Between the 31st March and 2nd April, just a few days before Oxford and Cambridge head west along the Thames from Putney Bridge, 29 year old cancer survivor Sam Greatrex from Birmingham will arrive at Putney Bridge having rowed 100 miles from Oxford as a ‘warm-up’ for a record-breaking journey to travel around the world using only human power, an expedition entitled, ‘Lap the World’.

Sam will be a part of an 8 person crew and become only the fifth documented crew to complete this marathon, 35 mile a day row from Oxford to London which will require around 8 hours of rowing each day.

The challenge is preparation for the 18,000 miles of cycling and 14,000 nautical miles of rowing across the North Atlantic and South Pacific Sam will travel in circumnavigating the world.

Speaking of his challenge, Sam said: “As a great fan of the University boat race, it’s a fantastic opportunity to row along one of sports iconic courses. Crossing under Putney Bridge will be an incredible moment and to have the opportunity to help Macmillan and ensure that no one faces cancer alone while doing so is the main reason for the expedition.”

Sam sets off in his bid to break the current record for the fastest human powered circumnavigation in September and aims to raise £240,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through his worldwide challenge, a total of £10 for every mile of the circumference of earth, after the charity provided invaluable help when he was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, aged 10.

Sam will break a further 9 Guinness World Records during his round-the-world journey and despite training for 14,000 nautical miles of ocean rowing for two years, the river row from Oxford to Putney Bridge, London will be the first time that the adventurer has dipped an oar in water. 

Sam and the team will all be using their Water-to-Go bottles on their journey so they can drink straight out of the thames, keeping their boat light and their hydration levels topped up!

Follow Sam's amazing journey here >> www.laptheworld.com

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Here at Water-to-Go we’re helping to build a brighter future by supporting WWF’s Earth Hour, a
spectacular and symbolic lights out event that focuses the world’s attention on our planet, and the need to protect it.

On March 29, at 8.30pm, we’ll be joining forces with thousands of businesses globally, as we show our support for our brilliant world. Earth Hour’s unique display of darkness has become a global phenomenon with hundreds of millions of individuals coming together each year. 2013 saw a record-breaking 157 countries switch-off for the world’s biggest celebration under the stars.

Last year in the UK over 10 million people took part, sending out a united and symbolic message. 280 of the country’s most iconic landmarks including the London Eye and Big Ben joined forces with more than 1,200 businesses such as Sky, Paramount and IKEA to ensure hundreds of buildings switched off.

To celebrate Earth Hour 2014, we will be switching off all non-essential lights in all Water-to-Go buildings including the offices, warehouse and factory at 8.30pm on 29th March for the hour and encouraging our employees to do the same at home.

‘We are proud to take part in Earth Hour and our employees are excited to be involved with such a great and inspiring event. Everyone can make a difference to help protect our planet and we all have a key role to play,’ said Water-to-Go's Managing Director, Dave Shanks.

Shareen Brown, spokesperson for WWF-UK, said, “We’re thrilled that Water-to-Go will be taking part in Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. Earth Hour is more than just an hour of darkness, it’s a chance for people to come together and send a global message about the need to protect our planet. It’s great to see so many businesses taking part and demonstrating their commitment to our planet. By taking one simple step to switch off, you’ll be joining millions of people from around the world in this special celebration.”

All of the money raised will go towards WWF’s vital conservation work in the Mara, Kenya, one of the most spectacular places on Earth and home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife including lions, cheetahs and African elephants. This incredible landscape is also central to national and local economies and directly supports the livelihoods of more than one million people. WWF is helping to create a brighter future for the Mara, from helping communities address human-wildlife conflict to providing local wildlife rangers with much needed equipment and training.

Everyone can sign up for WWF’s Earth Hour 2014. For more information and to sign up please visit www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour

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Water in two households in Jersey have been tested and found to be too dangerous to drink, as it
contained bacteria including E. coli.

The fear is that the water has been contaminated by farmers spreading slurry on their fields.

Paul Troy first noticed brown water coming out of his tap last month. A week later the water had returned to it's normal colour, but not everything was as it seems. In an interview with the BBC Mr.Troy said:

"But when it was tested it turned out to have the E. coli bacteria in it, and the coliform bacteria, two types." "We had a phone call from the States analyst to say 'don't drink the water' and since then we've been drinking bottled water and using bottled water to brush our teeth.

 "It is like living in a third world country."

To find more about E.coli click here 

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We're all about hydration here at Water-to-Go. We pride ourselves on making it easy for you to get access to safe water no matter where you are but, we often forget that 20-30% of the water we consume comes from our food!

So as well as using our filtered water bottles to wet your whistle, we've compiled a list of the best foods to help keep you hydrated:


Cucumber:

Cucumber has the highest water content (96.7%) of any food! Great way to keep your hydration levels topped up by adding to a salad or a sandwich!



Iceberg Lettuce: 

It may not hold as much fiber and vitamin K as other lettuce can offer, but Iceberg Lettuce is waves ahead of the rest in water content (95.6%).



Celery:

Seen as a bit of food exercise (as you burn more calories than you consume when eating) celery is made up primarily of water (95.4%). Don't write it off too quickly though. As well as hydration benefits, celery also contains Vitamins A, C & K and is a natural remedy for heartburn!


Radishes 

Not only bursting with water (95.3%) but radishes are rich in antioxidants like catechin which do wonders for your health!



Tomatoes:

Often mistaken as a vegetable, but there's no mistaking their water content (94.5%).




Green Peppers:

All peppers have a high water content but green peppers (93.7%) are leaders of the gang when it comes to hydration. They also carry just as much antioxidants as other varieties!




Cauliflower:

It may look dry but in addition to containing lots of water (92.1%), Cauliflower is flourishing with vitamins and phytonutrients. Studies have shown they can lower cholesterol and help to fight cancer.


Water Melon:

The clue's in the name! But as well as being high in water (91.5%), this type of melon is over flowing with the antioxidant lycopene, which has been proven to help fight cancer!



Spinach: 

Our old friend Popeye set a good example when it came to spinach. It may not give you super-human strength but spinach is rich in lutein, potassium, fiber, and folate! It's also great for hydration with a water content of 91.4%.




Star Fruit (Carambola):

Not only is it one of the prettiest fruits around but as rich in water (91.4%) as it is in antioxidants! People with kidney problems should stay clear of this fruit due to the high content of oxalic acid!



Strawberries:

No berry is better for hydration than strawberries. Juicy, delicious and bursting with water (91.01%).


Broccoli:

Filled with fiber, potassium, vitamin A & C it's also jam packed full of water (90.7%). Broccoli is the veggie of choice to keep you healthy and hydrated!





Grapefruit:

As well as having a high water content (90.5%), grapefruit is supposed be an excellent way to lower your cholesterol. Some studies have shown that it even helps facilitate weight loss!





Baby Carrots:

You'd think that if carrots are carry a lot of water then the bigger the better, right?! Apparently size isn't everything when it comes to water content. Baby carrots boast a water content of 90.4% where their parents (regular carrots), have around 88.3%.



Cantaloupe:

The second highest water content in melon goes to the cantaloupe (90.2%). Low in calories and delivers your daily intake of vitamins A & C in one hit! A great way to start the day!

Healthy Water, Healthy Body! 

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As a child, Nikki Curwen made herself a promise. That she would sail across the Atlantic before she
flew.

Now, in 2013 her dream is soon to become her reality as she embarks upon the adventure of a lifetime!

In October 2013, Nikki is competing in the Mini Transat, a solo sailing race across the Atlantic in a 6.5m boat.

The Mini Transat is an international solo transatlantic yacht race that has taken place biannually since 1977. Many successful sailors started their sailing career in this fleet
, including Ellen MacArthur, Sam Davies and Brian Thomson.

The 2013 edition starts in France and ends in the Caribbean, with a stop over in the Canary Islands. Covering a total distance of 4020 miles, and over 30 days at sea in two stages, 84 boats will be taking part.

During the race there is no communication or computer navigation allowed, outside assistance is strictly forbiden. It’s back to basics with paper charts and your own company to deal with for 4020 miles!

In order to qualify for the race Nikki has raced over 1600 miles in races this year as well as completing a 1300m non stop solo passage (over 10 days at sea).

During the race Nikki has to carry all her water in jerry cans which has a very plasticky taste. Nikki will be taking her Water-to-Go bottle on her solo mission to ensure all the water she drinks when she's sailing the seven seas will be safe, filtered and delicious!

For more information see: www.nikkicurwen.com

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Check Out The Weird & Wonderful Places Our Bottles Have Been Used
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We found this floating around the wonderful world of facebook and thought we'd share with you. We're not sure about the source of it but it's definitely an interesting read:

"Water or Coke? 

We all know that water is important but I’ve never seen it written like this before. and REMEMBER if you "SHARE" this post it will SAVE on your personal page so you can refer to it later. 

WATER 

1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. 
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. 
3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as much as 30%. 
4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study. 
5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. 
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. 
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. 
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. 

And now for the properties of COKE 

1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the truck to remove blood from the highway after a car accident. 
2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and it will be gone in two days. 
3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china. 
4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola. 
5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion. 
6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes. 7. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield. 

 IMPORTANT INFO 

1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis. 
2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials. 
3. The distributors of coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years! At the animal shelter,it is used coke to remove calcium deposits from the water pans about ever 6 months.

Now the question is, would you like a glass of water or coke?"

(Source unknown)

Now see what a Water-to-Go filter bottle does to coke...

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As you know our filter technology was developed by NASA for the space programme and is out this world!

That's why we love this video. See earth from space as you've never seen it before!

The video is a time-lapse taken from the front of the International Space Station as it orbits the earth.

Beautiful!

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More issues with UK tap water are driving people to use powerful water filters in their homes as well as the great outdoors.

The most recent case is yellow water coming out of the tap in the Devon and Cornwall area.

Locals have been complaining about the yellow peril that is haunting their water. The contaminated water is due to high levels of magenese (a natural chemical which is supposed to be removed).

South West Water (SWW) have stated that the water is safe to drink as long as you're not pregnant and not drinking it in large quantities. However, over 200 residents have complained to SWW saying the water tastes horrible and tastes of metal!

While water issues in the UK continue to emerge, (for example fracking and fluoridation) Water-to-Go users continue to have the last laugh by getting rid of all the nasties that might sneak into the municipal water supply.

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Harvard University have recently published a study that has found that kids that live in areas of America that have larger amounts of fluoridated water have dramatically lower IQ's than those living in areas with low fluoride in water.

 The researchers from the study (which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)) state in the report that:

"Findings from our meta-analyses of 27 studies published over 22 years suggest an inverse association between high fluoride exposure and children's intelligence... The results suggest that fluoride may be a developmental neurotoxicant that affects brain development at exposures much below those that can cause toxicity in adults..."

"In conclusion, our results support the possibility of adverse effects of fluoride exposures on children's neurodevelopment. Future research should formally evaluate dose-response relations based on individual-level measures of exposure over time, including more precise prenatal exposure assessment and more extensive standardized measures of neurobehavioral performance, in addition to improving assessment and control of potential confounders."

 The full report can be downloaded for free here 

 So what actually is fluoride? 

• Fluoride is a chemical ion of the element fluorine 
• It's also a by-product (mainly from phosphate fertiliser industry) 
• It is supposed to be included in tap water to help improve dental hygiene and reduce cavities. Therefore it is a medication that is included in our tap water without our permission. 

Fluoride has been linked to cause:

• Dental Fluorosis: (White and brown spots appear on the enamel of the teeth) 
• Skeletal Fluorosis: (symptoms include pains in the bones and joints, muscle weakness and gastrointestinal disorders) 
• Osteoporosis: (decreasing bone strength and elasticity) 
• Cancer 
• Kidney Problems 

Two council leaders in Southampton and Hampshire are currently fighting a battle to prevent fluoride been added to the water supply.

 Hampshire Leader, Roy Perry said:

"We think it is wrong to put medication in our supply. It is impossible to add fluoride and guarantee where it will go."

The issue of water fluoridation continues and concerns in the UK are growing. If you are worried about water fluoridation and its effects in your area then we are pleased to announce that with a Water-to-Go bottle we will filter it out for you!

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Talks of fracking in the UK is prompting people to invest in water filters for their homes due to the potential risk of underground water contamination as a result of the process.

So what is fracking?

Fracking is a process of drilling down into the earth and injecting water, sand and chemicals into the rock in order to release the gas inside.

Why is it controversial?

Fracking in the US has caused huge environmental issues. The process uses massive amounts of water that has to be transported to the fracking site.

The second is the worry that potentially cancerous chemicals used may escape and contaminate the groundwater in the area where the fracking is taking place. This could have disatrous effect on the local water supply and has resulted in a huge rise in the number of people investing in Water-to-Go bottles.

There's also concerns that fracking can cause minor earthquakes as well. Fracking in Blackpool in 2011 resulted in two small earthquakes!

Will I be affected by fracking?

It's expected fracking will happen in up to six locations in Lancashire over the next few years, starting in 2014.

Under new guidelines areas affected by fracking will receive £100,000 in community benefits and 1% of revenues.

A Lancashire campagin group has stated that the benefit packages would go nowhere near to compensating those affected!

What do you think about fracking in the UK?

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For a coffee drinker, I seem to have amassed a surprisingly large quantity of water bottles. There's the overpriced London 2012 souvenir one, the one which came free with my backpack, the small circular one I carry when running, and a few more lying around. 

My newest acquisition is by far my favourite. Purchased on a whim the week I left for a long-awaited trip to Kyrgyzstan, Water to Go's product turned out to be a very good buy. Much as I love that part of the world, Central Asia isn't exactly renowned for the quality of its drinking water; and plumbing is far from universal. Vodka is available pretty much everywhere, but bottled water can be hard to find in many areas. Safe, sober hydration can sometimes be a problem.

Having experienced the joys of giardia while travelling in Tajikistan (great for weight loss, otherwise quite unpleasant), I decided it might be a good idea to buy a water filter. Kyrgyzstan is a land of mountains (the so-called "Switzerland of Central Asia" but with headless goat polo instead of yodelling, and horse-intestine-pasta in place of chocolate)- and where there are mountains, water isn't far away. So, with visions of scooping water out of crystal-clear mountain streams and emerald lakes to keep me hydrated on idyllic mountain hikes, I placed an order.

As well as looking good and making a nice photography prop, Water to Go's bottle seemed to do the job it was designed for, and to do it well. Wherever there was tap water available, I drank it. Whenever I was thirsty and in the vicinity of a stream or lake, I used water from those natural sources and drank it through Water to Go's filter. There was no unpleasant, plasticky aftertaste which I've found can sometimes occur from drinking out of a bottle, neither did I pick up any nasty water-borne viruses. The bottle's sleeve made it easy to grip (I've since carried it while running without it ever slipping out of my hand), and it's solid enough that having it fall from an outer backpack pocket was never a problem. Easy to clean, easy to hold, and easy to drink from.

If wanting to avoid a nasty surprise when drinking water abroad, or to feel more secure when taking water from natural sources, I'd definitely recommend getting hold of a Water to Go product. It can't turn water into coffee, but in all other respects ticks all the boxes for those needing a reliable water bottle for their travels.

                                                       Ben Scott

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We were lucky enough to meet and hear from Dr. Paul Thomas last week at the rebirth of the Body Life UK Fitness Convention.

Dr. Paul Thomas, nicknamed 'The Business Doctor' by the BBC, was the main speaker at Bodylife, which played host to Owners and Directors from the top 50 gyms, health clubs and fitness centres from the UK!

Dr. Paul was kind enough to give us a few shout outs and remarked what a great idea Water-to-Go is and how he thought our bottles are brilliant!

Thanks for the kind words Doctor!

You can follow Dr. Paul on Twitter @businessdocme 

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Watch the video here... What do we think?
Real or fake?!

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• 3 billion litres of bottled water are consumed in Britain per year
  
  
• Bottled water retails up to 500x more than the price of tap water 


• The UK bottled water industry is worth £2 billion per year and is the fastest growing drinks market in the world!


• You pay more for branded bottled water (average £1.00 per 50cl) than petrol or diesel. 


• In one year in the UK 13 billion plastic bottles of water were sold and only 3 billion were recycled.


• For a one litre PET disposable water bottle to be produced it requires 162g of oil and seven litres of water. This releases 100g of carbon dioxide (CO2).


• Drinking one bottle of water has the same impact on the environment as driving ‘a car’ for one kilometre 


• The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has campained heavily that bottled water is environmentally unfriendly and also a waste of consumers money 


• The Eastern Garbage Patch is an area 6 times the size of England located in the North Pacific Oceon. Plastic outweighs plankton by 6:1... It's the world's largest waste dump. 

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We're proud to be attending a fundraiser on Monday night with some amazing people for a FANTASTIC cause!

The night will consist of...

...A talk from Will Hodson (AKA SuperCyclingMan) who is cycling around the world 4000km at a time in his school summer holidays...all whilst wearing a SuperMan costume! By cycling around the world in his eye-catching outfit, SuperCyclingMan aims to raise £100,000 for charity and hopes to inspire children (and adults!) to get out on their bikes and have adventure of their own!

... The UK premiere of the film "It's All About..." Which is a 1 hour film all about the insane, heroic world of Ultra-cycling - the sport of cycling thousands of miles across/around whole countries and continents! If you're passionate about cycling, you'll love it...if you're just passionate about life, you'll love it too!

Have a sneak peak at the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/32038020

There will also be a live video call with the film's director (Jurgen Gruber) on the night.

...And last but not least there will be a talk from adventure superhero Alastair Humphreys. It's no surprise Alastair Humphreys was listed by the National Geographic as one of their "Adventurers of the Year" of 2011. He has completed a wide variety of expeditions, including a 4 year bike ride around the world, a very large walk across India, rowing the Atlantic Ocean and most recently encouraging others to take on adventures of their own with his microadventures concept. There will also be a Q + A session afterwards offering you the chance to ask Alastair any questions about his adventures.

During a break there will be a bar and delicious food will be served by a chef who has cooked for no less than HRH The Queen!

If you fancy getting involved and coming down and joining us for a great evening, tickets are only £20 and are available at: http://wecanbeheroesnight10june2013.eventbrite.co.uk/

50% of the evening's proceeds will go direct to SuperCyclingMan's 5 chosen charities: World Cancer Research Fund, Parkinson's UK, World Bicycle Relief, Sustrans and The WorldWildlifeFund. 50% will go to help fund SuperCyclingMan's project of cycling around the world.

Be inspired, be entertained and above all, be there! 

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We're all hearing about BPA in plastics at the moment. But do we actually know what it is?

We thought that we'd give you a brief overview about what BPA is and the effects it's believed to have.

BPA stands for bisphenol A. It is an industrial chemical that has been used  since the 1960s to make certain types of plastics and resins. It's used in containers that store food and drinks such as water bottles and cans.

So what effect does BPA have on you?

Well the studies are still happening and are not completely conclusive but there have been some very interesting finds:-

Doctors have found that BPA can cause your estrogen levels to rise dramatically, regardless of whether you're a male or female. In males, this can lead to prostate cancer and a low sperm count. In females, it has been connected to breast cancer.

There has also been concerns on the effect it has on the brain, behaviour and prostate glands in infants and fetuses and has also been linked to cause early puberty, heart disease and obesity.

The growing fears about the long term effects of BPA plastics have prompted the European Union, United States and Canada into banning the use of BPA in baby bottles.

Always check if a product is BPA before purchasing!

Sources:
mayoclinic.com, Dailygreen.com, Ecolife.com

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Sightseeing seems to be thirsty work... Especially for this guy! Taking snow straight off the Berlin Wall and putting it through his Water-to-Go filter!! Watch the video now! Seeing is believing!

The days of lugging round a full single use plastic bottle of water are well and truly over. Especially in Berlin where the average price for a bottle of water is €1.50!

Below is another Water-to-Go fanatic using his filtered bottle to drink out of a melted Glacier in Canada...

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