If there are high levels of metals within your tap water, not only will it taste different and may appear discolored, but your body will suffer from too much exposure. Water supplies with unsafe levels of metallic elements can lead to the following health conditions if you consume too much: Kidney failure. Liver damage.
Never drink water from a natural source that you haven't purified, even if the water looks clean. Water in a stream, river or lake may look clean, but it can still be filled with bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can result in waterborne diseases, such as cryptosporidiosis or giardiasis.
The more common illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites can result in stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and kidney failure. Infectious diseases such as hepatitis can also occur.
Filtered water is generally cleaner to drink than tap water. However, that is not to say that tap water is unsafe to drink. Generally, tap water is safe to drink, but not all tap water is created equal. The safety of your tap water depends on its source.
Contaminants in unfiltered water, such as heavy metals, chlorine, bacteria, and pesticides, can pose significant health risks, leading to chronic illnesses over time. Drinking clean, filtered water ensures that the body is not only replenished but also protected from harmful substances, enhancing overall well-being.
Is Unfiltered Water Causing Your Stomach Aches? Stomach ache can be caused by drinking tap and well water that is not properly sanitized. The unprocessed water may contain viruses, bacteria, or other contaminants which cause viral gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the stomach, small and large intestines.
Alkaline water may be one of the healthiest waters to consume. The pH level of regular drinking water is a neutral 7. Alkaline water has a pH level of 8 to 9.5. It contains properties that may even protect your body from free radicals, which are often linked to inflammation and many chronic diseases.
Another drawback of water filters is that they may sometimes cause more harm than good, especially if cartridges aren't regularly replaced. Sponge-like activated carbon filters, in particular, can serve as breeding grounds for nasty bacteria.
Filters water over natural minerals for a crisp, refreshing taste. Reduces lead and removes 99.9% of microbiological cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), while leaving beneficial fluoride in the water. Removes over 99% of trace levels of pharmaceuticals and reduces chlorine (taste and odor).
Boiling: The Simplest Method
Filtering water at home can be easily done through boiling, which is the simplest and most effective method. Boiling water helps to eliminate harmful organisms like viruses and bacteria, making it safe to drink. Additionally, boiling is a reliable way to treat murky or cloudy water.
Symptoms may appear as early as a few hours to several days after infection and may last more than two weeks. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with disease-causing organisms in drinking water; they may also be caused by several other factors.
Drinking spring water is risky. The shallower the well, the less likely bacteria and other contaminants have been filtered out of the water by rock, sand, gravel or soil layers. Open springs also attract birds and other animals, which use the spring for drinking or bathing.
From the positive health benefits of removing chemicals such as chlorine to hydrating with mineralised water that the body loves, choosing filtered water over tap water is one way we can have a positive influence on your health, easily so.
Drinking contaminated, or unclean, water can make you sick with diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. You can get sick if you use contaminated water for cooking, washing food, preparing drinks, making ice, or brushing teeth. Contact with contaminated water, such as wading or swimming, can also lead to illness.
Boiling is sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa (WHO, 2015). If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, paperboiling water towel, or coffee filter. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute.
While tap and bottled water isn't perfect, experts say drinking from the tap is usually the better choice. “By and large, tap water is safe,” Kauffman says.
The EPA regulates over 80 contaminants—including arsenic, e-coli, cryptosporidia, chlorine, and lead—that may be found in drinking water from public water systems. While the EPA says that 90% of US public water systems meet its standards, you may want to use a water filter to further ensure your water's safety.
The PUR filter removes more contaminants compared to the Brita filter. However, during our taste tests and TDS tests Brita performed notably better. Both Brita & PUR offer a variety of pitcher sizes and types.
Do I Recommend Zero Water? Yes, absolutely. I highly recommend this filtration system in areas where the TDS level is high, but also for those who just want to filter their water for better health.
Brita isn't removing all the toxins, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and fungi it needs to be. While it might make your water taste better, it's simply like putting a bandage on a bigger problem.
Some of those concerns are merited: NRDC reports have shown that millions of people in the United States get their water from systems detecting lead. And other health-harming contaminants, such as PFAS, atrazine, and nitrates, have also been found to be common in drinking water supplies across parts of the country.
Testing your water to find out whether there are harmful germs or chemicals in it will help you choose a filter. If your water is free from harmful germs or chemicals, you may decide you do not need a filter. If your water has harmful germs or chemicals, choose a filter that removes those germs or chemicals.
Leading scientists from around the globe have designated the Alliston aquifer as being the purest water on the planet—so clean that it's being used as a benchmark for water purity throughout the world.
Key points. Rainwater is not necessarily safe to drink without first removing germs and chemicals from it. Regularly test your rainwater for germs and chemicals if you drink, cook, or bathe with it. How you set up your collection system and proper maintenance can improve the quality of your rainwater.
Long-term consumption of distilled water might lead to mineral deficiencies since it doesn't replenish the body's mineral needs. It's generally safe to drink distilled water occasionally, but it's wise to ensure your diet provides adequate minerals as well.