If you are like most South Africans, you probably don’t give your water much thought. You simply take a glass, open your tap, and sip.
But have you ever really thought about what is in your tap water
With the growing population, the need to produce more food, and neglected infrastructure, our water sources are becoming more contaminated with pesticides, hormones, and chemicals.
Fortunately, Oasis Water is committed to providing our clients with clean, safe, and great-tasting drinking water.
In this detailed guide, we will explain why Oasis Water is unique and why you should choose it as your hydration solution!
1. What makes Oasis Water different?
We know that you want the best for your health and your family – that’s why our water undergoes a six-step purification process to ensure that we remove harmful pollutants and deliver high-quality drinking water.
1.1. Sediment Filtration
As the first step in our purification process, sediment filtration removes suspended solids from water.
This process usually takes place in a sediment basin – a large tank filled with gravel and sand – and works by passing water through a filter containing fine materials like sand or diatomaceous earth (DE).
The filtering material attracts and holds onto the particles in the water, leaving clean water on the other side of the filter.
1.2. Element Filtration
Element filtration (also known as mechanical filtration) removes sediments, dirt, and other large particles.
It works by passing the water through a bed of elements (usually made of carbon) that have a high surface area.
The filter then traps the impurities in its pores and allows the clean water to pass through. This process can use different materials like sand and gravel or cloth-like membranes.
1.3. Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis forces water through tiny holes in a semi-permeable membrane, allowing smaller molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass through while stopping larger molecules like bacteria.
This means RO removes dissolved solids like lead, chlorine, arsenic, and other heavy metals.
Ultimately, the process can remove up to 99% of all impurities and produces high-quality drinking water for households, businesses, and industrial facilities.
1.4. Carbon Filtration
Carbon filtration uses activated carbon (a type of processed charcoal) to increase its surface area and porosity to trap various particles in its pores.
Since these pores have a larger surface area, they can absorb more contaminants per unit volume than any other filtration process.
Not only does the activated carbon absorb impurities like chemicals and metals, but it also absorbs microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa — making it an effective method for removing biological contaminants from potable water sources.
1.5. UV Protection
UV (ultraviolet) light is a form of radiation that can kill bacteria, viruses, and other germs.
The process exposes a microorganism’s DNA to UV light, causing a mutation in its genetic code and leading to the death of its cells.
Even though UV light is a relatively new technology in water purification, it is excellent at reducing pathogen levels in drinking water.
Several studies have also found that using UV instead of chlorine reduces chemical contamination and improves the taste and odour of water.
1.6. Ozonation
Ozonation uses ozone gas to disinfect, oxidize, and improve the taste and odour of drinking water.
Ozone is a highly reactive molecule that can be used as an oxidizing agent to break down organic compounds (like bacteria and viruses) into non-harmful molecules.
The process involves mixing ozone with water and then injecting the mixture into a tank or separate container.
The ozone solution then circulates through the system, destroying harmful microorganisms before being filtered out of the water supply.
2. Why remove all the natural minerals?
Nowadays, there have been a lot of concerns regarding the safety of purified water.
Many people think purified water is bad for you because all the natural minerals are gone.
However, this is not true!
We all know that water is essential for life, but it is important to understand that water is a hydrant, not a nutrient.
If you were to get your recommended daily dose of iron, zinc, copper, iodine, calcium, magnesium, and phosphor from water, you would have to drink a lot more than eight glasses per day.
Since our kidneys can only eliminate an average of 0.8 to 1 litre of water per hour, our bodies can only consume 19.2 to 24 litres per day.
Even though it is almost impossible to drink this much water while you are awake, it can cause an overdose or, in extreme circumstances, even lead to death!
2.1. Iron
Recommended dosage:
According to the World Health Organisation, the average amount of iron in mineral water is 0.3mg per litre.
What’s more, the bioavailability (the way nutrients break down and are absorbed in the human body) of nonheme iron in water (2-20%) is very low compared to the bioavailability of heme iron in food (15 – 35%).
In short, this means a man would have to drink 275 litres and a woman 593 litres of water to meet the minimum daily intake.
2.2. Zinc
Recommended dosage:
Research shows that the bioavailability of zinc in legumes and unrefined cereals varies between 10 – 15%, in a mixed animal and plant diet between 20 – 30% and from drinking water between 56 – 74%.
Since the WHO guideline for zinc in drinking water is 3mg per litre, you can reach your required average intake if you drink 2 litres of water per day.
2.3. Copper
Recommended dosage:
The WHO suggests that the maximum amount of copper in drinking water should be 2 milligrams per litre.
While our bodies can easily absorb copper, about 66 – 74% will exit the body.
This means a man would have to drink 7.4 litres and a woman 1.6 litres to meet the minimum daily requirement.
2.4. Iodine
Recommended dosage:
The average amount of iodine in drinking water is 11ug/litre, and it has 100% bioavailability in water-soluble salts.
This means a man and woman would have to drink about 11.8 litres to meet the minimum daily intake.
2.5. Calcium
Recommended dosage:
While we receive most of our calcium from dairy products, the calcium in water has the same bioavailability.
Therefore, if you drink an average of 2 litres per day, the average contribution of calcium will be between 5 – 10%.
2.6. Magnesium
Recommended dosage:
The bioavailability of magnesium in water is similar to sources like bread and supplements.
Since the bioavailability of magnesium is 59.1%, and water has a median of 6.25 mg of magnesium per litre – a man would have to drink 108 litres and a woman 84 litres to meet the minimum daily intake.
3. The Bottom Line
We have been a pioneer in water purification for over two decades and have built a company dedicated to providing only the best water possible.
Our water undergoes a six-step purification process to ensure we deliver the highest quality drinking water.
So, when it comes time to make your next purchase, make the right choice and choose Oasis Water!
If you want to learn more about how Oasis Water compares to other water types, click here to read the full article.
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