Tips for Staying Hydrated in the Summer with High Quality Water
As summer heats up and the days get longer, we have lots more time for baseball games, fun at the beach, and road trip adventures, camping, and hiking.
But also keep in mind that sunny days and high humidity can cause you to lose your body’s hydration more quickly as you sweat. Also, depending on the climate you live in, additional water intake might be a necessity.
Some experts suggest that we should concentrate on plentiful water-rich foods during the summer months, like watermelon, strawberries, salads with plentiful greens, and cucumbers.
But undoubtedly, the best way to stay hydrated in the summer months is to drink plenty of fresh water. The average human being should drink roughly an ounce of water for every pound that they weigh.
In today’s world of chemical pollution and environmental hazards, that is often easier said than done. Just like everything else we consume, we have to make sure that the water we put into our bodies is clean and pure of harmful toxins. This is where water filtration systems come into play.
Dating as far back as 2000 B.C., ancient Greek and Sanskrit writers suggested that all people needed treat their water…somehow. It seems at this point in time that people knew heating water would work, but they also explored options using sand and gravel filtration and straining.
Then, it was more for taste than anything because there wasn’t a lot of scientific research on contaminants and germs.
Just 500 years later, the need to purify water was such common knowledge that artwork depicting other ancient purification methods could be found on the walls of the tombs of Egyptian rulers like Ramses.
Obviously, our human ancestors realized the importance of clean, great-tasting drinking water, later on even discovering that water filtration systems could prevent the spread of germs and plague.
Today, we’d be wise to follow in their footsteps. With so much discussion of the dangers of contaminated water making headlines around the world, people are looking for updated, safe, and affordable ways to provide clean water in their homes and on-the-go.
AFFORDABLE, EASY WATER TREATMENT SOLUTIONS
Water Filter Pitchers
Purchasing a water filter pitcher for your home is a great option for having clean water available at all times. Research has shown that the best filtered water pitcher will focus on contamination removal. Potential contaminants might include chemicals like fluoride, lead, chloramines, and chlorine.
Now, you probably are thinking that lead, fluoride, and chlorine sound familiar, calling to mind images of outdated paint, trips to the dentist’s office, and the scent of neighborhood pools. But what are chloramines and why are they something that needs removing? Well, chemical contaminants themselves are defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as “elements or compounds” that can be naturally-occurring or manmade.
Chloramines are added to drinking water to kill germs that can be harmful for human consumption. And, while the type of chloramines added to water is supposed to be safe in small amounts, the Center for Disease Control even says that exposure to this chemical can cause skin, eye, and respiratory problems.
Does that sound like something you want to risk in your drinking water? Probably not. A quality water filter pitcher is an affordable option for your home and will get rid of these toxins while sitting in your refrigerator or on your counter top. And while the system is filtering out the bad stuff, it’s still keeping in essential minerals like magnesium and calcium. The best part? The highest-rated pitchers sell for under $100!
Water Coolers
If you have a little extra counter space or room in your kitchen, a water cooler, typically found in the average American workplace, is a great investment into clean drinking water for you and your family at home, too.
While water pitchers are affordable and fit neatly next to your carton of eggs, one downside is that the process of filtering the water can take some time. If you don’t have time to lose, think of the convenience of a dispenser that immediately gives you a cool glass of clean water, all the while offering the option of boiling water for hot tea or hot chocolate.
Reviews of the best water coolers state that the best models self-clean internally and are made of hardy, long-wearing stainless steel. Warning lights alert you to when the water jug component will need replacing so you can plan for it, and child safety locks make it a great addition to homes with small children.
Aside from the convenience of either hot or cold water available at your fingertips without a wait, many grocery stores and large chains offer reusable bottles and refilling stations for a minimal fee. This can save you money and the hassles of trying to schedule time for a water company to come to your house for refills.
This is the very popular bottom loading water dispenser by Primo Water
Under Sink Water Filters
If you’re like many Americans and your kitchen is already filled to the brim with gadgets, processors, and countertop accessories, you might not have room in your house for a full water cooler. Besides, you know yourself.
Are you ready to make the commitment of scheduling trips to the grocery store for refills? Will one more thing in the kitchen make you feel claustrophobic? For those who want clean, filtered water in a small living space, you might consider buying an under-sink water filter.
It’s actually a really simple solution. Your initial purchase includes everything you need for a fast and easy set-up. After that, the filters need to be replaced every 6-12 months…and that’s it!
You can drink water right from your kitchen tap with the peace of mind that it’s safe and clean. The best under sink water filters will purify water up to 99.9%, retain helpful minerals, and cost around $200.
Whole House Water Treatment Systems
Whole House Water Filter
Maybe the home rejuvenation you’re working on just in time for summer includes the budget for a whole house water filter. This actually can be the most convenient of all as, after its installation, every water faucet in the entire house will run pure, toxin-free water. And while the initial expense might seem daunting, in the long run it can save you thousands.
And cleaner water doesn’t just keep a human’s internal works running efficiently; you might be surprised to learn that filtered water can make appliances like your washing machine and water heater run more efficiently and therefore last longer. The national average on the cost for replacing a water heater worn out by years of unfiltered water is over $1,000 alone!
The best whole house water filters purify more than 20 gallons of water an hour. Better yet, filters can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years, depending on the model. The savings don’t stop there. The initial cost of a whole house water filter can run anywhere from $230 to $400 dollars.
But consider the opposite: installing individual filters under the sink of every faucet at $50 to $150 each, not to not to mention the cost of replacing filters on each one a couple of times a year.
Reverse Osmosis Filter System
A high-end reverse osmosis home water system can be another great option for investing in your home AND in the quality of life for your family, both now and down the road when exposure to chemicals could start to affect one’s health. The systems themselves clean the water using a pump-driven, high-pressure method that is designed to purify waste water, salt water, and perhaps most importantly, your tap water.
These devices are so effective that some have even proposed adding them to public drinking fountains to further protect the population from chemical exposure. Many models come with cleanable water filters, further saving you pennies as opposed to replacing filters.
Many of the best reverse osmosis filter systems are designed with do-it-yourself-installation so you can take your family’s future into your own two hands. While there are many options available, it’s very important to read reviews of the best reverse osmosis filter systems so you can fully understand the capabilities of the system you are interested in purchasing.
Tankless Water Heaters
If saving money from month to month is an appealing option, you might want to consider installing a tankless water heater.
Tankless water heater reviews indicate that the best models boast a 96% efficiency factor. And adding to the convenience of going this route, some units even offer Wi-Fi technology so homeowners can monitor water heater settings over your in-home network.
While tanks can run upwards of $1,500, some models also offer a warranty to give you peace of mind against unexpected repairs that might pop up. Speaking of saving money, some reports indicate that tankless water heaters can offer consumers 24% to 34% in energy savings.
Water Softeners
If you’ve ever experienced showering in soft water, you’ve definitely noticed the difference between it and hard water. Hard water simply means that calcium and magnesium are present enough to have a field day with your boiler plates, causing rapidly deterioration from overheating. Water softeners add in ammonia, borax and sodium carbonate, among other minerals to prevent this.
Aside from the mounting damage your boiler is receiving every day, hard water can causing itchy skin and gunky build-up on your hair. Water softeners add a feeling of luxury to your bathing experience as water feels silky, bath gels feel more bubbly, and you feel like you just returned from a day at the spa. In addition, soft water leaves less soap residue behind on the clothes in your washing machine, and the dishes coming out of the dishwasher feel cleaner to the touch.
The best water softener reviews often feature permanent stainless steel filters and rust-resistant casing. Many new models also offer multi-year warranties. Some softeners even promise high-performance filtration for 1 million gallons of water or for ten years!
Portable Water on the Go
North Americans find themselves increasingly on-the-go, and keeping your family safe as they traverse the big, wide world has never been more important. You worry about them constantly, breathing in polluted air, eating food that may be laced with pesticides, or coming in contact with cancer-causing chemicals from drinking water at restaurants, schools, and parks.
A recent study by Harvard researchers discovered that industrial and commercial products like food wrappers, pots and pans, and even clothing have been allowed to contain toxins called PFAS, or “polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances” over the years. If those names sound worrisome, your instincts are correct: PFASs have been linked to cancer, hormone issues, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Even more alarming? Studies have shown that drinking water is one of the main ways we are exposed to these chemicals!
Portable Filtered Water Bottles
For those who want peace of mind for your family while they are away from the safety and security of home, portable filtered water bottles are the answer. The concept is as simple as it sounds: the water filter fits right inside the bottle, filtering every sip you take.
The best filtered water bottles fit in most vehicle cup holders and are dishwasher safe for your convenience. Some options can be refilled up to 640 times, which is around 100 gallons!
Hydration at the gym, during the school day, or while on the road is important. In a world where reports about bottled water are increasingly alarming, imagine sending your family out the door knowing the water they’re consuming is clean and safe.
Speaking of bottled water, some experts claim that the additives found in the bottles of water you purchase are no big deal, even going as far as to claim the add-ins can be good for you! Whether or not that’s true (and many other experts agree that it’s not), you can just imagine the toxins affecting the water that leak in from the bottle itself.
An easy and cost-effective solution is a reusable water bottle. But buyer beware – there are definite differences between cheap options and a slightly more-expensive, higher-quality model. The key is the materials they are made of. The best reusable water bottles are BPA free, which protects you and your family from potential chemicals from the plastic seeping into your drinking water.
Smaller options (14 ounces, for example) can cost under $30 for a two-pack, and they come in a variety of colors with convenience features like a carry loop and protective spout. Larger bottles are available at 32 ounces and beyond for around $20 to $30.
Some companies who produce these reusable bottles even go the extra mile by donating a percentage of sales to environmental causes. It doesn’t get much better than safe water and a feeling of your hard-earned money helping out the environment.
Glass Water Bottles
Perhaps the best option (and one many naturopaths and holistic disciples embrace) is to skip the plastic altogether and purchase a reusable glass bottle. There are thousands of options available but savvy consumers will do a little research to find out which is the best glass water bottle for their money.
For example, don’t be fooled by a simple label. Not all glass used for these bottles is the same. Different types of glass have upsides and downsides, and it’s important to know what you’re getting. The best glass water bottles are lead free, PVC free, and BPA free and are designed to not break down with repeated cleanings or after being left in the sun.
Definitely look for glass water bottles that offer leak-proof spouts, too. Nothing is worse than anticipating a nice, cool drink of water and ending up with it down the front of your shirt instead!
Insulated Water Bottles
As summer gets underway, you and your family are spending more and more time away from home and are out enjoying adventures on the open road or at the beach. As discussed earlier, wherever you are, as temperatures and humidity levels rise, it’s especially important to stay hydrated.
And while summer sun (and a certain level of exhaustion that goes with it) might have you reaching for caffeinated iced coffee or tea, keep in mind that cool water is always going to be the best option for keeping your body running smoothly.
Consider insulated water bottles to complement your on-the-go lifestyle. Imagine being at the beach for a few hours or so when you start to realize you’re getting thirsty. Everyone around you is grimacing as they swallow water that has become warm in the summer heat. You, on the other hand, reach for your insulated water bottle and enjoy a nice, long, refreshing sip.
The best insulated water bottles can hold up to 40 ounces and promise to keep your beverage cool for hours. Much like other reusable water bottles, they also offer leak-proof lids and fit easily into your vehicle’s cup holders.
From our ancient Greek human ancestors to the experts of today, everyone agrees that pure, refreshing water is the best way to stay healthy and happy. With a little research and planning, you and your family can enjoy clean water worry-free!
