Month: December 2020

Clean, freshwater is something we often take for granted because it is so readily available to us. But this isn’t the case in a lot of countries around the world. Everyone should have access to clean water wherever they live, which is why water charities are so important. Charities such as WaterAid and charity: water work in a variety of ways, with support from individuals and businesses, to supply developing countries with clean water and the infrastructure that supplies it.

These clean water techniques may also be used in emergency situations, such as after a natural disaster, in order to make water drinkable. Let’s look at some of the techniques and technologies used to create clean water.

Distillation

Distillation can be used to remove salt or contaminants from water to make it drinkable. This process involves heating water to evaporate it then collecting the condensation. The contaminants will be left behind and the liquid that’s collected in the form of condensation should be clean. This is an effective way of making seawater potable. This can be done manually on a small scale or in a plant on a much larger scale.

Reverse osmosis

Another similar method is reverse osmosis. This process sends the water through a partially permeable membrane. The contaminants will be too large to pass through this membrane, leaving only clean water, which can be collected after passing through the membrane. This process is usually achieved using high-pressure pumps to force the contaminated water through the membrane. Reverse osmosis is commonly used in desalination plants.

Building infrastructure

The above are solutions for turning groundwater or other forms of dirty water into clean, potable water. But water charities also aim to provide the infrastructure required for communities to continually access clean water, just like that old adage about teaching a man to fish. Here are some things a charity may construct in order to achieve this:

• Drilled or hand-dug wells

• Water pipe systems

• Water purification systems

• Gravity-fed systems

• Rainwater catchments

• Spring protections

The aim of these constructions is to make the community self-sufficient, so that they no longer have to rely on the charity for their supply of clean water.

There are a number of ways you can support a clean water charity. Even something small can help make a difference. Contact Mountain Park Spring Water to find out more about our spring water delivery service around North Carolina and Virginia.

If you’re trying to cut down on soda that’s high in sugar, but a regular glass of tap or mineral water doesn’t satisfy your thirst in the same way, then sparkling water could be a happy medium. You still get the fizz but without all the sugar. But sparkling water isn’t to everyone’s tastes.

You may notice that, even after it’s lost its fizz, sparkling water has a different taste to non-sparkling water. Even if you take an ordinary glass of tap water and use a machine to carbonate it yourself, it still has that taste. Read on to find out more about this mysterious flavor of sparkling water and whether or not it’s a healthy way to quench your thirst.

How is sparkling water made?

Sparkling water is made through a process called carbonation. This means that carbon dioxide gas is added to the water, or any liquid, under pressure. This can either happen naturally or can be performed manually. As mentioned earlier, you can even buy a soda machine that allows you to carbonate your own beverages at home.

The carbon dioxide reacts with the water and produces carbonic acid. This is why you’ll find that sparkling water or soda water has a slightly bitter taste. It’s the carbonic acid you are tasting. For some people, this slightly bitter taste is pleasant, while others find it unappetizing. Sparkling mineral water may also have a slightly different taste because of the presence of different minerals in the water.

Is sparkling water good for you?

So, does the carbon dioxide or carbonic acid have any negative effects on your health or is it a good alternative to soda and other sugary drinks? Evidence shows that the carbonic acid may have a slight effect on the health of your teeth, but this effect was only slightly worse than regular water and still a lot better for your teeth than sugary sodas.

It seems to be gentle on your stomach, too. The acid produced in carbonated water is much less acidic than the acid found in your stomach, so it is a mild enough acid for your body and organs to handle. The gas dissolved in the liquid may cause slight bloating, but this is the same for any kind of sparkling drink. This can even help you feel fuller if you are trying to control the amount of food you eat.

In total, if you like the taste and sensation of sparkling water, then it can be a good alternative when consumed in moderation, providing you with a drink that’s healthier than soda and has a little more taste than regular water.

If you always want to have fresh spring water around your home or office, then a bottled water delivery service from Mountain Park Spring Water is a great option. Get in touch to find out more about our delivery service and water dispensers to rent or buy.