Health
How Safe Is Public Water?
by Jesse Hughes
There is a huge amount of information regarding the safety of tap water and how safe the chemicals that are added really are.
The simple reality is that the water is tested at the treatment works to ensure it reaches specific standards. It doesn’t guarantee that these standards are still in place when it reaches your home.
How Clean Is Public Water
The first thing you need to understand is that while rain water is relatively pure, by the time it reaches the reservoirs, it has travelled through rocks and soil. Along the way it will pick up a variety of minerals, bacteria, and even tiny pieces of debris.
This is why it needs to be processed before it can be drunk. However, this can lead to further issues.
The Processing Plant
Water arrives at the plant and goes through a series of steps. These include massive filters which remove large and even small pieces of debris from the water. Chemicals are also added to the water. Chlorine is one of the most popular as it is very effective at killing most bacteria.
Many states will also add fluoride to help you have strong teeth and bones. Once the water is considered clean it is dispatched to your house through miles of pipework.
It is worth noting that the system is pretty efficient and effective; you never turn the tap on wondering if there will be any water!
The Issues with Tap Water
Unfortunately this is not a perfect system.
The water leaving the treatment plant goes through hundreds of miles of pipes. Along the way it can pick up new debris from inside the pipe. It can also be exposed to bacteria or even industrial pesticides. This happens when there is a tiny split in the pipe that is not detected by the water board.
These will then arrive at your home in your water.
A further issue is the addition of chlorine. This is known to cause health issues in some people; particularly if you have a sensitive respiratory system. Alongside this, the use of fluoride has proven to be contentious. While there is evidence to suggest it can strengthen teeth and bones there is also evidence that shows potential harm to your health.
The Solution
Many people stop using tap water and start buying bottled water to protect themselves. Unfortunately there are no guarantees that bottled water is any better. In fact, some bottled water is simply tap water and it’s legal!
The best solution is to have an under sink water filter fitted to your home. This will take the water from the main supply and feed it through a filter to remove the debris, bacteria and even the chemicals that have been added. This is then directed to a specific tap in your home. You can use this for washing food and drinking without having to use up the life of the filter on conventional water usage issues such as the washing.
When you get one you’ll probably notice the difference in the taste of your water.
About the Author
Jesse Hughes has carved out its niche in the interior design world with a dynamic, exuberant style, unfettered by fleeting trends and underpinned by a unique creativity. Jesse has broken the mould for high-end interiors, eschewing the ‘just finished’ look to embrace the layering of carefully sourced materials, one-off pieces and commissioned artworks with their client’s own collection. This approach has brought a refreshing authenticity to his writing and has built up an enviable word-of-mouth reputation for elegant and sophisticated design.
