Purified water is safe to drink because it can remove residual contaminants — like bacteria and metal — from your tap water, according to the EPA. At the same time, most purification systems will also preserve some amount of the beneficial minerals in tap water, like calcium and magnesium. However, exactly how many contaminants are removed and how many good substances remain depends on your filtration system, per the EPA.
For instance, a basic Brita filter can remove chlorine and asbestos, but may not entirely filter out metals like lead and copper though Brita and other popular brands typically also manufacture specialized filters that remove more metal. But overall, drinking purified water is not bad for you — quite the opposite, as long as you properly maintain your filter more on that later.
If you're looking to purify on the go — like while camping — there are also portable versions of certain water filters to help you clean natural water. There are advantages and disadvantages of modern purification methods. Here are some of the perks of purifying your water. Tap water is largely safe to drink in the U.
But purifying your tap water with a reverse osmosis filter adds an extra layer of protection against potentially harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, according to the EPA. Filters may improve flavor if the taste of your tap water isn't to your liking, per the EPA. That's because home filters can remove chemicals like chlorine and substances like algae, both of which may influence the taste of your water. Another advantage of water treatment is that it may remove trace amounts of metals like copper and lead, which can leach off of deteriorating pipes and get into your tap water supply, per the American Water Works Association.
Water treatment plants typically adjust the pH of water to prevent this from happening in the first place, but home filters can provide an additional safeguard against unwanted metals.
According to the Mayo Clinic and U. In countries that purify public drinking water, various treatment methods are used to make water safe, including 3 :. For example, the US Environmental Protection Agency EPA sets legal limits that are considered safe for consumers for over 90 contaminants in drinking water 4.
Although measures are taken to ensure that public drinking water is safe for consumption, it can contain trace amounts of contaminants that could negatively impact health. For instance, the heavy metals lead and copper are extremely toxic to health. They can cause stomach distress and lead to brain damage when ingested over time 6 , 7. These heavy metals have been known to leach into drinking water, even in countries where public water sources are closely regulated 8.
By using in-home water filters or drinking purified bottled water, drinking water undergoes another level of purification that can remove metals, chemicals and other contaminants, depending on the type of purification system used.
Water purification systems like charcoal filters remove chlorine, a common chemical added to the public water supply as a disinfectant. Several studies have linked chlorinated water to an increased risk of certain cancers, including colorectal cancer 9 , Another benefit of water purification is that it removes unpleasant tastes associated with chemical treatments, organic matter or metal plumbing, leaving you with fresh, pure-tasting drinking water.
For example, fluoride is a mineral that is added to public drinking water supplies in some countries to improve dental health and reduce dental decay Although this practice has led to decreased tooth decay in children, especially in at-risk areas, some argue that fluoridated water is not worth the potential health risks associated with its use.
Excessive fluoride levels can be toxic to both brain and nerve cells, and long-term exposure to high levels of fluoride has been linked to learning, memory and cognitive deficits However, experts argue that the level of fluoride found in drinking water is safe and beneficial in reducing tooth decay, especially in children who are only exposed to fluoride through drinking water Research on the safety and efficacy of fluoridated water is ongoing, but those who drink purified water should be aware that some purification systems remove fluoride from drinking water.
Distillation involves boiling water and collecting the steam, which returns to water upon cooling. This process is very effective at removing contaminants like bacteria, viruses, protozoa like giardia and chemicals like lead and sulfate Due to the fact that distilled water is exceptionally pure, it is commonly used in medical facilities and laboratories.
Though drinking distilled water is not as common as drinking other types of purified water, some people choose to drink it because it is free of contaminants. Levels of pesticides and other chemicals in public water sources like tap water will depend on your geographic location and the agencies that regulate drinking water safety in your country.
Distilled water is essentially free of contaminants like pesticides and bacteria, which could be especially helpful to those with weakened immune systems. The distillation process is very effective at removing potentially harmful contaminants, but it also removes the natural minerals and electrolytes found in water.
Along with unwanted impurities, beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium are also left behind as the steam rises during the distillation process. In fact, distillation typically removes around Though water is not typically thought of as a source of minerals, any factor that leads to a decreased intake of essential micronutrients could negatively impact your health. Like other methods of purification, distillation removes fluoride from drinking water, which may put those who choose to drink distilled water at an increased risk of cavities.
In most cases, public drinking water sources like tap water are safe due to the strict contaminant limits set by regulatory agencies. However, drinking water can become contaminated from natural sources or human activity, affecting water quality For this reason, it may be a good idea to invest in an in-home water purification system, especially those who are immunocompromised and more susceptible to becoming ill from contaminated water.
VOCs like chloroform can also form when chlorine is added to water as a disinfectant and reacts with organic material in the water. The fuel additive MtBE, used as a replacement for lead in gasoline, is frequently detected in water supplies as well. SOCs are a category of man-made chemicals commonly used in industrial applications and the agricultural industry. These compounds are often found in herbicides and pesticides and may leech out of leaking underground storage tanks.
PFAS is a grouping of chemicals that have proven to be widespread throughout community water systems, particularly in California. These chemicals are found in non-stick coatings, firefighting foams, waxes, and paints.
The mineral content of water is an important factor for water purification. When discussing the difference between hard water vs. Water becomes hard as it percolates through stone and soil. As it moves through the ground it picks up mineral ions, which become attached to the water molecule. The water hardness scale measures the level of minerals that are present in your tap water supply. The most common minerals found in hard water are calcium carbonate and magnesium.
Water can also pick up metals as it moves through soil and stone with high metal content. The mineral content of hard water also causes a number of negative effects around your home and on your body. These impacts of hard water are also particularly damaging in industrial applications and settings. Here are a few of the most common effects of hard water in a residential setting:. However, not all purified water is created equally , which is why you need a purification system that truly works.
When it comes to the kind of water you drink, there are a number of different options from which you can choose. You can drink it straight from the tap or buy it at the grocery store. You can put a filter on your faucet or in a pitcher, or order it in bottles. But with so many choices, how do you know which is best?
Is there really a difference between all of these types of waters? At DrinkMore Water, our goal is to provide you with valuable insight into each kind of water and to recommend the best and healthiest water for you. For more information on the purified drinking water we offer at DrinkMore Water, give us a call now at or contact us online!
The EPA stipulates that tap water should have no more than ppm of impurities of all kinds in the water. At DrinkMore Water, our purification system removes more than
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