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  • Case Study - Water Softener "Creep"

    Case Study - Water Softener "Creep"

    Upon inspection, it was found that the softener contained the original resin from 1998, which had never been replaced and was well beyond its expected lifespan leading to total softening...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Understanding Reverse Osmosis

    Understanding Reverse Osmosis

    Access to clean, pure and safe drinking water is a fundamental human need, yet many rural and even some municipal communities face challenges due to water contamination. RO has emerged...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • The Controversy of UV Disinfection

    The Controversy of UV Disinfection

    UV disinfection is an essential tool for water safety, but it is not a comprehensive solution. While it effectively neutralizes microbial threats, it does not remove harmful chemicals or physical...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Drinking vs Working Water

    Drinking vs Working Water

    Water usage in residential and commercial settings is often overlooked, with many assuming that all water should be treated to drinking water standards. However, this one-size-fits-all approach may not be...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Best UV Systems in Canada for 2025

    Best UV Systems in Canada for 2025

    Choosing an ultra violet disinfection system to treat your water can be a challenging and complicated purchase as there are many different models on the market. How do you know...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Water Quality in Plumbing & HVAC

    Water Quality in Plumbing & HVAC

    Water quality is an important factor that affects the lifespan and performance of appliances, boilers, on demand tankless heaters, electric, propane or natural gas heaters, hydronic HVAC systems or any...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Water Quality in Canada

    Water Quality in Canada

    Canada is the second largest country in the world and no other country has as much of its surface area covered by fresh water. It spans over 4000 miles from...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • How Do UV Disinfection Systems Work?

    How Do UV Disinfection Systems Work?

    The purpose of UV disinfection is the inactivation of harmful bacteria,�viruses and dangerous parasitic protozoa such as cryptosporidium and giardia occurring at the point of contact between UV rays and...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Exploring Potability in Water

    Exploring Potability in Water

    Regarding water, potability is a term used in multiple different contexts with varying perceptions of its true meaning. Generally it's referenced when evaluating a water source in rural areas where...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Testing Before Listing a Property

    Testing Before Listing a Property

    Concerned about the water quality, a potential buyer facilitated a water sample in an offer to purchase a rural cottage. It was conducted using a third party water treatment company...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Water Quality & New Home Build

    Water Quality & New Home Build

    Outlined below is a real life well water example which highlights the importance of proper water testing in rural home construction, and the importance of having certified individuals installing water...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • UV vs UV-LED Systems - Comparison

    UV vs UV-LED Systems - Comparison

    This article examines two different types of residential ultraviolet disinfection systems in an attempt to identify the long term operating costs of each and the environmental impacts associated with their...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Best UV Systems in Canada for 2023

    Best UV Systems in Canada for 2023

    Choosing an ultra violet disinfection system to treat your water can be a challenging and complicated purchase as there are many different models on the market. How do you know...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • PFAS in Drinking Water

    PFAS in Drinking Water

    Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4700 human made synthetics. They�re commonly referred to as �forever chemicals� due to their persistence in the environment and collection...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Residential Septic Systems

    Residential Septic Systems

    When considering potential risks regarding your water source it is important to remember that what you see on the surface is not always what is going on under the ground....

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Sizing & How Does a Water Softener Work?

    Sizing & How Does a Water Softener Work?

    A water softener is a device that reduces the hardness of the water. A water softener typically uses sodium or potassium ions to replace calcium and magnesium ions, the ions...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Ultraviolet (UV) vs Reverse Osmosis (RO)

    Ultraviolet (UV) vs Reverse Osmosis (RO)

    This comparison of Ultraviolet Disinfection and Reverse Osmosis highlights two of the most common types of systems that are commonly installed in rural and municipal water source applications.

    Jeff Wahl |

  • The Rural Water Paradigm

    The Rural Water Paradigm

    In Canada, individuals who are not supplied with a municipal water source are left to decide what quality of water is acceptable for their residences. As there is no jurisdiction...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Granular vs Block Carbon Water Filters

    Granular vs Block Carbon Water Filters

    Carbon based filters are essential for removing organic compounds including those that are volatile, such as components of gasoline, solvents and industrial cleaners, trihalomethanes (THMs), pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine. 

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Test the Water Before You Purchase

    Test the Water Before You Purchase

    Throughout the course of more than 20 years of experience, it has become apparent that the majority of people are unaware of the requirement to have a water test completed...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • What are Total Dissolved Solids?

    What are Total Dissolved Solids?

    Over the years, it has become apparent that the majority of people are unaware of the presence of total dissolved solids (TDS) in water. TDS are completely dissolved in a...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • UV - Water Cross Contamination

    UV - Water Cross Contamination

    Water cross contamination occurs when a water source containing bacteria is allowed to pass through the UV chamber and out into the water piping of an establishment or residence.

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Water in Rural Subdivisions

    Water in Rural Subdivisions

    Rural communities across the country consist of residences in close proximity to each other, commonly known as a �hamlet�. These �hamlet�s� often do not have municipal water and sewer services...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Nitrates in Drinking Water

    Nitrates in Drinking Water

    Nitrates are compounds that occur naturally within the earth but are found in elevated levels in agricultural communities and rural towns. While they do not present any taste or odor,...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Well Water Quality

    Well Water Quality

    A drilled well is a mainstay for many Canadians, with 30 percent of residents, or nine million residents, within Canada obtaining their water from a ground water source. Approximately 15...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • What is Hard Water?

    What is Hard Water?

    Hard water is generally found in areas that are composed of limestone. Calcium and magnesium are absorbed into the water as it comes in contact with the limestone. The level...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • How to Remove Lead from Water

    How to Remove Lead from Water

    Lead is toxic and can be harmful to human health, even in small amounts. It can pose a significant public health risk if ingested or dissolved in drinking water. Scientists...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Best Residential UV Systems of 2020

    Best Residential UV Systems of 2020

    Choosing an ultra violet disinfection system to treat your water can be a challenging and complicated purchase as there are many different models on the market. How do you know...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Well Water Experiences

    Well Water Experiences

    Three recent experiences have highlighted the need for improved water testing and awareness of potential contaminants in rural areas of the country. The absence of odour, colour, or bacterial contamination...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Selecting Water Treatment

    Selecting Water Treatment

    How do you know where to go for proper advice when you are looking for water treatment equipment? There is no single place for credible information about the multitude of...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Certified Real Estate Water Testing

    Certified Real Estate Water Testing

    In the interest of water safety for the purchaser, a properly conducted bacteriological water sample is a good practice and is in the best interests for all parties involved in...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • What is Hiding in Your Water?

    What is Hiding in Your Water?

    Looking at a glass of water, you may assume it�s safe, pure and free from harmful substances. However, new studies and publications are identifying water contamination in rural and urban...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Enteric Viruses in Water

    Enteric Viruses in Water

    Viruses that can multiply in the gastrointestinal tract of humans or animals are known as �enteric viruses.� The most significant characteristic of enteric viruses is the ease by which they...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • UV Education Quartz Sleeves

    UV Education Quartz Sleeves

    An often overlooked or unknown component of a UV system is the quartz sleeve / dome. It�s purpose is to act as a protective shield, preventing water from coming in...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Deciding Where to Purchase a UV Lamp

    Deciding Where to Purchase a UV Lamp

    As the popularity of UV systems have increased, there has been an influx of �knock off� or non manufacturer replacement UV lamps (bulbs) on the market, which can compromise the...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Water Education - Pitcher Filters

    Water Education - Pitcher Filters

    Before you use any filtration system, ensure that it is applicable for the water source you are putting into the reservoir. Many people use these devices on water that it...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Emerging Drinking Water Risks

    Emerging Drinking Water Risks

    As there is an increase in conducted research, new findings are becoming apparent regarding the potential for new or emerging contaminants in water posing risk to human health. No one...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Real Estate Water Sampling

    Real Estate Water Sampling

    In the province of Ontario, there is currently no requirement for who takes the water sample for the real estate transaction, only that it must be tested by an accredited...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Jet Pumps Risks & Solutions

    Jet Pumps Risks & Solutions

    People routinely leave their homes and do not consider the possible risks posed by their jet pump. A scenario where the jet pump runs dry, overheats and catches fire, potentially burning...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Country Water Education

    Country Water Education

    The average Canadian citizen is not aware of the potential risks to water quality outside of city limits where little regulation and testing are conducted. This is where the role...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Groundwater Education

    Groundwater Education

    A drilled well is subject to influences from the incoming water table and surface water from runoff, septic systems and agricultural contamination. This article is a general summary of what...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Water Perceptions

    Water Perceptions

    There are a multitude of perceptions that have been expressed by people regarding the water at their home or cottage. For some the idea that their well water is clean,...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Water - Neutral Disinterest

    Water - Neutral Disinterest

    Water is called the "universal solvent" because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. It is important to every living thing on earth and wherever water goes, it takes...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • UV - A Time for Change

    UV - A Time for Change

    Almost 20 years of field experience has shown me that 8 out of every 10 UV systems are installed incorrectly, do not have the proper incoming water quality and have...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Rainwater Systems - Old Ways Reinvented

    Rainwater Systems - Old Ways Reinvented

    Boil water advisories, rising water costs, declining lake levels, incidents of Blue Green Algae, Zebra Mussels, E-Coli and Coliform, adverse well water quality and dry wells have become regular occurrences...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Blue Green Algae - Lake Kagawong

    Blue Green Algae - Lake Kagawong

    Health unit samples taken by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks have tested positive for the species of bacteria that can produce toxins. 

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Treating Water with a Floor Cleaner?

    Treating Water with a Floor Cleaner?

    Over the years I have experienced many interesting situations with water quality and testing. This example is most definitely at the top of the list and raises serious concerns about...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Groundwater - The Changing Well

    Groundwater - The Changing Well

    The drilling of a well is a welcomed act for many people as it provides the necessity of water for their home or cottage. In Canada we are fortunate to...

    Jeff Wahl |

  • Health Unit Water Testing

    Health Unit Water Testing

    When submitting a water sample to a Public Health Unit in the province of Ontario, do you know what is being tested for? Do you assume that the safety of...

    Jeff Wahl |