While many kids still use school water fountains, there’s been a major shift toward personal, reusable water bottles as schools encourage kids to stay hydrated. From colorful Hydro Flasks and Stanley cups to rugged YETIs, today’s water bottles do more than carry water; they make a style statement.
But while kids may be focused on what’s on the bottle, we should be thinking about what’s in it. Just as we carefully pack balanced lunches, it’s just as important to make sure the water they’re sipping all day tastes great and has fewer contaminants.
Because hydration isn’t just about volume. It’s about quality.
Take a moment to consider what’s in your town’s drinking water
August is National Water Quality month. While you may be concerned about the iron in your water, because you can actually see the rusty-looking stains and residue, there may also be contaminants such as manganese, iron and lead lurking in the pipes that deliver water to your home and your child’s school.
- The City of Northfield has acknowledged that its drinking water has elevated manganese levels, which is especially a concern for very young children.
- The Minnesota Department of Health has released a new map showing the level of lead in our local schools’ drinking water. The department also has a map showing the location of every public water service line that needs to be replaced because of lead.
Minnesota has a statewide goal to identify and replace all lead service lines by 2033. And our cities are working hard to improve the quality of our public water supply. But whether you rely on city water or well water, there is more you can do to ensure you are providing your family with great water.
Your final barrier of protection starts at home
Before it reaches your child’s water bottle, water travels through miles of pipes, picking up impurities and who-knows-what along the way. Even treated city water can still carry traces of chlorine, lead, forever chemicals and other contaminants.
That’s why a high-performance water treatment system is so beneficial. While water softeners help with minerals and some contaminants, reverse osmosis systems are known for producing the highest quality water. That’s because the membrane in a reverse osmosis system has pores so small, they block nearly everything except water molecules.
Haferman recommends the Kinetico K5®Drinking Water Station®, which is certified to remove more contaminants than any other system on the market. It’s engineered to work with both city and well water, and delivers peace of mind.
You already work hard to encourage your kids to drink more water. The next step? Make sure it’s water they actually want to drink. With better-tasting water in their water bottles, they’re more likely to stay hydrated.
Ask our experts
Come by to see us at the fair! Ask our experts any question about water quality. We even invite you to bring a water sample (half cup of hot and cold water from your bathroom faucet) for free testing. No appointment necessary.
Dakota County Fair: August 4-10
Carver County Fair: August 6-10
McCleod County Fair: August 14-17
Minnesota State Fair: August 21-September 1
