Do you rely on bottled water for drinking? Are you unsure of the quality of water coming out of your tap? These are just a couple of reasons you might be asking “Should I buy a water filter for my home?”. You need to consider a few things when deciding whether to buy a water filter or not.
In this article, we will be exploring the main reasons why tap water is not safe to drink as is. We don’t mean to spook but get ready to learn why every household should own at least one water filter.
1. The Water at Your Tap Isn’t as Clean as You Might Think
Municipal water sources are highly regulated. The water authority must take frequent samples of the water to ensure it meets safety requirements. You may get a copy of the water report each year with the test results.
But, is the water that comes out of your tap as clean as the water leaving the plant? The answer is “No!“
The water has to travel through miles of underground pipes to reach your home. Those pipes may be decades old. They have cracks that let in pollutants from outside. The metal in the pipe walls may be leeching into the water.
Then, the water has to travel through your home’s plumbing to get to the tap. About 25% of households have to deal with contaminated water due to poor plumbing.
2. Your Tap Water May Contain Harmful Substances
Do you know what and how many chemicals your local water authority adds to drinking water reserves? Authorities often add chemicals, like chlorine to prevent bacterial growth.
Some municipalities add fluorine in an attempt to protect consumers from skeletal fluorosis. The current enforceable drinking water standard for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L. A few add chloramines, which are a combination of chloride and ammonia, to disinfect water as it travels through the municipal water lines.
3. Bottled Water Isn’t Better For You
Many bottled water manufacturers use tap water to fill their bottles. They may, or may not, filter it a bit more to make it taste better. These companies are very loosely regulated and never have to show results of how pure the water is.
The Environmental Working Group conducted a study of 10 different bottled water brands to see how pure they were. They bought water from several locations to ensure there was a broad sampling for each brand. The result was 38 different contaminants ranging from heavy metals like arsenic to fertilizer residue. On average, each brand contained 8 different contaminants.
You can’t trust bottled water to be any better than tap water. So when considering this, the answer to “Should I buy a water filter?” is yes.
4. Bottled Water Isn’t Good For the Environment
A major consideration when contemplating “Should I buy a water filter?” is the environmental impact. Put simply, bottled water is bad for the environment.
It takes millions of barrels of oil each year to produce plastic water bottles. Most of these bottles end up in the landfill after just one use. Next to plastic bags, these plastic bottles are the second largest litter product found on beaches, rivers, oceans, and lakes.
The production and use of plastic bottles contribute to air, water, and ground pollution. Chemicals used in their production end up leaching into the water and evaporating into the air. Bottles were thrown on the ground leach chemicals into the soil.
5. It Takes Six Liters of Water to Produce One Liter of Bottled Water
You might think that the only water used in making bottled water is what’s inside the bottle. But there are five other liters of water being used to produce the bottles, create the filters, transport the product, and produce the labels.
Excessive water extraction by bottling manufacturers can actually dry out the landscape. These manufacturers use permits to extract water from public lands. They suck millions of gallons of water from springs and rivers. In some cases, creeks and springs have run dry. This has a huge impact on the local environment.
6. Filtered Water Gives You Cleaner, Healthier Water
Add a water filter to your home and you will have cleaner water. The water filters draw out contaminants found in many tap water samples, including chloride, fluorine, and chloramines. They can also drastically lower the number of heavy metals and other pollutants.
Moreover, filtered tap water makes it safer to drink and cook better meals. It tastes better than tap water. It’s free of many things you never knew came out of the tap. If you go with a whole house water filter, you have cleaner water in which to bathe, wash clothes, and wash dishes. This makes the whole house safer for you and your family.
7. Filtered Water Helps Keep Your Home in Better Condition
Did you know that the contaminants in tap water can clog your pipes and appliances? Some contaminants can build up on the inside walls of your pipes. This can slow down the flow of water and even cause clogs. These contaminants can also cause problems inside water-using appliances like the dishwater or clothes washer.
When you filter the water coming into the house, these contaminants are no longer an issue. The pipes remain open and flowing. Your appliances last longer and have fewer repair needs.
Conclusion: Should I Buy a Water Filter?
If you are asking “Should I buy a water filter?“, these seven things should help you find the answer. The water coming out of your tap and the water you buy in a bottle aren’t good for you, your family, or the environment. The responsible option is filtered water.