According to experts, these innovative backyard swimming pools are designed to have perfectly clean water that would pass every governmental standard for potable water. While the popularity of these green swimming pools has increase in the past couple of years, the concept is anything but new. The first biological swimming pool was developed in Austria and was almost immediately adopted by hotel owners.

These swimming pools combined a sector for swimming to a watery garden plant. “These swimming pool, ecologically balanced, combine the normal properties of cleaning by the plants with filtration” (Source: http://www.piscinebiologique.com/EN/fonctionnement.php). The result of such dynamic is clean water that is not sterilized and “polluted” with chlorine or other chemical products. If you have any doubts about what kind of plants to choose, keep in mind that big bloomers are the plants that filter the worst. Even if water lilies are beautiful and can add a glimpse of elegance they are not good for filtering since they often need extra products such as fertilizers that would defeat the whole purpose of have a self-filtered plant pool. Ruses, cattails and other similar fast growing plants will do the trick. In addition, remember to plant them in gravel and not in soil that would only add undesired nutrients to the delicate system.

The designs of these swimming pools are as variable as your imagination and the bottom of the pool is usually covered with rubber to prevent any potential leaks. When it comes to the costs of construction the price to pay is similar to a classic cement basin. According to experts, this water is much more healthy than the purified water in normal swimming pools since “chlorine hazards have been placed on the Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.) watch list. Chlorine poisoning, chlorine allergy, chlorine irritations and other chlorine dangers are questioning chlorine safety” (Source: http://www.pond-doctor-dave.com/swimming-ponds.html).

Considering that no chemicals are used, it some cases small creatures like frogs, snails or salamanders decide to make their homes in these natural swimming pools. Some owners are not bothered at all by the ideas, considering that it renders the pool even more like a natural pond while others should take this possibility into consideration before building one of these pools. If you live in a country with cold winters, your pool is most likely to freeze. Excessive freezing might be a problem due to an accumulation of carbon dioxide that can unbalance the equilibrium of the system. One should also take into consideration that considerable amounts of snow might damage the plants and therefore threaten the equilibrium of the eco system.

While natural pools are already popular in Europe, these innovative ponds were introduced in the United States only a couple of years ago. Some people still prefer traditional swimming pool, meanwhile nature lovers are able to appreciate these natural swimming pools to their full potential. The water is just as clean, while in exchange it is also free of chlorine or other harmful chemical products.

Did you know that the water footprint of a pound of plastic is 24 gallons, and 1.5 gallons of water are used to make the average plastic bottle? The water footprint of a pound on cotton is 101 and an average person is responsible for the consumption of around 10 gallons of water day due all the clothes one buys and uses. (Source: http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.h2oconserve.org/uploads/water_footprint_handout.pdf). It is obvious that if you need clothes it is impossible for you to even imagine that you won’t buy yourself a sweater because it has a considerable amount of water footprint. These statistics serve to raise awareness and instigate water conservation in all other possible fields like the use of energy. Indeed, the water footprint of the United States’ energy supply consists of 40% of the country’s fresh water use. In order to power our homes, average Americans use from 4 to 5 gallons of water.

Simple Tips for the kitchen

Here are some simple tips can contribute to a considerable amount of water conservations and they don’t even require that much of an effort. Refusing to buy a dishwasher because you feel so eco-friendly is an error you shouldn’t commit! Considering that today’s dishwashers are all energy-efficient, if you run them when the dishwasher is completely full, they all consume less water than when you wash your dishes by hand. Yet, if you have other reasons, of course you can continue to wash you dishes by hand but remember to not let the water running the whole time! An easy tip is to fill one sink with the water you will wash and the other with the water you will use to rinse them. Once you have taken care of your dishes, you are ready to prepare supper. Well no matter what you are cooking, rather its pasta or boiled vegetables, remember that you don’t need excessive amounts of water for boiling. Use water just enough to submerge your pasta or potatoes! You don’t need to drown them in water! If by any case, you have some water left after you are done boiling, you can leave it until it cools off and use that same water to water your plants! I bet you had never thought of that! On a warm summer day, you tend to leave the water run until it gets really cold just the way you like it? You should instead plan ahead and carefully store water in a carafe that you place in the fridge.

Other tips for the bathroom

When you brush your teeth or are shaving you should always remember to turn the faucet off. Moreover, if you have leaky faucets, that never-ending drop is not just annoying! “You can lose about 20 gallons of water per day from a single drippy faucet!” (Source: http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.h2oconserve.org/uploads/tips_bathroom.pdf). It is also worth reminding you that you should try to spend less time possible in the shower! Do you know that your toilet might be leaking without you even knowing it is? A easy way to find out is to put food coloring in the water. If the color appears on the bowl without you flushing there is a good probability that you have a leak that needs to be repaired (Source: http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.h2oconserve.org/uploads/tips_bathroom.pdf).

Saving water outdoors

To avoid evaporation water your lawn and outdoor plants during the coolest periods of the day: early in the morning or late at night. Make sure you position the sprinkler in the right direction and that you avoid even turning it on when a rainy day in the forecast. There is no need to over water your lawn, since “lawns need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A hearty rain eliminates the need for watering for as long as two weeks” (Source: http://www.americanwater.com/49ways_outdoor.php).

The tips we have given you are simple and easy to follow and are an amazing way to save water and save money on your gas and water bill. Children are taught to eat everything they have for lunch because throwing out food is a disrespectful action, mocking the rest of the world that lives in hunger. We should tell them the same thing with water, not everyone has the luxury and luck to be able to grab a glass of water from the tap. Would you let the shower run until it gets perfectly warm if you had to walk 6 miles a day in order to get a bucket of water?

1. Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival. A person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water.
2. Water helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite.
3. Water leads to increased energy levels. The most common cause of daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration.
4. Drinking adequate amounts of water can decrease the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer.
5. For a majority of sufferers, drinking water can significantly reduce joint and/or back pain.
6. Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes and bacteria that can cause disease.
7. Water can prevent and alleviate headaches.
8. Water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance.
9. Water aids in the digestion process and prevents constipation.
10. Water is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body and is essential for proper circulation.

(Source:www.allabo utwater.or g/drink-wa ter.html)

From glowing skin to an energy booster, water is the one element that has it all. For all of you suffering from joint or back pain or for those of you who often get headaches or dizziness, water could be the ultimate problem solver. You can find out more fascinating facts and news on water by consulting our most recent posts. In the meantime, cheers to all of you! (of course with a glass of water).

Everyone one of you is well aware of the water scarcity problems in regions ofAfrica. Yet, ironically enough, the majority of people in the United States don’t get enough water. This is surprising, especially since our country is one of the richest and more developed countries in the world. Pop culture has brought to America a world of sodas, lattes and vanilla frappucinos and it appears that soft drinks and coffee are the absolute fuel of nourishment in our society. Now, are you still surprised that the majority of people in the US don’t get enough water? Chances are, you are dehydrated right now, and you don’t even know it! Now,  put down your double latte and find out why drinking water is perhaps the most important element in your new and healthy lifestyle.

Are you hydrated?

Most people that are dehydrated do not even know it. Fatigue, moodiness, a “drained” feeling, and thirst are all symptoms. That’s right, if you are thirsty, you are actually dehydrated! “As little as a 1% loss of water can translate to an increase in core temperature during exercise. A 3-5% loss of water can put a strain on the cardiovascular system and further impair the ability of the body to dissipate heat. When the body loses 7% of its water, the result is most likely collapse. 45-75% of a human’s weight is composed of water, while the muscles of the body are 75% water” (Source:http://www.uswfa.com/).

How do I stay hydrated?

Keeping hydrated is as simple as drinking your daily requirement of water. Well, the “average” person, in a normally humid environment, loses approximately 2 cups per day from normal perspiration, another 2 cups from breathing, and a total of 6 cups from the intestines and kidneys. That equals about 10 cups, or 2.5 quarts (Source:http://www.uswfa.com/).

While you can get several cups of water from your food; it is recommended that you still drink around 6-8 cups of water each day (your weight divided by 2 for the number of ounces you should drink each day; considering a cup has eight ounces,  you divide by eight to get the number of cups).

Most importantly, when I say drink 6-8 cups of water a day, don’t you dare try to get away with milk, juice or coffee.

When and How to drink.

First off, the worst thing to do is to drink a very large amount of water all at once. The body will respond to a sudden increase in water by releasing diuretic hormones to expel as much of the excess water as possible, further dehydrating you. This can actually be deadly. “Hypernatremia is the condition of drinking an extremely large amount of water in a short amount of time. The amounts of water needed to induce hypernatremia is beyond what most people can tolerate, but large spikes of water in the body are still undesirable. Sip water throughout the day” (Source: http://www.uswfa.com/).

Helpful Reminders

-  Bring a water bottle with you everywhere, and fill it as often as necessary.

-  Sip water slowly throughout the day.

-  Don’t judge your need for water by thirst, drink weather you’re thirsty or not.

-  Drink more when you exercise, when it is hot, or when you are in a dry, stuffy environment.

-  Cut back on caffeine containing beverages, if possible.

-  Don’t drink water with meals; drink red wine or milk instead.

The United States Water Fitness Association is a non-profit, educational organization committed to excellence in educating and promoting Aquatics, including Water Exercise.

They offer National Certifications for:

Source: http://www.uswfa.com/

For this summer, follow my advice and you will be thankful: don’t wait to be thirsty to drink water, especially if you are doing any sort of physical activity. If you like to work out and stay in shape, you have no idea how much drinking a glass of water can do for you! Just between you, and me, this sounds like such an easier alternative to sweating long hours at the gym! With the right alimentation, the appropriate amount of exercise and lots and lots of water,  you will getin shape and be confident to sport your new bathing suit on the hottest beaches and in most crowed swimming pools.

Well, if you don’t pay close attention, you just might. It seems so obvious: H20. Two parts: one is hydrogen and the other one is oxygen. While people realize they couldn’t live without air, they seem to forget that water is as crucial an element to our survival.

“Water makes up more than two thirds of the weight of the human body, and without it, we would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water; blood is 82% and lungs 90%. A mere 2% drop in our body’s water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen” (source: http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-health.htm). When reading this article with a glass of water by your side, there are no excuses for you not to get to the end of it! That and well of course, the fact that it’s so interesting!

Daytime lassitude is often caused by a simply case of mild dehydration.  An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. It is an alarming statistic for a developed country where clean water is available everywhere.

Water is vital to the functioning of the human body: all of our organs and cells need the right amount of water in order to function properly.

• Water serves as a lubricant
• Water forms the basis for saliva
• Water forms the fluids that surround the joints
• Water regulates the body temperature, as  cooling and heating is distributed through perspiration.
• Water helps to alleviate constipation by moving food through the intestinal tract and thereby eliminating waste – the best detox agent.
• Water regulates metabolism

“In addition to the daily maintenance of our bodies, water also plays a key role in the prevention of diseases. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer” (source: http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-health.htm).

When it comes to water, you should worry about the quantity but also about the quality of what you are drinking. The water you drink has many benefits if it is free of contaminants and it comes from a reliable source. Instead of being a benefit to our bodies, drinking polluted water can become the cause of serious health problems.

The latest reports present an alarming situation in regards to the tap and well water in America: in most regions it shouldn’t be drank without some sort of previous purification process due to a considerable amount of industrial and environmental pollution. People and industries take for granted the importance of natural water sources and treat them as dumpsters. As a consequence, chemicals and heavy metals penetrate water,  making people sick and exposing them to health issues such as liver damage or cancer. While you might think you are covered because you always buy your water in bottles, this is not totally true! Not all bottled water is safe:  some brands have been found to contain high levels of contaminants,  without forgetting the impact of the plastics chemicals from the bottle.

Understanding the Health Benefit of Water may be crucial in resolving a lot of your health and well being issues.

Our body is about 75% water, approximately 3/4 of the earth’s surface is covered by water and all living organisms around us (on which our life depends) are mostly water. “We are water drops in this ocean of living matter…” (Jacques Collin, the author of “Water the Forgotten Miracle” book).

“Every single living cell is made up of water (intracellular fluid) – including our own body cells and surrounded by water (extra cellular fluid). Every one of our body’s tissues and organs, as well as every one of the body’s sustaining process, such as thinking, nerve function, blood circulation, digestion, locomotion and elimination, requires water in order to function properly. Not understanding the Health Benefit of Water is denying our relation to mother nature.” (source: http://www.health-benefit-of-water.com/).

Caught up in our daily lives, surrounded by industrialization, we seem to forget the undeniable bond that ties us to Mother Nature. Simple elements like water are crucial to the functioning of our society and to survival of the wildlife. Preventing a problem is usually so much easier than curing it! So instead of reaching the point when you need drugs and all kinds of medications to cure an illness, pay closer attention to the natural remedies and preventive treatments that Mother Nature has to offer.

Drinking-water quality is an issue of concern for human health in developing and developed countries worldwide. The risks arise from infectious agents, toxic chemicals and radiological incidents. WHO has established international norms on water quality and human health in the form of guidelines that are used as the root for regulation and standard setting, in developing and developed countries worldwide.

Guidelines: The first and second editions of the Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality recognized the priority that should be given to ensuring microbial safety. Moreover, the first and second edition also contributed in presenting guideline values for a considerable number of chemical ventures.

The third edition of the Guidelines has been comprehensively updated to take into consideration the new developments in risk assessment and risk management. The updated version discusses the tasks and responsibilities of different key players, including national regulators, suppliers or independent “surveillance” agencies. Moreover, this third version presents a “Framework for Drinking-water Safety”.

“Developments in the third edition of the Guidelines include significantly expanded guidance on ensuring the microbial safety of drinking-water – in particular through comprehensive system-specific “water safety plans”. Information on many chemicals has been revised to account for new scientific information and information on chemicals not previously considered has been included. For the first time, reviews of many waterborne pathogens are provided. ” (source: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/en/).

New sections of this edition try to apply the guidelines to precise situations such as emergencies, natural disasters, packaged or bottled water, desalination systems, food production and finally, water safety on ships and airplanes.

The first and second editions, which update the third edition, have been integrated in this volume. The first addendum comprises more assistance on emergency management and additions concerning chlorination by-products and developing norms for dangerous substances. The second addendum includes more guidance on household water management, rainwater harvesting, vended water, temporary water supplies, and pesticides used for vector control in drinking water sources. This addition is key insofar as household management is fundamental to the survival of many villages and families in underdeveloped countries where a minimum amount of structure and guidance improve their living conditions.

It is worth considering that in many under-developed countries the local population has no education whatsoever and no access to Internet.  Therefore, the guidelines of WSH need to be applied and explained in simple and clear terms using the communication tools of the locals. While the training material online is useful and necessary for professionals that work in that field, there is the need to implement domestic local campaigns using the language of the locala in order to have a greater,  long term impact in order to create  more sustainable development.