Clean water is essential for health and well-being. It enables us to stay hydrated, ensuring our bodies remain healthy and functioning properly. Clean water also helps:
- Protect us from illnesses and diseases caused by bacteria or parasites found in contaminated water sources.
- Provides a safe source of drinking water.
- Improves overall hygiene practices.
- Provides an easier means of cleaning hands and surfaces.
To ensure you have safe drinking water, you should filter your own water.
Why Tap Water Might Not Be as Safe as People Think
Tap water may contain contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals that can leach into the water supply from old pipes or industrial waste sites. Next, tap water may become contaminated with bacteria due to inadequate cleaning processes or exposure to raw sewage. Finally, there is also a risk of chemical contamination from pesticides and fertilizers used in agricultural areas where runoff can enter into rivers that are drinking water sources.
The Need for Water Filtration
Some of the common contamination found in tap water can include:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Heavy Metals
- Bacteria
- Coli
- Giardia
- Pesticides
- Fertilizers
- Chemicals
Consuming contaminated water can be very dangerous and lead to various health issues. For example, ingesting bacteria such as E. coli or giardia can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Heavy metals such as lead or arsenic may also have serious health effects if consumed in large quantities over time, including anemia, kidney damage, neurological problems, reproductive issues, and cancer. Finally, exposure to pesticides and fertilizers may also pose risks to human health due to the potential for long-term organ damage with repeated exposure.
Benefits of Water Filtration in Removing Contaminants
Water filtration removes contaminants from tap water by trapping particles in a filter, such as activated carbon filters, or using reverse osmosis to remove dissolved solids and chemicals. The benefits of this include improved taste and smell of the water, as well as reduced health risks.
Types of Water Filters
There are a variety of different types of water filters available on the market. These include activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, ultraviolet light systems, and sediment filters. Each type of filter offers its own benefits, depending on the contaminants that must be removed from the water supply.
How Each Type of Filter Works
Activated carbon filters trap particles such as bacteria and chemicals on a porous surface. Reverse osmosis systems use pressure to force water through a filter, which will remove dissolved solids and contaminants from the water supply. Ultraviolet light systems use UV radiation to kill bacteria in the water, while sediment filters simply strain out physical particles such as silt or sand.
Pros and Cons of Each Type of Filter
- Activated carbon filters are generally inexpensive and effective at reducing levels of bacteria and chemicals in the water supply, but they can clog quickly.
- Reverse osmosis systems are more expensive but highly efficient at removing dissolved solids, such as heavy metals or salts, from the water supply.
- Ultraviolet light systems are very effective against bacteria but cannot filter out physical particles or chemical contaminants.
- Sediment filters are relatively inexpensive and effective for removing physical particles from the water supply but do not remove bacterial or chemical contamination.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Water Filter
When choosing a water filter, it is important to consider the type of contaminants present in the water supply, as well as the size and capacity of the filter. Additionally, budget should be considered when deciding which filter type will most suit your needs.
Ensure Clean Drinking Water for Your Home
Investing in a water filter is essential to ensure that your family is drinking clean and safe water. At KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we offer a wide range of water filtration systems and services to meet all your needs. From installation and maintenance to repair work, you can rely on us for all your plumbing requirements. Contact us today at 760-327-8718 to learn more about our services, including our 247 Club.
