Is tap water safe to drink? This important question has significant implications for your health, finances, and daily habits. In this article, we will explore the safety of your drinking water.
Understanding the Abundance of Choices
In the modern world, there’s an abundance of different water types to choose from, including bottled, tap, filtered, sparkling…the list goes on.
So, how do we know which one to choose? And why are we paying heaps of money to drink something that our bodies actively need?
With all the ads telling you to pay over-the-top prices for “premium” water because it's “better for you,” and with all of the bottled waters that boast of being “natural,” don't forget that your tap water is just as good, even if it might need a helping hand.
The Truth About U.S. Tap Water
The majority of U.S. household tap water is safe. However, if you buy bottled water because you feel more comfortable doing so, you can reduce your plastic wastage by investing in a water filter.
Not only is it a one-time purchase, but it's also better for the environment—and, best of all, you actually know where your water is coming from.
Some bottled water companies infuse their H20 with all sorts of homemade minerals and chemicals to achieve that great taste, and some simply just bottle tap water.
Many families that want to become more green are beginning to use water filters to avoid drinking directly from the tap, but is it necessary?
Different types of water
There are three main types of water that we ingest, each of which comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Tap
Tap water is definitely your most abundant option but is tap water safe? Depending on where you live, not all tap water is treated the same, if at all. Large cities are generally where water is treated and tested the most.
Municipal water supplies are often treated to remove chemicals and bacteria and ensure that the water meets a specific standard of quality. These treatments usually include the addition of fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral.
If you don't live in a city where you know that the water is regularly tested, it is probably better to invest in a filter. Wells, for instance, don't undergo treatment to ensure safety and quality.
Well water is usually fine to ingest, but people with compromised immune systems are generally advised not to drink straight from a well.
Bottled
While many people drink bottled water because they think it is safer than tap, studies have shown that this is just a common drinking water myth.
With some companies using deceptive marketing and even bottling tapped water (or just filtering it themselves), bottled water is often nothing more than hype.
In addition, it’s detrimental to the environment. Not only does it cost more to produce and distribute than normal tap water, but it’s also a major cause of plastic wastage.
With households spending more money on what is essentially overpriced tap water, it's time to ditch the plastic, go green, and find a better solution.
Filtered
A growing number of households are investing in their own water filtration systems. Maybe it's because they're fed up with the cost of bottled water, or maybe they simply want to do their bit for the environment.
Whatever the reason, there are many types of water filters out there that can give you pure, great-tasting drinking water.
When choosing a filtration system, make sure to do your research first. You want to know your type of water and the types of minerals that need filtering out, so it's always a good idea to look around before buying.
With this being said, when you find your go-to filtration system, you definitely won't look back.
Benefits of filtered water
Though most tap water is safe to drink, there are many benefits to filtering your own water at home, and these are just a few.
From purifying your tap water even more, to having a fancy-looking contraption in your kitchen for all your guests to see, home filtering is becoming more popular than ever.
Here's why:
It’s cost-effective
Using your own filter to treat your tap water is much more cost-effective than buying it bottled. You will save a fortune in the long run and enjoy the knowledge that your drinking water has been filtered to the highest possible quality.
It’s better for the environment
Imagine being able to benefit the environment while saving money in the process. Ideal, right? Not only is scrapping the plastic seriously eco-friendly, but you’re really just paying for the plastic when you buy bottled water anyway.
So why not cut out the middleman?
Filtered water improves your health
Drinking filtered water is great for your health. The pure water that you’re consuming has been proven to naturally increase skin hydration and absorb nutrients, thereby contributing to a glowing complexion.
It also improves weight loss and digestion and may even reduce the risk of certain cancers. Making the choice to consume pure water can work wonders for your immune system, stimulate your brain, and improve your mental health.
What more could you ask for?
Benefits of a filter outside of drinking
We use water for more than just sustenance.
We also need it to shower with, cook with, and clean with to maintain healthy lives. Our bodies are also made up of 70% water, so we always want to ensure that we have access to the best—whether it’s for internal or external use.
Tap water isn’t just treated with fluoride. It’s often treated with chlorine as well. Chlorine-treated H20 doesn't always kill all the chemicals and bacteria needed to sustain healthy tap water, which is why many of us are filtering it ourselves.
The peace of mind is invaluable, as you always want to ensure that your tap water is safe to drink.
Soap scum and other deposits on clothes are removed
If the water at home isn't clean, the chemicals therein will leave marks and deposits on your clothes over time. Not only that, but the clothes may start to smell differently and even induce allergies and rashes.
You may also experience a build-up of soap scum on your dishes, clothes, and household appliances.
You can save on soap
Having a great filtration system means that your water can act as a natural softener. This means you can cut back on your soap spending, thereby reducing the risk of soap scum on your clothes and appliances.
You’ll save on plumbing repair bills
When your water is filtered properly, you actually save yourself money on future plumbing and repair bills.
This is because the chemicals and heavy minerals in unfiltered water can cause numerous types of damage to your house's plumbing system. The damage doesn't just stop at your pipes, either.
Other household appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators can also suffer.
What to do if you don't like the taste of your tap water
Even if your tap water is safe to drink, there are additional considerations. For instance, what if you want to keep on drinking the water from your tap but you're not a fan of the taste?
You've quit the bottles, but your tap just doesn't taste the same. The taste of tap water can vary depending on where you live. You might live in an area where the water is hard, or you might live in an area that produces soft water.
You may have visited a friend or family member, preferred the taste of their tap water, and wanted to know how you can adjust the taste of yours back home. In any case, you can alter the taste with a filter.
Using a filter will remove any lingering bacteria and can give you a flavor similar to bottled water. Your filter will eliminate unwanted smells, too.
Naturally, you want your drinking water to be odor-free, so what better way to create a perfectly pure, filtered and sweet-smelling refreshment to quench your thirst?
In short, filters have the ability to give you the fresh-tasting water that every human deserves. We have to drink it to stay alive, so we might as well enjoy it!
So, is tap water safe?
Is tap water safe to drink? The answer (mostly) is yes. As previously mentioned, many long-time bottled-water connoisseurs are now realizing that they were just drinking water from a different tap.
There have been no major health benefits associated with bottled water—only filtered. So it makes sense for households to cut back on the plastic and filter their own H2O.
Filtering just enhances the water you already have in unlimited supply. There are no downsides. So, if you don't like the thought of buying bottled water, but you also don't like the thought of drinking straight from your tap, a filtration system just makes sense.
If you’re looking to improve your water quality in the shower, AquaBliss offers a line of premium showerhead water filters. These filters help to remove particles and add minerals to help you achieve greater comfort as well as rejuvenated hair, skin, and nails.
So embrace your tap water, but filter it to perfection with the help of AquaBliss!
