You’re not alone if you turn n the faucet and simply expect good-quality drinking water to emerge. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that this is the case. In fact, studies suggest that 1 in 3 people globally don’t have access to safe drinking water!
However, we’re not just talking about water coming out of your tap, we’re talking about the quality of that water. You’re probably aware that the water treatment works filters all water and adds chlorine to kill bacteria. It also adds fluoride to strengthen teeth and bones.
But, are you aware that this water can then travel through hundreds of miles of pipes to get to your home? In the process it can be contaminated by runoff from fields and bacteria can even enter the water through tiny cracks in the pipes.
The result is the water coming out of your faucet is not as safe to drink as you think.
Of course, we’re not even looking at whether chlorine and fluoride should really be added to your water supply. Some research suggests that it can do more harm than good. There are also times when natural disasters prevent you from receiving any water.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure you have drinkable water at home:
Add A Filter
The best thing you can do is to add a water filter to your system. Although it is possible to add a filter to just one faucet, it’s generally better to get a whole-house filter that will ensure all the water in your home is treated.
There are different types of filters, activated carbon filters are generally very effective at removing chlorine, chemicals, and sediment. They are a popular choice and easy to maintain.
They are often used in conjunction with reverse osmosis water filters, these use pressure to force water through a membrane. In the process the minerals and heavy metals in the water are removed, giving you clean and safe drinking water.
Using both these types of filter together will give you the highest possible quality drinking water. You’ll notice the difference in taste.
Boiling
Boiling is a simple way to improve the quality of your water, especially if there is no water coming out of your faucet and you need to get it from elsewhere. Boiling kills the bacteria in the water, making it fairly safe to drink. It won’t remove chemicals or minerals but it is an effective way to have water when there is none at home.
You should note that you can take this a step further and distill it. This means you capture the steam and allow it to cool, creating pure water. Turning the water into steam removes the contaminants.
Products
There are several products you can add to your water when you want it to be drinkable but don’t have a filter. The best is chlorine dioxide tablets which kill bacteria. However, in an emergency, you can also use a very small amount of bleach.
The key is to be aware of what you’re drinking and even test the water periodically. With the aid of a filter, you can be assured of good quality drinking water at all times.