We do not give much thought to the water we consume in most cases. We turn on the water, fill our glass, and enjoy our beverage. You might think bottled water can be a better option if you are concerned about your water quality. However, that might not be the only option, you can use water filtration systems to have pure quality drinking water.
But the question remains, why is drinking water quality important? Let us find that out first! Then we will discuss other aspects of quality drinking water in this article.
Why Is Drinking Water Important?
The human body relies heavily on water for effective functioning. 60% of the human body consists of water, and 90% of the blood is water. More than anything else, water lubricates joints, forms part of saliva and mucus, and most critically delivers oxygen throughout the body through the blood. Besides that, it protects vital organs like the brain and spinal cord from injury, keeps the skin soft and supple, keeps the body temperature stable, aids in digestion, eliminates waste, and keeps the kidneys healthy. It also helps to keep blood pressure stable and disperses essential minerals and nutrients throughout the body.
Why Is a Water Quality Report Important?
It is necessary by law that your water company informs you of any violations of EPA water quality regulations when they occur, as well as a second time in the annual report. Water that does not fulfill EPA guidelines should not be consumed. Fortunately, public utilities have made significant efforts to enhance their water quality. Because of this, almost 90% of water systems have met all EPA standards.
A list of all the regulated pollutants found in the water supply must also be included in the report. The Safe Drinking Water Act limits the number of pollutants present in drinking water to a level compatible with existing filtration and treatment methods. Additionally, the water quality report notifies you whether there are any potentially dangerous compounds in your water at levels below the legal limit.
Can Water Filter Improve Water Quality?
Fortunately, there are a variety of filtering solutions available to help enhance the quality of your water. A water filtration system features tiny holes that remove silt and other contaminants from the water. As the diameter of the holes decreases, so does the amount of water that can travel through, making it pure. These filter systems vary significantly in their operation. Bottled water, at-home filters, reverse osmosis devices, and alkaline water are the most prevalent alternatives.
What Contaminants Are Found in Water?
The following are some common types of pollutants found in drinking water.
Physical
Water’s appearance and other physical characteristics are affected mainly by physical pollutants. For example, sediment and organic debris from soil erosion are physical pollutants in lakes, rivers, and streams.
Biological
The term “biological pollutants” refers to organisms found in water. Microbes and microbiological pollutants are other names for them. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites are a few examples of biological pollutants.
Chemical
Chemical contamination is either an element or a compound. Contaminants can be found in nature or created by humans. Nitrogen, salts, bleach, pesticides, poisons, metals, generated by bacteria, and human or animal medications are all examples of chemical pollutants.
Radiological
Ionizing radiation can be emitted by chemical elements with an imbalanced number of protons and neutrons. Cesium, plutonium, and uranium are examples of radioactive pollutants.
Is Tap Water Safe to Use?
Staying hydrated is essential, but is the water from your tap safe? It is usually safe if it originates from a public water system in the United States, such as the one administered and maintained by a municipality. Public water systems are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has the jurisdiction to monitor and establish enforceable criteria for pollutants in drinking water.
On the trip to your home, drinking water has strict safety regulations to comply with. This does not imply that your water is completely free of pollutants. However, any contaminants’ quantities should not constitute a significant health concern. Accidents can happen, as we all know. As soon as the water supply becomes polluted with anything that might cause you acute sickness, the provider must notify you immediately of the situation. Also, suppliers must provide ideas for other safe drinking water sources. Customers must be notified within 24 hours of any standard violation that might significantly affect health due to even short-term exposure.
Tap Water Filters and Filtration Systems
More than 90 percent of the water systems in the United States comply with all EPA rules. However, those who like the flavor, want to remove minerals and particles, or are concerned about lead pipes and plumbing in their water supply may want to utilize a water filtration system to purify it. This section explains the many kinds of available filters so that you can choose the one that best suits your requirements.
Is Bottled Water Safe to Use?
While bottled water is advertised as safe, there is not the same level of assurance when it comes to bottled water as when it comes from your tap water. The FDA regulates bottled water as a food product. In other words, it requires the source (spring, mineral) to be identified. It governs the permitted amounts of pollutants in the water, GMP requirements for boiling and bottling, and labeling. On the other hand, the FDA lacks the authority to manage a mandated testing program, as the EPA does for public water providers. As a result, there is no assurance that the water you purchased is safe.
Conclusion
No filtration will ever be able to eliminate all the impurities. Therefore, the first step in deciding whether you want to install a system is to have your water analyzed by an authorized laboratory. There is no substitute for regular maintenance regardless of the kind of water filtration system you use. If you do not, impurities will build up and make the water worse than it would be without the water filter.
