Last Updated on January 25, 2022 by TODD FRANZEN
Did you know that the water you get from your kitchen sink is not as clean as you think? State and local laws and rules have minimal requirements on how clean your water really is. Filtering your tap water is potentially one of the most important purchases you will ever make!
This is a hot potato topic and its political ramifications run deep. Flint Michigan is the perfect example. And just recently, charges that were being brought forth to those that miss lead the public about the water in Flint Michigan were dropped. This is sad news!
So what can you do about this? The answer is to take control of your own water.
1. What is tap water and why do we need to filter it?
Tap water is the term used for water that comes from a municipal water system. This type of water goes through a series of processes to make it safe for human consumption, including filtration, chlorination, and fluoridation.
While tap water is generally safe to drink, it can still contain contaminants such as lead, pesticides, arsenic, and other heavy metals. These contaminants can cause health problems such as cancer, liver damage, and developmental delays in children.
That’s why it’s important to filter your tap water before drinking it. A good water filter will remove these contaminants and make your water safe to drink.
I continue to reference Flint Michigan because of the leadership’s complete failing of protecting their constituents. And instead, focused only on profit. In 2013, the fatal decision was made to start receiving water from the flint river (which widely served as an unofficial waste disposal site for many industries located along its shores) instead of continuing to be piped from Detroit. The Flint River water was supposed to be treated but never was due to budget deficits.
Even though the residents of Flint are at or below the poverty line, there are many inexpensive systems that could help alleviate the contamination issue. And to put the cherry on top, these all could have been done immediately. Because I believe there’s too much faith in our leadership.
2. How does the filtering process work, and what are the benefits of using a filter?
Water filters work by trapping contaminants in a physical or chemical filter. The water is then forced through the filter, and the contaminants are trapped inside.
Some of the benefits of using a water filter include:
- improved taste and smell of water
- reduced chlorine taste and odor
- removal of lead, arsenic, mercury, and other heavy metals
- removal of pesticides and other chemical contaminants
- reduced incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses
- reduction in the need for bottled water
So as you can see, there are many reasons why it’s important to filter your tap water. A good water filter will remove harmful contaminants and make your water safe to drink. It’s a small investment that can have a big impact on your health.
I encourage you to do your research and find the water filter that is best for you and your family. There are many different types of filters available, so there’s sure to be one that fits your needs. And don’t forget to change your filter regularly! A clogged filter will not work properly and will not remove contaminants from your water.
There are many types of filters and each has a specific “duty” on what they will filter.
Click Here for a more in-depth article on the different types of filter specifics.
3. What type of filter should I buy for my home, and how often should it be replaced/cleaned?
This is a question that every homeowner at one point or another asks themselves. And honestly, it comes down to what your end goal is in mind. But first, you need to get information about what is in your water. If you’re on a municipal water supply, Click Here to locate your water testing results.
If you live on well water, testing can be a little trickier. you will need to do two things, either test the water yourself with a self-testing kit or pay money to test your water. Once you have an understanding of your water, it will be a little easier to make the decision.
If you are mainly concerned about aesthetics (taste, smell, look) and don’t have any major health concerns that need to be addressed immediately then we suggest using a Carbon Filter.
These filters usually come in countertop or under-sink models and should be replaced every six months to a year. they do a great job at removing chlorine, taste, and odor from the water.
There are many, many types of filters
If you are mainly concerned about health issues (lead, bacteria, viruses, etc) or have specific water problems that need addressing then we suggest using reverse osmosis or RO Filter System.
RO filters usually come in whole-house or under sink models and should be replaced every one to three years. Arrow filters do a great job and removing just about everything from water. Click Here to learn more about RO Filters.
This is only a general guideline, and you should always consult your filter manufacturer for specific replacement instructions.
It is also important to note that filters should be cleaned regularly, depending on the type of filter you are using. Carbon filters can be cleaned with a vinegar and water solution every two to three months, while RO filters should be flushed every six to twelve months.
Again, please consult your filter manufacturer for specific cleaning instructions.
Now that you have a little better understanding of water filters and the importance of filtering your tap water, it’s time to take the plunge and invest in one for your home! Remember, a good water filter is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. And it’s a small investment that can have a big impact on your health.
4. How can I tell if my water is safe to drink, and are there any health risks associated with unfiltered tap water?
It is not my intention to create fear, but my experience has shown that all water has some sort of contaminants in it. Even the water where I live. Most of which has been contaminated by heavy metals like Barium, Hexavalent Chromium, Radium-combined (-226 & -228), and even uranium. In fact, they’re over 20 different types of contaminants that have been shown to cause cancer and or other serious illnesses in the tap water where I live.
The EPA has set the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for Tap Water of zero. This means that they would like to see all contaminants removed from the water, but due to financial and practical constraints, this is not always possible.
There are currently over 160 regulated Tap Water pollutants. The list of unregulated Tap Water pollutants is much longer and continues to grow every year.
The EPA has also set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Tap Water. This is the maximum amount of a contaminant that is allowed in water before it must be removed.
Many Tap Water contaminants have MCLs, but there are many more that do not.
The Tap Water where I live does not meet the EPA’s standards. In fact, it doesn’t even come close.
So, what are the risks associated with drinking Tap Water?
Well, to start with, there is no such thing as a “safe” level of any contaminant. Any amount of contaminant or carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) is too much.
There are many illnesses and diseases that have been linked to Tap Water contaminants, including cancer, liver disease, neurological problems, and more.
The risks associated with Tap Water increase for those who drink it daily or consume large quantities of it.
As someone that is active and enjoys the mountain lifestyle, I drink copious amounts of water! As with anything, you may not always be able to drink the purest water you can. That’s why it’s important to take these measures and remove this potentially deadly health risk on your own. And honestly, it really comes down to personal responsibility.
5. Are there any other ways to improve the quality of my tap water, such as adding a water softener or chlorine filter?
You betcha! Any little bit of filtering can really go a long way. Even a simple faucet mount can make a big improvement in your water. And for under $50, you can pick up a great water pitcher that you can keep in your fridge. One like the ZeroWater Water Pitcher. I like this filter system because of its guarantee to remove all total dissolved solids (TDS). Even comes with a TDS meter. Even some of the simpler filters remove a number of contaminants making your tap water much cleaner to drink.
If you’re looking for something a little more permanent and want to improve all the water in your house (not just the tap water), then you might want to consider investing in a whole-house water filter. These systems are larger and more expensive, but they offer much better filtration than most other types of filter systems.
Just remember that no matter what kind of filter system you choose, it’s important to keep it clean! Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and flushing your system regularly.
Tap water is an essential part of our lives, but it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with drinking unfiltered tap water.
6. Should I be concerned about lead in my tap water, and what can I do to reduce the risk of exposure?
Yes! Lead is extremely damaging to children in the first few years of their life! But can’t be damaging at any age. Brain, liver, and kidney damage, nerve disorders, and fertility problems or just a few of the issues that arise from lead poisoning.
Lead is most commonly found in older homes that have lead pipes or plumbing. If you’re not sure if your home has lead pipes, you can ask your water utility company to test your water for lead.
There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in Tap Water:
- Run your faucet for a minute or two before using the water, especially if it’s been sitting unused for a while. This will help flush out any stagnant water that may have built up and reduced the amount of Lead present.
- Use cold water whenever possible. Hot water increases the likelihood of lead leaching from pipes and fixtures.
- Filter your Tap Water with a certified filter system that removes Lead. pitcher water filters or whole-house water filters are a good choice for this.
Lead is a serious concern and should be taken seriously. Tap water is not the only source of lead exposure, but it is one that we can control. by using a certified filter system we can greatly reduce the amount of lead in our tap water.
There you have it, everything you need to know about Tap Water and Filtering! I hope you found this information helpful and will take some measures to improve the quality of your drinking water.
Tap water is an essential part of our lives, but it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with drinking unfiltered tap water. By using a certified filter system we can greatly reduce the amount of lead in our tap water. Tap water filters are not just for removing lead, they also remove other contaminants that may be harmful to your health. So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself a Tap Water Filter!
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