What’s Lurking in Unfiltered Tap Water?
Staying hydrated is one of the most essential things to do in maintaining good health. But every time you drink water, do you ever stop to consider what’s actually in it? Water from the tap often contains hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, herbicides, and other pathogenic organisms.
If you have been drinking water directly from the tap, you might not even know you are poisoning yourself. This is just one of the reasons the filtration and purification technology from Artesian Bottleless Water is so crucial. Still, to make a more informed decision about your drinking water, here’s what you need to know about the possible contaminants lurking in tap water.
How Drinking Unfiltered Water Can Affect Our Health
Water is essential for good health and hydration, but what about unfiltered drinking water? When you drink unfiltered tap water, you risk ingesting all the contaminants found in rivers, lakes, and groundwater. These harmful contaminants can include hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, and viruses. Aside from these contaminants, unfiltered water can also contain parasites such as Giardia lamblia, which can wreak havoc on your digestive system.
Common Contaminants Lurking in Unfiltered Water
While some dangerous substances are artificial, others are found naturally in groundwater. The following are some of the most typical types of chemicals and contaminants that may be present in your tap water:
Chlorine
Chlorine is a common antimicrobial agent used in water treatment facilities to disinfect public water supplies. The substance prevents the development of bacteria and viruses that are bio-contaminants. When drinking chlorinated tap water, one runs the risk of developing asthma, food allergies, congenital problems, and even pose as a cancer risk in different types. Fortunately, chlorine in tap water can simply be removed by boiling it or simply leaving it out to evaporate for at least 24 hours.
Fluoride
Fluoride has been connected to hypothyroidism and all associated symptoms, like weight gain, depression, and exhaustion. The buildup of fluoride in the bones due to prolonged exposure to high fluoride levels is known as skeletal fluorosis. Fluoride can build up in the body’s high-calcium regions, causing joint stiffness and brittleness, making older people more prone to fractures.
Pharmaceuticals
The water supply may occasionally become contaminated by pharmaceutical supply runoff. Additionally, wastewater treatment facilities frequently fall short of removing them properly. According to one study, sewage treatment plant water contains many drugs, including Tylenol, Oxycodone, antidepressants, and more.
Lead
Some plumbing materials contain heavy metal lead, which can contaminate drinking water. Even in small amounts, ingestion of this can harm your health. More severe effects include brain and nervous system damage. Unfortunately, boiling lead will not remove it. But by filtering your water before using it, you can lessen your exposure to lead.
Despite regulating public water supplies, lead service lines and plumbing systems connecting homes to the main water supply can contaminate tap water. The same holds for drinking fountains, faucets, and hoses attached to water tanks with lead lining. Water that passes through corroded plumbing and old pipes will likely contain lead.
Bacteria
Both surface water and groundwater can support the growth of pathogens like bacteria and parasites. Certain bacteria and harmful germs can be detrimental to your health. A potential sign of pathogens in drinking water is the presence of coliform bacteria, more commonly known as E. coli.
Mercury
A toxic substance called mercury can be present in waterways located near factories, landfills, refineries, and agricultural land. In addition to the environment, this heavy metal can occasionally be found in unfiltered water.
As a neurotoxin, mercury can harm the kidneys and the central nervous system. It can have adverse effects if consumed in large doses, resulting in congenital disabilities and brain damage. Additionally, it may harm your hearing, vision, or brain. There are no safe levels of mercury because even small amounts can result in harmful health effects.
Herbicides
Synthetic fertilizers and herbicides may contaminate water sources through groundwater seepage or storm runoff. They frequently contain dangerous ingredients like nitrates, which can harm unborn children and pregnant women. It can result in premature birth or methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) for expecting mothers.
How to Keep Your Water Safe
Filtering and purifying water is the most effective way remove contaminants. Reverse Osmosis filters can remove heavy metals, fluoride, and other impurities. This technology is found in all of our bottleless water coolers and ice machines – So you can guarantee you’re getting water that’s great tasting and great for your health!
Drink Clean, Reliable Water with Artesian Bottleless Water
Everyone deserves to drink clean, reliable, and safe water. You can achieve just that with Artesian Bottleless Water! Since 1955, we have proudly served our customers’ water needs. Through a multi-stage filtration and purification process, our bottleless water coolers clean and purify your existing tap water, removing impurities like dirt, rust, lead, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals.
By providing unlimited, on-demand water to your office, we also contribute to reducing the demand for plastic bottles and, consequently, the carbon emissions those bottles generate during production. So, don’t wait! Connect with one of our representatives today to try our bottle-less water cooler for FREE!
