| Frequently
asked questions about water
WHAT IS OZONE GAS?
Ozone which is formed as a result of the separation of ultraviolet rays
coming from the sun, is obtained from dry air or pure oxygen through
the technological electron release. O3 is gas at the room temperature,
and it has a characteristic odor (it is felt at heights and by the coast
after stormy weather). The name of ozone originates from the Greek word
"ozein" which means smelling. It has been discovered in 1840
by German chemist Christian Friedrich Schonbein (1777-1868). The ozone
gas, which is a very active oxidant, has a powerful destructive effect
over microorganisms.
Ozone, which has a very unstable chemical structure in liquid solutions
and which has a more stable chemical structure in dry air environment,
very rapidly turns into 02 molecules. For this reason the existence
of ozone at high amounts do not generally result in important problems
and this brings forth the regular and continuous ozone gas feeding during
its use. The halving of ozone in pure water is 165 minutes while it
decreases to 12 hours in the air. Ozone, whose destructive effect over
microorganisms is 10 times more than of chlorine, is preferred to chlorine
as it does not leave an odor or strange taste in the food substance
it is used in. Ozone gas is injected with gas injectors during the disinfection
process of water. The destructive impact of ozone over microorganisms
depends on the number of microorganisms, process duration and the amount
to be given to the water. Additionally the temperature during the application
is also important. The dissolvability of ozone in water depends on ozone
feeding speed and applied temperature. In general, the dissolvability
of ozone in water increases depending on the increasing speed of ozone
and decreasing temperature. This dissolvability varies typically between
0.001 and 30.2 mg/lt.
WHAT IS HARDNESS IN WATER?
Spring waters flow through different rocks and solve some salt existing
in these rocks while they are flowing to seas and lakes. For this reason
many different geographical features such as caves or cavities have
been formed on where this water pass through. Water resources contain
different ions depending on the geomorphologic characteristics of regions
where they have been and they pass. Hardness is the result of the existence
of dissolved (+2) valued ions (Ca+2, Mg+2, Sr+2, Fe+2, Mn+2, etc.).
As Ca+2 and Mg+2 ions are present more than other ions in natural waters,
the hardness is expressed as the total of concentrations of Ca+2 and
Mg+2 ions. Other ions do not contribute much to the hardness as other
ions are generally in complex forms.
Hardness is not a quality parameter or an indicator for potable water.
The most important relation between the water and hardness is the amount
of soap or detergent required for washing increases with the level of
water hardness. No limits have been fixed for hardness in natural spring
water.
When the water rich in calcium and magnesium minerals is boiled, some
of these minerals are turned into calcium and magnesium carbonate. As
most of the formed calcium and magnesium carbonate is not dissolved
in water, they are settled in the container the water is being boiled.
This is a result of the nature of water and it is valid for all water
that has calcium and magnesium. The higher the level of hardness in
water, the higher is the amount of precipitate that is formed after
boiling. The formed precipitate has no negative effects on human health.
The water is classified according to their levels of
hardness:
Very soft 0-5 Fr
Soft 5-10 Fr
Medium soft 10-20 Fr
Hard 20-30 Fr
Very Hard > 30 Fr
1F= 10 mb/lt CaCO3 French Hardness Level
The defined hardness levels are generally expressed in French, German
and English terms.
Hardness Level
The water is at the 1 German hardness level in case 10 milligrams of
CaO or 7,14 milligrams of MgO is dissolved in 1 liter of water.
The water is at the 1 English hardness level in case 10 milligrams of
CaCO3 or 8,42 milligrams of MgCO3 is dissolved in 0,7 liter of water.
The water is at the 1 French level in case 10 milligrams of CaCO3 or
8,42 milligrams of MgCO3 is dissolved in 1 liter of water.
Temporary Hardness (Carbonate hardness):
It results from bicarbonates of ions of Ca and Mg dissolved in water.
Water that has this type of hardness may be softened by boiling a few
minutes.
Persistent hardness (Non-carbonate hardness): It results
from the nitrates of sulfate, chlorine and nitrates of Ca and Mg ions.
(Calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium chlorine, magnesium chlorine,
calcium nitrate, magnesium nitrate). The water that is of persistent
hardness type shall not be softened by simple processes like boiling.
These types of water can be softened by methods like ion exchange.
THE HARDNESS CALCULATIONS ARE MADE ACCORDING
TO:
mmol/L german d English e French f American ppm
mmol/L 1 5,61 7,02 10 100
german d 0,178 1 1,25 1,78 17,8
English e 0,143 0,80 1 1,43 14,3
French f 0,10 0,56 0,70 1 10
American ppm 0,01 0,056 0,070 0,1 1
WHAT MINERALS CAN EXIST IN WATER?
CALCIUM: It is essential for the formation and strengthening
of bones and teeth, the treatment for and prevention of osteoporosis.
It contributes to the regulation of nervous system. It plays role in
the muscle movements, the balancing of body liquid level, and production
of hormones and regulates the heart rhythm. It makes a 25% decrease
in the cholesterol level of males when the it is adequately taken on
a daily basis. The lack of it may result in rickets and osteoporosis.
MAGNESIUM: It is a natural stress decreasing
mineral of the body. Most of magnesium is collected in the bones and
muscles in the body. It becomes more essential for during making sports
and during pregnancy period. It strengthens the immune system, controls
the blood pressure and prevents sudden deaths when used with calcium.
It relaxes the muscles especially after exercising. It lowers the osteoporosis
risk and prevents formation of kidney stones. The lack of it may result
in vomiting, muscle weakness, shaking and palpitation.
BICARBONATES AND CHLORIDES: These minerals
helps maintaining and regulating the acid balance in the stomach and
intestines. It corrects the stomach problems and helps digestion. These
minerals are also effective for headaches after alcohol drinking. It
lowers the blood sugar. The lack of it may result in vomiting.
FLUORINE: These minerals prevent tooth decays.
The lack of it may result in speeding of decaying period. However abundance
of it may result in color change in the teeth.
POTASSIUM: It is essential for normal movement
of nerves and muscles. It also helps the normal functioning of sugar
metabolism, acid base balance and the oxygen metabolism in the brain.
High levels of potassium decreases high blood pressure resulting from
dieting and mental stress. The lack of may result in higher blood pressure,
negative effects on heart beat rhythm, diarrhea and insulin sensitiveness
for diabetes.
SODIUM: It is important for the maintenance
of water level of the body. It regulates the electrolytes kept by kidneys.
Sodium also helps the normal muscle movements and the production of
adrenaline and amino acids. It helps keeping water in the body, which
may result in hypertension and decrease in discharge of urine. High
level of potassium intake must accompany high level sodium. The lack
of it may result in weakness feeling, and keeping high level of water
in the body result in edema and higher tension.
SULFATE: Sulfates makes a laxative effect
in constipation and stimulatory effect in ballast dysfunction.
UNDER WHICH CONDITIONS SHOULD THE BOTTLED WATER
BE STORED?
Bottled water shall only be stored together with other packaged food.
They must never be stored with chemical including materials such as
oil, liquid bleach and detergent. It must also never be stored with
garlic and onions as they affect the taste and odor of the water.
Refrain from storing the bottled water in stores where there are risks
of spill, this may cause a change in taste and odor.
The maximum shelf lives of bottled water is one year and please obey
this period. The freshest water is the tastiest.
Refrain from exposing the bottled water to direct sunlight. Sunlight
may negatively affect the aroma of the water.
Prevent the bottled water from freezing because some white particles
may settle at the bottom of the bottle. These are mineral particles
that separate from water because of high levels of change in the temperature.
WHAT IS CRYPTOSPORIDIUM?
Cryptosporidium is a microorganism that results in a disease named `Cryptosporiosis`
in animals and human beings. Water is an important source for human
beings to catch this microbe. They form thin sports in the intestines
of animals and increase. And then they are distributed to the natural
environment through the feces of animals. These microorganisms, ooxides
in medicine, are resistant against negative environments. They survive
in clear water or humid cool soil for months. This process continues
in the animals that take the ooxides and the chain of disease starts
again. Human beings may take this microbe from the water. However this
disease may arise in human beings in case of contact with milk, or diseased
animals or human beings. This disease continues with diarrhea and lasts
generally for two weeks. Most of the patients recover completely. So
people that got this microbe once should boil the water before drinking.
The filtration process of water is a prevention method for contamination
risk posed by ooxides as it functions as a physical barrier.
WHAT HARM DOES LEAD IN WATER CAUSE?
Lead is an important risk for human health. Lead shall be mixed into
water from leaded pipes and other leaded piping materials. Lead result
in hypertension, hearing loss, anemia, kidney problems and intelligence
loss in human beings. Purifying the water from lead can only be made
with reverse osmosis unit or water softening unit.
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