The Secret to a Great Homebrew: Better Water

Millions of people start their day off with a cup or two, or three, of freshly brewed coffee. For many of these people, nothing beats the taste of coffee brewed by a national coffee chain or their favorite neighborhood coffee shop.

Usually that same coffee is available online or at your local grocery store, but many people prefer to buy their coffee at a shop rather than brew at home. Why is that? Most will tell you that coffee just tastes better at the shop. When they brew at home they simply can't get the same great taste.

Well, there's a simple solution to improve your coffee at home: Filtered water. Water is a very important ingredient to your cup of coffee. The National Coffee Association highlights this fact in their definitive "How to Brew Coffee" guide.

An under-sink carbon water filter system will remove some of the common tap water issues such as chlorine taste and odor. Or if you have very hard water, a lot of sediment, or water with a strong mineral taste, a more advanced reverse osmosisunder-sink drinking water system may be preferred.

So, by simply filtering your tap water, you can have coffee shop quality fresh brewed coffee at home. This is not only convenient, but very cost effective as well. By brewing at home you can save hundreds of dollars per year! And, the same benefit of better flavor applies to teas, juices, and everything else you make at home with your tap water.

Drinking Water Month is a great time to start saving money by brewing your beverages at home!

CDS Monarch - Celebrating the Everyday of Life

CDS Monarch - Celebrating the Everyday of Life

Culligan - Greater Rochester Area Home

Culligan - Greater Rochester Area Home
Test Webpage

Culligan® Water Softeners and Drinking Water Systems

Culligan® Water Softeners and Drinking Water Systems

Best Buy Award for Culligan HE Systems

Culligan's High Efficiency Softener Series Earns a Consumers Digest Best Buy; Reduces Water, Salt and Energy Use

CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Consumers who want better water for their homes, and an efficient system to provide it, can turn to Culligan's High Efficiency (HE) Softener series for residential use. The Culligan HE series was named a Consumers Digest Best Buy and is featured in the July/August print issue as well as online. The Consumers Digest July/August 2012 issue rated the Best Buys in Water Softeners based on capacity, quality of construction, salt usage and warranty.

The Culligan HE Softener series uses patented Culligan Aqua-Sensor® technology. The Aqua-Sensor automatically adjusts to changes in water conditions, reducing salt usage by intelligently planning when to regenerate. Most other water softeners use a constant amount of salt during regeneration; not only consuming more, but sending more salt down the drain. In fact, the patented technologies of the Culligan HE Softener series optimize salt, water and electricity consumption by up to 46 percent over traditional softeners (1).

Convenience and ease-of-use are additional benefits of the Culligan HE series. An optional wireless remote control displays the status of daily water usage, softener performance and the number of days of salt remaining. A homeowner can monitor and control the unit's water consumption to keep water bills down and be alerted when salt needs to be changed. The remote also lets users adjust the system setting from anywhere in their home instead of having to enter the basement where the system would typically be installed. Additionally, consumers can opt to add a feature to have the softener automatically contact their local Culligan Dealer when salt needs to be changed or repairs to the system are needed.

The Culligan HE Softener series also has multiple controls which allow it to be customized to meet the specific needs of a homeowner. For example, Culligan's unique Dial-a-Softness® gives people the opportunity to adjust the softness of the treated water so it's suited to them - not too soft or too hard.

"Culligan's HE Softener series represents our latest technology and was designed with consumer preferences top-of-mind," said Curt Hilliard, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Culligan International. "Culligan Dealers are finding an enthusiastic reception to the HE series and its many innovative features from homeowners across North America. We have also recently launched the HE series in Europe, where it is being met with similar acclaim."

While the Culligan HE Softener series for residential used was named a Consumers Digest Best Buy, the HE series also has commercial water treatment applications.

(1) 46 percent less versus a time clock regeneration softener

About Culligan International

Founded in 1936 by Emmett Culligan, Culligan International is a world leader in delivering water solutions that will improve the lives of their customers. The company offers some of the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art water filtration products. Culligan's products include water softeners, drinking water systems, whole-house systems and solutions for business. Culligan's network of franchise dealers is the largest in the world, with over 800 dealers in 90 countries. Many Culligan dealers have valuable equity in their communities as multigenerational family owners of their franchises. For more information visit: www.culliganrochester.com.

Sodium and Soft Water

Relationship of Sodium and Water Softeners

A common question that Culligan receives is:  How much sodium is in my drinking water when I use a water softener? Here are two references that discuss the topic of “sodium and soft water”.

• http://www.wqa.org/sitelogic.cfm?ID=431
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/AN00317

Your Culligan Man will be happy to share with you the actual hardness of your water so the information in these links is most meaningful to your personal situation.

To read more about Culligan’s advanced filtration drinking water systems, go to: http://www.culligan.com/DrinkingWaterSystems.aspx

To contact Culligan of Rochester, simply call 585-266-2876 or go to http://www.culliganrochester.com/ContactUs.aspx

Concerned about that funny chlorine smell in your drinking water?

Concerned about that funny chlorine smell in your drinking water?  

While chlorine may conjure visions of swimming pools, did you know that it has been widely used as a disinfectant for drinking water since the early 1900s? In fact, chlorine has not only revolutionized water purification it has been hailed as the major public health achievement of the 20^th century! ¹Today, chlorine remains the most widely used chemical for water disinfection to ward off waterborne diseases (for example, typhoid, hepatitis and cholera).²  But recent hoopla about water disinfection byproducts (DBPs) – which can make their way into the water supply – can lead to concerns about tap water safety.  To help consumers sort the facts from the myths, let the Culligan Man answer  some top consumer questions:

1. What is a disinfection byproduct?

DBPs form when disinfectants used to treat drinking water react with naturally occurring materials in the water. Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids are the primary byproducts that result from the use of chlorine as a disinfectant.^1,2

2. Are there actions being taken by federal and local agencies to monitor or reduce DBPs?

The EPA has regulated the presence of DBPs since 1979 to address potential health risks posed by chlorinated water.¹ And, in some communities, the EPA has even required water utilities to reduce the amount of DBPs by switching to alternative disinfectants such as chloramine. ³

3. How do I know if my drinking water contains DBPs?

If you have concerns, you can turn to a couple of easy to access, reliable resources.  Obtain a free copy of your Consumer Confidence Report from the EPA to see exactly what is in your local municipal water supply and how it is being treated before it reaches your home or simply review your annual water quality report that you receive from your local water utility.

4. What can I do to limit DBPs in my home’s drinking water?

Consider adding a household drinking water filtration system for an extra level of security.   Culligan’s patented water filtration technology – including systems like Aqua-Cleer® – can be customized to reduce impurities⁴ in your water like aesthetic chlorine, lead, radium, and cysts.    
¹http://www.cdc.gov/safewater/publications_pages/thm.pdf²http://www.epa.gov/dclead/disinfection.htm³http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/article/184191/57/Disinfectant-Change-Cou⁴Impurities are not necessarily in your water.

Water & Healthy Aging

The Fountain of Youth: How Hydration Can Help You Age Gracefully

It’s never too late to take some simple steps toward rejuvenating your health. And Culligan would like to remind adults that proper hydration is not only an easy way to boost anti-aging; drinking clean, fresh filtered water can also help you lead a healthier lifestyle.

Skip the Cosmetics Counter, Reach for Your Water Glass

Perhaps skipping the cosmetics counter all together isn’t necessary, but increasing your daily water intake remains one of the best ways to keep your skin looking young. When your body is properly hydrated, your skin can focus on healing wrinkles, lines and cracks that may appear as we age. Whereas dehydration may cause the skin to go into “survival” mode – using as little moisture as possible and prioritizing the healing of scrapes and wounds. Best of all, hydrated skin can actually boost the effectiveness of anti-aging cosmetics.

Soften Your Skin and Hair

Many women may notice changes in their hair’s texture and condition as they age; hair can become drier, coarser and more brittle than before. This is due in part because the body’s production of sebum, a natural lubricant, slows down as we get older. However, maintaining a diet rich in anti-oxidants, calcium, vitamins A, E and C, as well as Omega-3 Fatty Acids and drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day can help combat this hair-raising issue.¹

Additionally, eliminating the use of hard water can dramatically improve the appearance of hair and skin. Hard water contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium and iron – which can cause clog your skin’s pores and leave your hair limp and lifeless. Switching to soft, treated, conditioned water will leave your skin feeling softer and smoother. Your hair will be silkier and bouncier.

Pump Up Your Metabolism and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Did you know that lean muscle tissue contains approximately 75% water? That’s why proper hydration is so important to maintaining muscle tone, which in turn increases the body’s fat burning capacity.²    

Zero calorie water can also be a secret weapon to maintaining a healthy weight.  A recent study found that middle aged and older people who consumed just two cups of water before a meal ate 75 to 90 fewer calories.  Why? Water fills up your stomach, helping you feel satiated faster. And, replacing sugary soda beverages – which can contain calorie-rich high fructose corn syrup – with water is another way to help keep those extra pounds at bay.

Filter Out Exposure to Harmful Impurities

Filtering your tap water is not only  a simple step toward a healthier lifestyle, it can actually decrease exposure to harmful impurities.³   Advanced reverse osmosis home water filtration systems – such as the Culligan Aqua-Cleer® Drinking Water System – can reduce lead, radium, aesthetic chlorine, arsenic and other toxins, like hexavalent chromium. These drinking water systems provide access to fresh, clean, great-tasting water right from your tap – at the cost of just pennies per day.   

¹ http://www.hairfinder.com/tips/aging-woman.htm

² http://reviveyourlife.com/inspiration-and-wellness/the-h2o-factor-hydration-supports-healthy-weight-loss/

³ Impurities are not necessarily in your water

Consumers Digest Best Buy Award Winner

Culligan High Efficiency Series

• MSRP: $2,300 to $2,900
• Best Price: $2,289.00

The High Efficiency Series has a unique sensor that continuously monitors incoming water hardness and provides only the amount of salt that’s needed, which saves salt. (Other water softeners use the same amount of salt during regeneration.) This series also includes a unique wireless usage-monitoring station that displays water usage, regeneration frequency and low-salt messages. And this series has Culligan’s unique “dial-a-softness” feature, which allows you to adjust the softness of the treated water. Upflow regeneration versions of the water softener, which include a 9-inch-diamter model ($2,300), are suited for homes that receive water from municipal water supplies. Downflow regeneration versions of the water softener—9-inch($2,300), 10-inch ($2,500), 12-inch ($2,700), and 14-inch ($2,900)—are suited for homes served by well water.

Best Buys in Water Softeners

Best Buys in water softeners were selected based on capacity, quality of construction, salt usage and warranty.

Water softeners use sodium chloride (table salt) to remove unwanted minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which are dissolved in tap water.

The content of source water can vary greatly among different locations, so you should check with your local water-treatment agency regarding your area’s water quality before you determine which water softener will best meet your household needs.

Filter capacity is measured in grains of minerals and is the amount of material that a softener can filter out of the water before it performs a self-clean rinse, or regeneration. 

Efficiency is measured in the number of grains of minerals that are removed per pound (g/lb.) of salt that’s used.

Flow rating is the amount of water that a softener can provide to the home at any one time and is measured in gallons per minute (gpm). Softeners that have a low flow rating might decrease water pressure during showers and make for longer laundry-cycle times.

Best Price is a reflection of the lowest retail price that was available at press time and is subject to change.

VIsit Culligan Website for more information

Go Green & Save!

Bottled Water Delivery Service

Drink better tasting, better quality tap water and “go green” at the same time. With our reverse osmosis (RO) water systems, point-of-use coolers and 5-gallon bottled water coolers, you can fill up on pure, great-tasting drinking water at home or on the go. You get the same quality water you've come to enjoy from single-serve bottles with less environmental waste.

Multiply that by 28 billion, which is the number of single-serve water bottles that are purchased each year - 86% of which end up in landfills. That's almost 7,000 tons of bottles discarded every day! 

• When you purchase cooler-sized bottles from Culligan you're getting the equivalent of 37 single-serve bottles and you're partnering with a company that reuses its plastic containers up to 90 times!

• If everyone installed an RO System from Culligan, we'd eliminate an average of 166 single-serve bottles of water that each we drinks per year.

Culligan not only reduces the disposal of non-biodegradable waste, but saves you time and money. Single-serve water bottles cost an average of $1.50 each, while an in-home RO filtration system costs you just pennies a serving and can pay for itself in less than a year!

Bottle-Free Water Coolers

Culligan® Bottle-Free Point-of-Use Coolers are available for your office as well, completely eliminating the expense of bottles and any delivery service fees associated with 5- gallon containers.

Visit CulliganRochester.com for more information

Avoid Danger Stay Hydrated! Drink Quality Water This Summer,CALL CULLIGAN WATER 266-2876

Consumers Digest Announces Culligan Water Filters as “Best Buys”

Consumers Digest Announces Culligan Water Filters as “Best Buys”: "Online PR News – 20-June-2012 –Consumers Digest has named two Culligan products as “Best Buys” in water filtration systems in their July/August issue, available on newsstands next week"

'via Blog this'

What Are the Benefits of Softer Water? $9.95/MO.-1st 3 Months. WATER SOFTENER RENTAL or Portable Exchange Tank Service. Escondido 800/752-3350.

What Are the Benefits of Softer Water? $9.95/MO.-1st 3 Months. WATER SOFTENER RENTAL or Portable Exchange Tank Service. Escondido 800/752-3350.

Culligan House

Stay Hydrated and Drink Quality Water This Summer,CALL CULLIGAN WATER @ 266-2876

Stay Hydrated and Drink Quality Water This Summer,CALL CULLIGAN WATER – ESCONDIDO 800-752-3350 : North County Times - Californian

Don’t wonder what’s in your water - your Culligan Man™ can tell you!

Testing of your water by a licensed local water expert is the key to determining if you have a water problem, how to solve your problem and what equipment and service you need to protect your family and home. Delicious, refreshing water is just three easy steps away.

1. Call or E-Mail your local Culligan Man to schedule a Free Water Analysis.
2. Your Culligan Man™ will come to your home and provide a complete analysis of your water, fixtures, plumbing and water-using appliances. They will answer any questions you have about your water and provide a detailed report and equipment estimate. The whole process takes about 30 minutes and will be scheduled at a time that's convenient for you. Remember that this is a free public service – there is no cost or obligation associated with a Culligan Free Water Analysis.
3. If you decide a Culligan Water Treatment option is best for you, a trained and certified Culligan service professional will install your new unit to your satisfaction.

President’s anti-cancer panel recommends home filtered water

Lisle, Illinois — In its official annual report, the President’s Cancer Panel is recommending that 

people use home filtering devices to decrease exposure to cancer-causing agents.

“This reaffirms what independent testing shows,” said Peter J. Censky, executive director of 

the Water Quality Association.  “Home water treatment is a proven final barrier against many 

harmful chemicals.”

The report is entitled “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risks: What We Can Do Now.”  In 

it, the panel states, “Individuals and families have many opportunities to reduce or eliminate 

chemical exposures.  For example, filtering home tap water or well water can decrease exposure 

to numerous known or suspected carcinogens or endocrine-disrupting chemicals.”

The President’s Cancer Panel is a three-person body that reports to the President of the United 

States on the development and execution of the National Cancer Program. Members serve threeyear terms, and at least two of the three panel members must be distinguished scientists or 

physicians. The President appoints one of the members to a one-year chair position. 

In addition to cancer-causing agents, water quality experts are examining other emerging 

contaminants, such as those found in personal care products and pesticides.  Many of these are 

endocrine disrupting chemicals which interfere with normal hormonal function.  WQA provides 

Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants. 

Consumers can learn about different treatment systems by contacting Culligan.  A copy of the panel’s report 

can be obtained at pcp.cancer.gov.

Culligan offers Free In-Home Water Testing and Lab Analysis on your water.

How do I Find Someone to Service my Home Water Softener?

Question – I just bought a home and it has private well water. We have a water softener that is already installed but I know nothing about it since I didn’t buy it. How do I find someone to service my Home Water Softener?

You do not have to own or rent a Culligan softening system in order to take advantage of their inspection, consultation, water testing and/or salt delivery service. Culligan delivers salt to all types and brands of water softeners. If you give them a call they can recommend the correct amount of salt usage for your brine tank and how often to fill it based on the size of your family and the water usage levels on average.

As any mechanical equipment or machinery ages, components can begin to wear or perform less efficiently. Inefficient softeners will use more salt – that means more cost so having them checked and maintained to peak condition is necessary to extending the life of your system and is also necessary to providing your family with the benefits of softer water.

When it seems that the water is no longer soft enough, it is wise to first consider problems with the salt, or malfunctions of the system components.  There are three types of salts to use in a standard softener system. Rock salt,  Solar salt and Evaporated salt are all sold specifically for water systems and are relatively easy to find. Rock salt is cheaper than evaporated salt or solar salt, but the added reservoir cleaning may take up a lot of your time and energy in the long run.

If you have determined that these elements are not the cause of the hard water, it may be a sign to check the softener resin or upgrade to a newer system altogether. Resin should last many years, anywhere from 15-25 years, depending on use.

Brine production is another important element for cleaning of the resin beads in a water softener. If you do not have brine production, you do not have a working softener.

Last month I was able to watch the Culligan Man as he cleaned and “refreshed” the resin beads for a Portable Exchange system. The orange colored beads ran through tubes back into the fill tanks and I was amazed that such a small bead could extract so many total dissolved solids from the water. A water softener collects hardness minerals within its conditioning tank and from time to time flushes them away to drain and regenerate.

The costs of water softeners are usually far outweighed by the benefits and cost savings obtained, through using softened water for your water using appliances. Call your local Water Expert today to get a free consultation for your water softener or home treatment system.

Culligan Celebrates 75 Years with “Hey Culligan Man!”

Culligan Man

It’s not every day a 75-year-old company re-defines its brand icon. Water treatment leader Culligan International is doing just that with an update to its famous “Hey Culligan Man!” persona.  A new website at culligan.com (culligan.ca in Canada) features a new Culligan Man and is loaded with information on waterquality and water treatment solutions for homeowners and businesses.  The initiatives cap the company’s 75^thanniversary year.

Introduced in 1958, “Hey, Culligan Man!” remains one of the most recognized advertising slogans and an important link between customers and the company’s network of over 800 dealers in 90 countries worldwide.

“Culligan products are in over three million homes and consumers associate ‘Hey Culligan Man!’ with the leader in the water category,” said Curt Hilliard, Culligan’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “The slogan is completely embedded in our culture, but the image of the Culligan Man was not representing the services our dealers were performing.  Although dealers have it shouted out to them everywhere they go, from the largest city to the farm, we need to expand what consumers think about when they say this celebrated phrase.”

Culligan Bottle Water Delivery

Hilliard added that the update celebrates Culligan dealers for exactly who they are—highly-skilled professionals. “It syncs how we picture and talk about the Culligan Man—representing all our dealers, men and women—with their day-to-day roles as trusted partners and advisers to homeowners and business customers who are looking to become more educated about the importance and role of water in their lives.  Because water changes community to community and is always a local issue, whether via a municipal system or a well, ‘Hey Culligan Man!’ is clearly a call for expertise. Culligan dealers truly are local water experts—champions for improving water quality for families and businesses.”

The new website leverages Culligan’s state-of-the-art water expertise in an educational, resource-rich, interactive environment.  The site’s “Solution Center” helps visitors configure answers to a host of water questions and problems categorized by touch, taste, smell, appearance or contaminant. 

For example, if a customer is experiencing situations such as dry and itchy skin, a bitter taste in water, water that smells like rotten eggs, spots on glasses, or they have a local water supply issue such as arsenic in water, they can find a solution to address their unique problems. Information is also available on hundreds of Culligan products and services,from drinking water systems to water softeners and water filtration systems,with links to find the local Culligan Man, who is ready to help.

“Consumers want to be educated on water treatment and now have a better understanding of their options by visiting the website,” concluded Hilliard.  “And when they need professional treatment options, they can say  ‘Hey, Culligan Man!,’ knowing that phrase gets them access to a trusted local water professional—backed by Culligan International—with the knowledge, network and tools to support their needs.”

About Culligan International: Founded in 1936 by Emmett Culligan, Culligan International is a world leader in delivering water solutions that will improve the lives of their customers. The company offers the most technologically-advanced, state-of-the-art water filtration products, including water softeners, drinking water systems, whole-house systems and solutions for business.  Culligan’s network of franchise dealers is the largest in the world with over 800 dealers in 90countries.  Many Culligan dealers have valuable equity in their communities as multi-generational, family owners of their franchises.

Hard facts about tap water



Culligan Man

Great article from the Chicago Tribune about soft water and hard water.

Soft and hard water behave differently, from cleaning power to corrosion potential
April 25, 2012|By Danielle Braff, Special to Tribune Newspapers
Apparently, all tap water is not created equal.

Some water is deemed "hard," and other is considered to be "soft." And here's the confusing part: Hard water isn't better than soft in all situations, and soft isn't always preferable.

Confused yet? We explain the ins and outs of each below...Click here to read the article

I-Team 10 Investigation: Troubled water | www.WHEC.com

I-Team 10 Investigation: Troubled water | www.WHEC.com

If you feel you have an issue with Anderson Water Systems, the Attorney General's Office asks that you file a complaint with them. Their phone number is 546-7430.

Convoy of Hope - Culligan

Convoy of Hope and Culligan Team Up to Bring Drinkable Water to Haiti

PR Newswire

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. and VERNON HILLS, Ill., Jan. 27

Three industrial-sized water purification systems being shipped to the earthquake zone

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. and VERNON HILLS, Ill., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Convoy of f Hope, the international relief organization, and Culligan, the industry leader in water treatment, will join forces again to deliver much needed drinking water to the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

Culligan is donating three Culligan model UF-P2 water purification systems, each capable of processing approximately 15,000 gallons of water a day for drinking and cooking. The systems come with their own gasoline-powered generators so they can operate even if electrical power may not be available. Accompanying each unit is a water storage tank that holds and dispenses 250 gallons of water. Culligan and Convoy of Hope have a long-standing partnership that helps provide aid in the wake of natural disasters.

"These water purification systems will help save lives," said Hal Donaldson, founder and president, Convoy of Hope. "There is an immediate need for clean water. These systems will help provide safe water for thousands affected by the earthquake. We're extremely thankful to Culligan for their generosity in providing these remarkable systems."

Culligan and Convoy of Hope have already sent 250,000 bottles of drinking water to Haiti, which were on the ground within days of the earthquake. Water has become even more important in the aftermath of the earthquake, since most Haitians are remaining outdoors in the heat and sun for fear of more structures collapsing from aftershocks. Sending bottled water was the quickest way to respond. Now, these water purification systems will address the longer-term needs of the country and its rebuilding efforts.

"We're honored to partner with Convoy of Hope," said Lance FitzGerald, director of product management, Culligan. "Our water purification systems were designed for the most remote locations and require very little training to operate. They're ideal for the challenging environment of the Haitian earthquake zone."

The units will be shipped from Culligan International's commercial assembly operations in Vernon Hills, IL to Convoy of Hope's staging center in Springfield, MO, where they'll be prepared to be airlifted to Port-au-Prince and quickly pressed into service to produce drinking water for the residents.

The water purification systems are expected to arrive in Haiti in early February.

About Convoy of Hope

Founded in 1994, Convoy of Hope exists to feed millions of people in need in the United States and around the world through children's nutrition initiatives, citywide outreaches and disaster response. To learn more, or to donate, go to www.convoyofhope.org.

Culligan Declares May “Drinking Water Month”

Culligan has declared the month of May as “Drinking Water Month” in an effort to promote the benefits of better drinking water. Some of these benefits include:

• Better maintain your body’s energy
• Improve your concentration
• Help moderate your body’s temperature
• Improve your body’s immunity

If you would like to learn more about better drinking water can benefit you click on the link below for the full press release International Business Times 

Culligan Rochester offers specials for new customers who are interested in installing a drinking water system including rentals starting at $6.90 a month for the first three months plus installation. If you would like to learn more about the drinking water solutions and specials that Culligan of Anderson offers contact us at (585) 310-1581 or by email at andrew@culliganrochester.com

View our current offer here

Is Hard Water Costing You Hard Cash?

Is Hard Water Costing You Hard Cash?: Do you know how hard your water supply is? Your water could be costing you efficiency, energy, and even detergent.