Water: 101
Water
Perfect water comes from the earth in the form of artesian spring water. These waters are quite different from the well waters we dig for and pull up with pumps. Once the earth filters the water, balances the mineral content, regulates the pH, adds oxygen, and balances the molecular structure; the water creates natural “lift” which brings it to the surface under its own pressure.
Water brands such as: Fiji, Acqua Panna and Eternal are examples of natural artesian water sources. They require no purification or disinfecting, only removal of sand and grit during the bottling process. Water, along with sunlight, is the source of life. All living things require water to survive and grow. We live in a world filled with water.
So, it is perplexing to see what little consideration is given to the quality of water we give our bodies or use in our homes for bathing and cleaning. Modern municipals have helped to bring “sanitary” water to the mass population. But even a simple review of the literature will bring up the obvious conclusion that most drinking water is a far cry from the natural artesian wells the earth intended for us.
Artesian waters all have four things in common:
Purity
Minerals
Balanced pH (7.2 to 7.8)
Structuring (molecular configuration of the water molecules, oxygen, and energy)
If you are looking for a healthy water source, these four criteria should always be carefully considered. The closer we can bring our water to its natural form, the healthier we can become. Nothing can replicate the exact balance of an Artesian well that took a thousand years to create, but there are some great systems available that can come close. I have studied and experimented with many water systems over the years, and most are disappointing.
There are only two systems I can recommend that have lived up to my expectations. Luckily, the first one is easy to use, extremely affordable, and requires no professional installation or plumbing. This is the Berkey Water Filter. It uses a gravity fed container to slowly move your water through specialized carbon filters.
* Apple not included
By purchasing a Berkey water system you can conservatively check off three parameters of healthy water:
Purity
Minerals
Balanced pH
Achieving these three is likely, but not guaranteed. This is because the Berkey does not remove everything from the water, so the purity and final pH will depend on the source of water you are using. However, because of the low cost of this system, the convenience and portability, it is an excellent option. As discussed below with option two, I would use the Berkey water filter over a simple Reverse Osmosis (RO) system any day.
The Pros and Cons of the Berkey system:
PROS:
It will not remove ALL the minerals from your water, so re-mineralization is not required. The Berkey will allow key minerals though the filter, such as calcium and magnesium, which are necessary to balance the water’s pH.
Most water sources I have tested with the Berkey, produce a balanced pH. The ideal range for drinking water is 7.2 to 7.8, but I would suggest testing yours to be sure. If your water is still below 7.2 after purification, it may require structuring to bring it back into balance.
Also, the Berkey can remove an exceptionally long list of toxic compounds that are detrimental to your health. Berkey offers an optional secondary filter that can remove fluoride and arsenic from city or well water. (I highly recommend using these). This is what they look like:
The Berkey is very well made and requires minimal maintenance.
They come in a range of sizes, that suit the needs of a single user or a large family. If you are renting, move around regularly, or know you will not be in your current home for long, this is the best option for your water purification needs.
Refrigerator filters, and the cheap drip filters you purchase at department stores are sadly ineffective. They help remove the stinky smell from your water and that is about it. These cheap filters will tell you what they remove, but they will not give you a list of all the things they do not remove. Do not trust your health to these cheaper options.
A Berkey water purifier will cost between $200 and $500 depending on its size. You can find multiple retailers online by running a simple search.
CONS:
No carbon-based system can remove all toxic compounds from your water supply. Only a RODI system (explained below) is capable of that, but the Berkey system is the next best option.
The Berkey system does not “structure” your water. This can be remedied by purchasing a handheld water structuring system. I did this for two years while we were building our new home.
Structured Water
In order to structure your water, you will have to purchase a “Crystal Blue” handheld structuring device. Your purified water is poured through the handheld device and comes out the other end. This adds another step in the process before you can drink your water but is well worth the effort. Crystal Blue structuring units can be purchase by contacting Richard’s Custom Water Systems.
https://richardswater.com/
WARNING: There are many systems on the market that claim to structure water and most of them do nothing of the sort. I have used other systems in the past and they all had flaws or manufacturing issues. The Crystal Blue water structuring systems are the best I have every used.
It will surprise many to discover that the Crystal Blue device costs more than the Berkey system itself. Crystal Blue makes two handheld systems. A plastic model that sells for around $500, and a stainless-steel model that cost around $1300. Until you come to understand the incredible benefits of water structuring, this added step and cost will seem a bit excessive. That is OK, you can come back to it any time you wish. The best way to understand structured water is to read the book, “Water & Salt, The Essence of Life”. It can be purchased at:
https://himalayancrystalsalt.com
Ready for more than just a Berkey?
The second method for creating healthy water in your home is to install a custom automated purification system capable of replicating the earth’s artesian waters. It took me several years to find a company with both the capabilities and the understanding to build my custom home water system.
The company is Richard’s Custom Water Systems:
https://richardswater.com/
While any professional water purification company should be able to replicate this design and source the proper components, I have yet to find anyone in my area who is willing. I would start by contacting Richard’s Water with any questions you have. If you live outside the St. Paul / Minneapolis area, they may be able to recommend a company in your area.
When you call them, make sure to start off the conversation by telling them you are interested in the Dr. Alenov Water System. This will simply cut down in any confusion, as they offer many varieties of custom water products.
The basic components of the system are:
A RODI water purifier
Water remineralization system
Water structuring unit
Water storage and delivery system (single fountain or whole home)
Each of these 4 components come in a variety of sizes and price ranges, depending on your needs, so it is truly customizable. When constructed and installed by a water specialist, this system will create pure healthy drinking water which is the closest thing possible to natural artesian spring water.
Let us review each of the four components:
1: RODI water purifier
RODI stands for “Reverse Osmosis with Deionization”. This is the ONLY system that can remove everything from your water. People assume that Reverse Osmosis removes everything, but this is simply not true. Only RODI can remove everything and has the studies to back up this claim. Here is a quick description from a RODI manufacturer:
“Reverse osmosis with deionization (RODI) systems combine the best of multiple purification systems and are capable of removing both the inorganic and organic contaminants. This multi-barrier system integrates deionization with carbon and reverse osmosis (RO) filtration to purge the microorganisms, lead, asbestos, nitrates, heavy metals, and volatile organic chemicals that each system, alone, fails to eradicate. Our Patented Multi-Barrier RODI process, produces water free of salt and all known contaminants including radionuclides, disease-causing waterborne micro-organisms, pesticides, and emerging pharmaceuticals. This patented, multi-barrier filtration system is the core of every system we sell.”
2: Water re-mineralization
The inherent problem with both RO and RODI and that it removes all your minerals and de-structures you water in the process of cleaning it. This creates what is referred to as “dead water”. Water does not have a pulse for you to check, but living water contains the proper minerals and is structured or energized. For this reason, I have never been a proponent of reverse osmosis water. Using a Berkey system is a better option over using a simple RO system in your home.
If you are going to use RO or RODI then it is imperative that you add in the next two components: re-mineralization and structuring. Only then is your water truly, alive. A re-mineralization chamber is neither expensive nor hard to find. Just make sure that you trust the source of the minerals that are used. Once the water passes through the mineral chamber it needs to be structured.
3: Structuring system
Water structuring systems from Crystal Blue are the best in the world. Nothing else comes close. They are a one-time purchase and require no electricity or maintenance. Once they are connected to your water system, they simply work, day-after-day, to increase the energy and oxygen of your water. (Contact Richard’s Water for information)
4: Storage and delivery
The fourth component of any water system is simply how you choose to store and use your water. Small systems can be placed under a kitchen sink and connect to a single drinking faucet on your countertop. Larger systems are constructed in your basement mechanical room and can deliver your water anywhere in your home that a line can be placed. My system delivers drinking water to every sink in my house, including bathrooms and my refrigerator for clean ice cubes. You can also use the refrigerator water dispenser since I bypassed the built in carbon filter.
The system that Richard’s Water designed for me also includes a dual tank water softener and a whole home de-chem system that filters every drop of water used in my home. Knowing that I am not washing my clothes or bathing in farm chemicals gives me great piece of mind. If your house is connected to city water, this same system would then remove the chlorine and many other toxins from your city water supply.
There really are no disadvantages to this system, other than the cost up front.
The benefits are many including:
Automation: you do not have to do anything, the system makes the water and you drink it
Low maintenance: Once per year servicing
Completely purified, balance and structured water: the closest thing you can get to having an artesian well in your backyard.
Peace-of-mind: knowing you have truly pure and healthy water for you and your family.
Whole home water systems: the option to purify and structure not only the water you drink, but every drop of water in your house, for cleaning and bathing.
When asked what the best starting point is for good health, my answer has always been, “start with real salt and healthy clean water; the two most plentiful nutrients in the human body.”
It sounds so simple yet is often overlooked or misunderstood. If you are still on the fence in whether you are ready to invest in your water system, try this. Go out and purchase a weeks’ worth of artesian water. Stick with one of these four known sources: Fiji, Acqua Panna or Eternal. Drink only this water for a week and see the difference it makes.
Very few people can go back once they know what is possible. Your body will thank you with every sip that you take.