Tag: Water treatment

Contrary to what many believe, a bottle of water often contains more than just H₂O, with additives in bottled water commonly including minerals or electrolytes. These ingredients are often added to enhance the flavor, balance pH, and restore elements lost during extensive purification processes.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, many bottled water companies opt for ozonation over chlorination to disinfect their products, meaning most bottled water contains little to no chlorine. This advanced treatment is crucial for brands like Bisleri, which puts its water through a multi-stage purification process. This intensive method ensures the safety and purity of the final product, leaving consumers to wonder: does Bisleri water contain chlorine?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), boiling water will kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, but does not remove chemical contaminants. This significant disadvantage of boiling impacts its use for both water purification and food preparation, highlighting its limitations as a purification method.

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are highly effective at removing dissolved salts, with a rejection rate often between 95% and 99%. This process drastically reduces the amount of sodium in RO water, making the resulting purified water nearly sodium-free.

While standard tap water can contain a variety of contaminants, including mineral salts, a properly functioning reverse osmosis (RO) system is specifically designed to remove these dissolved solids. This advanced filtration process significantly reduces or eliminates the salt content, producing water that is nearly pure and ideal for drinking.

Over 5% of the Earth's crust is composed of iron, but its availability depends on its oxidation state, with ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) being the more soluble and bioavailable form. While its oxidized counterpart, ferric iron (Fe³⁺), is found in rust, ferrous iron appears in a variety of environments, including underground water supplies, certain dietary sources, and specific geological formations.

The World Health Organization reports that hard water, containing calcium and magnesium carbonates, above 200 mg/L (measured as CaCO3) can cause significant scaling in pipes. For homeowners, understanding what should carbonate be in drinking water is essential for preventing appliance damage and ensuring overall water quality.

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a natural compound found in mineral springs and evaporated lake basins around the world. The presence of sodium bicarbonate in my drinking water is a common occurrence, often due to natural sources or intentional addition during municipal water treatment processes.

Over 5% of asthmatics are sensitive to sulfites, but the sulfur compounds found in natural drinking water are typically different and pose far less risk. This common confusion often leads to questions about the safety of our tap water, but it's crucial to distinguish between food additives and natural mineral compounds. This guide will clarify the real effects of sulfur compounds in your water.

While most people associate iron with dietary intake, the largest and most foundational sources are geological deposits found deep within the Earth's crust. So, which is the main source of iron salts, and how do these sources vary depending on their intended use?