Get Kids to Drink More Water: 4 Simple Tricks From Moms

It’s probably easier for moms to list things they don’t worry about when it comes to their children. From skinned knees to infections and keeping up with the growth curve, there’s almost no end to the worries ready to occupy a mom’s mind.

Getting enough water into your kids for proper hydration is probably something that might also make the mom-worry list, especially during the summer months. But just because the weather is turning doesn’t mean helping kids get enough water into their little bodies should take a back seat. After all, it’s one of the few things we can help with that will go a long way not only for our kids’ health, but their attitudes as well.

Drink More Water Tip 1: Make it Fun

Any way to make hydrating fun will probably help coax your little one to consume a bit more water. Here are a few of our favorite picks to get your child to drink more water:

  • Pick up a few silly straws, or some with your child’s favorite character, to pop in their next water glass.
  • Add some interesting ingredients: from cucumbers to fresh fruit or mint, flavored or infused water makes a big difference in how much both kids and adults are likely to consume.
  • Similarly, try adding some interesting ingredients to your ice cubes for a cooling treat.

Drink More Water Tip 2: Empower Kids

It’s an old tip but it holds true: engage kids in the desired behavior, and they’re more likely to commit to it. So if you’re making infused water at home for example, bring them along to the grocery store and have them help you pick out ingredients, or let them try their own combinations of flavored water at home.

When they’ve had a hand in the process, they’ll be more likely to be invested in trying the final results. Plus you might even discover some new and delicious ways to stay hydrated yourself!

Drink More Water Tip 3: Model the Behavior

As the saying goes, you are your child’s first and best teacher.  And it’s also true that they learn best by watching what you do, so it’s key to set a good example for kids to observe when it comes to drinking plenty of water. The good news is, there are lots of easy and fun ways to do this, and many of the ways to get kids to drink more water can help you stay motivated to drink your daily dose as well.

So find a great water bottle, plop out a funny straw in your own water cup, or just make it obvious how you’re helping yourself to a big, cold glass of water after exercising, with your next meal, or simply whenever you get thirsty. Before you know it, your child will be parrotting your hydrating behavior right beside you.

Drink More Water Tip 4: Get Better Tasting Water

It may be that the tap water you’re used to drinking just doesn’t taste great. Maybe it has a slightly chlorinated taste or smell, or it just isn’t as fresh as you’d like. A great way to encourage kids and adults to drink more water is to make sure it’s the best tasting, highest quality water to start with.

There are a number of ways you can filter your water at home, from an undersink filtration system like our Aqua-Cleer® Advanced drinking water system [/dealer-url] to pitcher filters or whole home systems that treat all the water before it reaches your taps.  Getting fresher, better tasting water in your home doesn’t have to be a headache.

Contact your local Culligan Sacramento to see what kind of filtration system or treatment plan would be right for you and your household to start drinking more water, today!

Sacramento: Water Related Diseases You May Not Know About

Have you ever felt like you caught something but you’re not sure what it is?

Whatever the case may be, it may be coming from your water.  Below are common diseases that can be found in your water source, and what you can do to make sure that you’re drinking safe water.

These four diseases could be lurking in YOUR water.

Giardia

Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite.  Once infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the species.  During the past 30 years, Giardia has become recognized as a common cause of waterborne disease in humans in the US.  The parasite can enter your water system in several ways, including sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, storm water runoff, and agricultural runoff.  Common ways to kill Giardia include bringing your water to a rolling boil, using a reverse osmosis filter [link], or any filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller.

Legionella

Legionella is a type of Bactria that is found naturally in freshwater lakes and streams.  It becomes a problem when it spreads into building water systems such as showerheads, faucets, hot water tanks, and plumbing systems.  It spreads by multiplying in droplets small enough for people to breathe.  It can also be a problem if one would get drinking water containing Legionella in their lungs.  While most people with Legionella do not get sick, the most at risk parties include:

  • People over 50
  • Smokers
  • People with weak immune systems
  • People with underlying illnesses

Norovirus

Norovirus is the name used for all of the viruses in a group that was previously known as “Norwalk-like viruses.”  Norovirus causes intestinal illness and has been associated with outbreaks in many close-proximity areas.  Noroviruses are found in every part of the United States and throughout the world.  They may be found in water sources that have been contaminated with the feces of infected humans.  The water can become infected in many of the same ways as Giardia that are listed above.  It can be removed from water by bringing it to a rolling boil for one minute.

Shigella

Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella.  Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.  These symptoms can occur a day or two after being exposed to Shigella.  The disease usually lasts 5-7 days.  Causes of the disease include touching your mouth after being exposed to Shigella, eating contaminated food, or drinking contaminated water.  Water contaminated with Shigella can be treated using chlorine, bringing your water to a rolling boil, or Reverse Osmosis filters.

As you can see, most of these diseases can be kept away from your water by using one of Culligan of Sacramento’s many products.  From Reverse Osmosis systems to Whole Home systems, we will make sure that your people get good, clean, safe Culligan Water.

Your Guide to Water Treatment Trends in Sacramento: Chlorine vs. Chloramine

More cities and municipalities around the country are switching their standard water treatment methods — from chlorine to chloramine. Especially in areas of the west where droughts are causing cities to scramble for imported water sources, the switch to chloramine, rather than chlorine, can be common. In this piece we’ll take a look at what you need to know about:

  • The differences between the chemicals
  • Why chloramine is used
  • Pros and cons of each
  • What you should look out for in your tap water
  • And the best methods for chloramine removal

Chlorine vs Chloramine: What is Chloramine in Water?

Chloramine is a chemical variant of chlorine that contains ammonia, and is generally safe to drink and use around the home in the same way traditional, chlorine-treated tap water would be.

Cities have commonly used both chlorine and chloramine chemicals to treat municipal drinking water since the early 1920s and 30s. Chlorine became widely used during World War I when ammonia shortages reduced the availability of chloramine.  As a result, chlorine remains common but chloramine is seeing increasing adoption, especially in densely populated areas.

Some populations, specifically individuals on dialysis treatment and those with respiratory issues, may be sensitive to chloramines. If you, or your family members fall into either of these categories, it’s a good idea to check with your local drinking water provider to see if a switch is coming to your area.  Chloramine is also harmful for fish and aquatic animals, so you’ll want to pay close attention if you’re used to supplementing your aquarium with tap water, or consider a chloramine filter.

Why is Chloramine Added to Water?

Water utilities typically use chloramine as a secondary disinfection method to ensure germs and other pathogens are removed from the water supply. It is most often used as a replacement for traditional chlorine, which can cause build up over time. Chlorine can also have a shorter effective period when it comes to water treatment, so in certain areas where water has to travel farther, chloramines can be more effective to ensure long-term water disinfection.

Municipalities may also choose to use chloramine rather than chlorine because it can often lead to fewer complaints about taste and smell.  Chloramine tends to have a less noticeable chlorine odor and taste while still protecting water safety and quality.

Chlorine vs Chloramine: Pros and Cons

Pool chlorine tablets

Like many water treatment methods, chlorine and chloramine both have advantages and limitations for municipal water treatment. Chloramine has two primary advantages over chlorine, however:

  • It stays active in water (providing disinfection) longer than chlorine
  • It usually has less of a chlorine taste and odor

Conversely, chloramines can be more corrosive than chlorine-treated water on pipes, so cities need to be diligent about the stability of the water infrastructure when introducing chloramines. And as we know, chloramine can also be a problem for dialysis patients, those with certain respiratory issues, can’t be used in aquariums, and can even impact the results and tastes of baking.

Identifying Chloramines in Water

It can be more difficult to determine if you have chloramines in your water than chlorine, simply because chlorine often comes with its distinct odor and taste.  If you’re unsure if there’s chloramine in your water however, you can check with your local utility provider, either online or by calling your local office.

The best way to determine if you have water treated with chloramines at your home, is always to have it tested. You can either purchase a water test kit at your local hardware store, or contact your local Culligan Man for a complimentary water test.

Chloramine Water Filters and Removal

If you’re among those affected by the presence of chloramines in water — and even if you’re not — you may want to consider a water filter to have fresher, better quality water in your home. There are many water filters and variations of filters, so it’s important to choose one designed specifically to remove chemicals like chlorine and chloramine.

[dealer-url page=”product-reverse-osmosis”] Reverse osmosis filtration systems [/dealer-url] are a good starting point, since RO technology can effectively target and remove these kinds of chemical compounds.

If you’re not sure where to start, or what type of filtration system may be right to help you remove chloramines from your water, you can always check with your local [dealer info=”dealer”].  He or she can help you better understand what’s in your water, and the best ways to remove it.

Works Consulted:

https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/chloramines-drinking-water

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/public/chloramine-disinfection.html

http://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-me-crescenta-valley-chloramine-20180911-story.html

https://www.hydroviv.com/blogs/water-smarts/chloramine-water-filter

https://waterandhealth.org/safe-drinking-water/facts-chloramine-drinking-water-treatment/