The Hydrologic Cycle

Earth's atmosphere is known as a "closed system," meaning that very little matter escapes its atmosphere. The case is no different for water. The same water that has been on the earth for billions of years cycles through what is called the hydrologic cycle. Every day, thousands of billions of tons of water evaporate from the earth's surface into the atmosphere. Water that is not currently caught in sea ice will eventually move through the hydrologic cycle. From different forms of precipitation, it runs off into creeks and streams and eventually into rivers and larger bodies of water. The sun will eventually evaporate the water and creates moisture in the air, which in turn gathers to create precipitation again.

How Water Picks Up Contaminants

Water's strong polar properties force it to pick up contaminants in every stage of the hydrologic cycle. [See Diagram B] As the ultimate solvent, water dissolves and absorbs some of just about everything it comes in contact with. It picks up airborne contaminants in the atmosphere as rainwater, causing acid rain. Once the rain reaches the ground, it picks up surface sediments such as rust, sand, and algae. As it percolates through the ground it also absorbs other contaminants such as iron, heavy metals, radioactivity, organic contaminants, as well as other complex elements and compounds. Water can also collect numerous hazardous man-made chemical impurities throughout this cycle. These synthetic chemicals are many times odorless and tasteless, but harmful all the same.

Pollutants discarded on the ground such as agricultural runoff and petroleum are picked up by the "active" water, where it holds onto them as it moves along the natural hydrologic cycle, or by artificial means, such as municipal watersheds and rural well systems. Approximately 1000 new synthetic chemical compounds are entering the industrial marketplace annually.¹ While the majority of these chemicals that are generally acceptable in controlled amounts, they may react with other elements and/or chemicals to form new, potentially carcinogenic compounds. A good example is the deadly trihalomethanes (THMs) that are formed when Chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. So, water is actually a very effective method of collecting pollutants in the environment - if only we did not depend on it to live!

Hard Water

Every year, thousands of pounds of inorganic mineral rock-scale in hard water coat appliances and pipes in homes across the nation. Although occurring naturally in our soil, these minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, can slowly destroy pipes, sinks, toilet tanks, and bathtubs. Varying in degree of solution, if left untreated, hard water can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars each month. Build up in water heaters require more energy to heat because of the insulating layer of calcium and magnesium makes the heating elements inefficient, while appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerator ice makers deteriorate rapidly and eventually require replacement. Pipes in homes become coated with the deposits, sometimes resulting in the need to be replaced. When combined with soap, hard water forms soap "curd," visibly seen as soap scum on glassware, or rings around bathtubs and sinks. But what soap curd does to the body is even more harmful. It clogs pores and prevents natural oils from moisturizing the skin, causing dryness and itching, while aggravating skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Minerals and insoluble contaminants in hard water trap dirt and soap curd in clothes and linens, causing them to have a dingy appearance and wear out early. Finally, hard water can make food and drinks taste funny.

¹ Water Consulting and Purification, Water Treatment - A Primer for Residential Plumbers, Greg Reyneke, March 2009.