Water Filtration System: Why you Should Have One?
Having a water filtration system at home can promote a positive physical and mental health and protect the environment.
Post by Martina T: Martina is an experience pastry maker but also a water filter expert. Looking after her little kids has become easier after deciding to move everything at home.
Background
I recently gave up teaching after 12 years and now most of my days are spent trying to navigate the highs and lows of being a parent of two.
There are so many different things that we need to worry about every day. Parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and yet somehow we have to figure out what is best for your family.
I’ve been committed to ensuring the very best for my eldest daughter (7) and little boy (4). After doing lots of research about the dangers of contaminants in drinking water (to ensure the quality of my recipes); I was shocked at what I found out.
In the US, most water that comes directly from the faucet is classified as drinking water.
Just because water is considered safe for consumption, there continues to be a chance that chemicals stay present in the water; this includes chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticides / fertilizers, and micro-organisms.
The quality of your water will depend on where you live, but with a proper water filtration system in place, you can rest easy knowing that your family is getting the best.
What benefits are there from a water filtration system?
Although, I bought a water filter to access clean water, there have plenty of other hidden benefits including:
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Eco friendly
By using a water filtration system at home, you are more likely to fill up your own reusable bottle. This will reduce disposable plastic bottles that are likely to be not bisphenol A (BPA) free; this is ultimately better for the environment.
BPA is an industrial chemical commonly used to manufacture plastic bottles. This compound can potentially get absorbed by food or beverages causing adversary health effects.
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Money Saver
As well as being better for the environment, having a water filter can reduce your weekly shopping bill. Just do the math and you will see how much money will be saved.
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Use of Other Water Sources
If you live in an area that is prone to extreme droughts, having access to other water sources (such as private wells) would be the ideal scenario.
In my case, I live in a rural area where the main rivers have low water flow, causing sometimes outage of the municipal supplier. I found out that having a private well was a great plan B.
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Improved Taste
In creating softer water and removing most contaminants, a water filter system can also offer an improved taste.
Usual contaminants that will change the taste of the water are: chlorine, fluoride and heavy metals. Luckily, most of the filters include granular activated carbon that is responsible to reduce these components.
How do I know if I need a Water Filter?
Water can look perfectly clean, with no odor and yet, it may not necessarily be safe to drink. As a result, it is always clever that you check your water quality regularly, and more importantly, if you notice any of the following warning signs:
- Strong chlorine taste or odd odor.
- Metallic taste.
- Sulfuric odor (like rotten egg).
- A distinctive color of the water.
- Frequent stomach-age in the family.
You can test the pH levels of your water with chemical strips. Despite of this, there is no way of determining all of the potential pollutants without sending off a water sample to a certified laboratory.
If the tap water feels like “hard”, it could mean a higher presence of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Although, drinking hard water is not considered a health hazard by the World Health Organization (WHO), studies have shown that there are some potential long-term risks.
How did I pick the right water filtration system?
There is a selection of different filtration systems to choose from, and I would definitely recommend working out the pros and cons of each type to suit your family’s H2O needs.
There are a few available options in the market but based on my research and family needs, I found three (3) good water filtration system alternatives:
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Pitcher and Faucet
These are the most popular type of water filters for 2020. These are some of the advantages I found:
A water filter pitcher is a great option if you want to enjoy a nice cold glass of water. On the other hand, a faucet mounted filter configuration will save you some space in the kitchen.
During my investigation I found these following limitations for both systems:
- It is reported that such systems rarely remove 98% of contaminants.
- These were designed to treat municipal water only and,
- The flow rate is very low.
Whilst these water systems can be great for when you are first starting out, the quality is often questionable and therefore will be not a long term solution.
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Reverse Osmosis
Sometimes referred to as an under sink water filter, it involves a small tank that will store a few gallons for later use.
A good RO water filter system comprise between six (6) to eleven (11) filtration stages ensuring maximum removal of dangerous pollutants and great water flow.
Some state of the art RO water filtration systems can add important minerals for your well-being.
This is the most comprehensive whole house water filter system available so far in the market for 2020, and the one that I currently have at home (Express Water alkaline and UV RO).
Has it made a difference?
The water filter that you pick for your family will depend on how much water you consume, what you want to use it for, and the space that you have available in your kitchen.
The reverse osmosis technology was the right option as it is the most comprehensive set. Personally, I think everyone should be filtering their water!
Having a water filtration system in your home means that you can rest easy and safe in the knowledge that you are giving your family the best possible start in life.