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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.

Canada is blessed with significant quantities of freshwater. Canadian water resources play a major role in the economy and are integral to the country's agriculture, manufacturing, navigation and tourism sectors.

Overview Groundwater refers to water reservoirs stored in deep geologic formations known as aquifers. Groundwater sources vary in their capacity, depth and quality. Nonetheless, they are an important source of freshwater. It is estimated that if all groundwater on Earth were to submerge the planet it would completely cover its surface to a depth of 120 meters! In contrast, all surface water on Earth from lakes, rivers and swamps can cover the entire planet surface with only 0.25 meter. In Canada, 8.9 million people rely on groundwater for domestic use. This represents about 30% of total freshwater sources consumed by Canadians. Certain regions in the country depend more on groundwater than others. For instance, Prince Edward Island relies 100% on groundwater since they do not have significant sources of surface water. Similarly, New Brunswick obtains 60% of its freshwater from groundwater sources. Groundwater is normally accessed by means of a well. A pump is typically installed to pump water for consumption. In rural Canada and Prairie Provinces, groundwater is relied upon for crop irrigation. In British Columbia and Quebec, on the other hand, groundwater is used mostly for industrial applications. Groundwater as a Source of Energy Some groundwater reservoirs contain hot water. This heat can be harnessed to provide domestic heating. While the technology is not yet widespread, there are successful examples of smart utilization of groundwater as an energy source. For instance, the City of Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan uses a geothermal heating system to heat a public swimming pool. Similarly, Carleton University in Ottawa uses hot groundwater to heat its buildings. Groundwater Quality Mother Nature has provided a natural filtration system for groundwater, and humans have been depended on it for thousands of years. The various layers of silt, sand and rock that cover aquifers act as natural filters that remove sediments and impurities, particularly harmful microorganisms. Unlike surface water, groundwater is generally confined and not exposed to the multitude of contamination sources, and that preserves its pristine quality. However, groundwater is susceptible to contamination from nearby pollution sources. For example, leaking gasoline tanks from gas stations, leaking septic tanks in cottages or wastewater leachate from landfills can seriously contaminate groundwater with serious diseases. The unfortunate Walkerton tragedy for instance occurred due to contamination of well water by manure that leached into the soil from a nearby farm (combined with improper treatment). In Ville Mercier, Quebec, a similar incident happened where industrial waste contaminated local groundwater supplies, and residents had to pump water from a well 10 kilometers away from their community to provide an alternative source of safe water. In general, groundwater has larger values of hardness and dissolved minerals than surface water, yet this is not always the case. Unlike surface water, groundwater preserves its quality, temperature and other parameters over time and is less susceptible to weather fluctuations and land use. When designing a water treatment system for a well, it is advisable to perform detailed water analysis to ensure that water is microbiologically safe for consumption. Depending on water quality and local regulations, additional treatment or disinfection may be necessary.