How to Keep Your Water Dispenser Clean

Water is essential to life, and your entire body is composed of mostly water. In fact, water is a fundamental element that is vital to your overall health and well-being, and a mere two percent drop in your body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration, fatigue, and decreased mental clarity. It's also estimated that over seventy-five percent of Americans suffer from mild to chronic dehydration, and without sufficient water intake, cell and organ function can be severely affected.

Of course, we’ve all heard about the many benefits associated with drinking enough water. Drinking the recommended 64 ounces of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, bladder cancer by 50 percent, and can even potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer. Try keeping a bottle of water on you at all times when on the go and invest in a water purifier or water dispenser for your home. Water dispensers make a welcome addition to any home or office, as they make it easier for you to grab a glass of glass of water without having to run to the tap. In addition, many modern water dispensers such as the NewAir AI-400SB include advanced features such as cold and hot settings and built-in icemakers, therefore allowing you to make instant coffee or icy cold drinks with ease.

However, keep in mind that water dispensers do require routine sanitizing and maintenance to ensure proper operation and for the highest quality and best testing water. Follow these simple steps every one to three months or after every bottle change and you'll be sure to enjoy fresh, clean water for as long as you own your water dispenser:

1. Unplug your water dispenser, remove the empty bottle, and drain any remaining water.
2. Prepare a mild bleach solution by diluting one teaspoon of non-perfumed bleach in one gallon of water. Use a damp, clean cloth and wipe down the inside of the water reservoir. Let it stand for five minutes, and drain the bleach solution through the tap and into a bucket.
3. If your water dispenser has a drip tray, wash this in the bleach solution, rinse it with tap water, and place it back on the cooler.
4. Place a new bottle of water on the cooler and plug the cooler back into the outlet.

Also, if you use bottled water in your water dispenser, be sure to care for them properly by doing the following:
1. Store full bottles of water in a cool area at a constant temperature.
2. Discourage the growth of algae by storing the bottles away from sunlight.
3. Make sure the bottle inventory is rotated in a way that assures the oldest bottle of water is used first.
4. Wash hands before replacing a water bottle, and wipe the top and neck of a new bottle with a clean, sterile cloth.

DIY - How to Install a Home Water Filtration System

While some people may believe in the saying, "What you can't see can't hurt you," this is definitely not true when it comes to your drinking water. Although your tap water may look clean, drinking water often contains harmful contaminants such as chlorine; agricultural pollutants such as herbicide and insecticide runoff; heavy metals such as lead; or even sediment such as rust. Fortunately, water purifiers can help you eliminate all of the above pollutants and more, and installing a home water purifier may be easier than you think.

Pitcher water purifiers are one of the most popular types of water purifiers, as they are the least expensive and the easiest to use. The pitcher is filled with tap water and the filtering system in the pitcher cleans the water. These are great for keeping water chilled, as they are often stored in your refrigerator, and one filter usually provides up to 40 gallons of crystal clean water.

To filter both your cooking and drinking water, look for water filters that fit under your sink or whole-house water filtration devices. Under the counter filtration systems are easy to install, and most come with their own installation kits. Because under the counter water filtration systems usually remove particles and contaminants only from the sink that is attached to the filter, most people choose to install the filter under the kitchen sink, as that is where most people cook their food and get their drinking water. Follow these basic tips to set up your own under the counter water filter:

1. Locate your sink's shutoff valve to turn off the water. This can usually be found under the sink.
2. Disconnect the cold water line from the shutoff valve, and keep in mind that you may need to use a wrench to loosen the nut that holds the tube to your sink’s faucet.
3. Use a marker or pencil to mark the areas where you will need to drill holes to mount the water filter's bracket, and place the filter under the cabinet by the wall that is closest to the cold water line.
4. Drill the screws in place, connect the water purifier to your sink's water line, and connect a line that goes from the purifier from your tap. Once the filter is in place, slowly turn the faucet back on and make sure the connection points are tightly sealed.

While the exact instructions for your specific water purifier may vary depending on the type and model of filter you choose, usually only a wrench and possibly a drill and screwdriver are the only tools needed.

However, if you are looking for more complete water filtration systems, whole house water filters may be more appropriate. While installing these types of water filters may be a bit more complicated than the above two styles, most models do not require professional installation, and they are an easy way to ensure that your family is getting the best water possible.

The Consequences of Drinking Bottled Water

Drinking bottled water has been a rising trend. At upscale restaurants, many diners can be seen quaffing from a ubiquitous bottle of Evian, and bars and hotels often get away with charging upwards of eight dollars for a small half liter of "Vitamin-Infused" water.

In fact, increased bottled water consumption has been a global phenomenon, reaching 154 billion liters from the 98 billion liters consumed just five years prior. Even in the United States, where tap water is safe to drink, the public drinks over 30 billion liters, or approximately one 8-ounce glass per person every day. Mexico are second in terms of bottled water consumption, and China and Brazil follow. However, in developed countries, Italy leads the pack in bottled water sales.

When compared to tap water, both transporting and packaging bottle water is not environmentally friendly. Tap water is often distributed through an energy-efficient infrastructure, and transporting bottled water involves massive quantities of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are also used in the bottling process. The plastic used for making water bottles is commonly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is derived from crude oil. Once the water has been consumed, roughly 86% of the plastic bottles used in the U.S. become garbage or litter. Incinerating used bottles can also result in the emission of toxic byproducts such as chlorine gas and ash.

While affordable, clean drinking water is absolutely essential to the health and well-being of the global community, this puts a significant strain on our ecosystem, and does nothing to secure a water supply for the other 1.1 billion people in the world.

If Americans are concerned with the quality of their water, perhaps other measures should be taken in order to alleviate the burden bottled water places on our environment. Improving and expanding on existing water treatment and sanitation systems, and instituting home water purification units such as UV water purifiers will more than likely enable us to drink clean water without harming the environment.