Discolored water will continue to flow from Potomac River | Environment

Read article : Discolored water will continue to flow from Potomac River | Environment

More Maryland residents will see yellow and brown water flow from kitchen taps, showers and washing machines over the next several weeks as discolored water makes its way from a Potomac River filtration plant into more homes and businesses, utility officials said.

Carla Reid, general manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), said the discolored water is safe to drink and use but called it “unacceptable” from “an aesthetic standpoint.” She said the problem stems from changes required in the disinfection process due to an unusually large amount of organic matter — decayed leaves, grass and other vegetation — that has washed into the Potomac during recent heavy rainstorms.

WSSC, which provides water and sewer services to 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, said that as of Wednesday afternoon, it had received more than 730 complaints of discolored water since Aug. 8. That nine-day total compares with 200 complaints in a typical month.

So far, the problem has mostly affected areas closer to WSSC’s primary filtration plant on the Potomac in western Montgomery, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville and Gaithersburg. However, with each passing day, officials said, the water will reach areas farther away, such as northern Montgomery and into Prince George’s.

The discoloration comes from higher-than-usual levels of a natural mineral called manganese. WSSC officials advise against washing clothes with the discolored water because it can stain laundry but say it is otherwise fine.

Manganese is regulated as a “secondary” aesthetic issue for odor and taste in drinking water but not as a public health concern, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“It’s an aesthetic issue that people have to understand, but it’s safe to consume,” said J.C. Langley, WSSC’s director of production. “We want people to understand that we take their safety very seriously.”

Even so, persuading customers to ignore the yuck factor might not be easy.

Mary Hills, of Potomac, said she’s had “yellowish-brown” water two days in the past week. She said she changed the water filter in her refrigerator and that her family is drinking more bottled water. She’s heard WSSC say the tap water is fine, but when brownish water filled her tub last week, she skipped the bath.

“It didn’t make sense to me that it’s clean if it’s discolored,” Hills said. “You don’t look at a tub full of brown water and want to take a bath in it.”

Paul Tibbits Jr., also of Potomac, said he’s still comfortable drinking water that’s passed through his refrigerator filter, even though he’s noticed discolored water in the bathtub twice over the past week. He said he’s accepted WSSC’s assurances that the water is safe, but he’d like some independent testing done as well.

“As the tub was filling up, the water just became darker and darker,” Tibbits said. “My daughter asked why she was taking a bath in brown water.”

WSSC officials say an unusually rainy summer has created a high and fast-flowing Potomac full of more grass, leaves and other organic matter than usual. Like other Washington-area water utilities, WSSC draws water from the Potomac before it disinfects it and sends it out to homes and businesses through pipes. Unlike other local utilities, however, WSSC relies on chlorine to disinfect the river water and control manganese levels.

The problem: When chlorine combines with organic matter, it produces “disinfection byproducts,” which the EPA regulates because of their potential for increasing cancer risks, according to the agency’s website. To limit such byproducts, WSSC officials said, they had to scale back the amount of chlorine they used starting Aug. 8. The lower levels of chlorine are still enough to kill bacteria but leave behind more discoloring manganese, officials said.

“We’ll always side with water quality over an aesthetic issue,” Langley said.

He said he expects that customers will see discolored water for several more weeks, depending on how long the heavy rains continue to carry vegetation into the Potomac.

“We’re asking our customers to be patient with us,” Langley said.

Manganese has been linked to neurological problems in children, but at levels more than 10 times higher than what WSSC is finding in its testing, officials said.

“There’s a big difference in the levels of manganese that cause health problems and what’s in our water,” said Jin Yeong Shin, WSSC’s water quality section manager.

Officials at the Washington Aqueduct, which serves the District of Columbia and the Falls Church area, and Fairfax Water, which serves much of Northern Virginia, said they’ve also seen more organic matter in the river but have had no problems with discolored water. Both said they use other treatment methods that have kept manganese in check.

Shin, WSSC’s water quality manager, said WSSC uses chlorine because it’s good at keeping water safe for long periods. Because WSSC’s distribution system is so large, he said, water can spend a couple of days to a week or so in pipes before reaching its destination.

WSSC’s other filtration plant, which draws water from the Patuxent River, hasn’t had any manganese problems because it has a reservoir that allows organic matter to settle before it reaches the plant, Shin said.

WSSC has had previous problems with manganese. In 2015, the utility received thousands of complaints about brown water. WSSC initially blamed the problem on winter road salt washing into the Potomac and later said the saltier water’s impact might have been exacerbated by the utility’s decades-old iron pipes, which hadn’t been regularly flushed in 15 years.

30 Ways To Upgrade Your Apartment On A Budget

Read article : 30 Ways To Upgrade Your Apartment On A Budget

So you’ve just moved into your first apartment on your own (or with roommates), and you seem to be baffled by how expensive everything is! Well don’t worry, because there are ways to upgrade your apartment on a budget. Sure, you pay electricity and internet.. and water..and heat. There is some serious budgeting needed in order to live comfortably. I also understand that you want to know more than just “put baking soda in your fridge to avoid it from stinking up.” So here are 15 great ways to upgrade your apartment while on a budget! Good luck!

*This article is in collaboration with Kayla Nannariello.

1. Use Command Hooks!

The most standard tool among students! Command hooks have a universal purpose, to make life easier. I have command hooks for clothes, I have command hooks for lights, I have command hooks for my whiteboard and anything else I want to hang. they can hold a lot of weight depending on the size of hooks you get. I have hooks for my keys, my umbrella, any dangling wires and even my night light! These little life and space savers not only make it easier to find stuff, but also make your place look so much cleaner and organized…something you definitely want to see when you come back from a long day of classes. This way you will have a place to put your keys instead of throwing them around and regretting it the next morning when you’re rushing around.

2. Use the free cups and bottles you get around campus fairs (housing fair, clubs and organizations fairs, career fair.)

Don’t just use them to drink; use them as pen stands, stands to hold your dish washing brush, fill them up with change that you don’t want in your wallet. I covered my cup with three layers of paper on the top and made a slit through the center and there you have it, your college piggy bank (you’re going to need that money for laundry and err..)
The bottles particularly, can be used to store pretty much anything. One of my bottles is filled up with paper clips. The other is in the fridge so I have cold water when I need it, and another one makes for an easy lime-juice dispenser.

3. Don’t hold back, get a huge trash can.

This is by far the most convenient thing I have done for myself in the apartment. We bought a 55 gallon trash can from Walmart and now we save on trash bags all the time…and the best part? We don’t have to take it out very often. If you want to budget and you’re lazy, this is a win-win. Moreover, these giant cans have a cover, so they don’t stink up the apartment even if you decide to dump food that’s days old because, come on, let’s face it, every college student forgets to throw away old food for a long time because they actually forgot or they’re just procrastinating.

4. Keep those twist ties you get with almost anything you buy.

You know when you buy a loaf of bread or something that has wound up wire over it? And you decide to throw it away? Don’t. These things can come in handy at any time in your apartment. Leaving for summer and don’t want to let the cutlery just lie around? Use this to wind up the spoons together and store them away. Phone charger too long for where its plugged in? Wind it up a bit and hold it together with this! Tape can make it sticky, very easily. Opened a pack of Doritos and want to save it for later? Don’t leave it open, use these!

5. Use an old or cheap blanket as a window blind.

I’m not kidding, some blankets at Walmart go for less than $8, and if you are renting an apartment, it’s highly unlikely that it will come with fancy blackout curtains. Get a blanket, and use command hooks to hang it up right around your window. Put two loops at the bottom corners so you can roll it up and hook it to the hooks on the top to make a blind, there you go! Cheap and easy blackout curtains to help you sleep in after that rough Friday night.

6. Use over-the-door hooks.

You don’t want to have to deal with putting 5 command hooks up when you know you need them there, and you want something that you can load up more than just the capacity of those sticky magicians. They’re cheap and there are so many options on Amazon. There are no restrictions for these and you do not need to do any work, just stick the hooks over the door so they hold on and hang away! In any case, most rental apartments will not allow you to drill holes and screw in hooks and this is the only alternative to get hooks as strong.

7. Get LED strip lighting for your apartment.

Ever get that feeling when you don’t want any lights on but also want to be able to see and move around your room? Here’s your solution, and it’s pretty cool. These lights go for anywhere between $15-$25, and they come in lengths up to 32 feet! You simply put them across the top of your room’s walls with command hooks (of course) or if the wall is flat enough then you can even use their built-in adhesive. They have a remote, and they are LEDs, so they’re barely using any electricity. They have brightness control and color changing capabilities for when you’re throwing that Saturday night party. It’s easy, cheap and will impress any guests. They can set the mood, become an ideal everyday light and even become party strobe lights.

8. When life gives you lemons, CLEAN!

You know how after you make a glass of lemonade, you throw out the squeezed lemon…right? Wrong. This is the perfect way to save yourself from over-spraying the kitchen with Febreze. Just throw that thing into the sink disposal, run it and run warm water as you do so. Crushed lemon will release a fresh aroma, much better than using any spray since it’s acidity will clean as well. Got a dirty or stinky microwave? Grab any microwavable mid-sized bowl and fill it halfway with water, cut a lemon in half and squeeze both halves only a little into the water, not all the way. Now dump them into the water and microwave for 3 minutes. Once it’s done, your microwave will smell fresh and will be much easier to clean!

9. Use a giant bowl of water to keep your room air from being too dry.

The weather gets dry and cold in the winter, which means we all start having dry hands, and feel really dehydrated. Our apartment heaters can be the culprit in this dry air problem. A simple solution is to take a large bowl, fill it with water and simply place it in your room. This works, and it works well. It will keep the air slightly humid and especially if you’re from a less cold region, you will be saved from terrible and painful dry skin. Save your money and don’t buy those heavy and space hogging humidifiers, do this instead!

10. Use Brita filters!

If you’re the kind that likes to drink bottled or filtered water, you’d be spending at least $4 a day or more than those who drink tap water. But what if I said you could drink filtered tap water? Look no further! If you don’t already know about Brita jugs and filters, you need to know. These things have filters built into them, so it’s as easy as filling up a jug by turning on the faucet. It even reminds you when to change a filter, and no its not every week, it’s around every 4 months.

11. Buy everything in bulk.

If you’re at Walmart and you love getting orange juice for that night, it is very likely that you will come back to get more. Instead, save yourself the trouble and the money…buy a giant jug of it, or even four jugs of it. Buying bigger packs saves more than you think, and you will have to make less trips, so there’s time and energy saved too! This applies to pretty much anything from frozen food to toilet paper. I would even recommend buying the large boxes of laundry detergent/pods. You’re not going to stop doing laundry, so you might as well stock up.

Using Amazon’s ‘dash buttons’ is a pretty neat way to be lazy too. Just press the button when you’re running low and there you have it, delivered supplies to your doorstep. They even have these things for Red bull and Gatorade cases, and they don’t cost anything extra. You get a discount on your first order that matches the amount you paid to get the button so that’s pretty neat and convenient.

12. Buy Windex, a lot of it.

This magical solution we all know is much more useful than you think it is. You can use it to clean counters, tables, wall stains, floor spills and pretty much anything that your apartment life can throw at you. Simply buy a refill after your first spray bottle. Fear not, Windex can even clean your stained bathroom mirror very easily so you can look good and feel fresh every morning!

13. Buy space-savers for literally everything.

I have one for snacks, one for stationery and one for cutlery. We also have one in the living room which helps when we simply leave our stuff out. There are sizes that fit on a table to keep small items and sizes that stand alone and can even be used as a bedside table or in my case, a place to keep the bowl of water so the air doesn’t get too dry!

14. Look into Mainstays products.

They make inexpensive household items such as the space-savers I mentioned. They also make furniture, so if you’re looking for a desk in your room, a chair, a comfortable chair to watch TV in, sheets, blankets and anything else you might need, they probably have it. Remember, most of these items are the cheapest when the semester starts and the large stores are having their sales. Most of my kitchen, including plates, cooking vessels and cutlery is from Mainstays, they have great deals and it’s definitely worth it.

15. Add some Throw Pillows!

Throw pillows are a great way to spruce up your apartment without spending too much     money. They come in millions of prints, so you’ll always be able to find ones that match your personal style and the look you’re going for!

16. Use decorative baskets as opposed to plastic storage bins.

Baskets are a great alternative to plastic storage bins. They act as decor but keep your things organized just as well! There are so many cute basket options out there whether you enjoy wired baskets, canvas, or woven ones and they come in all shapes and sizes to fit into whatever space you need!

17. Wall art makes a huge difference!

Dress up any boring drab walls you have in your apartment with some wall art. The possibilites here are endless! You can even buy just the prints or download prints from sites like Etsy and add your own frame.

18. Add slipcovers to your furniture.

Do you have an old beat up couch and can’t afford to buy a new one? No worries, just buy a slipcover. Slipcovers are awesome because they come in so many different colors and designs, and you can switch them out whenever you want a new look!

19. Make your space more inviting with picture frames.

Another cheap way to spruce up your apartment is to buy cute picture frames and fill them with your favorite pictures! It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your apartment. This will make your living space feel more cozy just like the home you grew up in!

20.  A rug.

If you don’t like your flooring, area rugs are a great way to cover it up. They come in so many different sizes that you’re bound to find one that will fit your space. A good rug can do wonders for an apartment by covering up any messed up flooring and making your apartment look bigger than it actually is.

21. Set out some candles.

They’re cheap, they smell good, and they act as decor. Candles have a great way of turning any drab apartment into an inviting atmosphere!

22. Decorate with artificial succulents.

Fake succulents are great because they require no maintenance. And unlike real plants, you don’t have to worry about replacing it when it dies.

23. Your table lamps can make a statement.

Instead of buying simple lamps for your end tables, get more interesting ones. Not only will they dress up the room, but they are bound to be a conversation starter.

24. Buy simple furniture.

When buying furniture, don’t buy anything crazy. Go for things that are neutral colors and won’t go out of style and can look timeless in any setting.

25. Choose the right comforter.

Your comforter can make or a break a room, and unless you are absolutely in love with a printed comforter, I wouldn’t buy it. Instead, go for a solid color, preferably a neutral. This way you aren’t limited on how you decorate your room. The solid color also gives the room a very clean feel.

26. Opt for placemats.

Placemats are a super cheap way to make your dining room or kitchen look instantly more put together.

27. Get a shower curtain.

Shower curtains take up the most room in a bathroom, so make sure yours is something that people won’t mind looking at. Resist the crazy printed ones and instead, go for a simple print that will dress up your bathroom and make it seem brighter and bigger.

28. Add a good throw blanket into the mix.

Throw blankets are great because they give a cozy feel to the room and it’s always great to have a blanket nearby, but they also work as decoration.

29. Add some mirrors to your walls.

Mirrors are amazing because they make the room look bigger and they tend to draw in people’s attention.

30. If you ever need anything for your apartment, always look it up Amazon first.

When I was setting up my apartment, there were many things I found that I didn’t even know would help me so much! For example, many of my sockets have a switch extension, so I can turn them off while I am not using them, without unplugging them. This is especially useful for behind the bed and under the desk sockets, since unplugging requires a lot of effort and plugging it back in is even worse…you might even have to move the entire piece of furniture. Power strips, USB adapters and anything you can think off, it’s probably cheaper on Amazon.

Do you have any other good ideas on ways to upgrade your apartment on a budget? Share in the comments below!

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Featured Image source:http: //homelk.com/apartments/cute-college-apartment-bedrooms-for-girls

Tags: apartment essentials, apartment hacks, things you need for your first apartment, upgrade your apartment, upgrade your apartment on a budget, ways to upgrade apartment

Why filter perfectly good water?

Read article : Why filter perfectly good water?

By Greg Illes
Why filter perfectly good water? The answer to that question is another question: How good is “perfectly good”?

Many RVers use the water that the RV park supplies, straight from the tap. After all, that water comes from treated sources and should have no problems. Right?

Well — maybe. Yes, it’s reasonable to assume that a typical chlorinated municipal supply is biologically safe. But that’s only guaranteed at the water treatment plant output. The distribution system can be full of flaws that degrade the quality of the water before actual use.

And that’s not to mention if the local water is coming from a private well, with something subtle in the treatment protocol not working properly. UV irradiation bulbs burn out, filters get clogged, etc.

Aside from health issues, rust and sediment are the biggest culprits, and they increase with the age of the distribution system. The photo shows a graphic example: a new ceramic 0.5um (micrometer) filter, and a second one with only a few hundred gallons through it. It was so clogged with rusty sediment that the flow had slowed to a trickle. It had never been used anywhere except from certified sources.

Odors and tastes can be “safe” but still objectionable. A friend’s house, in another town, provided municipal water — with a noticeable “stink” when it first came out of the faucet. Nobody got sick, but it wasn’t pleasant.

Bottom Line: When I fill my motorhome’s fresh water tank, I would like to be certain that the next 75 gallons of water I drink, shower with, or use for cooking, is going to be good for my equipment, and good for me.

But such certainty is a real challenge. I can’t possibly test for contaminants and parasites every time I need a fill. And I can’t have every single possible filtration and treatment protocol (there are dozens) applied to all the water I take on.

The answer, as with so many things in life, is a compromise. With properly treated water as a baseline, I have settled for a simple configuration: a fairly fine-pore sediment filter, augmented with activated carbon. The fine-pore filter removes all but the tiniest particles of sediment and screens out any nasty protozoans that might have crept in (e.g., giardia, cryptosporidium). The carbon takes out any odors and tastes. For me, this is an acceptable balance between trouble/cost and quality/safety.

In order to keep an eye on my filter’s health, I chose a clear whole-house housing like the Pentek 150071 (shown). The business of actually doing the filtration is handled by a special high-flow cartridge like the Pentek Flo-Plus, which has great flow performance even with fine (0.5um) filtration. I would hate to have great water at the cost of an hour’s wait to fill my tank. (Not to mention holding up the people in line behind me.)

I screwed pipe-to-hose adapters into the housing so that it could be connected right at the source faucet — that way, I don’t let any “strange” water into my hoses or fittings.

YMMV (“Your mileage may vary,” for those who don’t know) — Note that different people (preferences, allergies, etc.), different water, locales, and use demand different solutions. What works for me might not be your best or safest choice. I’ve only outlined my configuration here by way of example, and not as advice. I’ve seen people with dual-filter setups, UV-light setups, silver-impregnated cartridges — the list goes on. Some folks don’t bother with filtration at all. Some people boil every drop that they drink. It’s up to each individual to sort out their own best approach.

Please feel free to leave a Comment about your own “adventures” with water, and your own filter solutions. We can all benefit (and often be entertained) by each others’ experiences.

Happy travels, and safe and healthy living as well.

Greg Illes is a retired systems engineer who loves thinking up RV upgrades and modifications. When he’s not working on his motorhome, he’s traveling in it. You can follow his excellent blog at www.divver-city.com/blog.

##GI-6-29-17; ##RVT800

Greenbuild exhibitors get down to business

Read article : Greenbuild exhibitors get down to business

TORONTO — The exhibits at the annual Greenbuild Show continue to become increasingly practical and pragmatic, much like the university competition that is the Solar Decathlon in Washington that wrapped up earlier in October. There was little to see that was far outside of the mainstream.

The U.S. Green Building Council's annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo featured four days of networking, educational sessions, green building tours, master speakers and plenary events. The 140,208 gross square meters (1.5 million-sq.ft.) of the North and South building expo floors of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre were fully sold out and comprised of 1,700 booths.

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Greenbuild 2010 showcases innovative solutions

The 23,000 attendees must have been in the educational sessions because they weren’t on the show floor, making it easy for CONTRACTOR to speak with any of the exhibitors at any time. Kohler stood out with a 40-ft. x 40-ft. booth that was made of recycled barn wood. Kohler has converted all faucets from its residential lines to meet new low-lead guidelines.

Additionally, the company unveiled two advanced commercial faucets at Greenbuild that now comply with the lead regulations, the Gooseneck and the Streamlined Touchless faucets. In addition to their low lead content, the faucets boast a touchless design that uses Kohler’s proprietary Insight adaptive infrared sensor technology and runs off the industry’s first ever 30-year Hybrid Energy System. The firm also showed off its enameled cast iron products that are made from at least 80% recycled material.

Reduce, reuse and recycle was the theme for Charlotte Pipe & Foundry. The company pointed out that its cast iron pipe is made from 100% recycled material from everything from refrigerators to car engines. Charlotte’s RePVC plastic pipe has recycled material in the center with virgin material in the inner and outer skins. It is the first NSF-listed Schedule 40 pipe made with recycled materials. The company’s ReUze purple CPVC pipe is made for rainwater and graywater systems and is labeled, “Warning: Non-potable water do not drink.” ReUse meets all the same requirements as FlowGuard Gold CTS CPVC domestic water piping.

Sloan Valve showed off its Solis line of PV-power flushometers and hand-washing faucets. The company displayed a brand-new faucet line, Basys, which includes automatic shutoff, visible diagnostics, interchangeable parts, multiple power options, automatic line purge and three flow options. The crown of the Basys faucet is easily removed for access to all the internal parts. Sloan also showed off its Greenbuild-appropriate Aqus graywater system that collects water under the lav, cleans it, stores it and then uses it to flush the adjacent toilet. Aqus works with most toilets, even dual flush, and it is UPC-listed.

American Standard displayed its new Decorum FloWise high-efficiency urinal designed for luxury buildings, clubs and resorts. Decorum uses 0.5-gpf, half the amount of a standard urinal, meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program requirements. Moreover, commercial specifiers can now select thirty-four pairings of commercial urinals, toilets and flush valves to make commercial specifying more efficient. In addition to streamlining the specifying function, this consolidated process helps expedite delivery and paperwork for large volume commercial projects. The company also showed its Studio dual flush toilets. These luxury performance (dubbed LXP) toilets offer users the choice between a standard 1.6-gpf for solids or 1.1-gpf for liquids, meeting WaterSense criteria for using 20% less water than standard models.

The green emphasis at Delta Faucet was that all of its residential lavatory faucets flow at 1.5-GPM at 60-PSI. A majority of Delta products are also WaterSense labeled. The WaterSense label provides consumers with assurance that bathroom faucets, such as Leland, Lahara, Addison, Dryden, and Victorian, are approximately 30% more water-efficient than their 2.2-GPM counterparts. In the commercial sector, all Delta brand lavatories have a 1.5-GPM outlet as standard, with the option of 0.5-GPM for further savings. In addition to contributing LEED credits, Delta Faucet Co. also provides electronic and manual commercial metering products for reassurance that the faucet won’t be left running.

Moen recently introduced new eco-performance retail kitchen faucets that allow users the option to switch between three water-flow settings. For everyday tasks that require constant, yet low water flow, such as washing dishes or preparing foods, homeowners can choose eco-performance standard stream or aerated spray modes. These settings provide a reduced flow rate of 1.75-GPM. For tasks that require a set amount of water, however, such as filling a pot or pitcher, they can switch to the fast-fill mode, which flows at 2.2-GPM. Moen’s Commercial Division has created Eco-Performance shower systems that are certified to meet WaterSense criteria, with flow rates as low as 1.5-GPM. Commercial shower systems combine Moen’s Eco-Performance showerheads with the Posi-Temp valve to reduce water consumption and eliminate shower shock.

ClimateMaster introduced the Tranquility Modular Water-to-Water (TMW) Series in 360 (30-ton) and 600 (50-ton) sizes. This water-to-water series offers high efficiency with advanced features and application flexibility at competitive prices. As ClimateMaster’s most adaptable EarthPure HFC410A refrigerant units, the TMW series can be used for radiant floor heating, snow/ice melt, chilled water for fan coils, hot/chilled water for make-up air, and many other types of HVAC applications. The TMW 360-600 has advanced digital controls for BAS interface, four LEDS for unit status and compressor isolation switches. Other features include front and back service access panels that allow for side-by-side installation; larger capacity, requiring fewer units per job site; staggered top water connections for ease of manifolding multiple units; and DDC controls with 11 safety protections for the refrigeration circuits.

Aquatherm displayed its Greenpipe recyclable polypropylene-random (PP-R) piping system designed for potable water applications. The pipe is joined by heat fusion. The PP-R material used in Aquatherm pipe is an abundant byproduct of petroleum processing. It also requires far less energy for initial production than other piping materials, and involves none of the environmental effects associated with mining operations.

Additionally, the pipe has a natural R-value of 1-1.5 depending on pipe size and SDR. Aquatherm Lilac, developed for graywater applications such as toilet/drain water, rainwater collection, laundry/cleaning, irrigation, and similar uses, is comparatively low priced and has a list of steadily growing code approvals (it currently meets ASTM F2389 and CSA B137.11).

McQuay International previewed the new Daikin McQuay SmartSource Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) product line during Greenbuild. The line includes the industry’s first variable-speed inverter WSHP. The new line of water source heat pumps comes in a range of sizes and options that include smart dehumidification, waterside economizers and internal electric heat. The SmartSource platform is geothermal ready with factory-mounted loop water pumps. McQuay also introduced the Daikin McQuay Rebel rooftop unit. The new unit claims energy efficiency at almost double the ASHRAE 90.1 minimum standard, while functioning as a Variable Air Volume heat pump unit down to three tons. In addition, the Daikin McQuay Rebel is the first packaged rooftop system to use variable heat pump technology with auxiliary gas heat, as well as, Daikin’s advanced variable inverter scroll compressor.

Taking the spotlight in Niagara’s Greenbuild booth this year was the Stealth Ultra-High-Efficiency Toilet, featuring 0.8-gpf technology. The Stealth was set-up for live demonstrations for Greenbuild attendees. For the shower, Niagara displayed the high-efficiency Sava Spa Showerhead and the Tri-Max Showerhead with three flow rate options. With a new line of faucet aerators, the Niagara booth showcased both kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, including its new Versa Kitchen Aerator, Tri-Max Aerator, Lead-Free Aerator and Bathroom Sink Aerator. Niagara also introduced the Energy Saving Smart Surge Protector and the Eco-IQ Programmable 5-2 Thermostat.

Jaga, a European manufacturer of stylish panel radiators and unique fan-powered hydronic baseboard, announced that it has filled out its U.S. representation and it is available across the U.S. Jaga’s product lines include the Energy Savers low-H20 radiators and the Eye Catchers line of visually appealing heating solutions. Because of its heat exchanger technology, Jaga’s “Energy Savers” radiators require only 10% the water of traditional panel radiators, resulting in a 12% energy savings. This lowers energy bills and reduces annual CO2 emissions per dwelling by almost a ton. Jaga’s Eye Catchers heating solutions use innovative materials and production techniques to elevate the radiator from a design object to art.

Encore, a division of Component Hardware Group Inc., has introduced a hygienic, water-conscious solution for converting a standard faucet into a low-flow metering faucet. The One-Tap Metering Aerator fits most faucets with an existing aerator, enabling a speedy, hassle-free transition to a water-conserving faucet. The One-Tap Metering Aerator offers a cost-effective alternative to electronic faucets. Water flow starts with a single touch and the adjustable metering activator automatically stops the flow in two to 20 seconds. This action reduces the risk of cross-contamination and provides up to 87% water savings over conventional faucets. The One-Tap Metering Aerator comes with a tamper-proof housing, installation/adjustment key and 15/16-27 female by 55/64-27 female thread adapter to fit most standard faucets with aerators.

Faucet, Tap & Mixer - China Faucet, Kitchen Faucet Manufacturers/Suppliers on Made-in-China.com

Read article : Faucet, Tap & Mixer - China Faucet, Kitchen Faucet Manufacturers/Suppliers on Made-in-China.com

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The Herbal Medicated Bath – Naturopathic Doctor News and Review

Read article : The Herbal Medicated Bath – Naturopathic Doctor News and Review

Sussanna Czeranko, ND, BBE

Even three days after using the [pine needle] bandage, one can smell the rosin which is most agreeable. It is a theory of mine that when the system needs certain things, it can absorb them through the pores.

                                       Sebastian Kneipp, 1909, p.628

All herb baths are prepared in the same manner as the hayflower baths.

                                       Puderbach, 1927, p.282

Traces of turpentine are found in the urine after a hot bath containing the natural oil of pine which has entered the system through absorption or inhalation of vapor, or both.

                                       Elene, 1935, p.272

Baths of many types have been used for eons for purposes of health. The “bath” as a healthy and social dimension shows up often in the history and repertoire of Traditional Chinese Medicine, for example, and in many accounts of the splendid baths scattered throughout the Roman Empire (such as the “Theomoe” or warm baths of Diocletian), or the historical Vapor Baths of the Turks in Constantinople. However, the term “medicated bath” begins to appear as such and with more frequency in the 19th century. Cruchley’s 1834 history of London included details of bathing establishments throughout the city, such as Suffolk Place in Pall Mall, where one could find an “a very complete establishment of warm, cold, shower, vapour and general medicated baths” (Cruchley, 1834, p.169). T. S. Lambert’s Bathing and The Bath, published in 1845, was a delightful exegesis on “bathing and the bath, simple and medicated,” in which this early medical doctor differentiated between basic bathing and “medicated bathing.” John Bell, in his 1850 seminal work A Treatise on Baths, describes a bath using water other than fresh water or tap water. Bell writes, “Natural medicated baths are those furnished by the waters of mineral springs.” (Bell, 1850, p.615) The practice was long common that when mineral waters were not available, “medicated” baths were artificially created using minerals and salts to mimic Nature. Mineral bath was also a term used for baths that were enhanced with herbal decoctions such as pine extracts, equisetum, oat straw, hayflowers (see my May 2016 NDNR article, “The Head & Food Vapor Baths”), etc. Guy Hinsdale (1910) included herbs in the preparation of baths and other water applications, and called these “medicated” or “modified” baths. Not surprisingly, our early naturopathic pioneers were fully aware of this enhanced dimension of hydrotherapy.

Kneipp & Herbal Baths

Sebastian Kneipp is well recognized as a giant in the promotion of water cure. He was also profoundly interested in the use of plants, both for ingestion and to enhance his water applications. His combining of curative plants with water therapies was severely criticized by the extreme orthodox adherents of the hydrotherapy. (Platen, 1901, p.296) His 3 most used bath herbs included shave grass [Equisetum arvense], oat straw [Avena sativa] and hayflowers, or the dregs of a hay stack. Hayflowers was introduced by Kneipp as one of his celebrated herbal wonders, used for young children and the aged. Louisa Lust, following in the footsteps of Kneipp, also used herbs at her Butler Yungborn. She found that herbs used in baths were very beneficial for nervous people. She used “sage, hayflower, oak bark, pine needle, fenugreek, yarrow and others.” (Lust, 1911, p.231) After any of the herbal baths, Louisa Lust counsels the correct way to bring the water application to an end: “The [herbal] bath should always be wound up with a cool ablution, so as to close the pores and prevent cold.” (Lust, 1911, p.231)

John Bell’s mid-19th century work provides a recipe for an emollient bath using an herbal formula. He says, “An emollient bath is made by first taking althea, marshmallow, and elder flowers, or the pith of sassafras, and the bark of slippery elm, four pounds, and of flaxseed, half a pound; then tying them loosely in a cloth, and boiling the bag, add the decoction to the water of the bath.” (Bell, 1850, p.633)

To make Kneipp’s famed hayflower decoction, “a little [cloth] bag [is] filled with hay flowers, thrown into a pot of boiling water, and left there to infuse for at least fifteen minutes.” (Kneipp, 1891, p.38) The hayflower decoction was essentially left to steep until the desired dark coffee-like color was attained. Its property of opening up skin pores and promoting the elimination of morbid matter was much prized by Kneipp and others. Platen recounts Kneipp’s advice on the hayflower bath: “Kneipp advises taking the bath only once or twice a month and not to prolong a single bath beyond half an hour.” (Platen, 1901, p.558) Warm water applications always finished with cold water. Platen used alternating warm and cold water bathing. The herbal warm bath would last about 10 minutes and immediately followed by 5 or 6 seconds in a cold bath, and repeated 2 or 3 times. (Platen, 1901, p.558)

Warm Sitz Baths

Kneipp used herbal decoctions for warm water applications, and pure cold water was more than sufficient to achieve its therapeutic outcomes. In regards to a warm sitz bath, Kneipp asserts, “The warm sitz bath is never prepared of warm water alone, but according to my system is always mixed with some other ingredient.” (Kneipp, 1891, p.32) Equisetum was added to the sitz bath to treat “diseases of the bladder and kidneys, in gravel and stones complaints.” (Kneipp, 1891, p.33) Oat straw was used to treat gout and rheumatic conditions, and when Kneipp did not have access to these 2 herbs, he relied upon hayflowers. The sitz bath with hayflowers was a general treatment and was efficacious in cases of boils, constipation, hemorrhoids, and spasmodic pains such as colic. (Kneipp, 1891, p.33)

Foot Baths

Hayflower added to a bath such as a foot bath offered relief “in many foot complaints: open wounds, bruises, boils, putrefaction of the toes and suppuration of the nails.” (Kneipp, 1891, p.29)

Another one of Kneipp’s favorite herbs used in baths was oat straw. He describes the preparation: “The straw is boiled for half an hour, and then used as a foot bath from 20 to 30 minutes, at a temperature of from 88° to 91° F/31° to 33° C.” (Kneipp, 1891, p.29)

Equisetum was prepared much like the hayflowers – steeped for at least 15 minutes. The decoction used as a wash on “poisoned wounds… had a cleansing effect.” (Platen, 1901, p.472)

Gout

Friedrich E. Bilz, following in the footsteps of Sebastian Kneipp, used many of the same herbs in his herbal baths as his esteemed mentor. Bilz used a decoction made with pine needles for the treatment of gout. “Warm baths of 95° to 101° F/35° to 38° C with a decoction of pine sprigs or hayseed are also recommended.” (Bilz, 1898, p.780) For gout, the primary objective was to increase blood circulation, which hydrotherapy was excellent at producing. Bilz recommended the following gout protocol: “Three cold full washings a week, on first getting out of bed; or three knee gushes, two half baths of the upper body, and the warm hayflower shirt once, will probably command success.” (Bilz, 1898, p.780)

Making a strong decoction from the hayflowers, a compress would be soaked in it and applied while warm on “affected or swollen parts every two or three hours, [or] hayflower is scalded with hot water, enclosed in cloth and laid on the diseased part.” (Bilz, 1898, p.780)

The hydrotherapies were also complemented with herbal teas “of primroses, elder berries or elder blossoms several times a day. Gouty patients are also recommenced to continue for some time to drink a tea made of mouse ear [Hieracium pilosella].” (Bilz, 1898, p.780)

Pine Needle Baths

Kneipp also endorsed the use of pine needles for bathing. Used in a bath, the pine decoction provided benefits to the kidneys and bladder, and the skin epidermis was restored to health. (Kneipp, 1891, p.38) Kneipp also credited pine baths for strengthening the interior blood vessels, thereby making this “the proper bath for more aged people.” (Kneipp, 1897, p.65)

Kneipp favored using fresh pine needles for his water therapies. To make a pine needle bath, pine needles and branches were picked fresh or a distillation would be made. M. Platen provides instructions: “The pine needles are boiled for at least half an hour, and the decoction is then ready for use.” (Platen, 1901, p.472) The pine “extract, also called pine balsam is almost transparent, of a yellowish tinge at first, turning a greenish brown after standing some hours; has a pleasant, refreshing, bracing, resinous, aromatic smell.” (Platen, 1901, p.559) Compresses made from the decoction were strengthening and stimulating to the skin. (Platen, 1901, p.472)

In the July 1935 issue of Nature’s Path,another magazine published by Lust, the author of an article on the topic of pine needle oil, writes: “Pine oil is classified medicinally as a rubifacient, being slightly an irritant, and possesses feeble antiseptic properties. The irritant properties cause an unusual circulation of blood and thereby relieves congestions, eases pain, and quiets nervous tension.” (Elene, 1935, p.252, 270)   She warns against synthetic pine oils. “If the oil has been saponified or chemically combined with alkali, much of the effectiveness will have been lost. Artificial pine odors or scents have no therapeutic value in a bath.” (Elene, 1935, p.270)

John H. Kellogg placed the pine needle bath under the subheading of “Miscellaneous Baths” at the end of his voluminous book, Rational Hydrotherapy. Kellogg used pine needles to achieve the same reactions induced by the carbonic acid [or carbon dioxide] baths. The carbon dioxide bath, or the Nauheim bath, was popularized by many of the early hydrotherapists, such as Simon Baruch, Kellogg and Hinsdale. Carbon dioxide baths are still currently used extensively in European spas to treat heart disease, diabetes, rheumatic conditions, and obesity. Guy Hinsdale also used pine needle extract in combination with the effervescent carbon dioxide bath.

Kellogg states, “This [pine needle] bath produces powerful cutaneous stimulation. It is useful in chronic renal and cardiac disease, at a temperature of 92° to 94° F/33° to 34° C and may be used in the place of the effervescing baths.” (Kellogg, 1903, p.955) Among the benefits of the pine bath, Platen included “scrofula, gout, rheumatism, paralysis, debility, skin complaints, abdominal and sexual disorders.” (Platen, 1901, p.559) Pine baths improved the functions of the emunctories, such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and the skin.

Puderbach agreed with Platen that a 30-minute pine needle bath was beneficial for rheumatism, and suggested the “temperature should be high for rheumatic ailment (40° C/104° F).” (Puderbach, 1925, p.154) Puderbach also used the pine needle bath for nervous conditions at lower temperatures, of 28° C/82° F for 20 minutes. (Puderbach, 1925, p.154)

Elene recommended the pine bath for insomnia. A hot pine bath “taken before retiring will induce a quiet restful sleep without resorting to medicines or drugs.” (Elene, 1935, p.270, 272) She states, “When a person is fatigued and tired a cool pine bath has an exceptional bracing tonic effect.”

Hinsdale used pine needle essential oil in steam baths, and patients were steamed for 20 to 30 minutes in a steam cabinet, which caused profuse perspiration. (Hinsdale, 1910, p.309) After the steam bath, patients were massaged. Hinsdale also used pine needle extract in a medicated bath using 2 ounces of the extract to a 40-gallon bath. (Hinsdale, 1910, p.309)

1. Puderbach in 1925 wrote The Massage Operator, which was published by Benedict Lust. Puderbach was the director of the Brooklyn Massage Training School. His book was essentially a physical therapy manual. Every conceivable physical therapy was outlined in his book. Throughout the years of Benedict Lust’s journals, numerous ads appeared with pine constituents for the pine bath. Puderbach alludes to one of these products – Novopin – which was a pine salt. Instructions for a bath using this salt: “For a tub bath take a full tube of this salt. The temperature of the bath should be 28° to 30° C/ 82° to 86° F. The bath should last 20 to 30 minutes.” (Puderbach, 1925, p.154) Another method that Puderbach suggests for taking the pine bath: “For a tub bath take a large spoonful of pine needle extract, dissolve in a pail of boiling water, and pour this solution into the prepared bath, or take one or two spoonfuls of pine oil, dissolve this in 100 grams pure alcohol and add to the bath.” (Puderbach, 1925, p.154)

Pine needle baths could irritate the skin, thus Puderbach advised that those patients experiencing itching of skin be removed from the bath immediately and given a shower. A rice powder was applied to the itching areas. (Puderbach, 1925, p.154)

A Valuable Legacy

These remarkable Naturopaths and their predecessors have left us a superb legacy of treatment protocols and success stories so valuable for patients. In our era of polypharma and a compromised food supply and distribution system, these wonderful natural approaches to healing are timeless. Kneipp, Kellogg, Bilz, Elene, Hinsdale, Puderbach and other giants have left us with outstanding tools. All we need do is use them.

---

Sussanna Czeranko ND, BBE, incorporates “nature-cure” approaches to primary care by including balneotherapy, breathing therapy, and nutrition into her naturopathic practice. Dr Czeranko is a faculty member working as the Rare Books curator at NCNM and is currently compiling a 12-volume series based upon Benedict Lust’s journals, published early in the last century. Her published books include: Origins of Naturopathic Medicine; Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine; Dietetics of Naturopathic Medicine; Principles of Naturopathic Medicine; Vaccination and Naturopathic Medicine; and Physical Culture in Naturopathic Medicine. Dr Czeranko is the founder of the Breathing Academy, a training institute for naturopaths to incorporate a scientific model of breathing therapy called Buteyko into their practice. She is also a founding board member of the International Congress of Naturopathic Medicine and a member of the International Society of Medical Hydrology.

References

Bell, J. (1850). A Treatise on Baths. Philadelphia, PA: Barrington and Haswell, pp. 658.

Bilz, F. E. (1898). The Natural Method of Healing. Leipzig, Germany: F. E. Bilz Publishing, pp. 2065.

Cruchley, G. F.(1834). Cruchley’s Picture of London. 2nd Ed. London, England: G. F. Cruchley Publishers.

Elene. (1935). The soothing pines. Nature’s Path. New York, NY: Benedict Lust Publishing, XXXX (7), 252, 270, 272.

Hinsdale, G. (1910). Hydrotherapy.Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company Publishing, pp. 466.

Kellogg, J. H. (1903). Rational Hydrotherapy.Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company Publishers, pp. 1193.

Kneipp, S. (1891). My Water Cure.London, England: William Blackwood and Sons Ltd, pp. 272.

Kneipp, S. (1897). My Water Cure.Authorized American Edition translated from the 118th German Edition. Kempten, Bavaria: Jos Koesel Publisher, pp. 393.

Kneipp, S. (1909). Bandages and compresses. The Naturopath and Herald of Health,XIV (10), 624-632.

Lambert, T. S. (1845). Bathing and the Bath, Simple and Medicated: Its History, Effect and Mode of Application. Troy, New York: J. C. Kneeland Press.

Lust, L. (1911). Water cure, water applications. The Naturopath and Herald of Health,XXI (4), 231, 233.

Platen, M. (1901). The New Curative Treatment of Disease. London, England: Bong & Co, pp. 1579.

Puderbach, M. (1901). The Massage Operator. Butler, NJ: Dr. Benedict Lust Publishing, pp. 180.

Puderbach, P. (1927). Medicinal baths and their preparation. Naturopath,XXXII (5), 243-246.

Top 6 Trends in Faucet Technology in 2017 for Kitchen & Bath

Read article : Top 6 Trends in Faucet Technology in 2017 for Kitchen & Bath

Staying ahead of industry trends can help trade professionals boost their businesses. Plumbers, builders and remodelers in the pro trade industry can increase their perceived credibility in the eyes of the customer by introducing them to the latest faucet technology for the kitchen and bath. Whether you’re working on a residential bathroom remodel or need faucets for a cutting-edge commercial kitchen, implementing a technologically-advanced faucet will help you exceed customer demands. Discover the kitchen and bathroom faucet technology trends for 2017 and see how these advancements will help you grow your pro trade business.

1. Kitchen faucets that deliver filtered water on demand.

   Imagine telling your customers that they can pour a glass of water that is safer to drink and tastes delicious every time. Three plumbing brands have made that a reality with faucets that feature water filtration technology in their functionality. Kohler offers the Carafe® kitchen faucet, which features a built-in water filtration system. The Grohe Blue® faucet incorporates a chilling system, carbonation and water filtration to give users the option to pour a glass of crisp, chilled fizzy water whenever they want. Pfister offers two faucet models with Xtract™ technology, which increases water safety by removing chlorine, lead, pesticides, mercury and select pharmaceuticals from the water.

   Contact your local Ferguson for more information about faucets that filter water.

   
2. A shower head that changes function with a simple touch.

   You can help your customers enhance the way they shower with an advancement that will soon be available on the market from American Standard. Instead of manually adjusting their shower head, users will be able to change the shower head spray pattern by simply touching the shower head or via a wireless remote button. This will make it easier for your customers to adjust their shower to their personal preference, and will be especially helpful for those with limited height or mobility. Adding this functionality to your customers’ bathrooms will give them a customizable showering experience, and they’ll have you to thank. Check for this product with your local Ferguson this coming fall.

   Connect with your local Ferguson for the latest information about plumbing advancements.

   
3. A kitchen faucet that turns on with your feet.

   Much like car doors that can be opened with the tap of a foot, Grohe has introduced a foot-activated kitchen faucet that is conveniently turned on and off by tapping a sensor mounted at the base of the counter. This faucet is the answer to busy moments in the kitchen where people find their hands full and messy. Because of the hands-free activation, you can offer this technology as a way to improve the overall cleanliness and sanitation of your customers’ kitchens.

   Find your local Ferguson to request this faucet or shop our online offering of other Grohe faucets.

   
4. A shower system that you control through Wi-Fi.

   Sell your customers on the idea that you can bring their showering experience into the digital age with a Wi-Fi enabled showering system. Available at your local Ferguson, the new U by Moen promises to deliver the perfect shower based on customizable settings that users control through their smartphone. Your customers can choose their shower temperature and have it warmed up and ready before they step in all through the U by Moen app. Offering this technology will help your business because you can market yourself as a smart home automation plumbing expert.

   Get more information about the U by Moen from your local Ferguson or shop our online offering of Moen products.

   
5. A faucet that will keep kitchens splatter-free.

   You can give your customers a cleaner kitchen with a faucet that incorporates the futuristic ShieldSpray™ Technology from Delta Faucet. The stream is a unique elliptical shape that the manufacturer describes as working like a shield to prevent splatter. You can provide your customers with the benefit that their kitchen counters, and their clothes, will stay clean and dry no matter the size or shape of any dish they wash.

   Contact your local Ferguson to get this technology, or browse our online offering of plumbing supplies from Delta Faucet.

   
6. Kitchen faucets that sense when they’re needed.

   Impress your customers by giving them the ability to turn on their kitchen faucet simple by holding your hand near it. While this might seem like magic, several quality faucet brands have made this a reality. American Standard, Kohler, Moen and Pfister have developed several pull down kitchen faucets that incorporate this technology. Hand-free faucets will give you the advantage of increasing the level of sanitation in your customers’ kitchens.

   Visit your local Ferguson to explore our offering of hand-free faucets and check out or online offering of kitchen faucets.

   

Scott Watts

With over 24 years of experience in the plumbing supply industry, Scott Watts leverages his extensive product knowledge to help trade professionals make the best purchase decisions to grow their businesses.