Tap water is generally safe for consumption across many countries due to their regulations, treatments, and scheduled testing, but some impurities can still lead to health hazards. And the bright side is that more and more households are opting for a reverse osmosis system for safe feed water consumption. Understanding the potential issues along with tap water can help you ensure the safety and quality of your drinking water.
Common Contaminants and Their Effects
Minerals
Tap water often contains minerals picked up from rocks, sand, and soil. Common minerals like calcium and magnesium, while generally safe, can cause hard water, affecting plumbing and appliances. Iron in water is generally not harmful at common levels but can cause rust stains and a metal taste if present in excessive concentrations.
Nitrates
Nitrates, often found in fertilizers, septic systems, and industrial scrap/waste, can enter water resources, particularly in agricultural regions. High nitrate levels in water can cause gastrointestinal issues, decreased blood pressure, and high coronary heart rate. Infants below six months are in particular at risk from excessive nitrate exposure.
Copper
Copper, determined in the Earth’s crust and household plumbing, can leach into drinking water. While the body requires a few copper in mg, immoderate amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, liver harm, and kidney disease. Signs of copper contamination include a metal taste and blue-greenish stains on sinks and furnishings.
Lead
Lead can enter tap water through corroded pipes in older homes. This contaminant poses big health risks, including brain damage in unborn toddlers, learning/cognitive disabilities in kids, and cardiovascular problems in adults. Lead poisoning is less common these days due to improved regulations, but it remains a concern for a few older homes.
Fluoride
Fluoride, brought to water supplies to prevent cavities, is typically safe in controlled amounts. However, immoderate fluoride can cause fluorosis, leading to enamel discoloration, particularly in young kids. The fluoride degrees in public water systems are typically well-regulated to prevent such problems.
PFAS Chemicals
PFAS, or “forever chemical compounds,” persist in the surroundings and the human body, potentially leading to reduced fertility, immune system troubles, and multiplied cancer risk. These chemical substances are hard to detect due to the fact they lack color, odor, or taste. While no longer all PFAS are currently regulated, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has started imposing policies to govern their presence in public water resources, with complete enforcement expected by 2027. Private wells, however, are not covered under these new guidelines.
Always Test Your Water
- Identify Impurities: Testing the feed water can display if there are any dangerous materials like bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemical compounds.
- Protect Health: Early detection of impurity allows you to take appropriate measures to shield your health, particularly for prone populations like kids and the elderly.
- Maintain Appliances: Hard water can damage appliances and plumbing. Testing can assist you in determining if water softening is necessary.
- Environmental Awareness: Understanding your water quality contributes to a better understanding of local environmental conditions.
When to Test Your Water
- New Home: If you’ve recently moved, testing your water can provide peace of mind.
- Well Water: Well water is the most prone one to infections compared to municipal water, and calls for regular testing.
- Changes in Taste/Odor: Unusual tastes or odors may suggest feeding water quality issues.
- Health Concerns: If you or any of your family members experience health/fitness issues, they may probably associated with water, so testing is suggested.
- After Disasters: Natural disasters can contaminate water sources, so, water testing becomes a necessity in such cases.
What to look for in a Water Test
- Bacteria and Viruses: These can cause waterborne diseases.
- Heavy Metals: The layer of Lead, arsenic, and copper can be harmful to health.
- Chemicals: Pesticides, herbicides, and industrial or commercial waste can contaminate water.
- Nitrates: Increased nitrate deposits found can be hazardous, specifically for infants.
- Hardness: Hard water can form scale buildup and have an impact on the water treatment appliance’s performance
Taking Action Based on Test Results
- Address Contaminants: If harmful contaminants are found, take appropriate measures, such as water filtration or treatment.
- Maintain Water Quality: Continue regular testing and implement preventive measures to ensure ongoing water safety.
Conclusion
Drinking tap water may have both positive and negative consequences on your health, depending on the presence of contaminants. By knowing potential dangers, regularly checking out water quality, applying suitable filtration techniques, and shielding water assets, households can make certain they have access to safe, clean, and green consuming water. Taking proactive steps to address water quality issues, assists safeguard health and well-being, making tap water a reliable and useful resource for everyday use.
