Water pollution is a widespread issue affecting the world — including millions of Americans. In fact, unsafe water is responsible for more deaths each year than all forms of violence combined.
As the health impacts of hazardous contaminates continue to unfold, one thing is certain: the need for a reliable water filtration system is undeniable. Below is a quick look into what could be lurking in your water as well as benefits of investing in a water filtration system.
Over 90% of Americans enjoy access to water straight from the tap that meets safe drinking water standards. Nonetheless, studies show potentially harmful contaminants have been found in every state’s tap water. The observed pollutants included arsenic, copper, lead, agricultural pesticides, pharmaceuticals and many more.
Several of the inorganic and organic chemicals found are known carcinogens, causing cancer and other serious illnesses. These biological, chemical and environmental toxins are picked up as they make their way from the water supply, through pipes and into our homes.
Even if a home’s water is tested and found free of such dangerous foreign contaminants, the water’s quality could still be considered poor. Hard water is a common quality problem in the average U.S. household. Water is deemed to be “hard water” if it contains high amounts of mineral ions, such as calcium and magnesium.
Hard water can be the culprit for many issues around the house. From limescale deposits on shower surfaces and ruined showerheads to weak water pressure and an overall bad taste, the effects can be wide-ranging. They can also be costly.
A few ways to determine if your house has hard water — aside from testing — may be noticeable mineral deposits on household appliances or skin irritation. Other signs might be spotty dishes or clothing not being sufficiently clean after washing.
Installing a whole-house water filtration system can help to alleviate these problems. It does so by removing chemical contaminants, biological organisms and parasites as well as balancing pH levels. It also works to protect fixtures, pipes and appliances by reducing buildup within plumbing components.
Another benefit brings us back to one of the roots of the problem: pollution. Households with trustworthy tap water can greatly diminish or eliminate their demand for plastic water bottles. Such bottles are environmentally detrimental, and U.S. landfills are overflowing with more than 2 million tons of them. What’s more, as each bottle decomposes, it leaks harmful chemicals that make their way back into our drinking water.
There are many options available for filtering water, with some being more expensive than others. However, for ultimate water purity, a whole-house filtration system is what’s most recommended.
For further information on the benefits of water filtration in your home, please see the accompanying resource.
Infographic created by Allgood Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
