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How Important Is Water For Your Baby?
It is well documented that water plays a critical role in the development and function of the human brain and body. We are made up of 60% water and fresh water is vital for helping us to: Regulate body temperature Build cells Transport proteins and carbohydrates via the bloodstream Lubricate joints Flush waste from your system Form saliva Act as a shock absorber for the spinal cord and brain Check out our water solutions now! Staying hydrated is so important to maintain a healthy mind and body for yourself, but what about during pregnancy? Growing a new person is a wonder of nature, but it can be extremely hard on the body! This means it is even more important to look after your physical health during this time, to guarantee the wellbeing of you and your baby. Making sure you drink enough water is paramount to this. Many women will often experience heightened levels of thirst during pregnancy, which is your body's way of telling you more fluids are needed to support your baby's development. Water and Your Baby During pregnancy, your body needs more water to: Produce more blood Promote your baby's circulation Create amniotic fluid Keeping yourself properly hydrated can also help to prevent other common side-effects of pregnancy, such as: Reduce pregnancy-related swelling Softening the skin Increasing your energy levels Keeping you cooler Decreasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) Decreasing the risk of pre-term labour and premature birth Decreasing the risk of constipation and haemarrhoids Some pregnant women have also found that, regularly sipping water throughout the day, can play a huge role in helping to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness (as well as replenishing the fluids lost through sickness) and the heartburn and indigestion often associated with the early stages of pregnancy. Can Water Protect Your Baby? Water can absolutely protect your baby! Dehydration during pregnancy can result in a number of complications and even, in extreme cases, cause birth defects due to the lack of water and nutritional support for your baby, but dehydration has also been known to affect the levels of amniotic fluid produced. This fluid is vital for: Protecting your baby from infection Protecting your baby's movements in the womb Preventing your baby's body from compressing the umbilical cord Helping to regulate your baby's temperature Helping to develop your baby's respiratory and digestive systems Drinking high-quality, fresh water, that is free from chemicals, bacteria, plastics, and other nasty particles, is the best way to maintain the health and hydration of you and your baby. Our range of prestige, ceramic water filters can provide you with great-tasting, safe water in your own home and will ensure that you are giving your baby the best possible start in life – before they even arrive! Doulton has been the home of fresh, great-tasting water for nearly 180 years. Our filters are tested and certified by independent laboratories to reduce bacteria, particulates, turbidity, cysts, chlorine, limescale and heavy metals including lead. All our water filter systems remove up to 99.9% of contaminants – a perfect solution for great tasting water for you and your family. Check out our water solutions now!
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Alleviate ADHD And Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
You'd be surprised at what water can do for you. It really is the elixir of life. In fact, life as we know it wouldn't exist at all without water. From the smallest bacteria, to the largest whales (and us in the middle somewhere), we all need water to not only survive – but thrive. Yes, it really can improve our quality of life. Drinking enough pristine, high-quality water ensures that our bodies function at their best. It can even help with seasonal allergies and chronic conditions such as ADHD. Do you suffer from allergies or ADHD? Read on to find out how drinking water can help. Check out our water solutions now! How Does Water Help With ADHD? Your mind feels foggy. The noises and distractions around you are difficult to block out. It can be so overwhelming that it’s tricky to get anything done. Focusing takes a herculean effort and remembering things is, frankly, just difficult. It can feel like a constant battle with your brain. Frustration is a familiar presence as you carry out your day-to-day tasks. Sound familiar? ADHD can be tough to manage. But the good news is that something as simple as drinking water can help alleviate symptoms. But how? Well, drinking water can relieve the feeling of brain fog as well as improve cognitive function, memory and the ability to focus, multitask and think clearly. One study on school children showed that proper hydration improved cognitive abilities and memory recall. That’s because water helps create neurotransmitters that facilitate these abilities. But it's important to stay hydrated with the highest-quality water. Snuff Out The Seasonal Sniffles With Water While the thought of blooming flowers and the coming of Spring brings many people joy, it might give you a feeling of dread if you suffer from seasonal allergies. The famous Game of Thrones quote “Winter is coming” might not sound as ominous to you as “Spring is coming”. A constantly runny nose; headaches; dry, itchy skin; watery eyes and incessant sneezing are just some of the “joys” that the season might bring you. But, luckily for you, water can help. Do you usually get blocked sinuses with your seasonal allergies? Drinking enough water thins the mucus in your sinuses which will give you relief. Water can also flush allergens out of your body. Your body creates histamines to fight off irritants in your body. Itchy eyes, a runny nose and the like, are just signs that your body is fighting off these nasty irritants. Histamine is linked to the water in your body. If your body is dehydrated, then it will create more histamine which will continue (or worsen) your allergic reactions to the season. Keeping properly hydrated ensures your body works at its best – and that includes an appropriate histamine response. Health-giving Water Alleviating these conditions isn’t the only health benefit that water can bring. Glowing skin, a healthy heart, and even a bit more happiness are just some of what’s in store for you when you drink more water. You know how precious your health is and you want to look after it, which is why you're here! Drinking enough crystal-clear water that’s filtered and free of contaminants is a great addition to your self-care routine. Want to find out more? Check out our website Check out our water solutions now!
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Do You Want Better Grades for Your Child?
The secret to better grades for your child is right under your nose. That’s right! We all know studying’s a struggle. It can be hard for your kids to focus and get motivated. They can feel exhausted just trying to read through one page of a cryptic text book. And that’s not the worst of it. The worst part is that we can beat ourselves up at the end of the day for not being able to help them as much as we’d hope to. What if it were possible to leave that all behind? Imagine being able to help your kids study with greater focus, clarity of thinking, more energy, improved memory, and better creativity. Wouldn’t that be nice? The solution lies in a fresh, pristine glass of water. Check out our water solutions now! The Dark Side of Tap Water We rely on tap water thinking that it’s perfectly safe to use. But that’s not necessarily the case. Some scientists are concerned about toxic chemicals in tap water. In some areas, it’s been discovered to have high levels of PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) which are linked to a variety of health issues. Tap water from old pipes can contain bits of rust and metals. Doesn’t the thought of your child consuming that make you shudder? Not to mention the bitter taste of some tap water. That’ll put your kids off drinking enough. But not staying hydrated is bad for their health and studies. Not drinking enough water can: Make their brain feel “foggy”. Make them feel tired and unmotivated. Negatively affect their memory. Make them stressed and less emotionally resilient. Make it hard for them to sleep. Weaken their immune system. Water and Better Grades Our brains are made up of 75% - 80% water. Water’s the essential fuel it needs for thinking and memory functions. Brain cells actually need twice as much energy than other cells in the body. When properly hydrated, our brain simply functions better. According to one study, students who drank water scored 5% higher in their exams. Keeping hydrated can lead to less anxiety and improves concentration, creativity and thinking ability – which equals better performance. It also enhances your child’s memory so they can recall all the information they need during an exam. Good-quality water gives them a boost in energy which is sorely needed for studying. But how can you ensure that your child stays properly hydrated? Having to drink poor-quality tap water doesn’t make it easy. Filtered water, on the other hand, is free of that nasty chemical taste and odour. Which means they’ll want to drink more of it. In order to get all the benefits of water, it needs to be properly filtered. Get in touch with us and we’ll make it easy for you with the highest quality, hand-made ceramic water filters. So your child can be their best self! [[product]] Check out our water solutions now!
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Go Off-Grid with Doulton
The Covid pandemic has, over the last 2 years, changed the way we do so many things; not least of which is its impact on the UK holiday industry. Insecurity around different countries’ travel requirements; mammoth airport queues and flight cancellations, as well as sky-rocketing costs are all putting paid to people’s holiday arrangements and more and more of us in the UK are looking closer to home to unwind on our Summer holidays. Check out our Gravity Filters now! It’s this change in our holiday habits, coupled with greater flexibility around our working locations and the rise of the “digital nomad”, that’s driving the recent trends towards camping or caravan trips. The UK Caravan and Motorhome Club has seen its membership numbers soaring over the last 2 years, and the National Caravan Council has stated that, by the end of 2021, sales of new touring caravans had grown by 23.5%, motorhomes and campervans had grown by 12% and holiday (static) caravans had grown by 38%, and, as more people search for cost-effective solutions to their vacation needs, there’s no sign of this slowing down. Our increased connectivity (as well as the fact that our own caravan or motorhome means our four-legged family members can join the adventure), means visiting the beautiful areas the UK has to offer is easily achieved, but the real draw to a home-grown motorhome or caravan trip is the ability to go off-grid; exploring the wilderness without the constraints of modern technology – no work, no phones, no Netflix! If the off-grid lifestyle is your goal (whether for a few days on holiday or longer), having access to safe, fresh filtered water is vital. A gravity fed water filter system is a reliable and portable solution providing clean, filtered drinking water on tap - wherever you are - with no need for a plumber or electricity and it can even be used in areas where there is no pressurised water supply. Our British Berkefeld Gravity System is available in 6L, 8.5L and 12L sizes and features our ceramic filter candles for the reduction of common contaminants and chlorine. The gravity fed water system is comprised of two stainless steel containers. The upper chamber is filled with the untreated water, which is then filtered down by gravity, through a number of ceramic water filters, into the lower chamber. The British Berkefeld Gravity Water Filter System is our best-selling solution for delivering delicious, filtered drinking water whilst travelling. They are relied upon all over the world to provide clean, fresh water in locations with unreliable supplies of safe drinking water. They will provide you with the peace of mind that you can access safe, filtered drinking water wherever you go. Wherever you find yourself this summer, whether it’s the wilds of the Highlands; the hills and valleys of the Brecon Beacons or the beautiful beaches and coastline of Cornwall, then take the British Berkefeld Gravity Water Filter System with you for great-tasting filtered water for you and your family. Check out our Gravity Filters now!
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Stay Hydrated This Summer
As the temperature goes up this summer, ensuring you stay hydrated is as important as ever. We’re facing a recording-breaking heatwave, with weather warnings being issued by the Met Office. But what are the effects of an increase in temperature on the body? Check out our water solutions now! The importance of hydration Many of the everyday functions and processes of our bodies rely on water. From active brain function to the transportation of blood and nutrients around the body (BDA) – water is paramount to them all. On average, we should be drinking between 6 – 8 glasses of water per day, to maintain optimal hydration levels. When the temperature outside goes up, the body has to work that much harder in order to maintain its core temperature of around 37.5 degrees Celsius. In an effort to stop the core temperature going up, the body produces sweat which, as it evaporates, increases the heat lost from the body. In order to produce the sweat required, moisture levels in the body are depleted. Excessive sweating can lead to a critical loss of fluids and salt. This imbalance of the body’s fluid and salt levels can cause dehydration and even, in extreme circumstances, heat exhaustion. The common symptoms of dehydration to look out for are: Headaches Dizziness Fatigue or sleepiness Dry mouth Little to no urine, or urine that is darker than usual More serious symptoms of dehydration can include: A weak or rapid pulse Confusion Lasting dizziness It’s important to remember that anyone can be affected by dehydration and heat exhaustion, but some people are even more susceptible to dehydration that can lead to serious harm, such as the elderly, very young children and people with certain illnesses and disabilities. How to stay hydrated Plain water is the best way to maintain your body’s levels of hydration. If caught early enough, dehydration can be treated by drinking adequate levels of water. If you struggle with drinking water or drinking enough water, the following tips can help (Family Doctor): Carry a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day that can be refilled wherever you go Drink water before, during and after any workout Setting a schedule throughout the day can help if you struggle to remember to drink water. Set an alarm for when you wake up, all mealtimes and when you go to bed, or even a once hourly reminder when it is hot outside Add a slice of lemon or lime, or other fresh fruit, to your water for a refreshing flavour Some ways you can avoid dehydration are: Avoid exercising during the warmest part of the day Stay out of the sun between 11am – 3pm, when the sun is at its peak Keep to the shade where possible, wear a wide-brimmed hat and use plenty of high-factor sun block Avoid drinking too much alcohol Check up on those who may be more susceptible to dehydration, such as the elderly and disabled and keep small children and pets out of the sun as well Enjoy the warm weather and ensure you and your family stay hydrated with Doulton this summer. Hydrate This Summer With Great Tasting Water with Doulton. Whilst hydration is very important, so is great tasting water. Doulton Water Filters is the home of healthy, great-tasting water for almost 200 years. Tested and certified by independent laboratories to reduce bacteria, particulates, turbidity, cysts, chlorine, limescale and heavy metals including lead. Benefits of filtered water: Reduce plastic waste Great taste Removes contaminants and microplastics Keeps healthy minerals If you drink a lot of bottled water, having a water filter system can also be very cost effective. Doulton offer a number of solutions for in your home or on the go. Our countertop systems fit onto your existing kitchen tap and sit next to your sink, ideal for if you live a rented property or do not want help from a professional. The under the sink systems are also easily fitted, they are fitted under your sink out of sight, they are easily, may require a plumber or a handyman and more of a permanent solution. On the go a lot? Our Gravity systems are perfect for in your kitchen or take with you on your travels camping or at the caravan. Made out of stylish stainless steel these can sit on the counter-top at home, or be packed up to take with you on your travels. All of our water filter systems remove 99.9% of contaminants – a perfect solution for great tasting water. Check out our water solutions now!
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Cryptosporidium, the parasite in armour
We are very lucky in the UK to have the positive legacy of our Victorian forebears in many ways, from architecture to our rail network and of course our water treatment and sanitation. It was our Victorian ancestors who, after realising the number of diseases (including several serious and life-threatening diseases) that are spread through drinking dirty water, undertook the monumental challenge of building our current sewerage and sanitation systems. Check out our water solutions now! As part of our sanitation processes, chlorine is added to tap water. The chlorine has some unpleasant effects when we drink it but is still added to water as it also has several benefits. Chlorine is added to water because it kills germs. There is chlorine added to almost all the water we interact with outside of the natural world. Swimming pools and hot tubs have so much chlorine added to stop germs multiplying, the smell of the chemical is quite strong and might irritate sensitive skin and eyes, which is why some people must wear goggles to swim and why we usually wash swimming pool water off in a shower straight after bathing. The chlorine in our tap water is the same stuff as added to swimming pools, but in a lower concentration; and it has a couple of key benefits related to its bacterial-killing abilities. The benefits of chlorine in tap water are that it kills any stray germs remaining after the water is treated, and it also stops bacterial contamination from pipework as treated water travels from the treatment centre to our homes. However, there are many water contaminants that chlorine has no effect upon. Chlorine won’t remove rust or sediment from water that travels through old or leaking pipes (when pipes leak, there is not only the worry that water will escape, but also that pathogens and pollution can enter the pipe). It also has zero effect on any heavy metals present (again this could be as a result of water travelling through older lead pipes, a not-so-great Victorian legacy); no impact on nitrate levels from farming pollution or asbestos levels (believe it or not, some older water pipes have in the past been made from asbestos). No impact on forever chemicals like Ibuprofen or the hormones increasingly found in our water from use of the birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy. And although chlorine usually does a fantastic job at killing bacteria in water, there is even a strange sounding bacterium that it struggles to control. THE ARMOURED GERM Cryptosporidium, a tiny parasite with a big name, is frighteningly good at defending itself from the germ-killing effects of tap water treated with chlorine. To avoid being zapped by the chlorine in tap water, the larval spore of Crypto encases itself in a hard shell that protects it. Chlorine can’t breach the shell to get to the living parasite within, so it remains alive and well through the water treatment process. Here’s how the CDC (the American Center for Disease Control) describes it: “There are many species of Cryptosporidium which infect humans. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection”. Here’s the CDC again on some of the ways Crypto is spread: “While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common way to spread the parasite. Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the developed world”. An article from the Journal of Biomedical Research states that most infection from Crypto has been attributed to contamination of drinking water. THE INFECTION PROCESS The tiny, invisible Crypto spore floats in the chlorinated water, protected in its armoured ‘shell’ and waits until it is swallowed by an unsuspecting human or animal. Then, once swallowed, digestive enzymes in the human or animal’s stomach dissolve the shell around the parasite – unwittingly releasing it to become free to infect its new host. The parasite burrows into the wall of a small intestine and between two and ten days later, the infected person starts to get sick with a disease called Cryptosporidiosis. Around 750,000 people get infected with Crypto spores every year. Fortunately, in healthy adults the disease is usually harmless in the long term, after some shorter-term unpleasant side effects. Here’s how Healthline describes the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis, the tell-tale symptoms of Crypto include: - Frequent and watery diarrhoea - Nausea - Vomiting - Stomach cramps - Weight loss - Fever - A persistent cough Symptoms generally begin within a week of exposure and can last up to a month. However, in one study published in BMC Public Health, some people had symptoms that persisted up to 36 months. Once the parasite has infected a host, very few treatments are available, aside from relacing lost fluids, alleviating pain and just allowing the disease to run its course, which may be the reason some of the infections seem to drag on for such a long time. However, in those with underlying health conditions or the very young, Cryptosporidiosis can be a much more dangerous disease. Healthline goes on to describe the potential for a more worrying level of disease in immunocompromised patients: “With long-term symptoms, a person is at increased risk of weight loss, dehydration, and malnutrition. This can be particularly life-threatening in young babies and people with weakened immune systems, such as those who have HIV or who are undergoing chemotherapy”. In 2018 the Lancet named Cryptosporidium as a leading cause of death in children under five, after collecting data that showed it killed more than 48,000 young children around the world in 2016. PROTECTION FROM THE ARMOURED PARASITE We know that the chlorine added to tap water doesn’t protect us from the Crypto parasite, so how can we ensure we are doing everything we can, to keep ourselves and our family safe from this infection? Here again is the CDC on two reliable ways to kill cryptosporidium in drinking water. The first option requires boiling tap water, and there is often a boil water notice applied when water companies find Crypto in water: “To kill or inactivate Crypto, bring your drinking water to a rolling boil for one minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes). Water should then be allowed to cool, stored in a clean sanitized container with a tight cover, and refrigerated”. Or a second option that allows you to continue to drink water straight from a kitchen tap without the need to boil it: “An alternative to boiling water is using a point-of-use filter. Not all home water filters remove Crypto. Filters that are designed to remove Crypto should have one of the following labels: Tested and certified by NSF Standard 53 for cyst removal, or Tested and certified by NSF Standard 53 for cyst reduction”. We at Doulton are proud to manufacture ceramic water filters accredited by the NSF to filter cysts including the pesky Cryptosporidium, safely from domestic drinking water. Fitting a Doulton water filter will allow free use of a kitchen tap without the need to boil water. Check out our water solutions now!
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The Important Relationship Between Drinking Water & Tooth...
We all know how crucial brushing and flossing are, but drinking water should also be part of our daily dental routine. A consistent intake of water is essential for a healthy set of gnashers and gums. But how, exactly, does help? Here is the lowdown on the very close relationship between drinking water and our dental health. Check out our water solutions now! How does drinking water help oral health? You'll cut down on sugar and therefore tooth decay Drinking water is great for your teeth and gums. This is because in doing so, you'll be indirectly minimising the amount of sugar-laden drinks you're consuming such as fizzy drinks and alcoholic beverages. It's well documented that sugary drinks lead to tooth decay by providing food for cavity-causing bacteria. The acids found in many of these drinks phosphoric and citric can also lead to a breakdown of your tooth enamel. Certain sugary foods and drinks can affect our mouths natural pH level, leading to bacteria growth and tooth decay. Drinking water helps to wash acidic liquids away, ultimately strengthening our teeth. By making tap water consumption a habit throughout the day, you'll be minimising your risk of tooth decay by eliminating the temptation to reach for the pop. With no sugar, and no hidden added extras, water is by far the best and safest choice for your oral health. Drinking water cleans your teeth throughout the day Did you know that water acts as a mouth cleanser throughout the day? Alongside brushing and regular flossing, drinking water should be seen as a vital part of your dental routine. A steady intake of water flushes residue away from your teeth and gums, minimising the chances of plaque building up. A glass of water after a meal works by rinsing the acid that builds up as a result of consuming some foods, as well as rinsing out two major culprits for cavities sugar and bacteria. Water hydrates your gums and prevents tooth loss Your teeth and gums are intimately connected. By ensuring a consistent intake of water, your gums will be more hydrated, cleansed of plaque and less susceptible to gum disease (gingivitis). If gum disease progresses, you can develop recessed gums and periodontitis. This is a weakening of the structures that hold your teeth in place, potentially causing tooth loss with all the resulting physical and psychological complications. Drinking water boosts your natural defences to tooth damage Drinking water helps to strengthen your teeth and gums by encouraging saliva production. When you don't drink sufficient water, you become dehydrated and produce less saliva. Saliva plays a huge role in our dental health and is responsible for cleaning away food residue. Support your body's saliva production by keeping your fluids up! Water and tooth health: Other considerations Not all water is created equal. Some water is bottled, some carbonated, some sugar-sweetened, and some can even have an element of contamination. What are the implications of this for our teeth? Carbonated water and your teeth With no sugar, carbonated water is a far better choice for your teeth than fizzy drinks. That said, it does have an element of acidity to it. Carbonic acid is added as part of the production of carbonated water; this can weaken our enamel, making our teeth more sensitive to decay. For optimal tooth health, a glass of regular filtered tap water will do the trick. Your dental health: Tap or bottled water? If you're making the move away from fizzy drinks for the betterment of your oral health, tap water should take priority over bottled water. Some types of bottled water can come with added flavourings, sweeteners and sugars which can contribute towards a multitude of tooth problems. There's also a secondary health consideration: microplastic contamination. In a recent study, 93% of bottled tap water samples were found to contain microplastics very small, often microscopic, fragments of plastic. It is thought to be a result of the industrial processes involved in bottling the water. Whilst the verdict is still out on the exact health impact of microplastics in drinking water, take no chances by choosing a refreshing glass of filtered water from the tap. That's not to mention environmental concerns with bottled water; the plastic bottle is one of the most littered items in the world - we've written in more detail about our problem with single-use plastics in our blog. By choosing tap water, you'll be doing your part for the environment as well as your oral health. Win, win! Can tap water contaminants harm our teeth? Our tap water supplies contain a range of common contaminants, the most abundant being chlorine, an antimicrobial agent. As you may know, this can affect the scent and taste of your tap water. Water with a very high chlorine level can have a lower pH level and potentially cause enamel erosion although this is very unlikely to be a problem in the UK. In the past, many of our tap water supplies were artificially fluoridated, a measure intended to improve tooth health. However, no such fluoridation schemes have been approved for over 20 years in the UK. This is due to concerns over skeletal fluorosis discolouration and damage to teeth and bones. A water filtration system in your home will reduce the amount of chlorine and other contaminants in the water that comes out of your tap. This will improve the taste and smell of your water, whilst also giving peace of mind about the effects of any common contaminants on your teeth. Can drinking water make your teeth whiter? There are a number of drinks that are major offenders when it comes to staining our teeth cola, red wine, coffee, tea and fruit juices to name but a few. Water is not one of them. By choosing a glass of water, you'll be indirectly cutting down on the consumption of tooth-staining drinks, doing the whiteness of your teeth a big favour. Invest in your tooth health. Choosing healthy liquids such as water is an essential component for the wellbeing of our bodies, particularly our dental health. In the UK, we're advised to drink 6-8 glasses per day, so why not make your tap water the very best it can be? At Doulton, we've been providing families with cutting-edge water filtration solutions for nearly 200 hundred years. Our range of ceramic filtration products are suitable for the home such as our undercounter or on the go, as with our refillable water bottles. The ceramic filters remove a range of common contaminants, leaving you with drinking water that tastes, smells and looks incredible. To boost your dental health, choose the best water there can be. Discover the Doulton difference by exploring our full range of water filtration products. Check out our water solutions now!
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Your Water Quality: Soft vs. Hard Water, How...
For Water Quality Month, let's take a look at one classic issue many UK households have to contend with: water hardness. When describing our tap water, many of us will be familiar with the terms "hard" and "soft". But what, exactly, do they mean, and why are some water supplies harder than others? What are the implications of having hard or soft water, and what tell-tale signs are there I might have hard water? What do we mean by "hard" and "soft" water? Water is characterised as hard if it has a high mineral content - more specifically, a high calcium and magnesium content. Soft water, on the other hand, has a lower content of these minerals present. How does water become "hard" or "soft"? Our water goes on a long journey from being freshly-fallen rainwater to eventually coming out of our household taps. Water is an incredible solvent - it can dissolve other substances very easily and effectively. On the way to the treatment works, water picks up many of the Earth's minerals and solutions as it passes through rocks, chalk, limestone, sand and soil. As discussed, the main culprits for "hard" water are calcium and magnesium carbonates - the more it dissolves of these, the harder it will be. In different parts of the UK, water has to pass through varying landscapes, sediments and natural rock structures, leading it to pick up differing levels of minerals. If the rainwater falls onto porous rocks such as limestone, the water passes through and picks up more minerals such as calcium which makes it hard. In other parts of the UK, the water tends to fall on non-porous rock, such as granite. In these areas, the rainwater doesn't permeate, causing the water to pick up fewer minerals. The resulting water will be soft. The effects & costs of hard water Most people will know that hard water can be somewhat of a nuisance. As it heats up, the calcium separates and spreads out. These deposits accumulate over time, resulting in a film or scaly residue, which forms a layer. This is known as limescale and can build up on taps, kettles and other appliances at home and in the workplace. As well as being unsightly, there's a financial and environmental cost to hard water. Domestic appliances that are clogged with limescale such as kettles, irons and dishwashers, demand more time and energy to heat up water. This costs you more money and energy, ultimately impacting your household bottom line, as well as meaning it takes longer to make that cup of tea! There's another added downside to hard water. It has a poorer performance with soap and detergents. As the water already has a high mineral content, it is more difficult to form a solution with. That's not to mention the potential corrosive damage to pipes; hard water can affect the efficiency of many household and industrial systems, causing appliances to wear out more quickly. Aside from that, cleaning limescale is simply an unwanted chore for many people, adding yet another cleaning task to an often mounting list. Check out our Limescale solutions now! Is hard water bad for you? The UK has some of the best water in the world; it is strictly and rigorously tested to be safe for consumption. Despite much debate, fortunately, there is no credible evidence that hard water poses a health risk to humans. According to the World Health Organisation, hard water may even be beneficial to those who are marginal for magnesium or calcium intake. However, hard water has been implicated in causing or exacerbating skin sensitivities. A recent study concluded that ˜living in a hard water area is associated with an increased risk of atopic dermatitis(eczema); it's also been reported that the minerals in hard water, as they deposit on your scalp, can cause irritation. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it can make your hair appear flat and straw-like. Is my water soft or hard? Most people will be able to get a measure of their water's quality by looking for the tell-tale signs of hard water: A crusty deposit around taps and showerheads Furred up kettles and other appliances A light film on your tea or coffee Difficulty in lathering shampoo or shower soap Dry skin after washing A soapy leftover layer in your shower or bath. In the UK, water tends to be hardest in the South East and London, the Midlands and eastern Wales. As you move further north into northern England and Scotland, the water becomes much softer. The South West of England, western Wales and Northern Ireland also tend to have very soft water. As we discussed, this is down to the permeability of the surface that the rainwater lands on. Limestone surfaces, by allowing water to penetrate, create mineral-heavy hard water. Granite, on the other hand, doesn't allow the water to dissolve sediments as easily. For an interesting regional breakdown in England and Wales, the below map of water hardness was made available by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Image Source Safeguard the quality of your drinking water with Doulton Do you have issues or concerns with the quality or hardness of the water in your area? Doulton's range of products provides the perfect solution - we've been at the cutting edge of drinking water filtration technology for nearly two hundred years. Our CleanSoft® limescale reduction cartridge, used in the first chamber of our DUO & BioTect Ultra® under-counter water filter system, works by reducing calcium in the water that comes out of your tap. The minimises the build-up of limescale on kettles and taps, reduces the temporary hardness in drinking water, as well as prevents the dreaded film from building up on your tea! If you have other contaminants in the water that's coming out of the tap in your area, from chlorine or nitrate to sediment or fluoride, explore our range of water treatment cartridges. Safeguard your drinking water and taste the Doulton difference. More about water hardness. Check out our Limescale solutions now!
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Plastic Pollution: Interesting Facts & Statistics You Didn't...
Did you know that small pieces of plastic - microplastics - have been found contaminating the Arctic's ice core? The Earth is struggling to cope with the amount of plastic we're using, and here are the facts and stats to prove it. Check out our refillable Water Bottles now! Single-use plastic pollution: The impact on our oceans, wildlife & planet It's no secret that plastic pollution is destructive to wildlife and our environment, particularly aquatic creatures. We use plastic every day. Some of the main examples of single-use plastic include plastic bottles, cotton buds, straws, coffee lids, wrapping, bags and plastic cutlery. When these macroplastics degrade over hundreds of years, they don't actually disappear, they break down into tiny pieces and toxic fragments called microplastic. These miniscule fibres are everywhere. How big is the issue of plastic pollution for our seas and its creatures? Plastic rubbish resembles food to many marine creatures, particularly sea turtles who can confuse bags for jellyfish. Its consumption causes them to starve, choke or sustain internal injuries like clogged or punctured guts. According to the UN, plastic kills one million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals each year. [source] In 2019, a dead whale was found with 40 kilos of plastic waste in its stomach. [source] 90% of marine birds and fish are estimated to have plastic in their stomach. [source] A sea turtle has a 22% chance of dying if it ingests just one piece of plastic. Once a turtle has 14 plastic items in its digestive tract, it has a 50% chance of dying. [source] If marine plastic pollution continues at its current rate, by 2050 the plastic waste in the sea will weigh more than the world's population of fish. [source] Globally, it's estimated that 52% of sea turtles have eaten plastic waste. [source] Nine in 10 sea birds are thought to have ingested plastic waste. [source] It's not just the oceans. Land animals - including those that humans consume - are affected by plastic pollution. Microplastic pollution in soil, sediments and other bodies of water poses a real danger to our ecosystems. They have even been found in our tap water. Over 50% of cattle in Kenya were found to have plastic bags in their stomachs, before the country moved to ban single-use plastic bags completely. [source] In 2019, it was reported that 60,000 cows in France suffered from tumours and infections caused by an accumulation of plastic in their rumen. [source] Microplastic contamination on land is estimated to be anywhere from four to 23 times higher than marine microplastic pollution. This can have a long-term negative impact as plastic enters the food chain and contaminates soil. [source] Billions of people are ingesting microplastic in the water they drink out of their taps; a study found 83% of global tap water samples to be contaminated, including 72% of European samples. [source] Make a lasting change today. There's demand out there to make the change, and the good news is that we can all be part of it. By making small changes to our individual and family lifestyles, we can reduce the amount of waste entering our landscapes and oceans. Do your part by committing to a plastic-free July. As convenient as it may be, the small plastic bottle is one of the most littered items in the world, contributing to one third of all marine pollution. Make the easy change to a reusable, sustainable solution with Doulton's stylish TASTE bottle - ideal for staying hydrated with great-tasting, healthy filtered water on the go. Looking to take more steps towards sustainability as a family? Drinking more water is a great place to start. An at-home water filtration system - such as our undercounter systems - which will help you to swap pollution for hydration, reducing temptation to reach for plastic bottled soft drinks. Check out our refillable Water Bottles now!
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