« How Clean is Bottled Water | Main | How Can You Clean Polluted Water »
How Clean is Our Drinking Water
Drinking water in westernized countries is cleaner than what much of the world has, but it's still filled with chemicals, germs and micro-organisms. Some of the chemicals are put there to keep the water sanitary, but those chemicals can still be bad for us. How clean is our drinking water? Probably not clean enough.
Most people assume that the drinking water that they drink is comparatively clean to water that is found in third-world countries, but you will learn in this article that your water may not be as clean as you think. The drinking water that we get out of our faucets may contain contaminants that may be adding to or causing health impacts that you may not even expect.
Not all water is created equal. The contaminants that are in California's drinking water, for example, probably aren't the same contaminants found in Georgia's drinking water. Even the water within the state may contain different contaminants, simply because they come from different sources. This article discusses some basic contaminants that may be a problem in your area. By learning more about these contaminants, you can help to make your water cleaner, so that you will stay healthier. What are some of the contaminants that are found in water?
- Lead
Lead is one contaminant that can be found in any part of the country. This is partially due to the fact that the lead may come from the pipes inside of your home, rather than the water itself; this is especially true in older buildings. Lead has significant health impacts, especially to infants, children, and the elderly, so you need to make sure that you use an appropriate water filter, especially if you live in an older home. - Chlorine or chloramines
These substances are used to clean and purify the water in some water treatment plants, but they can cause health concerns, especially for people who are undergoing dialysis. Some of the health concerns with these chemicals are not fully known, but they include higher cancer incidences and more. - Pesticides and herbicides
People do not put much thought into using pesticides and herbicides in their yards, but when it rains, they can runoff into water sources, adding the chemicals into your water. If the water treatment plant does not specifically treat for the chemical, then it could remain in the water. These chemicals are known carcinogens that can cause cancer. - Oil
Recycling your oil at approved motor oil recycling centers is essential. Two quarts of oil can contaminate four million gallons of water. This can have a significant impact upon the water and the environment that is supported by that particular water source. - Chemicals in the septic system
You may think that putting chemicals into your septic system will have no effect upon your drinking water, but you would be wrong. These chemicals can end up in your drinking water, which is a health concern, so think twice before adding chemicals to your septic system.
How clean is our drinking water? Not as clean as we might think. That is just one reason why it is important to invest in a water filtering system for your home. Whether it is a faucet-mounted system, pitcher filtering system, or a whole house system, you will be able to make your water cleaner for you and your family.
