Modern homes have been quick to adopt Effective Water Filtration water filtration systems. These systems are designed to combat the numerous water contaminants present in our tap water.
The significance of effective water filtration in our homes cannot be overstated. Water is a vital resource. We drink it, cook with it, and use it for hygiene. It’s essential for our health and survival.
The Tap Water Decline
Yet, our tap water can harbor invisible dangers. From harmful bacteria to heavy metals and chemicals, these contaminants can pose serious health risks. Some of these substances are linked to chronic diseases, developmental issues in children, and other health problems.
Most water treatment plants are not set up to remove more modern contaminants, such as PFAS, pharmaceutical drugs and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Another concern is whether we are updating the treatment standards at a pace that equal to what we know about the science of our water. What we once thought of as safe has to be questioned.
An Aging Infrastructure
The issue of deteriorating infrastructure is also crucial. Many recent water crises have seen contamination happen as lead seeped into the water during its journey through distribution pipes. While national laws regarding permissible lead levels in pipes have tightened over time, a considerable number of aged water distribution systems have not been upgraded, leading to unsafe concentrations.
Climate Change
Water treatment plants are not equipped for the extreme weather events that have become more common with climate change. That was part of the problem in Jackson MS, where flooding caused by heavy rains overpowered one of the city’s treatment plants, resulting in untreated, bacteria-laden water traveling to people’s homes. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl often issues boil water after heavy rain causes street flooding.
“Public water supplies in the U.S. are generally safe. the number of exceptions may increase with time if we don’t update the infrastructure.” Thanh Nguyen, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Illinois
Home Filtration Systems
- APEC Water Systems ROES-50 Essence Series Top Tier 5-Stage Certified Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System: This system uses a 5-stage process to remove up to 99% of bacteria, viruses, cysts, organics, chemicals, and more.
- Berkey Countertop Water Filter: Berkey filters are well-known for their ability to remove a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, and even pharmaceuticals. They are gravity-fed, so they don’t require electricity or water pressure to work.
- Aquasana 3-Stage Under Counter Water Filtration System: This is a convenient under-counter option that removes over 60 common water contaminants, including lead (97%), chlorine (97%), asbestos, pharmaceuticals, and more.
- PUR Faucet Water Filtration System: This system attaches directly to your faucet and removes over 70 contaminants, including lead and chlorine.
- For homeowners seeking convenience, PUR offers a simple faucet water filtration system. It easily attaches to your faucet, cleansing your water of over 70 contaminants.
Seeking Convenience
For homeowners seeking convenience, PUR offers a simple faucet water filtration system. It easily attaches to your faucet, cleansing your water of over 70 contaminants. Finally, the ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher stands out for its unique feature, a TDS meter. This meter lets you measure the total dissolved solids in your water before and after filtering.
Pitcher Filters: A Partial Solution to Contamination
While pitcher water filters improve the taste of tap water and reduce certain contaminants, they are not foolproof. Numerous harmful elements can slip through the filters, finding their way into our drinking water. The most common escapee is Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Most pitcher filters, barring a few exceptions, fail to remove these.
Certain heavy metals are also left behind. Chromium-6, despite its toxicity, is a frequent survivor of the pitcher filtering process. Additionally, harmful chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides may not be entirely eradicated by these filters.
Another aspect to consider is the potential presence of harmful microorganisms. Most pitcher filters do not remove bacteria, viruses, or cysts, leaving you exposed to these health threats.
Cooking with Tap Water: A Hidden Danger
Cooking with water might seem harmless, but it can pose serious risks. The heat during cooking can kill certain types of bacteria and viruses. However, chemical contaminants, heavy metals, and dissolved solids are immune to this heat. Contaminated water used in cooking can result in these harmful substances remaining in our food.
Cooking with water can kill certain types of bacteria and viruses due to the heat, but it will not remove chemical contaminants, heavy metals, or dissolved solids. If your water source contains harmful contaminants that aren’t removed by boiling, they may remain in the food or drink prepared with that water.
Here are a few key points to consider:
- Boiling water: Boiling water for one minute can kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, making it safer to drink. This method is often recommended during boil water advisories or for untreated water sources like streams when hiking. However, boiling water does not remove chemical contaminants.
- Concentrating contaminants: If you’re cooking with contaminated water, some methods could even concentrate contaminants. For example, if your water contains nitrates, heavy metals, or certain chemicals, these could become more concentrated in your food as the water evaporates during cooking.
- Impact on taste: If your water has a strong taste due to substances like chlorine or sulfur, it might affect the taste of your food or drinks prepared with it.
For safe and tasty meals, it’s recommended to use filtered water for both drinking and cooking.
Home Water Test Kits: A Must-Have in Every Household
The safety of your water can be checked at home with the aid of water test kits. Various kits are available, designed to identify a spectrum of potential pollutants.
- WaterSafe Well Water Test Kit: This kit is designed specifically for people who get their water from a well. It tests for 10 different contaminants, including copper, iron, and lead, as well as bacteria.
- HoneForest Water Quality Tester: This is a digital TDS meter that tests for total dissolved solids, which can give you a general idea of your water’s purity.
- First Alert WT1 Drinking Water Test Kit: This kit tests for bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrites/nitrates, chlorine, hardness, and pH.
- Test Assured Drinking Water Test Kit: This kit tests for 10 different parameters, including lead, bacteria, pesticides, iron, copper, alkalinity, pH, hardness, chlorine, and nitrate/nitrite.
- Health Metric Drinking Water Test Kit: This comprehensive kit tests for 17 different contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria, nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, and alkalinity.
- Safe Home ULTIMATE Water Quality Test Kit: This is a comprehensive kit that tests for over 200 contaminants. It is more expensive than the other kits on this list, but it provides a much more thorough analysis.
Do Home Water Filters Work? What Experts Say – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
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