Water Filtering Products

Jun
27

Water Filtering Products

Posted by Mark under Eating Facts

Water filtering products are becoming more popular because many people ask the question is their tap water is safe? Most people think that bottled water is both healthier and more pure than tap water.

So is there a distinction between water that is healthier and water and that is safer?

Largely the answer to this question depends on what country you live in. In the UK stringent water regulations impose more rigorous standards than those regulations which are applied to many bottled waters. Bottled waters often contain quite high levels of harmless bacteria whereas mains water is treated with chlorine, (a carcinogenic) to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Furthermore many water companies actually add valuable minerals to the water, minerals such as magnesium calcium potassium and iron. However certain pollutants can still get into the water in minute quantities. These include weedkillers, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, and fertilisers.

Some bottled waters are high in sodium which contributes to high blood pressure.

I honestly don’t think you can say that tap water is safer than bottled water in general. What is clear is that tap water is much safer than most natural sources of drinking water. Certainly bottled water is definitely safer than tap water when you’re travelling in countries which have many waterborne diseases.

So should you filter your water in some form or another?

By all means. Filtering your water will make it much safer for you to drink regardless whether it is tap water or bottled water. It is important for whatever type of filter system that you choose, you need to make sure that you replace the filter itself regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, otherwise pollutants will start to be released back into the water and bacteria will multiply.

There are generally three types of filter system.

Firstly there are filters which are built into a clear plastic jug and you pour water over them. These are known as activated carbon filters. They are relatively cheap to replace and remove pesticides, some chemicals, and chlorine. They have little effect on fluoride or nitrates. The jugs themselves tend to be on average around the 2 litre size requiring frequent filling and have slow filtering times.

The second type of filter system and the most expensive are distillation units. These units use a lot of electricity to vaporise and then condense the water leaving the impurities behind. However distilled water has a distinctive taste which many people find unpleasant.

The third system is the second most expensive choice. This is the system which is installed in your home by professionals, or in some cases can be installed by yourself with a little care. These units are known as reverse osmosis systems because they filter water and then force the water through a membrane to remove virtually all chemicals and minerals. Unfortunately this also removes friendly minerals and harmless minerals such as fluoride, or magnesium and calcium which make your water taste better.

The bottom line is filtered water is always safer.

Tags: water, water filter, water filters, filtering water, is tap water safe

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