Happy Holiday’s from Stonybrook Water Family!

Check out our Holiday Drink Recipes to make you Holiday Season extra cheery and hydrated this year!

Humans spend a fair amount of time thinking about the water quality we drink, hence all those handy reusable water bottles we tote around town. But what about the water we give to our pets?

It turns out that the water we choose to give to our pets could be helping them or harming them, depending on where it comes from and what microscopic contaminants that water potentially contains.

How dangerous is hard water?

Hard water absorbs magnesium and other minerals, like calcium, from the soil or stony outcrops near the water’s source. Tap water high in minerals can cause wear and tear on your appliances, but it can also contribute to dry hair and skin, giving pets a severe case of itchy skin.

One study conducted in 2016 also found a correlation between cats’ exposure to hard water and increased urinary issues.

Pesticides and fertilizers

Pesticides and fertilizers are toxic to pets. Many people have switched to non-toxic alternatives that care for pest problems and weeds without harming the environment or putting people and animals at risk. However, dangerous products are still making their way into the soil and our water supply. This might be especially true in rural areas where water is drawn from an untested well or other unprocessed sources.

Other potential contaminants to keep on your radar

In addition to keeping an eye on chlorine, pesticides and fertilizers, and mineral levels in your water supply, read up on these other contaminants and what they could mean for your pet:

• Nitrates: Water with a high nitrate concentration usually runs through nitrate-rich soil. For your pets, that could mean mild abdominal pain, diarrhea, frequent urination, or more severe symptoms like tremors, convulsions, or even a coma.
• Iron: You can often taste iron’s tell-tale metallic flavor, but this might not stop your pet. Excessive iron in drinking water may have many adverse health effects. Early symptoms could include fatigue, weight loss, and joint pain.
• Dirt: Dirt seems harmless, but what’s in the soil might not be. Letting your pet drink from puddles could expose them to many risky substances.
• Chemicals: Yes, water is a chemical, but unsafe chemicals like PFAS are what we’re discussing here. Regular filtration systems don’t necessarily get rid of these toxins, either.
• Bacteria, viruses, and yeast: Bacteria and viruses in water are as dangerous to dogs as to humans. Yeast is safe for people but not pets — it’s highly toxic for dogs and cats and can cause life-threatening stomach bloat.

Bottom line:

If you wouldn’t drink the water, you shouldn’t give it to your pet. Adding a Stonybrook Water cooler to your home or business gives customers unlimited access to clean, fresh water. Check out Stonybrook’s top-selling products today to take you and your pets’ lifestyle to the next level.

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA

There’s a real horror story that starts in a very unexpected place.

A dirty water cooler can harbor all kinds of unmentionables, including bacteria that has the potential to make you, your family, or your employees terribly sick.

The good news?

A new kind of water system offers a safer, easy alternative — and it’s more affordable than you think.

Bacteria and water coolers: What’s the real deal?

While the water you put in your water cooler may carry traces of bacteria, it’s not the water itself that’s always the core problem.

Certain components inside a water cooler, such as the rubber seals used to prevent leaks, are just the type of material bacteria likes to latch onto and feed off of.

• Pseudonomas Aeurignosa is one such bacteria, but there are also microorganisms like yeast and mold that flourish in the presence of the organic carbon found in water coolers.
• Another problematic bacteria is Legionella. You may have heard it in the news linked to serious illnesses called Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever.

Both illnesses can thrive in a dirty water cooler and both involve the lungs, leading to symptoms such as

• cough
• shortness of breath
• fever
• muscle aches
• headaches
• diarrhea
• and confusion.

Are all water coolers bad?

The more “open” a water cooler is, the more prone it is to contamination.

That’s because microorganisms like bacteria can come not only from water but also from the air and hands or instruments used to operate the water cooler. Every point of exposure and the high-touch surface is a potential risk.

Open-system water coolers, which draw air from outside the tank as part of their operating mechanism, are among the riskiest dispensers.

The most common open-system dispensers are the popular jug-style water coolers in offices and waiting rooms.

Temperature and light are two more factors that ultimately influence how safe a water cooler is.

• Clear jugs left in sunlight in a warm room will soon develop a greenish hue — that’s algae.
• While algae in a dirty water cooler may not have the same adverse health effects as harmful bacteria, it can still make your water smell, look, and taste unpleasant.

What are suitable replacements for traditional water coolers?

Stonybrook’s bottleless water cooler systems replace outdated jugs with new technology, offering one-touch or no-touch systems that are safe and easy to use.

Exterior surfaces are low-maintenance to minimize bacteria and viruses. Because the system doesn’t use a reservoir to store filtered water, there’s no place for bacteria to feed and multiply.

Another issue with traditional jug-style water coolers is that they negatively impact the environment and leave a significant carbon footprint.

By going bottleless, you will help the environment and also save space in your home or office by installing a sleek water cooler that provides endless drinking water. You will no longer have to store bulky water bottles that occupy valuable space.

Leave dirty water coolers behind – for good – with Stonybrook’s clean water solutions.

Contact us today to schedule your risk-free 7 day trial!

Image by DCStudio on Freepik