It would be great if everyone could go to their tap and dispense reliably tasty water. There’s no more economical way get that precious compound known as H2O to drink, but the truth is, tasty drinking water straight from the tap isn’t as common as you may think.
Americans enjoy generally good quality drinking water, thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Act. We can also consult our local water supplier for details about the water that comes into our homes. That being said, tap water can be perfectly drinkable (free of harmful bacteria) and still have an unpleasant taste due to mineral deposits.
While many folks opt for the pricey option of bottled water, others utilize filtration systems to make their tap water taste better. If you’re among those who want to enjoy the taste of the water that comes into their home, here’s some information to help you make a wise decision about water filtering.
Filtration
Water filtration is a general term for any filtration system or process that filters out particles and/or pollutants from water. Types of water filtration include:
Activated Carbon Filters – Carbon filters improve the taste of water by removing cloudiness, chlorine and odors. They’re available in a variety of products, including units that attach to the faucet and in refrigerator pitchers. Water passes through activated carbon which traps certain particles. The size of the pores determine a filter’s effectiveness, so consult its micron rating. Better activated carbon filters are layered with spun fibers, which enhance their filtering effectiveness by trapping even smaller particles. Carbon filters lose their effectiveness over time, so it’s important to replace them regularly.
UV Light Units – These systems utilize ultraviolet light waves to reduce harmful bacteria and chemicals in water. They’re available in whole house or point-of-use units and can be pricey to install.
Reverse Osmosis – This is a highly-effective filtration process that uses osmotic pressure to remove certain elements from water.
Distillation – Distilled water is considered the safest for drinking. The distillation process involves heating tap water until it is evaporated into steam, followed by condensation which returns water that is pure and free from contaminants, minerals, pollutants or bacteria. While some people find distilled water tastes the best, others find it to lack the very minerals that give water its refreshing taste.
Water distillers are affordable electrical appliances which make water safe to consume. Distillers vary by manufacturer so read reviews before purchasing. Additionally, the distilling process is time-consuming, so make sure to get a unit that corresponds with your rate of use.
Softeners
Another term you’ll come across when researching water quality is “water softeners.” Water containing an excess of minerals is referred to as ‘hard.’ When those minerals are removed, it is said to have been softened. The purpose of water softening is to improve the effectiveness of soaps and detergents which don’t perform well in hard water. While it’s true that water softening will remove potentially bad-tasing minerals, its purpose is not to improve the taste of water.
Purification
Water “purification” is a term that is often associated with the topic of filtration. Strictly speaking, entirely “pure” water would be totally free from all bacteria, microbes, toxins, microorganisms, sediment, chemicals and other contaminants. Most filtration products and systems do not remove all of those – they remove some, which makes the water more pleasant tasting.
There’s no need to hit the (water) bottle! You can have tasty water from your own tap by choosing the appropriate filtration system for your particular water’s components.
How do you filter your drinking water affordably?
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