Water is an essential component of human life. It may come from wells, springs, ponds or even rivers and processed through sustainable water systems in order to arrive at your homes. Chemicals are often added to water for purposes of health and purification. The main aim of adding chemicals into tap water is to ensure that it is safe for human consumption. You are likely to find chemicals such as aluminum, chlorine, and fluorine in your tap water. These chemicals can cause no harm if they are added to water in small amounts. This, however, isn’t always the case. Tap water often has concentrated amounts of these and other harmful chemicals, along with various other toxins. These contaminants can cause some severe health issues if consumed in large quantities.
What Are the Potential Dangers of Consuming Chemical Toxins?
Many people are unaware of the dangers of consuming the chemicals found in water, especially in large amounts. Moreover, some of these chemicals, when mixed with water, form by-products, which pose an even higher health risk. When aluminum is added to water, for example, it raises its acidity levels allowing it to absorb heavy metals such as copper, lead, and cadmium from pipes. These metals cause diverse side effects on the body when consumed in significant amounts.
The chemicals and contaminants found in tap water at the source are therefore much different from those found in the water that arrives at your home or place of work. The water that you are consuming may have substances such as lead, which comes from corroded pipes. Lead is linked to physical and mental health issues such as strokes, hypertension, learning difficulties, and heart problems. It is, therefore, essential to take action against such contaminants before they cause irreversible damage to the body.
Below are several ways in which you can remove chemicals from your tap water and make it safe for human consumption.
1. Use Faucet Mount Filters
Faucet mount filters, also known as water filter pitchers, are filled with granulated activated charcoal. This charcoal is effective in removing some of the contaminants found in water. It is one of the cheapest methods for water filtration. The cartilage, however, requires frequent replacement to continue functioning effectively.
While faucet mount filters are effective in reducing the chlorine levels in the water, they are not as effective in removing fluoride, heavy metals, and VOCs. Such systems are, therefore, not the best at removing water impurities, but they are better than nothing.
2. Berkey Water Filters
These are multi-stage filtration systems that can filter tap water at up to 14 stages. At each stage of filtration, there is a different filtration method or filter. These filters are effective in removing chemicals found in tap water, such as fluoride and lead. The result is also free from pharmaceutical residue, pesticides, herbicides, nitrates, and most of the other contaminants that are found in tap water. You can shop for a suitable water filter from this website.
3. Reverse Osmosis Systems
These are filtration systems that have a membrane that can effectively trap a large number of the contaminants found in water. They have an additional activated charcoal filter that removes chlorine from water. These systems are either installed in a holding tank or under the sink. Reverse Osmosis systems are, however, disadvantageous in that a large amount of water is wasted as the system attempts to remove most of the impurities from water. The systems also filter out some naturally occurring minerals such as magnesium and calcium, which is another major downside.
4. Using Water Distillers
Water distillers use the distillation process where water is heated at a high temperature to become steam for purification. The steam that is generated is then moved to a cooling chamber to become a liquid that is free from contaminants. This is an effective method of removing contaminants from water. It not only kills bacteria and removes fluoride but also reduces heavy metals and asbestos from the water. This method, however, also removes endocrine disruptors from the water, which is a significant downside.
5. Block Carbon Filters
If you are worried that your tap water may contain pesticides and herbicides, this is the best option for you. Filtration systems that have block carbon filters are effective in removing VOCs, pesticides, and herbicides. Additionally, they remove mercury, nitrates, heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals from the water. They utilize gravity to operate, thus eliminating the need for electricity for them to run.
There are many different filtration systems that you can choose from. The quality of the water you get is much dependent on the type of system that you choose. It is, however, essential to understand the kind of contaminants that may be in your tap water before you settle for an alternative filtration system. You can check with your local supplier and get a report of the water that is supplied to your home and what it contains. Alternatively, get in touch with a water service provider to test your water from home. Once you have proper knowledge of what you are dealing with, settling for a suitable filter will be an easy task. Drinking safe and clean water are essential to stay healthy and enjoy life to the fullest.
