Unfortunately, if you are drinking tap water, it might not be the safest thing you could do. In some tap water, a number of unsafe contaminants can be found, including lead, chloroform, radon, arsenic, nitrite, nitrate, and E. coli bacteria. It’s just as important to protect you and your family from these dangers with a good water filter system as it is to provide for home security in other areas.
Knowledge of the possible contaminants in water have been partly behind the rise in bottled waters over the last several decades. Bottled water is sometimes safe. However, it’s not guaranteed to be. According to Consumer Reports, bottled water is not as regulated as municipal water supplies are. Some brands of bottled water are just filtered tap water, as well.
Distilled water is also sometimes used as an option. Distilling—heating water to steam and then converting it back to water through a cooling chamber–does remove some contaminants, and it certainly gets rid of bacteria. However, use of distilled water can lead to long-term health concerns because it also removes nutrients.
The safest option to get rid of chemicals and contaminants in the water is to use a water filter system for good health. The market offers a wide array, from carafes to systems mounted in the kitchen or other area. The latter often have electronic signals that tell you when it’s time to replace the filter. Consumer Reports recommends choosing one certified by the National Sanitation Foundation. Then, you should read the fine print—they reduce contaminants at various rates, and not all reduce all contaminants.
