Green Water Technologies

Green Water Technologies | Arctic Ice Melt May Increase Water in McMurdo Dry Valleys

Climate change continues to be a hot button topic across the globe, say the water experts at Green Water Technologies. And despite the many negative situations that may arise as temperatures trend upwards, there are a few places on earth that will eventually benefit. McMurdo Dry Valleys, one of just a handful of regions in the Arctic not covered in snow and permafrost, is one such area.

Q: What are the McMurdo Dry Valleys?

Green Water Technologies: The McMurdo Dry Valleys are an expansive row of valleys in Antarctica; they are located west of McMurdo Sound and within Victoria Land West. They are protected from ice flow by surrounding mountains. The valleys are an area of exceptionally low humidity and have been compared to the landscape of Mars.

Q: How does the Earth’s increasing temperature affect this area?

Green Water Technologies: As the ice caps continue to melt, water seeps slowly into the Dry Valley ecosystem, which has been severely limited in both liquid water and available nutrients. Historically, the valleys have contained very little organic matter. The introduction of additional moisture means that minerals, such as phosphorus, can be distributed throughout the soil and feed potential life.

Green Water Technologies | Trees Impact Water Cycle and Climate

Trees, and specifically forests, play a huge role in the natural water cycle and climate, say the water experts at Green Water Technologies. Over the last 20 years, scientists have begun to pay closer attention to trees’ impact on air temperature, which affects the way water interacts with the atmosphere.

Q: Haven’t scientists always considered trees a factor in climate change?

Green Water Technologies: Yes, however, historically trees have been viewed primarily as a way to generate carbon. However, recent studies suggest that trees have a significant and direct effect on rainfall and cooling, which may actually be more important than their contribution to air quality.

Q: How do trees keep water on the ground?

Green Water Technologies: Trees provide shade, which reduces the amount of sunshine that reaches the ground and therefore also curtails evaporation rates. This provides a cooler and damper setting that has a positive impact on the food-producing ability of the local area. This leads to food security for indigenous species.

Green Water Technologies Answers Questions About pH Levels

Not all water is alike, according to the experts at Green Water Technologies. Some water is low on the pH scale while other sources are high. But, what’s the difference?

Q: What are pH levels?

Green Water Technologies: pH stands for ‘potential of hydrogen’ and is a measurement that depicts the concentration of hydrogen ions in the foods we eat and beverages we drink. It is a scale that ranges from 0 to 14. A healthy pH balance is important to overall health, but alkaline water -- that high on the pH scale -- can damage a person’s home.

Q: What do water hardness and pH values have to do with each other?

Green Water Technologies: Hard water, which is water with an alkaline value 8 or above, contains a high concentration of minuscule minerals, usually magnesium and calcium. While not harmful for humans to intake, hard, unconditioned water can cause damage to personal property and real estate. Alkaline water should not be used for extended periods in water-consuming appliances, such as the dishwasher and washing machine, as it can leave behind mineral deposits reducing efficiency and decreasing the appliance’s life span.

Green Water Technologies Discusses Alkaline Water

Alkaline water has been making the rounds in the news over the last four or five years, according to the water experts at Green Water Technologies. However, the term doesn’t really mean much to most people. So what, exactly, is alkaline water and how does it compare to acidic water?

Q: Is alkaline water healthy?

Green Water Technologies: Alkaline water is said to have a few minor health benefits, such as reducing acid reflux. Alkaline water is also higher in calcium which is a benefit for people who don’t regularly consume milk or other dairy products.

Q: How are alkaline and acidic waters different?

Green Water Technologies: Alkaline water is essentially water that has picked up minerals throughout its lifecycle. Water is rated on a scale of 0 to 14, with seven being neutral. Lower numbers indicate that the water is more acidic; higher numbers suggest the water has a dominant alkaline level.

Green Water Technologies: Don’t Give In To Alkaline Fad

In recent years, a number of celebrities have taken to the web to tout the benefits of water. But not just any water, says Green Water Technologies. Deep-pocketed A-listers such as Mark Wahlberg and Miranda Kerr swear that alkaline water – water with a lower acid level than tap water – is good for all that ails you, despite its exorbitant price.

Q: What is alkaline water?

Green Water Technologies: Alkaline water is water with a pH of seven or higher. It is less acidic than water straight from the tap. PH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with seven considered neutral. Some acidic beverages include orange juice, coffee, and vinegar.

Q: Where does alkaline water come from?

Green Water Technologies: Alkaline water can be obtained from a number of sources including faucet attachments and special filters. Some companies sell additives that raise the water’s pH level. Bottled alkaline water is the most convenient and most expensive. Despite science pretty much debunking the theory that alkaline water has any major health benefits, bottled alkaline water can cost twice as much as regular bottled water and hundreds of times more than water from the kitchen sink.

Green Water Technologies Discusses Waterborne Diseases

While necessary to all life on Earth, water can spread diseases and cause major health problems. In the following Q&A, water experts from Green Water Technologies offer general information regarding water contamination and safety.

Q: The EPA regulates water in the US, so why is water quality still an issue?

Green Water Technologies: The EPA regulates the water quality of municipal water supplies, but 15% of all people in the US rely on private water sources such as wells. Even homes with a public water supply are not immune from contamination; the EPA only monitors water from treatment facilities, it cannot track potential chemical, bacterial, viral, or parasitic intrusions in every pipe in America. Plus, homes built prior to the mid-1980s often run lead and copper pipes, which can add these heavy metals to the home’s water supply.

Green Water Technologies Discusses Pollutions Sources

There is no such thing as “pure” water, at least not so far as science has discovered. According to Green Water Technologies, even water filtered through the most advanced processes contains minerals and other miniscule particles. Some of these are harmful if ingested, others enhance the health benefits and taste of water. The source of the former are addressed in the following Q&A.

Q: Where does water pollution come from?

Green Water Technologies: Water pollution stems from both natural sources and from human activities. Heavy metals in underground soil, nitrates, and microorganisms are examples of natural contaminants. Runoff from farms, household waste, and landfills are all human-derived pollutants.

Water Pollution a National Issue, Says Green Water Technologies

Water pollution isn’t just an epidemic happening overseas, it’s right here, in our backyards. According to the experts at Green Water Technologies, the recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan, is not an isolated event. Read on to find out more about pollution and how to determine if your water is in the clear.

Q: Is all drinking water in the US treated for harmful chemicals?

Green Water Technologies:  Not surprisingly, no. While around 85% of Americans get their water from a treated public supply, random testing has found everything from lead to parasites flowing from residential taps across the country.

Green Water Technologies Answers Water Softener Maintenance Questions

How do you tell if your water softener isn’t working right? Read on to find out what the experts at Green Water Technologies have to say about water treatment system maintenance and how to spot a faulty unit.

Q: How often does my water softening unit need to be serviced?

Green Water Technologies: Every quarter, you may need to top off your unit’s regenerate solution. However, providing that it has been properly installed, chances are it can operate for many years with little to no maintenance. The GE Pro Elite Professional Series Water Treatment System is automatic, so it more or less takes care of itself.

Q: What are some signs that my water softening system isn’t working properly?

Green Water Technologies: Water quality changes may present themselves in minor ways such as spots on the dishes or laundry that doesn’t feel quite as soft as it should. As water quality progressively declines, hair may become more brittle and dry, and your skin may feel irritated and itchy. This is due to mineral buildup. Hopefully, you will have your unit checked out as soon as you notice changes. If allowed to operate incorrectly for too long, your water-using appliances may actually become damaged.

True Talk with Green Water Technologies

Water softening is a hot topic with loads of misinformation floating around. Here, experts from Green Water Technologies of Texas answer a few common questions about these processes and shed light on the key difference between water softening and water conditioning.

Q: What is hard water? 

Green Water Technologies: Hard, unconditioned water is a common problem throughout the United States. This is water that, over time, has collected an excess of calcium and magnesium – two vital minerals that can cause trouble in higher-than-normal concentrations.

Q: How does hard, unconditioned water affect my home?

Green Water Technologies: One of the most evident signs of hard water is soap scum build up in the bathroom and kitchen. The most troubling signs, however, aren’t usually visible on the surface. A buildup of calcium and magnesium can quickly damage the moving parts of water-using appliances. Many homes with hard water experience a drastic reduction in the efficiency of their hot water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine. These appliances may need to be replaced well before their intended lifespan. Hard, unconditioned water may also leave hair dry and brittle and may cause eczema in people with sensitive skin.

Q: What is the difference between a hard water softener and a water conditioner?

Green Water Technologies: The two are similar in that they both work to reduce or eliminate minerals in the water. A water softener, however, actually replaces harder minerals with softer minerals, usually potassium or sodium. A water conditioner simply removes the calcium but does not technically soften the water.