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DO YOU HAVE WELL WATER? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most homes in the United States get their water from the local water department. When you receive water from the city, officials treat your water at a plant and pump it to your home in underground piping. Homeowners that live far from the nearest municipality often choose to install a well near their home and source their water directly from the private well. Currently, more than 13 million households nationwide rely on well water, according to the EPA. WELL WATER VS. CITY WATER If you’re unsure what kind of water (well water or “city” water) you have in your home, ask yourself these questions: IS YOUR ADDRESS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS?If you reside within a city, chances are your water comes from the local water department. If you live in a rural area, your water may come from a well. DO YOU PAY A WATER BILL?When your water comes from the local water department, you’ll regularly pay a water bill, perhaps once a month, to that organization. Homeowners that utilize private wells do not have a water bill. Instead, they pay out of pocket for the maintenance, testing, and upkeep of their private well. CAN YOU SPOT A WELL PUMP IN YOUR YARD, OR IS THERE A PRESSURE TANK NEAR OR IN YOUR HOME? These are clear indicators that you are utilizing well water, as you must periodically pump the water. The pressure tank helps optimize water flow and is a crucial component of a well water system. FACTS ABOUT WELL WATER The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which protects and regulates public drinking water systems, does not monitor private wells. It is the well owner’s responsibility to test well water and maintain its cleanliness. But how does the water get in the well in the first place? And what contaminants could make their way into the well water? GROUNDWATER All private wells use groundwater, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As described by the Encyclopedia Britannica, most groundwater starts as rain: when rain hits the ground, it moves through the pores between the dirt and the rock. Water that isn’t absorbed by plants continues downward until it hits a layer of dense rock and becomes trapped. Water accumulates here and is known as groundwater. Another term associated with this kind of water is “aquifer,” as in “groundwater aquifer.” Many natural occurrences can affect the water quality of water found in a well. Many private well owners choose wells because they can monitor their water quality firsthand, but it’s important to know what to monitor. These sources can affect the quality of private well water, according to the CDC: Fertilizers Pesticides Failed Septic Tanks Landfills Runoff When flooding occurs, the water that gets into your well can potentially contain contaminants. If a well’s walls or sanitary seals have deteriorated or come loose, checking the water quality would be appropriate. The EPA has a list of potential well water contaminants and their impacts. Any private well owner concerned about the quality of their drinking water should test their water supply. HOW TO TEST WELL WATER To test your well water for contaminants, you’ll need a proper well water testing kit. Some well water testing also examines the hardness of the water and checks for manganese, sulfides, and other contaminants. To obtain a test, simply order the 16-Point Rapid Water Test, which identifies the most common contaminants present in private water sources and is a good starting point for homeowners. Once a kit arrives at your home, just follow the instructions provided to obtain a water sample from your well. Return your sample to the appropriate lab listed in the instructions and use the complimentary shipping. You’ll typically receive the results of your water test within three to five business days.  HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU TEST WELL WATER? According to the Groundwater Foundation, private well owners should test their wells at least once a year. Based on your area’s conditions, you may choose to test more often for peace of mind. If any component of your well water system seems to have aged or become damaged, it’s wise to test your well water as soon as possible. Use your best judgment, and familiarize yourself with the parts of your well water system to assess each component periodically. Multiple situations call for immediate testing of your well water. The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) advises that well owners should test their water sooner if: The taste, odor, or appearance of your water changes The septic system has malfunctioned recently A flood occurs, or if the well cap ruptures Anyone in the home experiences unexplained recurrent gastrointestinal distress In addition, if you have detected bacteria in your well before, we recommend testing more frequently than once a year. With well water, it’s always better to be on the safe side. (Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)

WHAT ARE WATER SOFTENING SYSTEMS? “Hard water” has high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium – healthy minerals that can nonetheless create issues for your plumbing and appliances. And, it’s a common water issue across the country with as many as 85% of Americans experiencing hard water. But what’s the solution? The term "water softener" is used to describe a group of products that can help reduce the mineral ions that create hard water. There are two common ways in which water softening systems treat hard water to prevent scaling and etching: salt-based water softeners and salt-free water softener alternative. Each option will help reduce hard water issues giving you longer-lasting appliances and happier homes, but how do you know which solution is best for you? We’ll help you break it down… First things first, you should test your home water to determine your local water hardness level. WATER SOFTENERS VS. SALT-FREE WATER SOFTENER If the water hardness in your home is below 25 GPG (grains-per-gallon) hardness levels, a Salt-Free Water Conditioner may take care of most of your problems. With a water hardness above 25 GPG, a salt-based softener may be best. If water that “feels soft”, makes soap extra lathery, and reduces scale buildup seems worth the extra maintenance — then a salt-based softener is a good choice. If a low maintenance, eco-friendly product sounds better, then a Salt-Free Water Conditioner is the perfect solution. A Salt-Free Water Conditioner might mean giving up that “slick” soft water feel and still having spots on the dishes, but it will address the scale build up when it comes to pipes and appliances. Remember, to choose the right hard water solution, you should first test your home water to determine your local water hardness level. Soft water contains 0 to 60 mg/L of dissolved calcium (0 to 3.5 grains) Low hard water contains 61 to 120 mg/L of dissolved calcium (3.6 to 7.0 grains) Moderate hard water contains 121 to 180 mg/L of dissolved calcium (7.1 to 10.5 grains) Very hard water contains more than 180 mg/L of dissolved calcium (10.5 ++ grains) One very important thing to remember about water softeners - by design, they are not water filters.  They do not remove chlorine, or polish the water to a very fine degree in order to remove contaminants.  Their purpose is utilitarian.  They perform a very specific function of reducing the effects of hard water.    (Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)

CONSERVING WATER – VIRTUAL USE When you're using water at home, whether it's in your sink, your shower, or watering your lawn, it's abundantly clear that you're depleting a vital resource that isn’t quite so abundant. It’s also pretty easy to reduce your indoor and outdoor water – shorter showers, less flushing, smarter sprinkling, etc. Virtual water use, however, is far more complicated. First things first. What, exactly, is virtual water? Good question. Virtual water is the hidden flow of water – and accompanying water costs – it takes to manufacture consumer goods and/or transport consumer goods from one place to another. Your virtual water footprint, therefore, is the total volume of water used to make and ship the products you buy. So how do you become a more virtual water conserving consumer? CONSIDER THESE SMALL CHANGES TO YOUR DIETARY AND SHOPPING ROUTINES: 1. EAT MORE VEGETABLESIt's a well-established fact that vegetables, fruits, and grains require less water to produce than meats, dairy products, and nuts. Limiting these types of foods can cut down your virtual water footprint and help save thousands of gallons of water. When you cook with filtered water, your fruits and veggies won't be affected by chlorine or its byproducts. 2. THINK ABOUT HOW YOU SHOP FOR NEW CLOTHESCotton-based clothing uses thousands of gallons of water to produce. Instead, go thrift shopping or do a clothing swap with friends, family, and co-workers. When you're ready to let go of old clothes, donate them to charity. 3. BUY HIGH-QUALITY REUSABLE PRODUCTSAlmost all manufacturing processes use water, so limit your purchases of single-use items. Instead, invest in reusable products such as electric razors, dishware, drinkware, and tote bags. 4. INSTALL ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBSSwitching to energy-efficient LED or fluorescent light bulbs will reduce your electricity use, thereby lowering your water footprint. Hydroelectric and thermoelectric power plants generate power by going through massive amounts of water daily. 5. TAKE A PUBLIC TRANSIT OR RIDE A BICYCLEDriving your car requires gasoline and every gallon of gas you use wastes water. If you live in an urban area with an efficient public transportation system, avoid using your car unless traveling out of town. Bicycles are also an excellent option for getting around town or commuting to work. 6. BRING A REUSABLE BOTTLE OR THERMOS WITH YOU TO STORE YOUR COFFEE, SODAS, AND WATERDisposable drink containers pollute the environment and are a waste of water. Ask to skip the straw and politely request service workers to pour your drink into your reusable bottle to drive down your water footprint. Fill up at home with cleaner, filtered water before heading out for your busy day. 7. CUT OUT PLASTICIf you stop using plastic, you will cut down on your virtual water use. Buy reusable cloth bags for grocery shopping, bring reusable tableware when eating out, and switch to reusable bottles to drastically reduce the amount of plastic that negatively impacts the environment. 8. USE LESS PAPERThis process should be straightforward in the digital age. Instead of buying books, download a digital version on your e-reader. Avoid printing documents that aren't necessary. Remove your address from junk mail lists to reduce the amount of unnecessary mail you receive. Bottom line, the way we use the virtual version of our planet’s most vital resource as consumers has a dramatic impact on our planet, and its people. By implementing these subtle shifts in our daily routine, as well as those provided in our tips for indoor and outdoor water use within your home, we can pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future. For all. For life.   (Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)

LET'S TAKE WATER CONSERVATION TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS While indoor water use can exceed a whopping 100 gallons per day based on the size of your family and your daily habits, outdoor water use can outpace that measure tenfold – if you don't practice conservation. True, your outdoor water use may not seem this excessive if you live in an area with ample rainfall. But even the routine tasks of watering your lawn or washing your car can leave behind a Paul Bunyan-sized water footprint. HERE ARE A FEW SMALL TIPS FOR PREVENTING YOUR OUTDOOR WATER USE FROM GROWING THAT BIG: 1. ONLY WATER YOUR LAWN DURING TIMES OF LOW WIND AND MODERATE TEMPERATURES  Watering early in the morning or at dusk is always a smart move – the temperature is lower, conditions are calmer, so the stage is set for your water to properly soak into your soil and get to the grass roots. Better still, you head evaporation off at the pass. Other ways to make your lawn drought-resistant include adding mulch to your plants and bushes and measuring your soil’s water collection to gauge just how much water your lawn uses. 2. CHANGE THE WAY YOU IRRIGATE Install a drip water system for your garden instead of setting up sprinklers or using a hose. Also, water your lawn and shrubs by hand if you have time. By doing so, you’re lending your conservation efforts a helping watering hand – as it can slash your water usage in half! 3. INSTALL A RAIN BARREL UNDERNEATH YOUR GUTTER If you live in a rainy climate, a rain barrel can catch several gallons of water you can use to water your plants, aid your drip irrigation system, or wash your car. Save money on your lawn by recycling what nature provides. If you go this route, be sure to lower the possibility of mosquitoes breeding inside your rain barrel by covering it with a mesh net porous enough for water to get through. NOTE: Some states do not allow rain barrels — check your local government's website to verify that they allow rain barrels in your city before installing one. 4. COVER YOUR POOL WITH A POOL COVER (If feasible) Natural evaporation can remove as much as a quarter of an inch of water from your pool every day. This loss translates to hundreds and even thousands of gallons of water wasted per year based on the size of your pool. Protect your pool with a pool cover when not in use to cut evaporation down drastically. 5. CONDUCT A BUCKET TEST OFTEN TO CHECK FOR LEAKS IN YOUR POOL It’s super simple. First, fill a bucket with pool water about one inch from the top and shut off your pool pump. Then, place the bucket on a pool step, partially submerged in the pool, and mark the water level inside and outside of the bucket. Turn on your pump for 24 hours and compare the two water levels. If the water level outside of the bucket drops more than the water level inside the bucket, your pool could be leaking. 6. GO ELSEWHERE TO GET YOUR CAR WASHED Instead of washing your car at home, make the trip to a commercial car wash that completely recycles the water they use. You can also go to a self-service car wash where the high-pressure hose doesn't turn on automatically. Call ahead before you go to verify the location recycles water – car washes in California are required to recycle 60% of the water they use, but laws vary by state. 7. USE A SQUEEZE NOZZLE FOR YOUR HOSE IF YOU WASH YOUR CAR AT HOME These nozzles, also called "pistol grip" nozzles, stop the flow of the hose when it is not engaged. This innovation overcomes the impracticality of walking to the tap and turning off the water every time you're not using the hose. 8. REDIRECT YOUR AIR CONDITIONER DOWNSPOUTS AND OTHER DRAIN LINES You can redirect all water that leaves your gutter or appliances to sustain a flowerbed or your lawn. Taking steps like these can significantly help cut down on waste and prevent future drastic water restrictions and cutbacks. Bottom line, water is an essential component of your outdoor maintenance and chores. The choices you make directly impact the sustainability of our limited supply of water.   (Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)

If you have water quality concerns and choose to purchase a home drinking water system, it’s important that you find a system that will solve your particular problem and fit your lifestyle. Most products fall into the following categories. FILTRATION (MECHANICAL OR PARTICULATE):Filters do a good job of removing turbidity and particulate matter. Microfiltration can remove bacteria and cysts by mechanical means. Considerations:May not remove taste and odor producers, or some types of chemical substances. Filters must be changed regularly to be effective. GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON (GAC)/ADSORPTION:Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) has enormous surface area and is highly porous. One pound of GAC has the surface area of more than 100 acres. The GAC surface attracts and holds tiny particles and molecules; such as those that cause poor taste and odors. Better systems can also reduce TTHMs, VOCs and and heavy metals such as lead and mercury. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use and maintain. Considerations:Low-priced faucet mount filters have relatively short filter life spans, requiring frequent changes. Filter cartridges must be changed as recommended, usually every 30 to 3,000 gallons, depending on the model and water quality. Coarse filter designs can lead to dumping, the sudden leakage of previously removed substances into filtered water. Select a system designed to prevent this. REVERSE OSMOSIS:These systems use pressure to force water molecules through a membrane, separating various substances from the water. They are the only economical system capable of solving brackish water problems common in coastal areas. Considerations:The typical system sends 70-90% of feed water to the drain, causing excessive waste for one gallon of water. It takes up to three hours to produce one gallon of treated water. May be more system than what is needed. Removes dissolved minerals.  SOFTENING/WATER CONDITIONING:These systems exchange sodium for calcium and magnesium to “soften” water. They boost water’s cleaning ability and reduce minerals that cause appliance breakdown. They are effective for removing some metals, such as iron, manganese, and radium. Considerations:Softening systems are not effective for removing unwanted organic chemicals, tastes and odors. Added sodium may not be desired for those on a restricted sodium diet. Systems usually condition the entire home water supply, not just the 1-2% used for drinking and cooking.   (Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)

1. Have your water professionally tested or request your city’s annual Consumer Confidence Report to determine what’s in your water.2. Search for a product that addresses your specific water concerns.3. Remember, the cheapest product is not always the best buy. Inexpensiveproducts may not effectively address your needs.4. Pay attention to ratings from independent organizations like NSF International and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).5. Select a system that is easy to use and maintain.6. Purchase a system with a good warranty.7. Buy from a reputable dealer. Ask for references.8. Follow the dealer’s advice and maintain equipment as recommended by the manufacturer.9. Replace your filter cartridge annually with the same manufacturer’s cartridge. Beware of counterfeit cartridges that claim to “fit”. You risk quality and performance, as well as certification protection. Questions to ask... Once you identify a water treatment solution that addresses your needs, follow this checklist when shopping for a specific product: •Will the system remove all the substances that are a concern to you?• Have the system’s claims been tested and certified by an independent agency*• Is the system easy to install and service?• Is the system designed with quick-change filter cartridges that are easily replaced without touching the surfaces that come in contact with the water?• What is the system’s micron rating?• What is the system’s rate of water flow through the filter?• Does the system have a flow restrictor to regulate water flow assuring adequate contact time with the carbon or other treatment media? The longer the contact time, the better the filtration.• Does the system have enough capacity to satisfy the needs of your household without frequent cartridge changes?• Are you comfortable with the product’s dealer and their service? *UL and NSF International are nonprofit, third party groups. Their rigid testing certifies many types of products for aesthetic and health claims, and provides a scale to determine which products are the best. It also ensures products are made with integrity, and have accurate and honest performance claims.

Aesthetic water quality problems, like off-tastes, odors and discoloration, vary by tap and are influenced by personal preferences. For example, a slight chlorine taste in drinking water might be preferred by some, while others wouldn’t consider drinking it.

One of North America’s greatest natural attractions, Niagara Falls is renowned for its beauty and size. The Falls separates between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario via the Niagara River watercourse, with a vertical drop of 167 ft., or 52m.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) was established in the 1909 Boundary Water Treaty between Canada and the US to manage shared water resources between the two countries.