01/26/24

Winners of the Kids Art Contest 2023

Announcing the winners of the 14th annual international kids art contest (2023) hosted by Frogs Are Green. Thank you to all the students who participated, helping us showcase what children are thinking and learning about. We received a total of 216 artworks from countries around the world.

There was incredible variety in the materials used as well as subject matter. The galleries show very thoughtful images about this year’s theme: Water is Life.

Here we showcase the winners in the 4 age groups (3-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-18.) Next week we will add new galleries for the sub-categories, such as: best environmental art; best black and white art; best 3D art, etc.

A big thank you to the judges for this year who had a difficult job in choosing from so many wonderful pieces. Marc Yankus, Anita Kunz, Laura DiCerto, Barbara Slate, Franco Andreone, Debby DeVenezia and David Thuller-Veljacic.

Here is the original contest page which has the links to the 4 Flickr galleries of all the children’s art submitted and more information about this year’s theme (Water is Life), such as videos to watch. You can also read more about the judges.

Water is Life (2023 theme)

Galleries

Age group 3-6

1st Place Winner, Ayushman Sahu, 5 years old, Jersey City, NJ, USA
2nd Place Winner, Penpisuth Sabsombat, 6 years old, Thailand
3rd Place Winner, Rachel Yuhua Liang, 5 years old, Canada

Honorable Mentions:

Ceng, You-Yun, 5 years old, Taiwan
Laksameechatra Teeraprasertsith, 6 years old, Thailand

1st place winner, Ayushman Sahu, 5 years old, Jersey City, NJ, USA, 2023

1st place winner, Ayushman Sahu, 5 years old, Jersey City, NJ, USA, 2023

2nd Place winner, Penpisuth Sabsombat, 6 years old, Thailand, 2023

2nd Place winner, Penpisuth Sabsombat, 6 years old, Thailand, 2023

3rd place winner, Rachel Yuhua Liang, 5 years old, Canada, 2023

3rd place winner, Rachel Yuhua Liang, 5 years old, Canada, 2023

Honorable Mention, Ceng, You-Yum, 5 years old, Taiwan, 2023

Honorable Mention, Ceng, You-Yum, 5 years old, Taiwan, 2023

Honorable Mention, Laksameechatra Teeraprasertsith, 6 years old, Thailand, 2023

Honorable Mention, Laksameechatra Teeraprasertsith, 6 years old, Thailand, 2023

1st-place-Water is Life, Ayushman Sahu,5 yr, jersey city, USA, 2023 thumbnail
2nd place-Penpisuth SABSOMBAT F 6 Years old, Thailand, 2023 thumbnail
3rd place-Rachel Yuhua Liang,age 5, canada, 2023 thumbnail
CENG,YOU-YUN, 5 yrs old, TAIWAN, 2023 thumbnail
Laksameechatra Teeraprasertsith F 6 Years old, Thailand, 2023 thumbnail

Age group 7-9

1st Place Winner, Chen.Yan-Zhang, 9 years old, Taiwan
2nd Place Winner, Wang.Chueh-Hsi, 9 years old, Taiwan
3rd Place Winner, Rakrada Thammapimuk, 9 years old, Thailand

Honorable Mentions:

Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, Thailand
Kuo Shiang, 9 years old, Taiwan

1st Place, Chen.Yan-Zhang, 9 years old, Taiwan, 2023

1st Place, Chen.Yan-Zhang, 9 years old, Taiwan, 2023

2nd Place, Wang.Chueh-Hsi, 9 years old, Taiwan, 2023

2nd Place, Wang.Chueh-Hsi, 9 years old, Taiwan, 2023

3rd Place, Rakrada Thammapimuk, 9 years old, Thailand, 2023

3rd Place, Rakrada Thammapimuk, 9 years old, Thailand, 2023

Honorable Mention, Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, China, 2023

Honorable Mention, Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, China, 2023

Honorable Mention, Kuo, Shiang, 9 yrs old, Taiwan, 2023

Honorable Mention, Kuo, Shiang, 9 yrs old, Taiwan, 2023

1st-place-CHEN.YAN-ZHANG, 9 yrs old, TAIWAN, 2023 thumbnail
2nd-place-WANG.CHUEH-HSI, 9 yrs old, TAIWAN, 2023 thumbnail
3rd-place-Rakrada THAMMAPIMUK F 9 yrs old, Thailand, 2023 thumbnail
Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, China, Tears, 2023 thumbnail
KUO, SHIANG, 9 yrs old, TAIWAN, 2023 thumbnail

Age group 10-12

1st Place Winner, Eric Qiao, 11 years old, Canada
2nd Place Winner, Kabrel Ghaly, 12 years old, NJ, USA
3rd Place Winner, Lin, Xu Cen-Jia, 11 years old, Taiwan

Honorable Mentions:

Alaisha Nunez, 11 years old, Jersey City, NJ, USA
Li Yuxi, 12 years old, China
Minnie Zheng, 11 years old, China

1st place, Eric Qiao, 11 years old, Canada, 2023

1st place, Eric Qiao, 11 years old, Canada, 2023

2nd place, Kabrel Ghaly, 12 years old, NJ, USA, 2023

2nd place, Kabrel Ghaly, 12 years old, NJ, USA, 2023

3rd place, Lin, Xu-Cen-Jia, 11 years old, Taiwan, 2023

3rd place, Lin, Xu-Cen-Jia, 11 years old, Taiwan, 2023

Honorable Mention, Alaisha Nunez, 11 yrs old, MS 40, Jersey City, NJ USA, 2023

Honorable Mention, Alaisha Nunez, 11 yrs old, MS 40, Jersey City, NJ USA, 2023

Honorable Mention, Li Yuxi, 12 years old, China, Underwater imagination, 2023

Honorable Mention, Li Yuxi, 12 years old, China, Underwater imagination, 2023

Honorable Mention, Minnie Zheng, 11 years old, China, Water of Life, 2023

Honorable Mention, Minnie Zheng, 11 years old, China, Water of Life, 2023

1st-place-Eric qiao, age 11, canada, 2023 thumbnail
2nd-place-Kabrel Ghaly, 12 Years Old, NJ, USA, What If It Was You, 2023 thumbnail
3rd-place-LIN, XU-CEN-JIA, 11 AGE, TAIWAN, 2023 thumbnail
Alaisha Nunez, 11 yrs old, MS 40, Jersey City, NJ USA, 2023 thumbnail
LI YUXI, 12 years old, China, Underwater imagination, 2023 thumbnail
Minnie ZHENG, 11 Years old, China, Water of life, 2023 thumbnail

Age group 13-18

1st Place Winner, Jiang Qinghan, 13 years old, China
2nd Place Winner, Alaina Mohammed, 17 years old, NJ, USA
3rd Place Winner, Jo Ahn, 15 years old, CA, USA

Honorable Mentions:

Hei Mingyi, 17 years old, China
Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA
Nikola Milenov Katzarski, 13 years old, Bulgaria

1st place, Jiang Qinghan, 13 years old, China, Dancing on water, 2023

1st place, Jiang Qinghan, 13 years old, China, Dancing on water, 2023

2nd place, Alaina Mohammed, 17 years old, NJ, USA, Water is Life 2023

2nd place, Alaina Mohammed, 17 years old, NJ, USA, Water is Life 2023

3rd place, Jo Ahn, 15 years old, Environment, CA, USA, 2023

3rd place, Jo Ahn, 15 years old, Environment, CA, USA, 2023

Honorable Mention, Hei Mingyi, 17 years old, China, Clear, 2023

Honorable Mention, Hei Mingyi, 17 years old, China, Clear, 2023

Honorable Mention, Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA, Home of Frozen Water Melts Away, 2023

Honorable Mention, Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA, Home of Frozen Water Melts Away, 2023

Honorable Mention, Nikola Milenov Katzarski, 13 years old, Bulgaria, 2023

Honorable Mention, Nikola Milenov Katzarski, 13 years old, Bulgaria, 2023

1st-place-Jiang Qinghan, 13 years old, China, Dancing on water, 2023 thumbnail
2nd-place-Alaina Mohammed, 17 Years Old, NJ, USA, Water Is Life, 2023 thumbnail
3rd-place-Jo Ahn, 15 years old, Environment, CA, USA, 2023 thumbnail
Hei Mingyi, 17 Years old, China, Clear, 2023 thumbnail
Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA, Home of Frozen Water Melts Away, 3D, 2023 thumbnail
NIKOLA MILENOV KATZARSKI, 13 years, Bulgaria, 2023 thumbnail

Best Environmental Message

1st Place Winner, Pimyada Fangchaiyaphum, 8 years old, Thailand
2nd Place Winner, Liang Meng, 12 years old, China
3rd Place Winner, Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, China

Honorable Mentions:

Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA
Parthi Jain, 16 years old, Bahrain

1st Place Best Environmental Message, Pimyada FANGCHAIYAPHUM, 8 years old, Thailand, 2023

1st Place Best Environmental Message, Pimyada FANGCHAIYAPHUM, 8 years old, Thailand, 2023

2nd place best environmental message, Liang Meng, 12 years old, China, 2023

2nd place best environmental message, Liang Meng, 12 years old, China, 2023

3rd place best environmental message, Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, China, Tears, 2023

3rd place best environmental message, Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, China, Tears, 2023

Honorable Mention best environmental message, Ireen Yoon, 15 yrs old, CA, USA, 2023

Honorable Mention best environmental message, Ireen Yoon, 15 yrs old, CA, USA, 2023

Honorable mention best environmental message, Parthi Jain, 16 yrs old, Bahrain, 2023

Honorable mention best environmental message, Parthi Jain, 16 yrs old, Bahrain, 2023

1st-place-Best-Env-Pimyada FANGCHAIYAPHUM, 8 years old, Thailand-2023 thumbnail
2nd-Place-Best-Env-Liang Meng, 12 years old, China, 2023 thumbnail
3rd-Place-Best-Env-Bi Yinuo, 9 years old, China, Tears, 2023 thumbnail
Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA, Home of Frozen Water Melts Away, 3D, 2023 thumbnail
parthi jain, 16 yrs old, Bahrain, 2023, water is life thumbnail

Best 3D Art

1st Place Winner, Madeleine Lee, 15 years old, CA, USA
2nd Place Winner, Kristina Tsekova, 12 years old, Bulgaria
3rd Place Winner, Marina Milenova Katzarska, 13 years old, Bulgaria

Honorable Mentions:

Huang Hsiang-Ching, 15 years old, Taiwan
Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA
Luchezar Visochkov, 11 years old, Bulgaria

1st place best 3D art, Madeleine Lee, 15 yrs old, CA, USA, 2023

1st place best 3D art, Madeleine Lee, 15 yrs old, CA, USA, 2023

2nd Place best 3D art, Kristina Tsekova, 12 yrs old, Bulgaria, 2023

2nd Place best 3D art, Kristina Tsekova, 12 yrs old, Bulgaria, 2023

3rd Place best 3D art, Marina Milenova Katzarska, 13 years old, Bulgaria, 2023

3rd Place best 3D art, Marina Milenova Katzarska, 13 years old, Bulgaria, 2023

Honorable Mention Best 3D art, Huang Hsiang-Ching, 15 years old, Taiwan, 2023

Honorable Mention Best 3D art, Huang Hsiang-Ching, 15 years old, Taiwan, 2023

Honorable Mention Best 3D art, Ireen Yoon, 15 yrs old, CA, USA, 2023

Honorable Mention Best 3D art, Ireen Yoon, 15 yrs old, CA, USA, 2023

Honorable Mention Best 3D Art, Luchezar Visochkov, 11 years old, Bulgaria, 2023

Honorable Mention Best 3D Art, Luchezar Visochkov, 11 years old, Bulgaria, 2023

1st-place-3d-Madeleine Lee, 15 years old, CA, USA, Water, the beginning of life, 3D, 2023 thumbnail
2nd-place-3d-Kristina Tsekova, 12 years old, Bulgaria, 2023 thumbnail
3rd-place-3d-Marina Milenova Katzarska, 13 years, Bulgaria, 2 thumbnail
Huang Hsiang-Ching, 15 yrs old, Taiwan, 2023 thumbnail
Ireen Yoon, 15 years old, CA, USA, Home of Frozen Water Melts Away, 3D, 2023 thumbnail
Luchezar Visochkov, 11 years old, Bulgaria, 2023 thumbnail

Best Black and White Art

1st Place Winner, Alyssa Pantaleon, 14 years old, NJ, USA
2nd Place Winner, Natkitta Chaipiriyapitak, 15 years old, Thailand
3rd Place Winner, Rosa Lee, 15 years old, CA, USA

Honorable Mentions

Cindy Ren, 16 years old, Vancouver, Canada
Huang.Hsiang-Ching, 15 years old, Taiwan

1st Place Best BW Art, Alyssa Pantaleon, 14 yrs old, Academy 1 Middle School, JC, NJ, USA

1st Place Best BW Art, Alyssa Pantaleon, 14 yrs old, Academy 1 Middle School, JC, NJ, USA

2nd Place best BW art, Natkitta Chapiriyapitak, 15 yrs old, Thailand 2023

2nd Place best BW art, Natkitta Chapiriyapitak, 15 yrs old, Thailand 2023

3rd Place Best BW art, Rosa Lee, 15 yrs old, CA, USA 2023

3rd Place Best BW art, Rosa Lee, 15 yrs old, CA, USA 2023

Honorable Mention Best BW art, Cindy Ren, 16 yrs old, Vancouver, Canada 2023

Honorable Mention Best BW art, Cindy Ren, 16 yrs old, Vancouver, Canada 2023

Honorable Mention Best BW art, Huang.Hsiang-Ching, 15 yrs old, Taiwan 2023

Honorable Mention Best BW art, Huang.Hsiang-Ching, 15 yrs old, Taiwan 2023

1st-place-Alyssa Pantaleon, 14 years old, NJ, USA, Academy 1 Middle School thumbnail
2nd-place-Natkitta CHAIPIRIYAPITAK, 15 years old, Thailand, 2023 thumbnail
3rd-place-Rosa Lee, 15 years old, CA, USA, 2023 thumbnail
Cindy Ren, age 16, Vancouver, Canada, 2023 thumbnail
HUANG.HSIANG-CHING, 15 years old, Taiwan, 2023 thumbnail

Best Jersey City Art

1st Place Winner, Kailey Louis Angeles, 15 years old, McNair, Jersey City, NJ, USA
2nd Place Winner, Ayushman Sahu, 5 years old, Jersey City, NJ, USA
3rd Place Winner, Amber Danison, 14 years old, McNair, Jersey City, NJ, USA

Honorable Mentions

Isha Desai, 14 years old, JC, NJ, USA
Alaina Mohammed, 17 years old, JC, NJ, USA
Ty’iana Pinkney, 11 years old, MS 40, JC, NJ, USA

1st Place Best JC art, Kailey Louis Angeles, 15 yrs old, McNair, Jersey City, USA

1st Place Best JC art, Kailey Louis Angeles, 15 yrs old, McNair, Jersey City, USA

2nd Place Best JC art, Ayushman Sahu, 5 yrs old, Jersey City, NJ, USA

2nd Place Best JC art, Ayushman Sahu, 5 yrs old, Jersey City, NJ, USA

3rd Place best JC art, Amber Danison, 14 yrs old, McNair, Jersey City, NJ, USA 2023

3rd Place best JC art, Amber Danison, 14 yrs old, McNair, Jersey City, NJ, USA 2023

4th Place Best JC Art, Isha Desai, 14 yrs old, McNair, JC, USA 2023

4th Place Best JC Art, Isha Desai, 14 yrs old, McNair, JC, USA 2023

5th Place Best JC art, Alaina Monhammed, 17 yrs old, JC, NJ, USA 2023

5th Place Best JC art, Alaina Monhammed, 17 yrs old, JC, NJ, USA 2023

6th Place Best JC art, Ty'iana Pinkney, 11 yrs old, MS 40, Jersey City, NJ, USA 2023

6th Place Best JC art, Ty'iana Pinkney, 11 yrs old, MS 40, Jersey City, NJ, USA 2023

1st-place-Kailey Louis Angeles, 15 yrs old, NJ, USA, McNair, 2023 thumbnail
2nd-place-Water is Life, Ayushman Sahu,5 yr, jersey city, USA, 2023 thumbnail
3rd-place-Amber Danison, 14 yrs old, NJ, ,USA, McNair, 2023 thumbnail
4th-place-Isha Desai, 14 yrs old, NJ, USA, McNair, 2023 thumbnail
5th-place-Alaina Mohammed, 17 Years Old, NJ, USA, Water Is Life, 2023 thumbnail
6th-place-Ty’iana Pinkney, 11 yrs old, MS 40, Jersey City, NJ USA, 2023 thumbnail
08/30/18

On the Brink of Extinction: Preserving the Frog Population in the State of New York

It is difficult to believe that such an adaptable species would ever be at risk of extinction. Many people attribute the decline in the frog population to climate change; however, wood frogs have proven to be adaptable in a variety of climates. Researchers have found that the wood frog population native to New York are capable of freezing themselves during the winter, stopping their hearts and all brain activity, only to thaw out in the spring and begin to search for food and a mate. Frogs can locate their food source virtually anywhere, but they always mate in water. Therefore, in order to attract frogs to your garden this spring, a small area with water such as a pond is a necessity.

Bullfrogs - Photo by Ken Goulding on Unsplash

Photo by Ken Goulding on Unsplash

Adaptation and Survival

Due in large part to the recommendation of Lili Winkelman, a fourth-grade student from Syracuse, the wood frog has been unofficially named as the State amphibian for New York. While the wood frog has shown an uncanny ability to adapt to its environment, according to the United States Geological Survey, many other species of frog are in a severe state of decline due to climate change, pesticides and disease. Welcoming frogs in to your garden can help to provide them with the safe and stable environment that they need in order to stabilize and rebuild their population.

How Frogs Help 

While you attract wood frogs to your garden, thereby helping to preserve and grow the frog population, they will help to preserve your garden. Frogs can be particularly helpful in a vegetable garden because they consume pests and insects. A single frog can consume up to 10,000 pests and insects in a single season. This can help preserve your garden naturally, while saving you money on pesticides. A natural and environmentally friendly space is particularly important to the survival of frogs because they breathe through their skin; therefore, pesticides are particularly toxic to them since they can be easily and unintentionally ingested.

Welcoming frogs in to your garden will not only help to grow their population locally, it will also help your garden grow naturally and economically. By building a small pond and shelter, you can help prevent the potential extinction of a species while helping your garden grow in a safe and natural environment, without the use of chemicals or pesticides.

Guest blog by Jennifer Dawson

06/28/18

Salamander from the Rainforest painted on Catch Basin

Update from the corner of Bleecker Street and Central Avenue in Jersey City Heights!

 

Jersey City’s adopt a catch basin program is thriving! It’s very simple. Sign up to take care of a catch basin (storm drain) and the City of Jersey City will assign an artist to paint something original for you. It’s a win-win situation! The city receives help from the public to keep these drains clear of garbage and snow/ice in the winter and we get beautiful artwork that passers by admire. In addition, because they are of an environmental nature, it helps remind the public to keep the streets clean.

Swati Rastogi and Susan Newman salamander catch basin jersey city heights

Last year I noticed a beautiful artwork done by artist Swati Rastogi and requested her as the artist for my second corner (opposite last year’s frog). I was so excited when she contacted me this week because it was time for her to paint the corner.

Here’s what Swati wrote about this project:

“I never knew what a Salamander was until I was asked by the city to paint one at the corner of Central Avenue & Bleecker Street in Jersey City.

Susan Newman who adopted this catch basin has proudly named it “Biodiversity Matters” and is actively letting the residents know about the program.

Honestly this “adopt a catch basin” campaign is making the city much more vibrant and creating awareness for how important it is to keep the sewers clean.

Thank you for choosing me as your artist!.”

– Swati Rastogi

 

I wrote about this program last year in greater detail, so check out the article about the program and why it’s so important.

Adopt a Catch Basin Frog Art

11/19/17

Colorful Catch Basins around Jersey City Star a Red-eyed Tree Frog

Jersey City, have you seen all the colorful images painted on catch basins all around town?

Our city wants residents and business owners to “adopt a catch basin.” When Frogs Are Green heard about this program, in which artists decorate these basins with whatever images you suggest, we claimed a drain, and now the corner of Central Avenue and Bleecker Street boasts a gorgeous, colorful red-eyed tree frog. We also just claimed the opposite corner which we call Biodiversity Matters. Environmental themes make the most sense.

Red-eyed Tree Frog artwork for catch basin in Jersey City Heights.

Red-eyed tree frog artwork for catch basin in Jersey City Heights.

As you walk around Jersey City, you’ll see a lighthouse, fish, turtles, sea turtles, an octopus, and many other original artworks by different artists. When you join the program and adopt a drain, you get to name it and request a certain image.

This is a great way to give artists work, clean up the streets, and show citizens where rain water goes. Once you claim a drain, you become responsible for keeping it clear from trash and, in the colder months, ice and snow. It’s a useful reminder not to throw garbage down there. Year after year I’ve walked around my neighborhood and seen trash and leaves piling up at these catch basins and trees, like a new sign post for trash. Since the city has a limited amount of street cleaners–actual people who only work main streets and only certain days– getting the public involved will help.

 

About the “Adopt a Catch Basin” program from the Jersey City Office of Innovation’s website:

“Catch basins or sewer drains collect storm and rain water from streets and sidewalks, which then travels into the sewer system. Any debris in the street and on the sidewalk can clog and block a catch basin, causing local flooding and potentially polluting our waterways. Our ‘Adopt a Catch Basin’ program empowers local residents and other volunteers to help keep catch basins clean and expand awareness of our sewer system.”

 

Once I made this commitment, I started researching what does go down the drain besides rain water and have discovered some unbelievable facts.

NJ’s sewage systems are old and in serious need of repair. Just read this article about what happened to the Middlesex County Utilities Authority in New Jersey. They were just starting to repair the main pump when Hurricane Sandy hit.

 
…Hurricane Sandy triggered flooding that knocked out the Passaic Valley Utility Authority in Newark—the fifth-largest wastewater treatment facility in the country—for weeks, sending some 840 million gallons of untreated sewage into Newark Bay, according to a 2013 report by the independent research organization Climate Central.

The federal EPA in 2008 estimated the cost of upgrading New Jersey’s CSOs statewide at $9.3 billion.

…Environmentalists warn that the high cost of fixing New Jersey’s ailing sewer systems pales beside the cost of doing nothing. While our ocean waters were deemed swimmable in a July 2013 DEP assessment, 73 percent of the state’s non-ocean waters tested failed due to bacteria indicating the presence of fecal matter. And only 3 percent of 952 watersheds were judged safe to eat, with 38 percent containing dangerous levels of mercury or toxic PCBs…

Please read the entire article here:
https://njmonthly.com/articles/jersey-living/down-the-drain-njs-sewage-system/
 

Just imagine what this means to wildlife. Let’s all do our part in helping the environment be safe for all.

 

12/3/16

How To Get Safer And Cleaner Drinking Water For Your Home

Are you concerned about the safety of your drinking water? The Flint water crisis has brought issues of drinking water quality into sharp focus. We all need water to live – so how can you make sure the water you drink is safe and healthy for your body and the environment?

Earth’s Most Precious Resource

Water is the most precious resource on earth. Around 70% of the earth’s surface is covered in water – that’s the same as the amount of water in our bodies. Without water, there would be no life. From growing crops to drinking to bathing, water is an integral part of our lives.

That’s why threats to water are so serious. Contamination of water supplies can damage human health, and have a negative impact on the earth’s creatures, especially amphibians, such as frogs and toads, and fish, for whom water is a key part of their habitat.

water tap

Water Is Good For You

For the human body, water is a fantastic healer. As experienced water engineer James Boyce of Home Water Filter Guide points out, water isn’t just about quenching your thirst. Water can also:

  • Increase energy levels
  • Improve the condition of skin and hair
  • Help stabilize weight
  • Provide a mood boost
  • Relive fatigue
  • Promote fresh breath
  • Flush out toxins

Experts recommend drinking eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and healthy. But what if you’re concerned with the quality of your water?

What’s In Your Water?

Since 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act has stipulated that all water for public consumption in the USA must be safe to drink. However, even safe water can still contain some pretty nasty things:

  • Heavy metals such as lead
  • Volatile organic compounds such as pesticides
  • Endocrine disrupting chemicals

There are literally hundreds of chemicals that could be in your tap water right now. Although there are regulations as to the quantities that are allowed in tap water, that’s still a lot of chemicals going into your body. Exposure to contaminants in water can lead to a range of health problems from sickness and fatigue to cancer.

Making Water Safe Again

Purer water with less chemicals is a healthy choice for your body. Many people turn to bottled water, but this isn’t really the best option. As well as costing you hundreds of dollars a year, bottled water can be contaminated by compounds from the bottles themselves. Not to mention the environmental impact of throwing away all those plastic bottles afterwards.

If you want to drink safe, it’s best to filter your water. Which method is best? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of some of the most popular methods.

Carbon Filters

Carbon filters are a popular water filter choice. Water passes through activated carbon which acts to filer out all kinds of unwanted compounds. They cost around $40 up front, but work out to be a cost effective option in the long run.

Pros: Removes all kinds of chemicals, heavy metals, fluoride and pesticides. In fact a carbon filter can make most water into safe drinking water including water from ponds, rain or even the sea, so it can certainly make your tap water safe to drink.

Cons: Not as effective against bacteria as other filters. They’re also quite bulky, but if you have plenty of counter space, they are a good option.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis filters use a membrane that filters out compounds as water passes through it. Reverse osmosis was originally designed to transform saltwater into freshwater, and is very effective at filtering out chemicals and other things.

Pros: Highly effective at filtering. a good reverse osmosis filter can filter out up to 98% of bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals, and will also remove fluoride.

Cons: Wastes a lot of water, as for every usable gallon produced, three or more gallons are washed down the drain. It also removes minerals from the water.

Distillation

Distillation makes use of heat to purify water. The water is heated until it becomes team, then cooled until it reverts to a liquid state, minus many contaminants.

Pros: Distillation removes many contaminants, including heavy metals, arsenic and fluoride, resulting in very pure water.

Cons: Doesn’t reduce many chemicals. Home distillation filters are expensive (around $100 for a small one) and can be large and bulky. Like reverse osmosis, it removes minerals.

Under Sink Filters

Under sink filters put water through a multi-stage filtering process which removes many chemicals and contaminants.

Pros: Filters out a wide range of contaminants. Once it’s installed it’s very easy to use with no need to refill or wait for the water to be filtered.

Cons: You may need to hire a plumber to install it under the sink, and you do need the under sink space for the unit as it can’t go anywhere else.

As you can see, there are several options for making your water cleaner and safer to drink. Each has its pros and cons, and each will be more suited to some households than others. Depending on your budget and your needs, you should be able to find the right solution for you so you and your family can enjoy healthier, cleaner water.

___________________________________________________

(Guest Blogger): My name is Toni Stan and I am a blogger and the owner of www.homewaterfilter.guide. I have a passion in all things related to water conservation and I spend most of my time educating people on how to make water clean and safe for consumption.

05/5/16

7 Garden Maintenance Tips in Autumn

watering garden

As Autumn approaches in Melbourne, many householders are starting to prepare their gardens for the colder months and taking care of the little jobs that may have passed them by. The season plays an important role in how well your plants, trees and foliage will do during the winter time, so with 7 simple preparation tips, you can have a clean, lush and bumper garden before the cold weather kicks in.

1. Have a good clear out of your garden

racking leaves in garden

One of the best ways to prepare your garden for Autumn is to clean your garden of any leaves or tree branches that may have built up over the last few months. Autumn is a great time to start to clear out the main base of your garden, allowing you to see and tend to flowers of shrubs in the winter. If you have lots of items to remove, why not start your garden waste removal with the help of a skip bin hire company to handle the majority of the heavy lifting.

2. Maintain your lawn
mowing the lawn

Lawn and garden maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult, as with the right tools and the right approach you can enjoy a lush and green garden all year round. Instead of waiting until the grass is a little too long, why not get the mower out and keep it at the height you best prefer. That way the grass will be at full health and you will minimise the risk of seeing bald patches as the old grass is left covering the newer turf.

3. Clean up your borders

trimming hedges and bushes

Tidying up your borders is a great way to have your garden looking fresh and in top shape. Clear out any foliage that shouldn’t be there and inspect the soil accordingly. If you have any plants that you feel are poorly placed, autumn is the perfect time to get in there and replant them. If any perennials have faded slightly, cut them back to around 5cm to provide them the best health over the coming months.

4. Start your compost harvest

composting

If you have any deciduous trees that are in or overhang your garden, don’t worry about all of the leaves that have fallen and start a leaf mould to add to your compost. The leaves make amazing quality compost in a year or two, so store away all you can and you will have your very own compost to recycle in your garden.

5. The best time to plant evergreen

planting evergreen

Autumn is the best time to plant evergreen varieties due to the soil being still warm and with ever so slightly cooler weather. This greenery makes up the backbone of any quality garden, providing the green backdrop that many gardeners aim for. Plant your evergreen varieties in a way that brings bulk to your shrub borders and adds colour and depth to your main focal point plants.

6. Lift out timid species before the frost
lift out fragile plants in autumn

Autumn is the time when you will need to lift out your most fragile plants such as Dahlias or Begonias and place them into storage in a cool and dry place. Use sand or compost to keep them healthy and ensure that you replant them when spring arrives the coming year. Ensure they are fully covered with just the crowns visible to keep them healthy and happy.

7. Take care of your gardening tools

take care of gardening tools

Autumn is a great time of the year to ensure your gardening equipment is well maintained and in good working order. If you need to purchase replacement tools, check out your local garden hardware store to see if they have anything new and exciting in stock. Oil and clean any motorised equipment you might have, and get yourself ready for the busier months to come!

If you feel that gardening in Autumn is a little too much to handle all by yourself, why not hire a garden waste removal company that allows you to clear out your garden of foliage, branches, cut grass and soil and create for yourself a fresh and bright new garden. Simply have the skip bin delivered at a time of your choosing, fill it up and call for removal for a weekends work, your garden can get a full makeover.