H.E.R.O. Test Results
This post is the lab analysis relating the H.E.R.O. Reverse Osmosis System described our Clean Water Post.
As discussed in the previous post, our desire to have higher quality water was because our appliances, namely our coffee maker, required R.O. water for longevity and taste. Hard water is sometimes hard on appliances. I have heard that 85% of households in Canada have hard water but no way to substantiate that number. We can be satisfied to say a good many. Depending on the causes for the hardness, they may be a health benefit if in the form of Calcium and Magnesium. However R.O. systems can not differentiate between good and bad impurities in the water.
We also noted in our previous post that discarded filters in themselves were dramatic enough for us to believe the system was very effective, but in the spirit of being thorough, had Down to Earth Labs test and give us some hard data. This is the full sample test of the heavy metal test which we thought was the best indication of testing the H.E.R.O. system. As the source water from the City of Lethbridge tap water did not contain some of the heavy metals, we can only assume the R.O. system might react similarly. The R.O. system effluence was tested with fairly new carbon and sediment filters. The manufacturer recommends changing them every 6-12 months to maintain more effective cleaning.
Below are the findings, we apologize ahead of time for ‘geeking out.’
Of the 25 heavy metals, 15 were not present in the source water, so below are the remaining 18, which showed mostly positive results. To be perfectly honest, some of these heavy metals we knew very little about.
Health Canada cites ‘There is no consistent, convincing evidence that aluminum in drinking water causes adverse health effects in humans’ . This said the Alzheimers Association of the UK states ‘The current research shows that there is likely to be a relationship between naturally-occurring metals and the development or progression of Alzheimer's disease….’.
Health Canada Standard: 0.1 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.04 mg/l, 2.5 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.002 mg/l, 2 times lower than the City of Lethbridge water
Arsenic is related or contributing to a number of Cancers including lung, bladder skin and more. It is naturally forming which would imply it to be found in river water in some concentration.
Health Canada Standard: 0.01 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.0002 mg/l, 50 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.002 mg/l, lower than the City of Lethbridge water but too difficult to measure
Barium is naturally occuring and is present in industrial processes. Excess Barium can is related to some undisclosed kidney effects. 2.0mg/l is the minimum standard, and the City of Lethbridge water contains 16 times less than the minimum Health Canada requirement. The H.E.R.O. removed 40+ times the present Barium.
Health Canada Standard: 2.0 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.121 mg/l, 16 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.002 mg/l, 40+ times lower than the incoming City of Lethbridge water.
Despite the funny sounding name, Boron has ill-effects in the male reproductive anatomy and semen.
Health Canada Standard: 5 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.012 mg/l, 416 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.002 mg/l, 6 times lower concentration than the City of Lethbridge water
There are no Health Canada guidelines for Calcium concentrations in drinking water. It does contribute to hardness and will calcify on water infrastructure and appliances.
Health Canada Standard: None
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 47.6 mg/l, no maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 2.5 mg/l, 19 times lower concentration than the City of Lethbridge water
Excess copper in the human body can lead to short term and long term Gastro-Intestinal problems. It is naturally occurring and used in our water supply infrastructure.
Health Canada Standard: 2.0 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.037 mg/l, 54 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.001 mg/l, 6 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Lead is a well known Carcinogen (cancer causing agent) and related to cognitive and behavioural effects in children.
Health Canada Standard: 0.05 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.0001 mg/l, 500 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.001 mg/l, 3 times MORE than the City of Lethbridge incoming water. We do not understand this anomaly. If the value was closer to the Health Canada standard we would research more, it is still 166 times lower than the Health Canada Standard.
Lithium is not a metric for Health Canada drinking water.
Health Canada Standard: None.
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.004 mg/l, with no apparent standard
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.001 mg/l, 4 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Magnesium is naturally occurring with no apparent health detriment noted according to Heath Canada. It does contribute to water hardness.
Health Canada Standard: None
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 15.4 mg/l, No maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.6 mg/l, 6 times Lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Nickel is naturally occurring with no apparent health detriment noted to Health Canada.
Health Canada Standard: None
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.0013 mg/l, no maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.0005 mg/l, 2.5 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Potassium is naturally occurring with no apparent health detriment noted according to Heath Canada. It does contribute to water hardness.
Health Canada Standard: None
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 1.0 mg/l, No maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.6 mg/l, 2.5+ times Lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Unknown to us before this exercise, Selenium is an essential nutrient. However high concentrations of Selenium has adverse affects. Hair loss, tooth decay and nervous system disturbances are the more known.
Health Canada Standard: 0.05 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.0006 mg/l, 83 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.003 mg/l, 3 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Silicon has no metric according to the Health Canada Guidelines for drinking water. Silicon is the most abundant mineral on the planet and is present within the human body as a trace element. We cannot comment further as this is not our filed of expertise other than it has the appearance of being inert.
Health Canada Standard: None
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 2.01 mg/l, with no maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.36 mg/l, 5.5 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Effects of excess sodium to humans is commonly known. High amounts are associated with hyper tension and heart disorders and in extreme cases contribute to mortality. Small amounts of sodium are actually required by the body. 1500 milligrams per day is suggested however as sodium is present everywhere, difficult to monitor and control.
Health Canada Standard: < or = to 200 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 8.6 mg/l, 23 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.001 mg/l, 5.3 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Strontium was one of the metals we again knew little about. STrontium is naturally occurring but in excess concentrations have adverse affects on bone production in children including rickets.
Health Canada Standard: 7.0 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.221 mg/l, 31 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.008 mg/l, 27 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
There is no Health Canada standards for sulfer content in our drinking water. Likewise there is no recommended daily allowance for sulphur in our diet, but we do know many foods provide sulphur. Most diets include: dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, seafood, onions, garlic, turnips, kale, and broccoli-all high in sulphur.
Health Canada Standard: None
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 11.8 mg/l, no maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.3 mg/l, 2.5 times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Uranium exists everywhere on the planet in varying concentrations. Mostly affecting the kidneys, there are radiological effects on the body when consumed.
Health Canada Standard: 0.02 mg/l
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.0006 mg/l, 33 times lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.3 mg/l, 1.2+ times lower than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
Zinc is present in the body and as a mineral considered to be non-toxic.
Health Canada Standard: < or = 5.0 mg/l.
City of Lethbridge Tap Water (actual): 0.005 mg/l, 1000 lower than the maximum standard.
After H.E.R.O. Filtration (actual): less than 0.083 mg/l, 16+ times Higher than the City of Lethbridge incoming water.
The R.O. results were a head-scratcher in this instance, as the system seemed to concentrate the amount of Zinc. As this is so far below the Health Canada radar, and still 60 times lower than the Health Canada maximum.
As an executive summary, the data reinforces our suspicions and physical observations of the H.E.R.O. water filtration system as being a highly effective product supporting the health of people. While this review was limited to the presence of heavy metals in the drinking water, we don’t need to test further as we are currently believers in this product. There is enough data to see the direction the findings are headed. The surprise learning was relating to the high quality drinking water existing and being produced by the City of Lethbridge Water Treatment department. It was anticipated the R.O. system would function well. The hard numbers are able to quantify our intuitions.
March 9, 2022.
The City of Lethbridge reached out to us shortly after we published this article. Little did we know, the City yearly data on their water quality. They are interesting in their own right. While a less extensive list, they do show the quality right from the tap as a yearly average. One of the holes in our investigation is that our data was a one day snapshot. I am certain the City actually tests for more than they release, and likely are the key-points the general public has interest in: