Is Your Well Water Making You Sick? New USGS Study is Alarming.

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Hilary

A recent study released by the USGS shows 13% of private wells in the U.S.  are contaminated with levels of metals and other elements above the set safety standards for health. Contaminants of particular concern include arsenic, uranium, manganese, radon, lithium and boron.

Some of the contaminants come from natural sources and therefore can be overshadowed by anthropogenic contamination (human-sourced). But regardless of the source, owners of private wells should test their water to determine the extent of contamination so they know what contaminants they are at risk for.

A good water test may cost $200 or more in a laboratory, but there are also home test kits available that can be bought for as little as $15. It’s imperative that you find out what is in your water to determine if you should take measures to protect you and your family.

Filtering water at the tap is an inexpensive and effective fix for many elemental and chemical contaminants. There are water filters available for just about every contaminant and many of them are effective against multiple pollutants. To be extra protected, some even opt to purify their water with one of the many water purifiers on the market. Once you discover the crystal clarity and great taste of your filtered well water, you will wonder why there are so many others who are lugging big jugs from the grocery store, or stock-piling cases of plastic bottled water. You just can’t beat the convenience and cost of your home-filtered water.

At Highwater Filters, we have a number of great products available to help you remove metals and other contaminants from your well water. Check out the PurestOne home water purifier to give you confidence in a pure drink of water. It removes heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, PCB’s, VOC’s, harmful microorganisms and harmful chemicals.They are currently on Sale at our webstore.  The TRAP radiation filter is effective in removing radioactive particles, including uranium, as well as a long list of other contaminants. Our PureStar filter is effective in removing 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. We’ve got some great deals on a variety of home water treatments that are all made in the U.S.A. Check us out!

It doesn’t matter how deep your well is or how far you are from any industrial site, your ground water could be at risk from natural elemental contamination. Investing in a water test may be the best decision you ever make. Don’t put it off. There are a number of water test products available on the web. And please visit the Highwater Filters webstore for the best quality, U.S. made home water filters.

Read more here about the USGS survey: Environmental Health News

Posted in Drinking water, Environmental, Fracking, News, Products, Radiation in water, Water, water purification | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fracking’s Clear Winners: CEO’s and Lawyers

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Hilary

While New York State is poised to give the go ahead to new hydraulic fracking operations, lawyers are lining up to defend property owners who are reconsidering their leases, and for municipalities who want to keep fracking out of town despite New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) that bans local governments from regulating natural gas fracking.

The township of Dryden, a rural suburb of Ithaca, NY, is challenging the law and contends that they are not regulating gas fracking by passing a ban within the borders of the town. Attorneys are licking their chops as the battles are sure to be contentious and expensive.

There are also a number of residents in New York State who originally signed leases with gas company representatives who knocked on their doors and made attractive offers that many say were misleading at best. Others were just not aware of the risks to their water supply and were enticed by the monetary offers. Almost 5 years later, with leases about to expire, property owners are finding that their leases may be eligible for extensions without their approval because of legal procedures that are holding up operations. And there are quite a few folks out there who signed agreements that pay far less than more lucrative offers that some who lease their land are receiving. These people simply want out of their leases so they can renegotiate better deals.

And finally in the news yesterday it was revealed that Frac Tech Intl. CEO, Marcus Rowland, received $24.4 million in compensation last year. As their name implies, Frac Tech provides hydro-fracturing services to large oil and gas companies. They just announced a name change, though. They took the word “Frac” out of their name. It must have been the negative connotation of the word “fracking.”  They are now FTS International Inc. Much more generic. Wise move.

If you aren’t aware of the growing controversy over natural gas hydro-fracking, I highly recommend the movie Gasland, by Josh Fox. FrackAction is also on the front lines of fracking opposition and actor Mark Ruffalo has started a new group called Water Defense to help put a stop to hydro-fracking.

Fracking causes horrible health problems, large amounts of contaminated water, and releases gases into the air that have knocked people unconscious. People’s wells have been contaminated to the point where they can ignite the water coming out of the tap. The list of health related problems of people who have had their water contaminated is heart wrenching. Our water is too precious to risk contamination and our health too important to sacrifice for the easy money the gas companies are offering.

For more info from the NYT: Signing Leases for Drilling, and Now Having Regrets

ThomsonRueters: Fracking lawsuit could set precedent for local drilling bans

WSJ: Energy Firm CEO Hits Pay Gusher

Say NO to Fracking, please.

 

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20% Off All Sawyer Products at Highwater Filters ~ Hurry Ends Tuesday.

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Hilary

Sale Held Over until Tuesday! Announcing a 3-day ~ Super Sale on all Sawyer products. 20% Off!

Made in U.S.A.

Sawyer water filters and purifiers have become a popular brand among backpackers, campers, and preppers. There’s a good reason for that. They are super lightweight, affordable and made in the U.S.A.

Sawyer is a leader in pump-less portable, non-electric water treatment. They make inline filters for your hydration pack or drip filters with storage and dispensing vessels (pouches) to make water treatment almost effortless. Their latest Squeeze bottles are the lightest water filters on the market. They also make water purifiers if you are planning to go overseas or preparing for disaster. At Highwater Filters, we have a complete inventory of Sawyer products ready to ship to you today! Please check out our great selection.

Did I mention that Sawyer filters and purifiers have a one million gallon guarantee? You can’t beat that.

Water filters make great gifts and it’s not too early to shop for those loved ones who is difficult to please. A Sawyer water treatment product is sure to put a smile on their faces.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your savings. But hurry. Sale ends Sunday.

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9/11 September 11, 2011: A Day of Reflection and Commemoration

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Hilary

 

dahlia~commemoration

 

To all the victims of the tragedies of September 11, 2001, which are really all of us, may your hearts continue to heal as the grieving process carries on. Let us not allow the evil acts of a few to harden us to the goodness that is still abundant all over our planet.

 

Posted in Commemoration | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Phthalates and Prenatal Exposure: A Good Reason to Avoid Bottled Water

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Hilary

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 affect baby boys who were exposed pre-natally to phthalates.  A new study by a team of South 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!

 

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