Bianca Shaw breaks down the reality of what may be in your tap water and the effects it has on your health.
While it is important to note that we are very lucky to be able to have instant access to water via our taps and shouldn’t take that for granted it is also important to understand the concern surrounding what’s really in your tap water.
We will answer three important questions regarding your tap water:
- Where does tap water come from?
- What’s really in your tap water?
- How does this affect your health?
After answering those questions we will offer solutions and suggestions should you be interested in taking further measures to ensure your tap water is pure, healthy, and safe.
WHERE DOES TAP WATER COME FROM?
Where tap water comes from may differ from country to country. Here in Canada, we collect our water from natural resources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
The groundwater collects via aquifers which are bodies of rock or sediment. Surface water is collected directly from lakes and rivers.
In Ontario, we collect surface water from Lake Ontario via intake pipes underneath the lake. After the water collection is complete municipal water treatment plants then use filters to remove contaminants such as large debris.
Municipal water treatment plants use chlorine in their water filtration process. The chlorine causes unpleasant tastes and smells in your drinking water.
To put it into perspective Lake Ontario’s pollution and water contamination comes from city development, stormwater, and sewage pollution. Bacteria such as E.Coli is present in Lake Ontario and heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, nickel, and lead. All of these contaminants can wreak havoc on your health if ingested. All of these contaminants can wreak havoc on your health if ingested.
There may or may not have been times when you’ve found yourself wondering “what’s really in my tap water?” or “ is my tap water safe to drink?”.
The scientific term for water is H2O. This means that water is two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule however tap water also contains many substances.
According to (The Water Quality Association) these substances include but are not limited to the following water-borne contaminants:
- Aluminum
- Arsenic
- Lead
- Chloramine
- Chromium
- Copper
- Fluoride
- Nitrates
- Bacteria and viruses
- Mercury
- Uranium
HOW CLEAN ARE THE PIPES?
Another question that directly relates to what’s really in your tap water is how clean the pipes the water flows through. Given municipal treatment plants use filters to remove some impurities from the water there are still chances of smaller impurities and contaminants making their way through to your faucets. This is especially true due to the journey through pipes the water takes to reach you.
Most service lines between residential homes and condo buildings are lead plumbing fixtures. To emphasize lead is a hazardous metal and is one of the main sources of contamination after the water is filtered through municipal systems.
Another question that directly relates to what’s really in your tap water is how clean the pipes the water flows through. Given municipal treatment plants use filters to remove some impurities from the water there are still chances of smaller impurities and contaminants making their way through to your faucets. This is especially true due to the journey through pipes the water takes to reach you.
Most service lines between residential homes and condo buildings are lead plumbing fixtures. To emphasize lead is a hazardous metal and is one of the main sources of contamination after the water is filtered through municipal systems.
In addition to the aforementioned chemicals and contaminants, there are also substances known as Perfluroalkylated substances or more commonly referred to as PFAS. PFAS are artificial chemicals that are found in a variety of products. Some examples of products that PFAS are present in include cleaning products, cosmetics, adhesives, stain repellents, and fire extinguishing foams.
While PFAS can’t be absorbed through your skin it is important to realize they can be ingested which may lead to increased health risks over an extended period.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOUR HEALTH?
Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can affect your health in very negative ways. As a result of heavy metal exposure, some harmful effects may include reduced mental and central nervous function as well as cause damage to your lungs, kidneys, and liver.
There is evidence that children are more susceptible to heavy metal poisoning and the toxic effects that heavy metal poisoning leads to. According to https://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/quality-water-heavymeatal.htm children and infants that are exposed to heavy metals can result in learning difficulties, damage to their nervous systems, memory disorders, and behavioral issues.
Sadly, it has also been shown that heavy metal poisoning in children and infants can result in brain damage. This is why it is pertinent to stay vigilant and filter these metals out of your water.
HOW BACTERIA AND VIRUSES AFFECT YOUR HEALTH
Bacteria and viruses can affect your health in numerous ways. These effects can have a very negative impact on your health. Some effects may include but are not limited to severe dehydration and gastrointestinal issues. The most common symptoms after being exposed to water-borne bacteria and viruses are diarrhea and vomiting
HOW PFAS AFFECT YOUR HEALTH
PFAS can have many adverse impacts on your health. According to studies by https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html, the effects of PFAS are similar to those of heavy metals. As a result, PFAS exposure can result in liver damage, thyroid disease, infertility, hormone suppression, and an increased risk for cancers.
The most common method of exposure to PFAS has been as a result of drinking contaminated municipal water.
To sum it up, it is safe to say that there are no positive impacts on your health associated with consuming contaminated water. This just emphasizes the fact that filtering your tap water is essential to good health.
TEST YOUR TAP WATER
A simple water test can help you find out what’s really in your tap water. Schedule your free in-home EHS water test here. (Contact Us)
Water testing measures the existence of contaminants such as chemical, physical, biological, or radiological substances. A water test will outline what’s really in your tap water. This will help you to decide which water filtration system will best suit your needs.
To learn more about the benefit of testing your water please feel free to read our previous article (add a link to the water testing article.)
BEST SYSTEMS FOR FILTERING YOUR TAP WATER
There are a variety of filtration systems for your tap water but we’ve narrowed it down to the best three systems for your faucets. All three of the following systems have a compact design so that they fit under the counter or on your countertops. This ensures that no extra space is being taken up in your home.
We’ve also narrowed it down to reverse osmosis systems, which can remove over 90% of contaminants from your tap water. To learn more about how reverse osmosis works click here ( https://eyehomesolutions.com/reverse-osmosis/ )
BIG FLOW REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM
The Big Flow Reverse Osmosis System is an extremely efficient under-the-counter/ countertop water filtration system. Reverse osmosis removes over 90% of salts and unwanted contaminants from the water.
This is a 5 stage filter system used to remove sediment, chlorine, arsenic, barium, copper, fluoride, lead and so much more.
Not only is the Big Flow Reverse Osmosis System the perfect space saver it is also an environmentally friendly option to have in your home. Having pure water straight from your taps will encourage you to ditch single-use plastic water bottles!
For more details and specifications about the Big Flow Reverse Osmosis System click on the following link https://eyehomesolutions.com/big-flow-reverse-osmosis-water/
WOW REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM
The WOW Reverse Osmosis System is incredible if you desire pure, healthy water straight from your faucets. The design uses technology that doesn’t allow any back pressure meaning there is no chance for backflow to contaminate your clean water.
The system has an RO membrane, sediment filter, and a post-carbon filter to remove any foul odours, unpleasant tastes, impurities, and harmful contaminants before reaching your faucets.
For more details and specifications about the WOW Reverse Osmosis System click the following link https://eyehomesolutions.com/reverse-osmosis-systems/wow-ro/.
5 STAGE REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM
The 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis System is ideal for larger families. It boasts 5 filters, a sediment filter, 2 carbon filters, an RO membrane, and a post-carbon filter. By employing all 5 filters the 5 Stage system removes large particles, chlorine, foul odours, bacteria, and heavy metals.
You will enjoy all the benefits of this space-saving, cost-efficient system while also enjoying the great-tasting, healthy water.
For more details and specifications about the 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis System please click here https://eyehomesolutions.com/reverse-osmosis-system/.
FINAL THOUGHTS
After learning what’s really in your tap water it is evident that filtering your tap water is important. As shown throughout this article we can conclude that water filtration removes water impurities, harmful contaminants, and heavy metals, all while disinfecting your water to ensure you aren’t ingesting anything harmful to your health.
Now that we’ve outlined what’s really in your tap water if you aren’t using a filtration system it’s up to you to decide what you would like to do next. All in all, health is important and we shouldn’t take it for granted. There are a variety of different systems to help filter your tap water and ensure you’re consuming the purest, and healthiest water possible.
