Water Testing for Health & Safety
Water is an essential part of our lives. The average person consumes one to two liters of drinking water every day. Some people drink more, especially if they follow a certain workout routine. We are also exposed daily to water when we eat food, prepared using water, breathe in the water droplets or vapors while showering, and absorb it through our skin while taking a bath. If contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates, arsenic and others exist in our water supply, we are exposed to them as well.
Considering the amount of water we use on a daily basis, it would be wise to ensure the health and safety of you and your family by water testing, performed by professional plumbers.
Usually water quality affects the taste, color or even smell of the water. Unfortunately, water quality problems if left untreated can result in health problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that “if levels of contaminants are unsafe in drinking water, it can cause health effects, such as gastrointestinal illnesses, nervous system or reproductive effects, and chronic diseases such as cancer.”
Around the world, the role of examining drinking water quality, belongs to municipal agencies, non-municipal organizations, and/or private businesses. Clean drinking water is crucial to human health. It must be free from bacteria, heavy metals and pesticides to avoid unfavorable health effects.
Water Filtration
Water filtration is a universal term, referring to any system or process that is applied to filter out particles and contaminants from water. It doesn’t have to be the purifier. Anything that removes any amount of particles, sediment, bacteria, and the chlorine taste can be named water filtration. If it has a filter of any type, it’s a water filtration system.
Types of Water Filtration Systems
Filtration systems can contain activated carbon charcoal filters either designed within a pitcher or included as part of a faucet-mount or tap-installed filter, ultraviolet (UV) light units, reverse osmosis, water distillers or another kind of water treatment process. Much larger scale municipal or public water treatment plants are also considered water filtration systems. Some appliances are also manufactured with water filtration features such as refrigerator models which come with onboard filtered water/ice or separate water dispensers.
Types of Water Filters
There are different types of water filters available to customers. The following are some of the most common types, along with their advantages and disadvantages:
- Pitchers:
Pitchers improve the taste and eliminate the chlorine smell of your water by removing contaminants. They usually contain carbon filters. These filter types are comparatively cheap and fit easily inside of most refrigerators. However, to keep water purified, the homeowner needs to change the carbon filter in the pitcher every three months.
- Under-Sink:
Under-sink filters are installed underneath your sink and are connected directly to your water line. They can be expensive, but their advantage is that they are placed out of sight. Little maintenance is required with this type.
- On-Counter:
On-counter filters are positioned on the counter, and are directly attached to your faucet. A switch allows to shift between filtered and unfiltered water. Countertop water filters are in great demand; it is a hassle-free way to get purified water with little effort.
- Faucet-Mounted:
Faucet-mounted filters are connected straightly to your faucet, allowing you to filter cooking and drinking water without any problems. These filters are not difficult to install, but they may not fit on all faucets.
Making the Right Decision
There are a bunch of water filters options on the market and discovering the perfect water filtration system to fulfill your family’s needs may seem overwhelming. Don’t be upset, our specialists from Downey Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning will eagerly help you to make the right decision and install the water filtration system for your household. Installation of a water filtration system in your home allows your family constant access to clean and healthy water any time you need.
