7 Reasons why you should filter your drinking water

We all know that we need to drink lots of water, but did you know that not all water is created equal? If you pay attention to the news, you’ll hear about all sorts of things that can get into the water. Although water authorities regulate the quality of tap water it pays to be vigilant. The most common concerns about water ‘on-tap’ from your local utility are:

CHLORINE: Chlorine is put into water supplies to kill bacteria and other pathogens. Indeed, it is necessary to do so to provide an ongoing supply of disease-free water. However, chlorine causes drinking water to have an unpleasant taste and smell and has been linked to cancer and heart disease. Carbon filters will reduce chlorine and its associated taste and odor as well as giving you good, fresh tasting water. Carbon filters will also enhance the flavor of food, tea, coffee, and other beverages.

TASTE AND ODOUR: Unpleasant tastes and odors can be caused by a variety of conditions. Chlorine is the most common cause but other factors such as high mineral content and decaying organic matter (most common in cul-de-sac sites on municipal supplies and in tank water). Generally, carbon filters will improve this condition but sometimes a reverse osmosis purifier and/or ultraviolet sterilizer will be required.

SEDIMENT: Sediment is usually only a problem in tank or creek water supplies or in areas where the municipal supply lines are very old. Pre-filtration in point of use purifiers will normally take care of this problem. Installation of a whole of house sediment reduction filter may be necessary for some circumstances.

HEAVY METALS AND DISSOLVED SOLIDS: A cocktail of heavy metals and dissolved solids can be present in your water supply. Combinations of aluminum, lead, arsenic, mercury, sulfates, nitrates, lime, and other compounds can be present and dangerous to your health. A Reverse Osmosis purifier will reduce the amount of these contaminants.

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA: Cryptosporidium and Giardia may be present in any of our water supplies. These protozoan cysts are resistant to the traditional chlorine disinfection and are not killed by ultraviolet sterilization. Symptoms of infection are stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Symptoms can last up to 2 weeks until the body’s immune system defenses take effect. Cryptosporidium and Giardia can be removed from water by ultra-fine carbon filtration.

CHEMICALS: Chlorination of water creates the presence of other chemicals as by-products, these include trichloromethane and chloroform. Other chemicals including fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides may be present from industrial and agricultural run-offs. Most of these chemicals can be sufficiently reduced by carbon filtration or reverse osmosis.

BACTERIA: Bacteria can be a problem especially in the tank or creek water supplies. Clean, clear, good tasting water is not an indication of bacteria-free water. An ultraviolet filter, complete with sediment and chemical reduction filters will provide good quality drinking water from these sources.

It makes sense, buys a filter… or be a filter

7 Reasons Why You Should Filter Your Drinking Water

We all know that we need to drink lots of water, but did you know that not all water is created equal? Even though water authorities regulate the quality of tap water, it pays to be vigilant. Here are seven compelling reasons why you should consider filtering your drinking water:

1. Remove Chlorine

Chlorine is commonly added to water supplies to kill bacteria and other pathogens. While necessary for providing disease-free water, chlorine can impart an unpleasant taste and smell to drinking water. Moreover, chlorine has been linked to health issues such as cancer and heart disease. Carbon filters effectively reduce chlorine, improving the taste and odor of water, and by extension, enhancing the flavor of food, tea, coffee, and other beverages.

2. Improve Taste and Odor

Unpleasant tastes and odors in water can result from various factors, including chlorine, high mineral content, and decaying organic matter. While chlorine is a common culprit, these other factors can also degrade water quality. Generally, carbon filters can address these issues. In some cases, more advanced solutions like reverse osmosis purifiers and ultraviolet sterilizers may be necessary to achieve optimal water quality.

3. Eliminate Sediment

Sediment is often a problem in tank or creek water supplies and in areas with old municipal supply lines. Sediments can make water look cloudy and can harbor bacteria. Pre-filtration at the point of use can usually resolve this issue. For more pervasive sediment problems, installing a whole-house sediment reduction filter might be necessary to ensure clean water throughout the home.

4. Reduce Heavy Metals and Dissolved Solids

Water supplies can contain a harmful mix of heavy metals and dissolved solids, including aluminum, lead, arsenic, mercury, sulfates, nitrates, and lime. These contaminants pose significant health risks. A Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifier is highly effective at reducing these hazardous substances, ensuring that your drinking water is safe and clean.

5. Remove Cryptosporidium and Giardia

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are protozoan cysts that may be present in any water supply. These organisms are resistant to traditional chlorine disinfection and are not killed by ultraviolet sterilization. Infections from these pathogens can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headaches, with symptoms lasting up to two weeks. Ultra-fine carbon filtration can remove these cysts, protecting you from these health threats.

6. Filter Out Harmful Chemicals

Water chlorination can lead to the formation of by-products like trichloromethane and chloroform. Additionally, chemicals from industrial and agricultural run-offs, such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, can contaminate water supplies. Most of these chemicals can be sufficiently reduced by carbon filtration or reverse osmosis, ensuring that your water is free from harmful substances.

7. Protect Against Bacteria

Bacteria can be a particular problem in tank or creek water supplies. The presence of clean, clear, and good-tasting water does not guarantee that it is free from bacteria. An ultraviolet (UV) filter, combined with sediment and chemical reduction filters, can effectively eliminate bacteria, providing safe drinking water from these sources.

Conclusion

Filtering your drinking water is a smart and proactive approach to ensuring the safety and quality of the water you consume. By addressing concerns like chlorine, sediment, heavy metals, protozoan cysts, harmful chemicals, and bacteria, filtration systems provide a reliable solution for healthier, better-tasting water. Investing in a water filter not only enhances your drinking experience but also safeguards your health. Make the sensible choice: buy a filter or be a filter.