Water: The Essential Life Force

It's a common fact that water is an absolute necessity for regulating and maintaining our bodies and their countless functions. Despite the obvious statement that water is essential to our wellbeing, how many of us can actually explain why?

Our bodies, in all of their glorious mysteries, fascinating triumphs, and even shortcomings, provide us with essential clues and the feedback necessary to keep us functioning from day to day. It's our job to navigate our body's roadmap to wellness, and with a few helpful facts and important reminders, we will have you well on your way to a happy, healthy body.

Even as you are reading this, your body is hard at work performing the daily miracles that keep you alive and functioning. Your body is comprised of roughly 60% water, which is essential to many different functions. From maintaining cell life, transporting vital nutrients, enabling and sustaining chemical and metabolic reactions, regulating body temperature, and eliminating harmful toxins, you simply would not be able to function without the help of handy H20. Water is also responsible for protecting and cushioning your organs and spinal cord and powering your brain- basically, water is the driving force of health and vitality.

Water is responsible for powering the blood that circulates oxygen, minerals, vitamins, glucose and other nutrients to every part of your body. It also enables the biochemical breakdown of the food that you eat and clears away the cells rejected waste products through digestion and elimination. Powering every cell through the balance of fluid and electrolytes, there is no cell or bodily function that does not heavily rely on water.

Though the average adult loses more than 80 ounces of water each day through breathing, sweating, and waste elimination, the same person takes in less than 32 ounces of water a day. This is a startling fact, particularly when applied to brain function. The human brain is comprised of approximately 85% water, the life force that provides the brain with the electrical energy to carry out all functions (which explains why you can get a headache when you are dehydrated). From the production of neurotransmitters and hormones to thought and memory processes, brain cells require two times more energy than any other cells in the body, with nerve transmission accounting for half of all the brain's energy.

Maintaining your body's water levels is a necessity. From maintaining the tiniest of molecules and intricate brain functions to powering  the processes your  body completes each moment, drinking water is essential to your health. Factors such as climate, activity level, illness, and pregnancy can change necessary daily intake, but the average adult male should consume around 13 cups of water daily while the average woman's consumption should be about 9 cups to maintain an optimal fluid level.

Equipped with a few essential facts and armed with the awareness of your body's water needs, you're now well on your way to a happier, healthier body. Now go fill up that water bottle!

5 Reasons to Drink Tap Instead of Bottled Water

Agua, wasser, eau, water- It doesn’t matter where you come from or which language you speak, we all know that our bodies need water! We grow up being told the “8x8 rule”- drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day- to properly hydrate our bodies. The dilemma is, have you ever really thought much about the water you’re drinking?

It may sound silly at first and you're probably thinking “Water is WATER- no calories, no fat, no sodium…” but would you believe that there is a big difference economically, nutritionally, and environmentally between tap and bottled water? Here are 5 reasons why you should switch to tap water:

Grab the Microscope
With the FDA regularly testing, you can always be sure that you water is clean of E. coli and bacteria. Bottled water companies do not have to follow these protocols, so you better keep a microscope nearby if you choose to drink bottled.

Another Money Saver
Eating at home, using coupons, and turning lights off are all effective ways to save money, but did you know you could save over $250 a year by eliminating bottled water use? Check out the Bottled Water Cost Calculator and see how much money you could save by switching to tap.

No Bottle, No Problem
Drinking tap water is much more convenient than bottled. Instead of having to first purchase from a store, haul into your home, and then unpack your water into the fridge, all you have to do is grab a glass, turn on a faucet, and voila… water!

Local Support
Increasing your tap water intake will slightly bring up your water bill (still MUCH less than buying bottled), but paying your local water bill helps support the economic circulation in your area, not a giant bottling corporation.

Know What You Are Drinking
With tap, you understand exactly what you are getting in your glass. Bottled water companies do not have to disclose where the water comes from, how it is purified, or what chemicals exist on the bottle. Without these factors, how can customers be sure of what they are putting into their bodies?

In 2009, a large city in Australia became the first city in the World to completely ban the use of bottled water. Now, many other large cities like San Francisco and Chicago are implementing their own rules against bottled water as well. The trend of #DrinkTap is growing globally. The positives of drinking tap water continue to outweigh the negatives… Will you make the switch?

Avoiding Dehydration In Summer Months

The summer months are a time to get outside and get active; sports, festivals, afternoons at the beach- you name it. During these outings, we need to remember to stay hydrated.  Water is the most important, and often times the most forgotten nutrient during the hot summer months. Make sure to stay hydrated in the summer heat this year with some of these helpful tips.

Drink, Drink, Drink

If you are planning to be outside for long periods of time, it is important to drink water before, during and after any activity. Also, if you’re planning to be outside and doing physical activity for more than an hour in the heat, make sure to grab a sports drink that contains electrolytes to consume during or after your workout. This will replenish your body and keep you hydrated and cool.

Avoid Alcohol

If you know in advance that you are going to be out in the heat, make sure to avoid alcohol the night before your outing. Being in the heat for long periods of time while consuming alcohol actually causes you to lose more of your body's fluid.  However, if you do plan to consume alcohol outdoors, try to give yourself plenty of time in the shade so you can avoid being overly dehydrated and overheated. For every alcoholic beverage you consume, have a non-alcoholic one to follow.

Eat the right foods

Fruits and veggies contain tons of water that can keep you hydrated. Things such as berries, watermelon, grapes and carrots are great to eat throughout the day to keep you hydrated.  These food items are also great for grilling, picnics or any outdoor get-togethers.

Avoid energy drinks

Some people think that energy drinks are a great way to stay hydrated because of the energy and fruit juice they contain, however this is completely wrong.  When you are in the summer heat, do your best to avoid these sugary drinks, as they can actually be counterproductive to hydration. Instead try a fruit infused water to keep you refreshed, while also making your taste buds happy!

Staying hydrated during the summer is something many people forget to do.With all the   Although it is one of the most important things to do to keep our bodies hydrated and healthy.  Make sure to avoid dehydration and heat-related illness by following these helpful tips and keeping yourself hydrated whenever necessary.   

Caffeine Awareness: Why you should be drinking more water

Every March, the United States celebrates Caffeine Awareness Month - 31 days devoted to learning about the addictive nature of caffeine. And though the month of March is over, the repercussions of excessive caffeine use is still a topic of conversation for coffee addicts and soda fanatics alike.

Water, of course, goes hand-in-hand with caffeine consumption. According to the Centers for Disease and Control, 43% of adults admitted to drinking no more than three cups of water a day - at least five cups of water less than what is considered the average necessary for healthy living. In comparison, The FDA recently reported that more than 97 percent of teenagers and adults drink caffeinated beverages.

While some caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks, contain water, their effects on the body are not as healthy as one might hope. The International Journal of Obesity has reported that drinking sugary beverages laced with caffeine have greatly contributed to the obesity epidemic of the western world. Coffee and tea have the potential to stain teeth, while energy drinks and sodas erode tooth enamel, which causes tooth decay. Heart health is also a factor, as well: The American Psychosomatic Society has found that caffeine has a tendency of raising most people’s blood pressure.

So is all caffeine bad? No, says the Washington Post. Research has shown that higher caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, as well as a 20% decrease in the likelihood of developing depression. But none of these benefits outweigh the positives of proper water consumption.

Don’t believe us? We’ve put together a list of six reasons to drink more water, with the help of WebMD and Greatist.

1: Water helps maintain the balance of body fluids.

The human body consists of nearly 60% water. When you ingest water, your brain recognizes it, and will either alert you to excrete it or hold onto it for later.

2: Water can help you with weight loss.

Generally speaking, replacing your habitual lunch soda with water can help conquer your weight-loss goals. Water is a non-caloric beverage, meaning it has no excess calories, and as it regulates your body, it can help control your weight. Plus, studies have shown that people who drink water before a meal lose weight faster than those who don’t.

3: Water energizes your muscles.

Muscle fatigue is an issue that can plague many people, especially athletes who become dehydrated while exercising. Cells that are not fluidly balanced have trouble working as hard as they need to, making it strenuous and sometimes even painful to finish a workout.

4: Water keeps your skin looking youthful.

Dehydration has a tendency of making skin look dry and wrinkled, causing you to look older or less fit than you may actually be. If you are properly hydrated, your skin looks much more evenly toned.

5: Water helps your kidneys.

A body with a well-balanced fluid intake has little to no difficulty transporting waste products in and out of cells correctly. But if your kidneys, which cleanse and rid the body of toxins, aren’t properly hydrated, these toxins can well up in your bloodstream.

6: Water keeps you alert.

Water, a refreshing and mood-boosting option, keeps you focused. Dehydration, including dehydration from coffee consumption, has a tendency of impairing attention span, memory, and motor skills.

So there you have it! Kick the caffeinated habit a little bit and indulge in more water. For more fun water facts, follow us on Twitter, and tweet at us with why you love drinking water.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Can you believe winter is here already? Whether or not we’re ready for the bitter cold and mounds of snow, the next season has arrived with a bang! Besides breaking out your winter jacket, snow shovel and ice scraper, there is one way you need to prepare your home.

If not properly winterized, pipes in the winter can be very damaging to your home and property. Minnesota homes are typically built with water pipes located on the inside of the building insulation, which protects the pipes from freezing weather. However, when weather becomes extremely cold or there are holes in the building that allow a flow of cold air to come into contact with pipes, it can lead to freezing – which may lead to busted pipes. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are the most vulnerable to freezing.

 

 

The first thing you should always remember to do is to wrap any pipes located in exposed or unheated areas to prevent them from freezing. Ask an associate at a local hardware store for the best materials to use.

Another way to prepare your home and protect your pipes is to seal off any openings. Be sure to cover up any doors, open cracks and air vents not used during the winter months. You can also install an electric fan on the furnace and direct it to blow hot air onto exposed basement water pipes.

Finally, always be mindful of your home’s temperature. This is especially important if you leave for a vacation. Turning thermostat down may save on a heating bill but be sure to leave it a reasonable temperature. We recommend no lower than 55 degrees.

 

If you suspect that you may have a frozen pipe, don’t take any chances- call a plumber immediately. If a water pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and leave all faucets open. We highly recommend you do not try and fix this issue yourself for it may only cause more problems in the end.

Do you have any other winter tips for keeping your pipes in tip-top shape? Comment and share them below!

March Review: Tips to Save Water All Year Long

March was a busy time for the water industry. The Clean Water Act turned 40-years-old, the U.S. EPA hunted down loose faucets and leaks for a week, and March 22nd was World Water Day.

The Safe Drinking Water Act, established in 1974, helped to establish a set of national standards and regulations for all public water suppliers. The federal government provided leadership and funding to help states nationwide to help meet these standards. These nationwide standards help regulate states by meeting federal standards. Minnesota has always had strict water standards even before the federal mandate was issued. This act ensures safety procedures carried out by water suppliers and water treatment facilities. The water has been tested, it is safe to drink, and it has met the standards of the SWDA. 

Walter Mondale, who was U.S. Vice President when the act was passed, said, “Safe drinking water is almost the first requirement of a prosperous community.”

More than 97% of Minnesota water supplies meet all Safe Water Drinking Act standards.

The U.S. EPA, partnering with Water Sense, chased household water-wasters down for a week to reduce annual household waste in its “Fix a Leak Week”. The focus was to reduce household leaks that annually contribute to over one trillion gallons of water wasted nationwide. By fixing or repairing simple maintenances, for instance, a dripping faucet, a running toilet and other leaky valves, it will reduce the cost of water consumption while promoting sustainability.

Tips to Help Save Water Year-round 
· Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.
· Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
· Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 15 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
· Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.

The UN System raised awareness of the inter-dependency between water and energy on March 22, titled World Water Day. This awareness event reached over 700 million worldwide, highlighting the importance and necessity of clean sources of drinking water in areas that need it most. 

Without water, there would be no life. That is why it is essential for our industry to keep growing, thriving from new innovations, to provide a healthy and dependable resource to those who matter most: you.

Cheers!