North Texas Water Systems 
North Texas Water Systems
4568 State Highway 121, Suite 101
Plano, TX 75024
ph: 972-679-2390
fax: 972-377-9099
northtex
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is reverse osmosis?
Reverse Osmosis is a filtering process where water is pushed through a semipermeable membrane to trap contaminants for glass after glass of the safest, best tasting drinking water.
- Is purified water beneficial for my health?
The water and air of today’s world is filled with various chemicals and minerals that can potentially be toxic for your body. It is proven that our bodies are comprised of 72% percent water, thus associating all of our major bodily functions with this amazing chemical compound. When taking a look at the functions of our blood, brain and central nervous system, we find that it is contaminated water that leads to negative effects in our health. When chemicals and toxic minerals are allowed to enter the body, they can slow or even hinder the processes of the brain and heart, dramatically affecting the body’s ability to function correctly. Experts now believe that it may be these very toxins in our body creating distortions throughout our nervous system that may be the roots of disorders like Attention Deficit Disorder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety and depression. “Considering the vital role that water plays in our brain and nervous system, its quality is possibly the most basic and essential key to healthful longevity.”
- How much purified water should I be drinking each day to keep healthy?
The average human’s daily necessity for purified water, as denoted by health specialists, is approximately 1 quart for every 50 pounds of weight one carries. The traditional amount was 8 eight ounces glasses of water per day, but this amount is now only considered effective for small women and children. Although this may seem like a lot of water consumed daily, we recommend drinking one glass of purified water every hour of the day you are awake. This will help to insure your body is staying fully hydrated.
- Why should I switch from bottled water to North Texas Water purification systems?
While many producers of bottled water would have you thinking that their product comes from the most pristine of natural sources, the truth is that at least one quarter of all bottled water resources comes straight from the tap. These findings come from a four-year study of 103 brands of bottled water, conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The study further uncovers that the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) has failed to meet the regulations set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for tap water, and even more so, the FDA guidelines that are in place do not apply to water that is bottled and sold within the same state, further hindering the chances of safe and potable drinking water.
- Don’t you need minerals in your drinking water?
The minerals found in drinking water, or otherwise added to drinking water are known as inorganic. Those minerals found in fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products are known as organic. The body can only absorb vital minerals from these organic sources. Roughly 1% of the minerals present in drinking water can be described as organic or absorbable minerals. The American Medical Journal states, “The body’s need for minerals is largely met from foods, not from drinking water.”
- What kind of savings can I expect from using bottle-less water?
You can expect to save between 30-70% on your bottled water bill by switching to our bottle-less purification systems. The big names in bottled water today are charging you an average of one dollar for every gallon of water, whereas with our point of use system, you are charged around twenty cents per gallon.
- What types of water contaminants does Reverse Osmosis remove from my water?
The most common water contaminants are those that are found in natural deposits. Much of the water we drink, whether it is tap or bottled, originated underground. Although the idea of natural deposits doesn't sound so bad, the consumer does not realize that many of these deposits are formed from man-made sources, such as pesticides, cement, sewage, batteries, industrial waste, etc. These varying substances can include, and are not limited to Arsenic, Asbestos, Bacteria/Coli form, Cadmium, Chromium, E. Coli, Guardia, Nitrates, Radium and Radon, many of which are proven cancer causing contaminants. The most important thing to realize is that the absolute most effective way to rid your water of these deadly substances is through Reverse Osmosis as provided by our purification systems.
- Is your system easy to install? If so, what are the requirements?
Our purification systems are in fact easy to install. All you need is a water source, located around the area you wish to install your cooler, and our skilled technicians that can then connect your product directly to the source. The process is known as Point Of Use, meaning the water coolers can be placed in almost any room with access to water in your office or home.
- Why not use distilled water instead of purified water?
- Distillation occurs when water is boiled and the vapors become condensed. The benefit of this occurrence is the ability of the vapors to then absorb various toxins within the body. Although this process is in itself a cleansing agent, it is only recommended for use a few weeks at a time. The reason being that constant use of distilled water will actually create a rapid loss of essential nutrients in the body (electrolytes). Dr. Joseph Mercola, author of the Total Health Program, says that "deficiencies such as these can cause heart beat irregularities and high blood pressure." Another important fact concerning distillation is that when used for cooking, the distilled water will actually remove most of the organic minerals, and in turn lowering the nutritious value of your foods. Dr. Mercola goes on to say that "people who consume distilled water exclusively, eventually develop multiple mineral deficiencies" and "the more [organic] mineral loss, the greater risk for osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, and coronary artery disease."
We send an email newsletters that have information on contaminants, equipment, health new etc. If you would like to receive our newsletters, please contact us at ntws@suddenlink.net and tell us your name and email address.
If you have a questions, please sent it to us at ntws@suddenlink.net and we will send you an answer as soon as possible.
Consumer alert
Water Quality Association, 4151 Naperville Road, Lisle, Illinios www.wqa.org
What is water softening?
Water softening is the removal of calcium and a few other minerals that can cause our working water to damage household property. When it deposits as scale, calcium carbonate (limestone) is an abrasive rock like mineral.
Why soften your water?
Calcium that is dissolved in water forms deposits that:
• Abrade and fray the threads in clothing
• Stick to clothing and other household products and appliances (You can feel the difference between towels that are new and those that have been repeatedly laundered in hard water. Those laundered in hard water ones are rough, the result of rock encrustations embedded in the fibers.)
• Spot dishes, faucets, sinks, toilets, cars, in fact all surfaces, with a microscopic film of limestone.
• Deposits buildup inside water pipes, heaters, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
• Gas water heaters used 29% less energy to heat water and electric water heaters used 21% less energy when operated on softened water according to a study done by New Mexico State University.
How can water be softened?
• Presently there is only one practical way for homeowners to soften their water and that is through an ion exchange water softener. Briefly here is how it works.
• Ion exchange water softeners are filled with millions of tiny resin beads that attract and hold on to calcium. As the water passes through this resin "bed" the calcium is removed so it cannot harm your household goods.
• What happens when the resin beads are full of calcium?
• The resin bed is rinsed with dissolved salt, usually table salt. The dissolved salt scours the calcium from the beads which prepares them to remove more calcium. This rinsing process takes place every few days, usually at night.
Are there other alternatives that remove calcium from the water?
• Not that we are aware of at this time. Some other technologies can remove calcium but an very high cost in energy or wasted water. Ion exchange water softening is the most cost efficient method to remove calcium.
I've heard of other "salt free" devices that are offered as alternatives. What are they and what do they do?
• First of all, you need to talk to the manufacturer of these devices to get the facts.
• Consumer protection laws are clear across the land. Manufacturers must have scientific test data to back up their claims for their particular product.
• Since no testing standard exists in the US for these devices we have not tested nor certified these products so we can only pass on what we have heard. (More on testing and certification below)
• We understand that there are products that are marketed as scale control devices.
• Scale is the rock like mineral deposit (limestone) made up of calcium carbonate that forms inside water heaters, pipes, and fixtures over a period of time.
• Scale control devices can have the ability under certain circumstances to help reduce the amount of scaling inside these pipes and fixtures.
• To our knowledge these scale control devices do not claim to remove calcium and so they do not produce soft water.
• Controlling scale inside pipes, water heaters, and fixtures is an important benefit but it is only a partial benefit.
What is product certification?
• Product certification is usually referred to as Conformity Assessment. This term is used to describe steps taken by both manufacturers and independent third parties to determine fulfillment of standards requirements. It involves testing products in a laboratory according to a standard procedure and it also involves periodic audit inspections of the manufacturing facility to insure that the product that was tested conforms to the ones currently being manufactured. The Water Quality Association is an organization that is certified by the American National Standards Institute for conformity assessment.
What is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and what is its role?
• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has served in its capacity as administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system for more than 90 years.
• The Institute recognizes the competence of bodies to carry out product or personnel certification in accordance with requirements defined in International Standards. ANSI’s accreditation programs operate in accordance with international guidelines and have been verified by government and peer review assessments.
• ANSI’s program for accrediting third‐party product certification have experienced significant growth in recent years, and the Institute continues its efforts to obtain worldwide acceptance of accredited certifications performed in the U.S.
• One of the best indicators of the strength of the U.S. system is the government’s extensive reliance on, and use of, private sector voluntary standards. Pursuant to OMB Circular A119, federal government agencies are required to use voluntary standards for regulatory and procurement purposes when appropriate. State and local governments and agencies have formally adopted thousands of voluntary standards produced by ANSI, and the process appears to be accelerating.
What is the Water Quality Association’s Gold Seal and what does it mean to consumers?
• The WQA Gold Seal is awarded only to products that have passed laboratory tests, literature review, materials assessment, and have been submitted to periodic audits according to ANSI NSF Standards (NSF stands for the National Sanitation Foundation, a standards writing body the conforms with ANSI standards.)
What do the seals mean?
• Each technology is tested according to a different standard. Look at the seal to see which standard the product was tested for. (See the picture of the seal with the references to the different standards)
• To avoid confusion here are the basic standards with some clarifying notes:
• Standard 42 Drinking Water Treatment Units Aesthetic Effects. These products are certified only for taste or odor or staining. No health claims have been certified for products tested according to this standard.
• Standard 44 Cation exchange water softeners. These products are certified for the removal of hardness (calcium). Some manufacturers have also had their softeners certified for the removal of barium and radium.
• Standard 53 Drinking Water Treatment Units Health Effects. These products are certified for the removal of specific health contaminants. Look for the manufacturer’s listing of the contaminants that were tested. Certified contaminant removal claims can only be made for the listed contaminants on the literature.
• Standard 55 Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems
• Standard 58 Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Systems
• Standard 61 Drinking Water Treatment Components Health Effects. This standard insures that the product itself does not impart health contaminants to the drinking water that comes in contact with it. The other standards all require this kind of testing as part of their certification.These are 42, 44, 53, 55, 58, and 62. Standard 61 testing does not include any performance testing.
• Standard 62 Drinking Water Distillation Systems
• Standard 171 Shower Filtration Systems Aesthetic Effects
A full listing of all products that have been certified by WQA can be found on the WQA web site –
Going green without putting you in the red!
Copyright 2009 North Texas Water Systems. All rights reserved.
North Texas Water Systems
4568 State Highway 121, Suite 101
Plano, TX 75024
ph: 972-679-2390
fax: 972-377-9099
northtex
