finite resource. Please do what you can to prevent contamination of our water resources.
Thanks for caring.
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter on Sale
Great price on the Katadyn Pocket!
Use coupon code PKTSVR for sale price of $259 on Katadyn Pocket!
International customers: this promo is not valid on international shipments.
Sorry, this promo cannot be used with any other coupon codes.
Announcing a special promotion on the most respected portable water filter on the market: the Katadyn Pocket.
We’ve already got just about the lowest price on the web, but for 3 days only I’m offering a promo code for an additional $10 off! That brings the price of the Pocket down to $264.95! Manufacturer’s Retail Price is $369.95. That’s over $100 in savings!
To get your additional $10 savings, use this promo code at checkout: PKTSVR The discount will be subtracted from your total. This promo ends Friday, April 13.
Now is a very good time to buy a Katadyn Pocket water filter at Highwater Filters. It’s guaranteed for life!
Be sure to check out our other great deals at our Highwater Filters web store.
Due to manufacturer’s requirements, Highwater Filters cannot ship Katadyn products overseas.
Thanks for stopping by!
For a chlorine-free garden
The latest addition to Highwater Filter’s growing inventory comes just in time for Spring. Rainshow’r Dechlorinating Hydroponic and Garden water filters.
Gardening is gaining popularity all over and many gardeners are concerned about chemically-treated water from their outdoor taps. Here’s an easy solution to give you peace of mind and to keep your garden safe from chlorine.
Soil is a living thing. Chlorine is designed to kill bacteria, which healthy soil depends on. It just makes sense to remove a chemical that can harm your garden soil.
Green Knight for Hydroponic Gardens
I’ve got all Rainshow’r Garden products marked way down during this Introductory Sale. Get a start on your growing season with a Gard’n Gro filter and give your soil an added boost. Check out our Green Knight filters for hydroponic gardens, too. Please visit our Highwater Filter’s webstore for a complete line of Rainshow’r bath and shower filters which are on sale now at rock bottom prices. Don’t miss out on the incredible bargains.
Happy Gardening!
Rainshow’r Dechlorinating Shower, Bath and Garden Filters
I’ve had a few customers ask me about shower filters so I did some research and found a U.S. company that has great filters at reasonable prices. I am excited to add Rainshow’r products to my growing inventory of American made water treatment. I’m so impressed with the construction of these filters. The reviews I’ve read are glowing so I’m pretty sure you will be happy with one of these products if you live anywhere that chlorinates the water.
Chlorine is a toxin but is an effective chemical for treating water and many of our municipal water supplies are treated this way. But it dries out the skin and damages the hair. Here’s a great solution. They are easy to install in most showers. They come in an assortment of models with interchangeable shower heads, if you need one. They even make a Chrystal Ball, if you prefer baths. 
Rainshow’r also sells an assortment of garden filters and I will be listing these soon. It’s time to start planning our gardens, if you haven’t already. Winter is still hanging on out here in Washington, but Spring is definitely in the air.
I’ve got all Rainshow’r products marked way down as an Introductory Offer. Some of the items have limited inventory, but I’ll order more soon based on interest. Order today so you don’t miss out on this great offer. It won’t last long!
Thanks for stopping by!
I just found out that the Sawyer SP181 Emergency Water Filter Bucket Kit has been improved and now includes the adaptable Squeeze bottle for lightweight carrying. So you can use this with a bucket or pack it into the bush. It also includes a faucet adaptor, so you can use it with your tap water, too.
I spoke with Sawyer today and found that the SP181 was originally designed for disaster relief but so many survivalists have embraced this product that they’ve upgraded for those on the go.
I’m so excited about this new development that I’ve priced the Sawyer All-in-One filters at a rock bottom introductory price of $42.99. That’s considerable less than you will find in stores at $69.99 or on the web where they are selling for $59.99 at most outlets. I can only offer this price for a day or two, or until my current supplies last. I just put in a big order for more. I think this product is going to sell fast.
Don’t miss out on this great price at Highwater Filters!
Thanks for stopping by!
Let us never forget the tragedy following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan a year ago. On March 11, 2011, life changed irreversibly for many people living in proximity to the nuclear power plant at Fukushima.
From now until Monday, I will donate 10% of all purchases to the victims of Fukushima. Proceeds will be donated to Architecture for Humanity, who have been working courageously to provide housing to those who lost everything a year ago.
Visit our Highwater Filters web store to get the best prices on Katadyn, Sawyer, TRAP radiation filters, LifeSaver portable distiller kits, PurestOne, and more.
Thanks for caring.
It’s Leap Year and we all know that doesn’t come around too often. So why not celebrate with the most practical purchase you may ever make? It doesn’t really take a leap of faith to understand that your water is vulnerable. Whether your source is a well or a municipal water system, your water could be at risk from a multitude of sources. At Highwater Filters, we have the solution for you.
A point-of-use water filter is an inexpensive, convenient way to filter your water. There are a variety of choices to match your needs, including counter top and under counter models. There are filters for every need and just about every contaminant. At Highwater Filters, we strive to find the best products that are tested, effective, and reliable. We look for companies that have integrity and reputation. We listen to what consumers are saying. We ask hard questions. We want to provide the best products for our customers.
You don’t need to worry about what comes out of your tap. You don’t need to lug heavy containers with purified water from the store. You don’t need to buy water in plastic bottles that have no guarantee of purity and that could leach harmful chemicals into your water. You don’t need to take up space on your counter with bulky gravity-drip containers. An attractive filter at the tap or under the counter is really all you need. With a cost of just pennies for each gallon, it makes good sense.
Most of our products are produced right here in the U.S.A. There is a good reason for this. I am personally committed to supporting American industry and resolute in doing my part in helping the local economy.
Several years ago, I lost my job when the economy weakened. My job was outsourced as my company tried to cut costs to compete on the worldwide market. It was a humbling experience, but it only served to motivate me to help make the change I envision for our country. A vision that includes vibrant small businesses competing in the marketplace. A vision that includes pure drinking water for everyone.
Just over a year ago, I took a leap of faith as I ventured into the life of a small business entrepreneur. It’s been an educational and eye-opening experience. I can’t believe how far this business has come already. I look forward to the future.
Part of our success so far is our competitive nature and our commitment to customer service. Just yesterday I had a customer email and tell me that if I need a reference, he would be happy to provide one. It’s just one more example of how we strive to make every customer 100% satisfied with our products and service. We guarantee it.
Please check out our great deals on water filters, purifers, distillers, and more. And check back for new products coming soon, including a complete line of Rainshow’r products for removing chemicals from your bathwater. I am so excited to add these products to my inventory. Look for a celebratory intro sale soon!
Thanks for stopping by!
On Sale Now!
Sorry, the sale is over. Check back on March 11 when we will be having a very special sale in commemoration of the anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima.
Highwater Filters is celebrating our very first year of sales on Friday, February 24. We want to invite you to join us in commemorating this milestone by offering you the lowest price on the web for the Katadyn Pocket.
$250!
I’ve checked around. The lowest I can find is on ebay for $264.99 (with free shipping) so I am going to set this very special anniversary sale price at $250!
One year and counting…
This sale ends Friday so don’t delay!
We so appreciate all the folks who helped us make our first year a big success. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since our first sale. The memories are vivid as we launched the site that day a year ago and then watched as…. nothing happened. At least not right away. And then the horrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan struck and turned our world upside down.
On March 11, I woke in the middle of the night and could not sleep. I then did something I don’t normally do in the wee hours. I went online. And it was in the early morning of March 11 (or probably March 12) that I learned of the tragedy in Japan. I didn’t realize how catastrophic it was at the time. I didn’t realize how it would impact my business. But when people around the world witnessed the devastating aftermath of the tsunami, we collectively realized our vulnerabilities.
And access to clean drinking water is a priority for people in a disaster.
As the events in the wake of Fukushima unfolded were realized, orders for the Katadyn Pocket soared. The manufacturers in Switzerland could not keep up on orders. Their North American headquarters in Minnesota were backed up with thousands of orders. And I happened to be well stocked with the Pocket.
I’ve continued to keep our inventory well stocked as I watched Katadyn increase their prices over and over again. The manufacturer’s retail price was $269 when I first started my business. They list for $369. today. That is a hefty increase and I’ve begun to notice other resellers dropping the Pocket from their product offerings. I may end up doing the same after my stash is depleted.
Look for another sale on the first anniversary of the Japan earthquake. That will be a more somber day, but let us not forget the victims of the terrible tragedy a year ago. So many lives lost and so much damage to the people of Japan. My heart goes out to them.
Thanks for stopping by!
To purchase the Katadyn Pocket for the low, low price of $250 please visit our Highwater Filters store.
We’ve just marked down all our Sawyer water filters and purifiers at our Highwater Filters webstore. You probably won’t find any better prices on the web, but do let us know if you do.
This sale is for a very limited time only. These prices won’t last.
Sawyer has been steadily growing in popularity over the past year as consumers realize that they don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars in order to remove harmful microbes from river or lake water. They don’t need to lug heavy pump filters when they hike. They can travel to other countries and feel safer and not add weight to their luggage.
All Sawyer filters and purifiers carry a 1 million gallon guarantee. You can’t beat that!
As an added bonus, Sawyer products are made in the USA. 
What’s not to like about Sawyer products? When do you think you’ll find lower prices than right now? What are you waiting for?
Go to Highwater Filters for all your water treatment needs, whether you are hiking, traveling, prepping, or at home. We’ve got a great variety of non-electric water treatment. Please visit our webstore.
Thanks for stopping by!
I read an interesting article in the National Geographic Daily News about a push to make recycled wastewater, or reclaimed water, more appealing to people on municipal water systems. This could partially help to meet some of our current and future potable water needs in the U.S and worldwide. It could conceivably meet 6% of U.S. municipal water needs.
Treated wastewater is already being used in some countries, like Singapore, and some say that their model could be used to incentivize the use of reclaimed water. It looks to be a difficult sell to the American public, but it seems like it may be viable method to use water more efficiently. Much treated wastewater is currently being discharged into our oceans.
A big concern is that reclaimed water may contain contaminants that are not currently tested by the E.P.A. (see my previous post, Our Tap Water at Risk: E.P.A. not doing adequate job of protecting drinking water.). How will the public feel confident that the treated wastewater is actually safe?
Better regulation is needed for all our drinking water to ensure that our water is safe. If this method of recycling is to be used, people should demand that better testing is conducted before this water is used in our drinking supply.
And why isn’t the E.P.A. testing for radiation in our water?
To be safe, a point of use home water filter is a great way to feel confident that you are doing the best you can to remove harmful contaminants from your drinking supply.
Check out our large variety of home water filters at Highwater Filter’s webstore.
Thanks for reading!
Happy New Year from Highwater Filters to all our friends on the World Wide Web!
To show our appreciation for a great first year in business, we are announcing a Super Sale on all Katadyn and Sawyer products.
Use this promo code to get 25% off on all Katadyn and Sawyer products: HWF25OFF
Enter the above code at checkout and you will receive 25% off the list price of any Katadyn or Sawyer product you buy.
If you are considering buying a Katadyn Pocket, Expedition, or Ceradyn, now is an excellent time to purchase one.
If you are looking for a Sawyer Point Zero Two purifier kit or a Sawyer inline filter or a Sawyer Squeeze you will find the best prices here at Highwater Filters.
We appreciate your business and thank you for making our first year at Highwater Filters a success!
Sawyer Squeeze
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter
We at Highwater Filters feel strongly about helping those in need during these hard economic times. The holiday season can be especially difficult for those who are out of work, or homeless.
5% of all purchases during the month of December at Highwater Filters will be donated to food banks. If you know of a particular food bank that you’d like to suggest, please send us an email (info@highwaterfilters.com), or comment below.
Announcing our Holiday Store-wide Sale!
Two weeks only. Everything at Highwater Filters is on sale during the first two weeks of December. So not only will you be helping hungry families this holiday season, but you will enjoy some phenomenal deals during this limited sale. Please consider supporting local businesses during the holidays.
Stay safe!
The Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a dire warning to the world after a meeting of climatologists in Kampala, Uganda. Get ready for extreme weather as a result of global warming.
Heat waves, floods, droughts, and storms will intensify with the warming of the planet and most countries, and people, in the world aren’t prepared.
The CDC, FEMA, and other government agencies have been conducting media campaigns to recommend that every American household has an emergency disaster plan and supplies. Every family should have emergency essentials packed in case they have to leave home fast in an emergency situation. Things to consider are food supplies, water, warmth, health, and safety.
Are you prepared for extreme weather and natural disasters? Are your neighbors? Friends? Family?
Some may scoff, but let them. They won’t scoff when they find themselves in an emergency, whether they prepared for one or not.
Read more in Are You Ready?
More about the panel’s announcement here.
And please check out Highwater Filters for all your water treatment needs.
Thanks for reading!
Phthalates. Don’t ask me to pronounce it but do be aware that this chemical, used to soften plastic and used extensively in the bottled water industry and for many toys, food containers, and medical tubing, has been shown to effect baby boys who were exposed pre-natally to phthalates. A new study by a team of Korean scientists shows that prenatal exposure to phthalates adversely affects the mental and psychomotor development of six-month old boys. That girls do not seem to be affected suggests that phthalates may somehow block or otherwise thwart male hormones. This is very disconcerting and every couple or woman who plans to start a family should be very aware of this danger.
The good news is that phthalates do not accumulate in the body. Simple avoidance of soft plastic items, including water bottles, is the best defense.
Filtering water is a cost effective and safe way to protect you and your family from harmful contaminants that may exist in your water. Although municipal tap water is tested and treated for a variety of contaminants, there are some very concerning toxins, like hexavalent chromium, that have not been prioritized by the EPA and have yet to be listed as contaminants of concern. Don’t trust your tap water to protect you from all contaminants. Well water is also subject to contamination and should be tested to ensure that you are not putting yourselves at risk.
The best way to test your water is to have a certified lab analyze it. It may be costly, but it is important that you know exactly what is in your water. Once you get the results, you can assess which water filter is best for you.
At Highwater Filters we have a variety of water filters and purifiers for many different needs. We are always adding new products to our inventory with emphasis on non-electric, US-made water treatment. Coming soon: arsenic and fluoride filter cartridges for home water filters.
If you know any women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, do share this information and advise them to avoid soft plastic products that may contain phthalates. I can’t think of a better wedding gift for couples planning to start a family than a water filter. Check out our great selection and give our future generation a fighting chance.
Read more in the Environmental Health News.
For more information on the study see Environmental Health Perspectives.
Thanks for reading!
