It goes without saying that water is an absolute essential when it comes to daily life. We need reliable access to clean, safe water to clean our homes, wash our bodies, and launder our clothes. We also need to consume enough water ourselves if we’re to stay happy, healthy, and functional. The human body is composed of about 60% water, after all. That said, even mild dehydration can lead to multiple health problems including chemical imbalances, fatigue, bowel issues, and chronic illness.
Even so, it’s not enough to focus simply on how much water we need to be consuming in order to be our best. It’s imperative that we consider the quality of the water that we drink, cook with, wash with, and give to our children. It’s also important to realize that we have more options at our disposal these days than just “tap water” and “bottled water.” Filtered water is a much better option than both of those for a number of very important reasons.
Here we’ll take a closer look at why every household ought to be using and consuming filtered water. We’ll cover your options as far as the types of water filters available as well, the better to help you determine the right choice for you and your family.
WHAT’S IN YOUR TAP WATER?
We’re all familiar with good old-fashioned tap water. Most of us drink our share of it. After all, it’s literally right there – available on demand right there in your kitchen. However, it’s important to be aware that tap water isn’t as clean and pure as most of us would like to think it is. Mosttap water contains a variety of contaminants that can have adverse effects on long-term health. The following are just a few examples.
ALUMINUM
If you consider yourself health-conscious, you may already be aware that aluminum can increase your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, the dangers of aluminum don’t stop there. It’s been linked to a host of other health problems as well, including hyperactivity, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, skin issues, and gastrointestinal disease. It’s also been connected to an increased risk of learning disabilities in children.
FLUORIDE
A lot of us are already aware of the fact that tap water contains fluoride. We also grew up believing that it helps us build strong teeth and prevent cavities. According to a study on Indian children, fluoride is toxic and, if anything, increases our risk of developing cavities. It’s also been found to weaken the immune system, as well as accelerate aging via cell damage.
ARSENIC
You wouldn’t think a poison as well-known as arsenic could possibly be found in tap water, but it absolutely can. It is also a powerful and very well-documented carcinogen that has been linked to a wealth of different cancers. In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even lowered the maximum allowable level of arsenic in drinking water because of these risks.
Not sure how likely it is that arsenic is present in the tap water youdrink? It’s also worth noting that, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a whopping 56 million Americans across 25 different states are probably drinking tap water that contains unsafe levels of arsenic.
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS (DBPS)
The great majority of tap water is treated with chlorine as a way to rid it of any potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, or other organisms. However, while chlorine probably isn’t exactly a health elixir, it’s not the problem.
The chlorine disinfection process creates certain byproducts that are linked to numerous health problems. These issues include but are not necessarily limited to certain cancers. DBPs have also been linked to disorders of the liver, kidney, and nervous system.
DRUGS
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been advised to dispose of unused or unwanted medication by tossing it in the garbage bin instead of flushing it down the toilet or rinsing it down the sink. In theory, this stops the drugs from making their way into the water system. In actuality, this is not the case at all.
Rain, as well as any other type of water that drains through our landfills, eventually winds up in our rivers. Not every city or town sources its tap water from rivers but quite a few do. If this is the case for your tap water, the chances are excellent that there are trace amounts of multiple prescription and over-the-counter drugs in it.
It’s also worth noting that some of those drugs can be dangerous if mixed together, yet there they are in the very water you drink every day and which you give to your children. How do you suppose that affects pregnant women, small children, or people with serious drug allergies?
The above are just a few of the unsavory things that could be lurking in your tap water unbeknownst to you. There are many others both known and unknown to consider as well.
IS BOTTLED WATER ANY BETTER?
If you’re a long-time bottled water drinker, then you most likely think that you don’t have to worry about contaminants like the ones listed above. However, you’d also be wrong – because a lot of the bottled water people drink isn’t what they think it is.
What do you think of when you picture the possible source of your bottled water? Do you see a pristine mountain spring that can’t possibly be contaminated with anything you wouldn’t want to drink? You probably shouldn’t, as roughly 40% of all bottled water is actuallytap water. To be fair, a lot of that water may have received additional treatment to make it safer. However, that’s still a far cry from the immaculate mountain spring in your imagination.
The water itself isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to bottled water, either. The plastic bottles themselves come attached to their own dangers. For instance, did you know that plastic bottles contain a substance called bisphenol A or BPA? That’s more than just a mouthful of a term. It’s also a synthetic hormone disruptor that’s been linked to a variety of different health problems. They include but are not necessarily limited to the following:
Behavioral issues
Learning disabilities
Prostate cancer
Breast cancer
Early puberty in both male and female children
Increased risk of obesity
Immune issues
Decreased sperm count
Hyperactivity
Aggression
Structural damage to the brain
Plastic bottles aren’t good for the environment, either. Approximately 1.5 million tons of plastic go into the manufacture of those bottles every single year worldwide. The production process releases multiple toxic compounds into the environment, including benzene, nickel, and ethylene oxide.
Plus, not nearly as many people recycle as they should. A lot of those plastic bottles, along with all the toxins they contain, wind up in landfills or end up in our oceans and seas. As you can imagine, lots of damage is caused to numerous delicate ecosystems.
THE BENEFITS OF CHOOSING FILTERED WATER
All things considered, the decision to purchase and install a water filter in your home is one of the wisest choices you could possibly make. It’s better for you and it’s better for your family, particularly your children. Let us count the ways!
YOUR HEALTH WILL IMPROVE.
Once people make the switch to filtered water, they immediately tap into a number of health benefits. Since you won’t be exposed to potential toxins anymore, you might find that mysterious health issues you’ve struggled with for years simply clear up. You’ll also reduce your risk of developing intestinal disease by over 33%, as the organisms that cause it will absolutely not be present in your water anymore.
YOU’LL SAVE MONEY.
If you’re currently relying on bottled water as an alternative to tap water, you’ll save a lot of money. It won’t be long before your water filter has paid for itself.
YOU’LL HELP THE ENVIRONMENT.
If you and your family have been looking to live cleaner, greener, more eco-friendly lives, in general, then filtered water is the best possible choice. You’ll no longer be supporting systems that harm our ecosystems, poison people, or jeopardize the future of our planet.
YOUR WATER WILL SIMPLY TASTE BETTER.
Once you make the switch to filtered water, you’ll quickly wonder how you ever tolerated plain old tap water. Filtered water tastes incredibly clean and is very refreshing. It’s a better option for cooking, bathing, and cleaning as well.
WHAT TYPE OF WATER FILTER SHOULD I CONSIDER FOR MY HOME?
There are really no wrong choices when it comes to water filters. However, some types might be better fits for certain households and needs than others. Here we’ll take a closer look at some of the major categories, as well as discuss the benefits and advantages of each one.
FAUCET WATER FILTERS
This type of filter is among the most popular and widely used for obvious reasons. It’s super convenient, as it allows you to continue to enjoy the convenience of water straight from the tap (minus the contaminants, of course). Most are also very good at removing a wide range of different contaminants.
Faucet filters are also easy to install and are a great way to generate large amounts of filtered water for cooking, cleaning, drinking, or any other purpose. Many faucet water filters even have a valve, making it easy to switch between filtered and unfiltered water if you wish.
REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTERS
Refrigerator water filters are also super convenient, as they make it possible to access cold, clean water right from your very own fridge. Many newer model fridges come with high-performing water filters already installed, but fridge water filters can also be purchased and installed separately.
Some older fridge filters are not quiteas good at removing contaminants as other options. However, most new models are terrific at it. Plus, this style of filter allows you the added convenience of easy access to ice cubes made from filtered water.
REVERSE OSMOSIS FILTERS
Reverse osmosis filters don’t just remove substances like chlorine and both inorganic and organic contaminants from your water. They also remove about 80% of the fluoride found in tap water, as well as the majority of the byproducts created by the standard disinfection processes in place.
ION EXCHANGE FILTERS
Are you looking for a filter capable of softening your water in addition to filtering it? Try an ion exchange filter on for size. They work to remove substances like dissolved salts that can make water unpleasantly hard. You’ll avoid scale build-up, as well as other problems associated with such substances.
WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTERS
Looking for the best, most convenient possible way to make sure all of your home’s water is as clean and pure as possible? A whole house filter is probably exactly what you’re looking for. Whole house filters are installed directly into the main water line, so literally all the water coming into the house is filtered. This includes the water that services the kitchen, the laundry room, and all of the bathrooms.
It’s worth noting that most whole-house water filters also make use of reverse osmosis technology, so you won’t just have cleaner water that’s free of contaminants; it will be softer as well.
Last, but not least, whole house filters aren’t just convenient. They last longer than other types. Most filters need to be changed once every 6-12 months, on average. Whole house filters are good for a full 3-7 years instead.
In addition to the very popular options detailed above, you can purchase water filters that can be installed on your countertop or under your sink. There are also portable water filters designed for use by travelers, campers, and hikers who want to be able to generate safe, drinkable water wherever their adventures may take them.
In other words, there’s a water filter out there for nearly every possible situation or set of needs, making it easy to integrate truly clean water into your life. Explore the possibilities today! It won’t be long before you’re left wondering why you didn’t make the switch a lot sooner.
