Page 69 - Spring 2019 Journal

LAZINESS IS NOT AN OPTION
Any system that relies on a filter poses
one particular danger to users: backwash after the medium reaches capacity. Filter mediums can only absorb so much contamination. Once they reach saturation, they may not only stop filtering incoming water, but backwash the many, many months of concentrated, built-up contamination back into your water! Thus, it is very important to change your filter cartridges or medium regularly based on its rated capac- ity and your water usage. Basically, the more water you use, the sooner you should replace your filter, regardless of any monthly or annual guidelines the manufacturer gives. Some com- panies make this easy by allowing you to sign up for automated reminders (mail, text or email) or even automated shipment of new filters on a set schedule. No matter what reminder system you choose, it is very important that you find a way to ensure that you don’t use your filter past its capacity.
Depending on your water source, some sys- tems either use or will benefit from a prefilter. Generally, a prefilter doesn’t so much remove contaminants that are dangerous to your health as it takes care of stuff that is dangerous to your filter’s health and performance. In setting up rainwater catchment systems, for example, prefiltration to remove dust, dirt and large debris is a must and will help protect and extend the life of the next stage of filtration substantially. Without a prefilter, the main filtration system will underperform (because it is dealing with particulate matter and other incoming debris), and the system’s rated life will be greatly re-
duced. This is just one example of why figuring out exactly what filtration you need for the water system you have is vital.
John Moody is the fortunate husband to Jessica, father to five fantastic kids and a well-known writer and speaker on issues relating to health, homesteading and more. Embracing the wisdom of Weston Price allowed him to save his health and help countless others over the years. John’s book, The Frugal Homesteader, is available at homesteaderhandbook. com. Fantastic traditional foods like elderberry syrup made by his farm and family can be found at abbyselderberry.com.
REFERENCES
1. Teller M. Lead in the water: Flint’s cautionary tale. Wise Traditions 2016;17(1):42-6. 2. Pell MB, Schneyer J. Thousands of U.S. areas afflicted with lead poisoning beyond
Flint’s: the Michigan city doesn’t even rank among the most dangerous lead hotspots in America. Scientific American, n.d. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ thousands-of-u-s-areas-afflicted-with-lead-poisoning-beyond-flints/.
3. Moody J. Cookware keeps getting safer, but it’s still caveat emptor! Wise Traditions 2018;19(4):73-6.
4. Disinfection with chlorine. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/public/chlorine- disinfection.html.
5. Chloramines in drinking water. https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/chloramines-drinking- water.
6. National water fluoridation statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/statistics/2014stats. htm.
7. Tooth decay: topical vs. systemic effects. http://fluoridealert.org/issues/caries/topi- cal_systemic/.
8. Bashash M, Thomas D, Hu H, et al. Prenatal fluoride exposure and cognitive out- comes in children at 4 and 6-12 years of age in Mexico. Environ Health Perspect 2017;125(9):097017.
9. Moody J. Water, water, everywhere, but is it safe to drink? Wise Traditions 2014;15(4):68- 71.
10. Activated carbon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activated_carbon.
11. https://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/radiant-life-14-stage-water-purification-
system/water-filtration-systems.
12. Countertop gravity water filters: which is best? 2019 edition. https://thesafehealthyhome.
com/best-countertop-gravity-water-filter-systems-review/.
13. Adams M. Water filter glyphosate removal lab test results released by Natural News—see
the full video here. Glyphosate.news, Feb. 12, 2019.
14. Adams M. Mike Adams/CWC Labs announces glyphosate lab testing of popular water
filters...see exclusive video here. Natural News, Feb. 3, 2019.
15. Peckham S, Lowery D, Spencer S. Are fluoride levels in drinking water associated with
hypothyroidism prevalence in England? A large observational study of GP practice data
and fluoride levels in drinking water. J Epidemiol Community Health 2015;69(7):619-24. 16. Moody J. Chlorine-free swimming pools. Wise Traditions 2016;17(4):59-61.
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SPRING 2019
Wise Traditions 67