How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?

Utah RO system installation

Reverse osmosis is an advanced water purification process, one that can greatly improve the quality of your water. Installing an RO system is an effective way to get safe, great-tasting drinking water – and the components last a long time, so each glass will cost just a few pennies.

For details on how the water purification method works, what an RO system can remove from your drinking water and answers to your questions about installation, take a look at the following guide.

The Reverse Osmosis Process

Reverse osmosis is a high-tech solution to drinking water quality problems, but the way RO systems work isn’t all that difficult to understand.

The process essentially involves using pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane. The holes are just large enough to allow water molecules through – impurities are trapped, and even small contaminant particles get flushed away. As such, the drinking water produced through the RO process is clean, clear and delicious.

Impurities Removed through Reverse Osmosis

Install an RO system, and you won’t have to worry about the quality of your household drinking water – you’ll be providing your family with a supply that’s free of many potentially harmful contaminants. The pollutants and impurities filtered out by the semi-permeable RO membrane include:

  • Arsenic
  • Lead
  • Iron
  • Floride
  • Mercury
  • Copper
  • Sulfate
  • Cadmium
  • Sodium

And that’s just a few of the contaminants removed through the RO process. Organic, inorganic and chemical byproducts of the water disinfection process are also trapped, and high-quality RO systems contain additional filters to remove particulates and sediments.

Installing a Reverse Osmosis System

RO systems are typically installed under the kitchen sink or in the  basement or a utility closet.

You can also opt to hook up your reverse osmosis system to a refrigerator or ice maker. And if you already have a water softener or are planning on installing one, you won’t have any issues – in fact, because hard water damages the RO membrane, having a softener will extend the lifespan of your RO system.

Do you have any questions? For expert answers and advice on drinking water purification systems, turn to the professional team at Kinetico Utah.

An industry leader serving residential clients throughout the state of Utah, we’ve been helping homeowners get clean, great-tasting drinking water for more than 30 years. We offer a range of affordable treatment solutions, including the Kinetico K5 reverse osmosis system. To learn more, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.

Is Your Utah Drinking Water Safe?

Safety considerations of Utah tap water

A recent study has revealed that millions of Americans are drinking water that doesn’t meet approved health standards.

Is your family among those millions? Or is your household supply safe to drink?

If you don’t want to worry whether your tap water is fit for drinking, you’ll need to take action. Here’s how to preserve the quality of water in your Utah home.

Test Your Drinking Water

Whether you get your water from a private well or municipal source, testing it is the best way to ensure the supply is safe to drink. If your water is provided by a municipal water company you can contact your water provider or visit their website and view the drinking water report they provide. This will allow you to see which contaminants they are testing for and what the levels are.

Test kits are also widely available, but interpreting the results and figuring out how to effectively eliminate any contaminants that are present can be a challenge.

If you turn to Kinetico Utah, our expert team will offer advice on treatment solutions free of charge.

Install a Filtration System

If testing shows that your tap water is contaminated filtering it can make it safe for drinking. You have your choice of several under sink and faucet filters, and you can get filters that target specific contaminants.

To make sure your family has safe drinking water, however, you may be better off installing a reverse osmosis filtration system. The reverse osmosis process removes the following:

  • Chemical contaminants, lead, copper and arsenic etc
  • Organic, inorganic and chemical byproducts of disinfection
  • Sediments, particulates and physical contaminants
  • Kinetico also offers filters that remove viruses, bacteria and other biological contaminants

Call on the Kinetico Utah Team

At Kinetico Utah, we offer highly effective treatment systems that are backed by an industry-leading warranty. Homeowners across the state rely on us to make their tap water safe, and we’re ready to do the same for you — at a price that meets your budget.

To learn more about our products and the reverse osmosis process, or to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate for a filtration system installation, contact our Draper, Utah, office today.

https://deq.utah.gov/drinking-water/utahs-drinking-water

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/millions-americans-drink-potentially-unsafe-tap-water-how-does-your-county-stack

Is DIY Water Filtration System Installation a Good Idea?

How to install a water filter

Are you thinking about taking the do-it-yourself approach to water filtration system installation?

Many people wonder it going the DIY route is possible, and yes, the task can be done. But as the saying goes, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Here’s why you may be better off if you work with a water treatment professional.

Expertise in How to Improve Water Quality is Essential

Saving money is the primary reason people consider DIY water softening or filtration system installation. That might seem to make sense, but is keeping a few bucks in the bank worth the risk that the system installed actually may not do what you wanted it to?

To provide effective filtration, you need to understand how to assess the quality of the water. Without knowledge of what’s wrong with your supply, you can’t determine how to make improvements. And while you can use a kit to test the water yourself, professionals have the necessary expertise to properly interpret the results. Try that on your own, and you might end up choosing the wrong treatment system.

If you want to install a system yourself make sure you consult with a professional to ensure you are getting what you really need.

Improper Installation Can Result in Damage to your Home

Let’s assume you perform your own quality test, and you figure out which system is the best option to meet your water filtration needs. Why not make the installation a DIY project?

The truth is, reading tutorials and watching online videos may not be enough to learn how to handle the task. Installing a water filtration system can be a complex process, and it will involve plumbing modifications. If you make a misstep during the installation, you could inadvertently have leaks which can easily do hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage – which is exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.

Quality of DIYSystems

When looking to install a water softener or water filtration system the options available for DIY are generally going to be a big box store or find something on the internet. Generally these options are lower quality and need to be replaced much sooner. They may also provide less than the desired results and when parts or filters are needed they are very difficult, if not impossible to find.

We regularly work with clients who have gone this route and within a couple of years we are removing their DIY system and they are telling us that this was the most expensive way they could have tried to improve their water.  This is because the water system didn’t work very well, didn’t last very long or was so expensive to maintain.

Professional Installation Takes Much Less Time

How much time are you willing to spend on your filtration system? Getting a good grasp of how to effectively treat your water and the proper steps to take for installation is going to take a rather large time investment – and so is actually completing the work.

Let a water treatment professional take on the installation, and aside from the initial consultation and follow-up visit, the project will likely only take a couple of hours. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind in knowing that the work was done correctly. Given that you’re pursuing water filtration to make sure your household supply is clean, safe and free of impurities, opting for professional installation is in your best interest.

Kinetico Utah, a decades-long water treatment industry leader based in Draper and serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding northern Utah area, offers solutions that are innovative, efficient and affordable. To learn more about our products, or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and estimate for professional water filtration system installation, contact us today.

Are You Concerned About the Quality of Your Utah Drinking Water?

What’s the safest drinking water in Utah?

If you’re worried about your household drinking water supply, you’re not alone. Independent research commissioned by the Water Quality Association (WQA) shows that many people across the country share your concerns.

A non-profit organization, the WQA tracks consumer opinions on water quality with national studies about once every two years. And according to their most recent data, Americans are growing increasingly less confident in their household supply. Here’s a look at the major findings from the WQA study and how to make sure your drinking water is safe.

Key Concerns Regarding Water Quality

When it comes to the quality of water from the household tap, people have several worries. The many reasons for not drinking it include:

  • Concern about contaminants and pollutants in the supply
  • Concern over whether it’s actually safe to consume
  • Tap drinks don’t taste as good as store-bought bottles
  • Water from the tap looks cloudy or has a strange odor

Compared to the results from the 2017 WQA study, these and other concerns regarding drinking water quality are on the rise. And, both those who get their supply from a municipal source and those with private wells are unsure about its safety.

Dealing with Drinking Water Quality Concerns

Most people have at least some familiarity with contaminants in the water supply, and many can name some of the major substances of concern. Consumers are growing more aware of the potential for quality issues, and most rely on bottled water or install home treatment systems.

However, WQA research reveals that many people have a limited understanding of the various types of treatment systems and how they compare. So, some consumers who invest on one may not get the greatest value or the best possible water quality.

Testing and Treating Your Drinking Water Supply

If you’re not confident in the quality of your household supply, getting it professionally tested is your first step – and the expert team at Kinetico Utah will perform one at no cost.

Homeowners throughout Utah have trusted us for water quality testing and high-quality treatment systems for over 30 years. We’ll take a sample, complete a thorough analysis and explain your options for getting better drinking water straight from the tap.

At Kinetico Utah, we offer a range of highly effective filtration, purification and softening systems. And, we back our products with a warranty that’s one of the best in the industry. Turn to us, and we’ll find a treatment solution that makes your household supply safe to drink and meets your budget.

For more information on Kinetico Utah or the treatment systems we install – or to arrange for a free, no-obligation household drinking water quality test – reach out to our office in Draper, Utah, today.

How Soft Water Benefits Detergent Usage

soft water

At Kinetico, we’re proud to provide water filtration systems and expertise that will help you and your family receive clean, healthy water at all times. Our technicians have decades of experience in the field of water decontamination and filtration.

We’re also a top provider of water softener systems, which take hard minerals present in water and remove them to give you a cleaner, less abrasive liquid. And that isn’t the only benefit of a water softener – did you realize that a water softener can also save you major costs when it comes to your yearly laundry and detergent costs? Let’s look at how a water softener saves you soap and detergent costs while also making your water more drinkable and comfortable to bathe in.

Basic Detergent Statistics

You might be surprised at how much a water softener can reduce your home’s detergent use. According to the Water Quality Association, a water softener in the home can reduce detergent use by up to 50 percent – that’s right, half your detergent use can be eliminated just by installing a water softener to remove minerals that might soak up detergent.

Water Considerations

The temperature of water you use might also play a role here. The WQA found that washing clothes using roughly half your usual amount of detergent plus soft, cold water is just as effective at removing stains as a full dose of detergent in hard, hot water – or even more so, in some cases. You also save energy by using cold water, which doesn’t force you to stress your water heater during the wash.

Dishwasher Factors

When it comes to the dishwasher, similar trends abound. Research has shown that areas with hard water can find the same cleaning results by using half the amount of soap, along with water that’s been passed through a water softener in advance.

For more on how a water softener can benefit you, or to learn about any of our water filtration systems or services, speak to the pros at Kinetico today.

Learning About PFOA Contamination

drop of water

Among many contaminants possible in drinking water, one of the most common in the US and many other countries is PFOA, a nonstick chemical that was previously used to make Teflon. PFOA has been linked to cancer, immune system damage in children, and several other major health problems.

In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency Reported that a relatively small sample of public drinking water systems around the country were contaminated with PFOA. But a bit over a year later, this data has come into question. Let’s look at the updated data, plus how a water filtering system from Kinetico might help you.

Original Study

In the original study carried out by the EPA, it was reported that just 1 percent of public drinking water samples are contaminated with PFOA. But a year later, the same company that analyzed these samples now says that over 20 percent of the samples were likely to have been contaminated.

Re-Analysis

Why the change? Well, it’s all about thresholds for reporting PFOA pollution. The EPA required utilities to report this pollution only when detected above a minimum level – this level was 10 times higher than what most labs can detect, and far higher than what many scientists believe is an unsafe level of PFOA.

During a re-analysis, Eurofins Eaton Analytical took over 10,000 samples from between 2013 and 2015. They found that over one in five were contaminated with PFOA, though research was not done to determine exactly how many additional systems were contaminated.

No Safe Level?

In effect, this gives the EPA a convenient legal excuse to take no action. The Safe Drinking Water Act allows the agency to decide whether to set a legal limit for contamination based on its spread. Nationwide levels of PFOA continue to exceed what the best independent sources have said is a safe level (1 part per trillion).

In fact, scientists in New Jersey and Germany say there might actually be no safe level of drinking water exposure to PFOA, as well as similar chemicals called PFCs or PFASs. But there are still no EPA limits for these, only advisory levels. Even replacement chemicals, meant to come in place of PFOA, were not tested fully and may be contaminated drinking water as well.

Because of this and the uncertainty surrounding drinking water, it’s prudent to install additional water filtration solutions to prevent this kind of contamination. Speak to the pros at Kinetico to learn about how a home water system can protect you from PFOA and other dangerous chemicals.

Health Benefits of Drinking Water

drinking water in a glass

Drinking water is one of the foundations of human life, but it’s also far more than that. Beyond just providing the basis for continued life, water is a big factor in several specific health areas.

At Kinetico, our home water treatment systems are here to help ensure that you and your family are never without clean drinking water. What are some of the health areas that a proper water filter system can help benefit? There are several, in fact. Here are a few to know about.

Toxins and Acne

Drinking regular water throughout the day helps the body to flush harmful toxins that build up over time. This is particularly beneficial for those who deal with acne, which is due in large part to these toxins – drinking more water will directly influence your skin’s appearance.

In addition, cold water on the face can specifically help limit the redness and visual signs that generally come with acne. First wash your face with warm water to help open up clogged pores, then finish up by putting a cold washcloth or another source of cold water over your skin to seal them and limit clogging issues.

Hair Growth

Hair growth in the body is controlled by the circulatory system, which stimulates follicles to grow. Water is a trigger for this circulatory system, meaning drinking the proper amounts of water can impact your hair growth directly.

Skin Health

Water plays a big role in hydrating the skin as well, and helps fill it in and plump it up. This can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make the skin appear younger and healthier.

Healthier Nails

Like the hair we mentioned above, nail growth in the body is simulated by the circulatory system. More water means more blood to the nails, leading to stronger and healthier nail growth.

For more on the benefits of drinking water, or to learn about any of our filtration services, speak to the pros at Kinetico today.

Cooling Spring Drink Recipes

drinking water

The air is quickly warming up around the country, and we’re not far at all from the dead of summer. That means that staying hydrated is more important than ever, especially if you live in a particularly hot area.

At Kinetico, our water filtration systems enable you and your family to always have a steady supply of clean, filtered drinking water during this important season. For some people, taking a simple liquid and putting a small twist on it can help them remember to drink enough water even when there’s lots going on – with that in mind, here are a couple basic spring or summer drinks we can suggest.

Citrus and Cucumber Water

For many people, adding a basic infusion of citrus and cucumber to water is a fun little spin that keeps them actively drinking. The ingredients you’ll need:

  • Half a gallon of water from a high-quality Kinetico filter
  • One large lemon
  • One large lime
  • One large orange
  • One large cucumber
  • One large pitcher to hold everything

To start with, slice up each of the fruits and veggies into smaller pieces and slide them all into the pitcher. Add your filtered water, then simply give the solution at least a couple hours to sit and infuse together. If you choose to, you can garnish the drink with an orange or a lemon slice to top things off.

Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca

Looking for something a bit more involved? Here are the ingredients you need for a tasty watermelon and mint agua fresca drink that will serve up to eight people:

  • Four cups of watermelon (about three pounds worth)
  • 24 mint leaves cut down the middle
  • Half a cup of purified water
  • Eight tablespoons of fine sugar
  • Four thin lime slices
  • A muddler

For this drink, you first cube and seed four cups of watermelon, then puree your water and watermelon. From here, you’ll make each glass individually – place six mint leaf halves, a tablespoon of sugar and a single lime piece (cut into half-moons, then halved once again) into each glass, then muddle all these together. Add ice to each glass, then pour the watermelon solution in. Stir the drink up, and serve them up.

For more on tasty spring or summer beverages, or to learn about any of our water filters and how they can help, contact the pros at Kinetico today.

The Process of Water Finding Your Home

water ripple

At Kinetico, we’re proud to provide water filtration systems that provide you and your family with clean, healthy water. You don’t want to have to think about the quality of your water every time you get in the shower or grab a glass to drink, and our water filter systems will stop you from ever having to do so.

As professionals in this field, we have a great appreciation for every step of the process of water moving from natural sources to, eventually, your home. Let’s look at the basics of how this process takes place, including some of the most common sources of water.

Sources of Water

In general, there are two possible sources for your drinking water: Wells or a public water supply. The former are generally sources for people who live in rural areas, while the latter are usually used by those who live in or close to cities and larger metropolitan areas.

If you live near a large body of water, it’s likely the supply originates from there. People who use a public supply will be charged a monthly bill for the amount of water used in the home.

Process of Water Entering Your Home

Well water, also called ground water, requires drilling to access. On the flip side, surface water will be found from sources above the ground like lakes, rivers and streams.

In either case, water is collected using pipes to siphon it to a desired location. From here, it’s treated through a water filtration process that helps remove any chemicals or buildups that are unwanted. It’s then sent to either water tanks or an underground reservoir to be stored. From these locations, it can be pumped through pipes or mains that connect directly to your home water supply. When it’s already been used, waste is sent to a wastewater treatment plant for filtration and recycling.

For more on the process of water reaching your home, or to learn about our water filtration systems, speak to the pros at Kinetico today.

Winter Weather and Water Facts, Part 1

water poured into glass

At Kinetico, water is our business. With products like our water filter system or water softener, you and your family can be content knowing you have clean, healthy water in all the areas you need it.

The winter is a particularly interesting time when it comes to water all around the world. In part one of our two-part blog series, let’s look at a few interesting winter weather trends, many of which relate to the very water you drink and interact with daily.

Snow in Unexpected Places

Most people expect snow to fall in northern areas of the world, but snow has been seen virtually everywhere on earth – including the Sahara Desert, even. Even the driest location on earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile, got over 30 inches of snow back in 2011 due to a strange cold front in from Antarctica.

Air Moisture and Snow

While rainfall is made up almost exclusively of water, snow – especially the fluffy kind – contains plenty of air, and this makes it bulkier. This means that not much moisture in the air is required to create snowfall, and a little air might lead to more snowfall than you’d expect.

Snow Fall Rates

For snowflakes with broad structures, snow generally falls at rates between one and six feet per second. Snow that falls in pellet form comes much faster.

Snowflake Sizes

An average snowflake will have a wide range of potential sizes: From just smaller than a penny to the width of a human hair. They can also grow much larger, though, with extreme cases being reported throughout history that reach up to 15 inches wide.

Thunderstorm Sounds

Most people associate thunder with rainfall only, but it can also be present during snow. This is called thundersnow, a rare winter occurrence that often happens close to lakes. Lightning can be tougher to see, though, and the snow can often limit the thunder sound.

Earth and Sun

The earth is closest to the sun during winter, though this distance has no effect on temperature drops in the winter – this relates to the direction of the earth’s axis, in reality.

Dropping Temperatures

During the winter periods, especially in the coldest months like January, temperatures can plummet in a hurry. In 1911, Rapid City, South Dakota began at 55 degrees Fahrenheit – only to drop all the way to 8 degrees in just 15 minutes, the quickest recorded cold drop in history.

For more on winter weather and how that affects your water, or to learn about our water filter offerings, speak to the pros at Kinetico today.