Our bodies are made up of over 70% water. This makes staying hydrated essential to lubricate joints, flush out toxins, regulate body temperature, and more. Since we rely on water to optimize our health, the quality of our water matters just as much as the amount we consume. In this article we will outline common concerns with tap water and solutions on how to improve water quality in your home.
Hidden Contaminants in Drinking Water
Tap water in America has been infiltrated by industrial chemicals, sewage, chemical fertilizers, and animal waste (1) . Naturally occurring heavy metals such as arsenic and lead have also contaminated the water supply. The Environmental Working Group conducted a three-year investigation and found that approximately 85% of the population’s water supply contains over 300 contaminants (2). Clearly pollutants and toxins are sneaking their way into our drinking water.
Unfortunately, contaminated drinking water can cause long-term health effects when consumed regularly. As a result, it is more important than ever to ensure the quality of our water. The top 10 contaminants frequently found in city tap water include:
- Lead
- Chlorine
- Chloramines
- Mercury
- VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
- Pharmaceuticals
- Herbicides
- Pesticides
- Cysts
- MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
Most of these contaminants seep into public drinking water from nearby factories, improper disposal, and corroded pipes. Heavy metals, including lead and arsenic, can assimilate into public drinking water due to erosion of natural deposits and weak household plumbing systems (2).
Be cautious of bottled water as well; there are many variations of synthetic compounds found in plastic despite bottles being labeled as BPA free. BPA itself is an estrogen-mimicking compound and has been linked to altered immune system function, certain cancers, diabetes, and more (3).
Solutions to Improve Water Quality:
The Environmental Working Group has also created a database to educate people on what specific contaminants may be in their drinking water. Their database, which can be found here, prompts you to type in your zip code and receive immediate results on which contaminants exceed EWG’s health guidelines. Keep in mind that legal does not necessarily mean safe. Drinking water could meet federal standards while still not meeting the latest health guidelines (5).
Surprisingly, most fridge and pitcher filters are only designed to make your water taste better. They remove simple chemicals, but often leave behind toxic ones (6). Thankfully, there are a variety of filters that provide much better results. These systems include sediment filtration, distillation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and more. Many of them are also offered at affordable price points. Here are a few of our favorite systems:
Best Filters to Improve Water Quality:
Berkey Filters
(Ion Exchange)
Berkey Filters remove over 200 contaminants and is gravity-fed. Therefore, it does not require electricity. Part of the technology Berkey uses in the filtering process is called ion exchange. This process uses positive and negative charges to extract heavy metals and other contaminant molecules. However beneficial minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, remain in the water for you to drink. Prices range from $285-$410 depending on the size of the system.
PUR Faucet System (Activated Carbon and Ion Exchange)
PUR Faucet Systems are easy to attach to your existing sink. They use PUR’s Mineral Core™ filters which contain a proprietary blend of activated carbon and ion exchange materials. As water flows through the filter, chemical & physical contaminants like pesticides and pharmaceuticals are adsorbed by the carbon. Meanwhile, heavy metals like lead and mercury are adsorbed by the ion exchange materials. It’s a more affordable option: their faucet mount filters range from $30-$40.
Hydroviv (Reverse Osmosis)
Hydroviv water filtration systems are customized to your city’s water quality data. This means that someone who lives in Los Angeles will receive a filter with different specifications than someone who lives in New York City. This process helps to improve water quality while providing cleaner, healthier, and better-tasting water no matter where a person lives. Moreover, installation takes about 15 minutes and afterwards filtered water come straight from the tap. Their price is quite affordable: the under sink filter is normally $359.99, but is currently available for $179.99. For a more in-depth review of the Hydroviv, check out a separate Natural Health Strategies’ blog post here.
Aquatru (Reverse Osmosis)
Aquatru is a countertop reverse osmosis system. AquaTru’s patented 4-Stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis Technology is certified to NSF standards to remove 83 contaminants, including Lead, Chlorine, Fluoride, Nitrates, PFAs and many more! In addition, AquaTru’s 3 filters are made to last for 600-1200 gallons. The price is currently listed at $499.
By being more aware about the importance of water quality and choosing a filtration method that works best for your home, you’ll be able to stay hydrated without consuming harmful toxins. Although some filtration systems can be costly, it’s such an important investment and will be worthwhile in the long run. With all this information, you can make more informed decisions about water and empower those in your community to follow suit. For more suggestions and recommendations, check out Dr. Christian Gonzalez’s (ND) YouTube video, “Water Quality Facts.”
