Water is essential to life, so it’s not hard to see why water safety is of the utmost importance. Even in developed nations, contaminants can enter the public water supply. In addition to contaminants being introduced to the public water supply, it’s also possible for people’s plumbing systems to introduce chemicals and bacteria into their domestic water supply, whether because of rusted pipes or chemical leaching.
This post will explore this topic in greater detail, offering an explanation for why clean water is so important, and how you can ensure that you get it:
Water Quality
If you don’t have access to clean drinking water, then you will eventually develop some kind of illness or disease. One thankfully no longer common illness spread by contaminated drinking water is cholera, which used to be responsible for the deaths of many in the days before germ theory. However, just because cholera’s no longer prevalent in western society, that’s not to say that other illnesses aren’t still spread through water. Sometimes bacteria or chemicals leach into people’s pipes, which leads to their water being poisoned. Thankfully this isn’t common, but it does still happen. If your home has a groundwater tank, then trash, bacteria, pesticides, and pet waste could all contaminate it. If you do have a groundwater tank, then it is very essential to follow the steps that will be outlined in this post.
Using Filters
A water filter is a device that filters your home’s water, eliminating bacteria, chemicals, and pollutants. The use of water filters is becoming more and more common, mainly because they are very affordable but ensure total protection from polluted water. The use of these devices is also the healthiest way to filter water, not to mention the most effective. Water filters are very affordable, too. You need a professional plumber to install your home’s water filter because they attach to your tank. If you have basic plumbing experience, then you may be able to install it yourself.
Boiling Water
Another way of ensuring that the water that you drink has no contaminants or pollutants present is to boil it. Boiling water can be a very strenuous exercise, especially if you are doing it several times a day. Boiling is usually only done in places where there is no access to clean water. If you constantly boil drinking water, then the cost will add up, and your water bill will be through the roof. A water filter is a much more affordable option because it won’t impact your home’s energy bills as significantly as boiling your drinking water would.
Bottled Water
If you neither want to boil water nor install a water filter, then you should ensure that you only drink bottled water. If you live in a non-western country or are traveling, then you should make sure that any bottled water you drink has been properly sealed. It’s not uncommon in some places for shop owners to fill bottles of water up with tap water, and then sell them to tourists. If you were to drink tap water in a foreign country, you could end up getting very sick. Bottled water is usually always safe in western countries.
Filter Jugs
If you can’t afford a water filter but want to enjoy the benefits of having one, then you could potentially purchase a water filter jug. A water filter jug is a device that you fill up with water from the tap and leave in your fridge. After about an hour, all of the contaminants and pollutants present in your tap water will have been eliminated and you can pour the jug’s contents into a glass or bottle. A filter jug won’t set you back much and will serve the same purpose as a more expensive water filter. The only downside is the time that they take to prepare water (and the energy expended on cooling down the jug).
Water Distillers
Lastly, you can purchase a water distillation device. Again, these sorts of devices aren’t ideal for home use in the west, because water is usually of very high quality and generally just needs to be softened. A water distillation device will totally remove any contaminants from your water, regardless of what they are. Some people use them in the west because they claim hormones and chemicals are added to the public water supply. A water distillation setup can be very expensive, depending on where you buy it.
The quality of the water that you drink is very important. If you don’t drink clean water, then you won’t be able to live a long, healthy life. All of the methods outlined in this post will ensure that you never have to worry about the threat of unclean water again.