The Guide To Safe Drinking Water
Safe Drinking Water is constantly overlooked. Because water has been systemized for efficiency. It is assumed that just because we can turn on and off the water in a fraction of a second that water is safe to drink. This complacency can lead to an incredibly dangerous scenario regarding your health.
There’s a lot of information out there about water filtration and purification. It can be overwhelming to try and figure out what’s important, what’s not, and where to start. That’s why we’ve created this free guide for you!
In it, you’ll find basic water essentials you need to know about and the filter systems that create the best water for you. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of each element, so you can make an informed decision about which system is best for you. Plus, we’ll give you some tips on how to keep your filter running in top condition!
Is Your Water Safe To Drink?
This is a question you should be asking yourself, and if you’re not, then you need to educate yourself on the importance of water filtration. While many people take for granted that the water coming out of their faucet is safe, the truth is that it may not be.
There are a number of contaminants that can be found in water, including radioactive elements like radium and uranium, lead, bacteria, pesticides, and more. While your municipality may treat your water to remove some of these contaminants, they may not be able to remove all of them. That’s where water filtration comes in. Water filtration can help to remove even more contaminants from your water, making it safer to drink.
There are a number of different types of water filtration systems, and the one you choose will depend on your specific needs. However, there are some basic elements that every water filtration system should have.
With so many different types of water filtration systems available on the market, choosing the right one depends on a number of factors, including the type of contaminant you’re trying to remove and honestly, the amount of money you’re willing to spend. However, you can get into a system for a few hundred dollars or less.
Regardless of what you do or which system you choose, investing in water filtration is a crucial way to ensure that you and your family are drinking safe water.
What Are The Benefits Of Water Filtration?
As somebody who drinks a lot of water, I can attest to the benefits of filtered water firsthand. Not only does filtered water taste better, but it is also cleaner with fewer contaminants of concern.
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to make sure that our water is clean and free of toxins. Unfortunately, even municipal tap water can sometimes be contaminated with harmful chemicals. Many of which are linked to cancer. Filtering water is a simple and effective way to reduce your exposure to these contaminants.
As a two-time lymphoma survivor, water was instrumental in all of my treatment. Water kept my kidneys and liver from getting damaged during my hospital stays. Helping these vital organs function properly during the many, many rounds of chemotherapy. Essentially diluting the pollution and flushing it out of the body.
In addition, filtered water can also save you money in the long run. By filtering out impurities, you can extend the life of your home’s plumbing system and avoid costly repairs to appliances down the road.
Aren’t Local And State Governments Mandated In Water Filtration And Treatment Quality?
There are laws and mandates on the books that help guide the definition of Potable Water(water that is considered acceptable for human consumption) at local and state levels. Water that is provided through a municipality must adhere to these mandated levels.
But there is an area within the world of water that is not regulated. And that is private water wells and natural springs.
There is no good way to regulate these types of water sources simply as they both come from underground sources. One is man-made and the other naturally occurring. Regulating this type of source is too costly for the homeowner and too time-consuming for the state to process.
However, the existing laws and mandates for water districts and municipalities do have requirements. Testing is one of them. And daily and weekly test results can go back decades.
So, the best way to protect your family is to have your water source tested and then filter for those test results. This is the only way you can be 100% sure of the toxins in your water get taken care of.
Clean Water Is Crucial For Pregnant Women And Infants
Pregnant women and infants need clean water to create the best environment to carry a baby full term. During pregnancy, a woman’s body is going through lots of changes and needs plenty of water to help her blood circulate properly. If she doesn’t drink enough water, she could experience dehydration, which can lead to premature labor and other health complications.
Infants, too, need clean water to stay hydrated and to avoid developing infections. Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in young children, and it is often caused by contaminated water. That’s why it’s so important for pregnant women and caregivers of infants to have access to clean water at all times. Otherwise, health problems increase dramatically.
Pregnant women and infants are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of contaminated water. That’s why it’s essential to make sure that the drinking water you’re consuming is safe and clean.
A water filtration system is an excellent way to ensure that the water you’re drinking is free of contaminants. Not only will it improve your health, but it will also save you money in the long run.
Tap water in the US is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which ensures that it meets strict safety standards. So not only is tap water cheaper than bottled water, but it’s also better for the environment.
Overlooking One Of The Easiest Ways To Help Prevent Diseases Like Cancer!
As a 2 time survivor, my faith in water runs pretty deep. But I also know that not everyone shares this sentiment. In fact, many people are still skeptical about the benefits of filtered water.
If you’re one of those skeptics, I urge you to keep an open mind. And to consider all the ways that water filtration can improve your health and protect your family.
While there is no magic bullet when it comes to cancer prevention, filtered water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your risk.
Contaminated water isn’t a smoking gun for cancer either, but the many chemicals, and contaminants that unfiltered water contains can likely contribute to it. Here’s a great article about “Toxic Load” and what exposure means at a macro level.
Water is often overlooked as a simple way to help prevent diseases like cancer. Most people know that staying hydrated is important for overall health, but many don’t realize that it can also reduce the risk of cancer.
Studies have shown that dehydration can contribute to the development of cancer by promoting the growth of tumor cells. In addition, water helps to flush toxins out of the body, which can reduce the chances of them causing cell damage.
While there are no guarantees when it comes to preventing cancer, drinking plenty of water is an easy and effective way to lower your risk. So next time you’re reaching for a sugary drink, remember that water is one of the best things you can put into your body.
Filtering Water Simply Makes Water Taste Better!
Some people might think that water doesn’t have flavor. They couldn’t be more wrong! Whether you get your water from a well, spring, or municipal water supply, chances are it doesn’t taste as good as it could.
That’s where filtering comes in. Filtering water is an easy way to improve its flavor without adding any chemicals or other artificial substances.
There are a variety of ways to filter water, from simple pitchers that use a charcoal filter to advanced reverse-osmosis systems that strip water of almost all contaminates.
If you think some of these systems can be expensive, well your right. Some can. But a majority of filters are quite affordable.
In fact, for less than $100, you can get a great filter that can dramatically improve your water’s taste and quality.
Not All Filters Work The Same!
When it comes to filters, there are a lot of different options to choose from. And not all filters do the same thing. Some filters are designed to remove specific contaminants, while others are designed to improve water taste and quality.
It’s important to know what you’re looking for in a filter before you make a purchase. Otherwise, you might end up with a filter that doesn’t do what you need it to.
Do your research and make sure you’re buying a filter that will meet your specific needs. But in order to do that, you need to know what is in your water. This is part of the research to help find the right filter for you and your needs.
A good place to start is knowing what is in your water. Two ways to do this is if you are on a municipal water hookup, look up your water results by typing in your zip code and choosing your water district through this great non-profit EWG.org. It will tell you what kind of contaminants are in your water.
If you live on a water well or spring, Amazon has good testing products. I break down the best tests in a post I wrote here!
Next, when choosing a water filter, you’ll need to decide what type of contaminants you want to remove from your water. Some filters are designed to remove specific types of contaminants, while others are designed to improve water taste and quality.
For example, carbon filters are designed to remove chlorine, lead, and other contaminants from water. KDF filters are designed to remove heavy metals and other contaminants as well. And reverse-osmosis filters are designed to remove a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria and viruses.
It’s important to know what you’re looking for in a filter before you make a purchase. Otherwise, you might end up with a filter that doesn’t do what you need it to.
Obviously, I can only do so much. But, as long as I give you the tools to inform yourself, I feel I’ve accomplished one of my goals.
Do Your Research!!!
Personal responsibility goes a long way! I know this sounds cliché, but this is where the rubber meets the road. As you learn about the different types of filters, and what they can and cannot do… you need to choose one for your home or for the activity you do. This can be a daunting task because of all the options on the market.
Since water is so easy to become complacent about, knowing how water affects you every day could be a most important topic to understand in our current time of world events and politics. Especially since this precious resource is becoming more and more polluted.
Long Term Money Savings
With the price of everything going up including health insurance costs, taking a little personal responsibility and protecting my family and myself from the harshness of illness and disease is of the utmost importance. The last thing I want is for any of my family or friends to experience what I did through my Hodgkins Lymphoma treatments. The total cost for my most recent experience is approaching 2 Million Dollars. OUCH!!!
Thankfully my wife’s insurance covered most of this. But with that said, removing the toxins out of something that I consume a gallon+ of every day during the summer, I truly feel makes a difference.
Water in my area is heavy in many contaminates like Haloacetic Acids (Haa5, Haa9), and Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), many of which are linked to cancer and have no regulation whatsoever.
Here is a screenshot sample of some of the contaminants in my local municipal water supply from EWG.org.
Now for complete transparency, I don’t consider this the smoking gun of why I got cancer. But I believe this probably helped contribute to it.
Being able to take this variable off the table for my family helps bring peace of mind, and knowing that I am doing something to solve what has been a huge health challenge for me and my family. One I wish and pray you never have to experience!
The Problem With Bottled Water
I want to touch a moment on bottled water. In my opinion, it’s not worth it for several reasons.
First, the quality of bottled water is no better than tap water in most cases. In fact, a study by the National Resources Defense Council found that about 1-in-5 bottles, 22% of the water contained contaminants that exceeded state health guidelines.
Second, bottled water is expensive. A single bottle of water can cost as much as $100 per gallon, while tap water costs less than a penny per gallon. In addition to the high cost, bottled water is also bad for the environment.
Every year, thirteen billion bottles will be used this year. 60 million plastic water bottles end up in landfills every day, where they take centuries to decompose. And even after they do decompose, they release harmful toxins into the ground and air.
Tap water, on the other hand, is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which ensures that it meets strict safety standards. So not only is tap water cheaper than bottled water, but it’s also better for the environment.
It’s Not Hard To Get Clean Water
There are two main ways to get water – tap water and bottled water. Most people use tap water because it is less expensive than bottled water. However, some people believe that bottled water is cleaner and healthier than tap water.
While it is true that bottled water is often filtered and might appear to be of better quality, it is not necessarily cleaner than tap water. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the quality of tap water more strictly than it does bottled water.
So, if you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water, you should not automatically assume that bottled water is the best choice. Instead, research the options and make an informed decision about which type of water is best for you.
One way to get clean water is to buy a water filter. Hole home, under counter, counter top, refrigerator, gravity filters. Whatever way you get your water, there is a filter that will fit your needs. There are a number of different types of water filters available, and they range in price from less than twenty bucks to thousands of dollars.
Even a personal water filter for the times you might be traveling. Hopefully, you are questioning how clean the water is where you’re at. Mexico is notorious for bugs in its water. Ever heard of Montezuma’s Revenge? Well, I can tell you it’s not very pleasant…
Have we become water complacent?
There are many reasons why we as humans have become complacent about water and personal water filtration. One reason is that we are now living in an age where we have easy access to relatively clean water.
We no longer have to worry about collecting water from a natural source and then boiling it to make sure it is safe to drink. Instead, we can simply turn on the faucet and enjoy clean water that is safe to consume. But I believe that our aging infrastructure isn’t going to be able to guarantee safe drinking water in the future.
From a cost perspective, personal water filtration products have become more affordable and effective in recent years. This has made them more accessible to more people. But, this too has also contributed to the complacency that we now feel towards water.
Overall, there are many reasons why we have become complacent with personal water filtration. However, it is still important to be aware of the importance of safe water and to take steps to ensure that we always have access to it.
Thanks for Reading
You might be thinking that this is obvious, or hopefully, you can visualize the important big picture of clean, safe water. But, we have to remember that access to clean, safe water is a basic human right.
And, it is something that we often take for granted. I encourage you to think about the ways that you can ensure always having clean water and also how you can help others who do not have easy access to it.
Thanks for reading! I hope this guide was helpful and found you well. Until next time, stay safe and drink lots of water! Cheers! -Todd