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!

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.

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

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/

Culligan has come a long way since its beginnings under founder, Emmett Culligan in 1936. He started his company with a simple goal — help people access better, safer water. It’s a message and a mission that has united Culligan and guided both our corporate entity and your local [dealer info=”dealer”] around the country since its inception.

This idea continues to play a pivotal role in helping us align our values as an organization while we grow, and ground us in the importance of the work we do for local communities.

Emmett’s Ideas – Better Water, Better Life

From the early days of his company, Emmett Culligan believed in the importance of the work he was doing — that better water could lay the foundation for a better life. At a time when the middle class was expanding, he knew he could do even more to make life for everyday Americans better, starting with the water they drank and used in their homes.

He also appreciated the health benefits that access to clean, filtered water could bestow, and long before hydration held the place it does now in the cannon of healthy living, Emmett lived with an uncommon commitment to hydration. He understood that good quality water facilitated everything from longer life to better athletic performance, resilient, youthful skin, and so much more, and sought to bring those benefits to every home and community Culligan served.

It also became clear to him that softened and filtered water could make life easier, and more luxurious in the home. From easing the burden of cleaning and everyday housework, to helping laundry feel and look its best, Culligan knew soft water could be an affordable luxury for many Americans. He also knew that people wanted to feel confident in who they were filtering their water with – that it wasn’t just a product, but a service people would depend on and trust to local professionals. Some who were just as committed to their neighborhoods as they were — because they lived there, too.

From Local Water Expertise to Community Commitment

For his ideas to reach beyond his original Illinois headquarters, however, he recognized he needed to establish a franchise model that built on his commitment to water and its benefits, and the service that should come with improving your home’s water quality. He knew how important local expertise was when it came to water, and how much local knowledge could further help homeowners across the midwest, and eventually the entire United States.

It was this vision — for local knowledge, and especially local water quality understanding —that eventually established the franchise model that today, helps Culligan remain leaders in local water quality.  Then, as now, Culligan men and women are not only professional water quality experts, they’re neighbors and friends who live and work in the communities they serve. Many of our franchises remain family-owned and operated, some, like the original Culligan in Rosemont, Il, passed down from generation to generation.

By focusing on water, its quality, and the people who can deliver, soften, and filter it, Culligan’s legacy of bringing better water to people everywhere endures through local dealers that understand the value of the water itself, and the service that stands behind it.

Are you sending money down the drain every month? Chances are you might be without even realizing it. Water makes up the second largest utility expense for most households in the area, and there are many factors that make your bill higher than it needs to be.

Save on Your Water Bill by Checking Pipes and Appliances

Leaky pipes cost homeowners hundreds of dollars every year, and often more. The best way to save water here is to inspect your plumbing regularly and check faucets for drips to make sure you’re not wasting water without realizing it:

• Fix leaks as soon as you notice them
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucet fixtures or add aerators to these (aerators can improve water efficiency by an average of 30%!)
• Check toilets, fixtures, and appliances regularly for leaks

Appliances are another big culprit when it comes to unnecessary water usage. Older appliances especially have a higher tendency to leak and use more water than needed. The three biggest water wasters are typically toilets, faucets, and dishwasher, but don’t forget to check under-the-radar water appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, sprinkler systems, and refrigerators. It’s worth it to look into upgrading to Energy-Star certified appliances, or at least make sure you’re on top of the required maintenance for all your water-using appliances.

Remember to use cold water when running your garbage disposal.

Looking to stop extra spending in your bathroom starts with the toilet —  install a low-flow toilet if you can. These reduce the amount of water used with each flush, saving you money each flush that really adds up. If a new toilet isn’t in the budget, add weights to the toilet tank to achieve similar results.  You can also adopt a more laissez-faire attitude about flushing, if you haven’t already, to help cut down on non-essential water usage.

Another way to reduce your water usage in the bathroom is to place a basin or bucket in the shower.  Then, after your next morning routine, you’ll have water ready for house plants or gardens that would otherwise go to waste.

Saving Water in the Kitchen and Laundry Room

According to Energy Star, older top-loading machines use around 40 gallons of water to wash a full load of clothes.

Save on your water bill in the kitchen by using the dishwasher, if you have it. Running a dishwasher with a full load of dishes is more effective and efficient than doing dishes by hand.  If you don’t have a dishwasher, find and keep a good basin or bucket in your sink to catch and reduce the amount of wasted water when hand-washing.

Stay hydrated and save more water by keeping water bottles or a pitcher in the fridge — that way you’re not running the tap, and wasting water, waiting for it to get ice cold before you fill your glass.

You can also consider composting your food waste rather than sending it down the garbage disposal.

Not only will this spare your disposal a lot of wear and tear, it also helps prevent the extra water usage disposals need to process peelings and other food products.

In the laundry room, wash clothes on a cold or tap water setting — using hot water for your laundry is usually unnecessary and consumes a lot more energy than tap-temperature water.

Using a few of these simple tips can help you save water — and money — all around your home. And if you’re looking for even more ways to improve your household water efficiency, contact your local Culligan dealer for ideas, today!

When you think of a place where delicate hearts and minds need special care, what is your first thought?

If you were thinking about a school, you’re likely not alone. But there is a certain faction at the opposite end of the spectrum where such a need also applies.

Whether you already have a loved one in an assisted living residence in the, or you are in the phase of choosing one, what questions should you be asking about the facilities and its water supply?

Lead Pipes in Nursing Homes

How old is your targeted assisted living establishment? Many nursing homes are built on private well sites, which do not require any regulation from the EPA. While the majority of documentation as related to lead poisoning is with children, lead is not good for anyone, particularly seniors with weaker immune systems.

Ask the provider if the facility is on municipal water or if it has its own system. If the nursing home does use well water, does it have proper prevention measures in place, such as backflow prevention devices, updated well caps that are vented, insect and vermin proof.

Contingency and emergency planning for possible contamination is also important, as there should be alternative options available in the event of a well problem.

Legionnaire’s Disease in Nursing Homes

Legionnaire’s is an atypical pneumonia caused by bacteria found in fresh water. Outbreaks of the disease in nursing homes have been well-documented over the past decade in the news, particularly when deaths are involved.

A study in 2015 of more than 2,800 cases of the disease found that 533 (19%) of cases occurred specifically in a health care facility, such as a hospital and nursing home.

The CDC has openly requested that all health care facilities do more to protect its plumbing systems from possible contamination. Ask your facility provider to provide you details on how regularly the disinfectant and chemical levels are monitored.

Filtered Water Quality in Assisted Living Facilities

Other naturally-occurring pathogens can cause issues with impaired immune systems, such as the elderly. Generally, Americans are growing worried about polluted drinking water. Many nursing homes use on-tap filtered water systems and/or have bottled water delivery on hand for its residents to have easy access to.

Ask if the assisted living establishment your loved ones are considering are residing in uses a filter system. Taking care of one of the most essential elements for sustainable human life can help establish trust between all parties involved. A facility that invests in the health of its residents is a good sign that it takes itself seriously as an establishment.

You live with kids? You live with germs.

ou know — the nose-picking, fingers-in-mouth, playing-in-mud dependent little souls milling about your home.

Cleanliness can be mind-numbingly redundant to enforce. Every table you wipe, carpet you scrub, molecule you disinfect, and reminder you give to “wash your hands” is liable to feel like a hopeless endeavor. You just have to face facts.

You can’t fully control what your kids bring in and out of the home. However, you can control what comes out of the tap. The first step?

Know what you’re fighting against.

I already use a water filter. Why should I get my water tested?

There’s a good chance you already have some sort of home water filtration system.

According to a public opinion study by the Water Quality Association, 92% of respondents were aware of in-pitcher or in-tap filters, up from 84% in 2015. This is for a good reason.

Last year, USA Today reported 63 million — more than one fifth of the entire U.S. population – were exposed to potentially unsafe water more than once during the past decade.

 “Awareness is essential to making good decisions about water quality,” said WQA Executive Paul Undesser. “A growing knowledge of effective water treatment options means consumers can make better decisions about what they drink.”

What you can’t see can hurt you

It’s easy to pick up on aesthetic issues – rotten egg smell, chlorine taste, hazy water. However, contaminants such as lead, arsenic, nitrates, and certain types of bacteria and viruses go undetectable. Additionally, there’s something worse many moms don’t know about.

Most of these inorganic contaminants are not filtered out by carbon activation pitchers or faucet mount filters – though many these days are designed to filter out lead.

If your home was built before 1986, lead could be an issue. Statistically, your home has a higher chance of having lead pipes or fixtures. Even if you’re sure it doesn’t, your service line might. So how do you find out more?

Every year, your municipality is required to issue a consumer confidence report. Call them, or find it online.

Your local Culligan also offers a water test. It’s a quick, in-home evaluation, that typically takes 10 minutes. And it’s totally free.

Our water coolers don’t solve ALL problems, but…

But seriously, which of these should not have to worry about on a daily basis?

• Making meals
• Clothing
• Entertaining
• Cleaning up
• Laundry
• Wiping butts
• Wiping noses
• What’s in your water

We get it. There’s no relaxing. It’s a grind. But getting a water test checks ONE box.

Call Culligan Sacramento today to learn more!