About 60% of the human body is composed of water.[1] This is the reason why it is so important to keep the body hydrated! But it’s just as essential to supply it with high-quality water!
We have already talked about the differences between tap, spring, and table water. In this blog post, we will look into the quality of tap water, and emphasize the importance of tap water purification.
In this article, you will find information about the reasons why tap water can be harmful and how you can purify it. If you are already curious, continue reading!
How to purify tap water?
When it comes to purifying water, you have many options to choose from. The main question is: Do you want to use a water filter or not?
Water filter
This is an affordable and accessible option! Usually, if you want to use a filter, you have two mainoptions: either to buy a Pitcher or Bottle.
They both have a filter, which should be changed after a certain period of usage (the period depends on the brand and the specific filter type, but the average time for filter change is 3 months). Those products remove the contaminants from the water and improve its taste and odor. They usually contain a small amount of activated charcoal in the water filter. [4]
- Your initial investment for a pitcher with a filter would be about 50 euro (based on Amazon prices). Yet, the additional filters would cost you less than 20 euro per piece (again depending on filter type and brand). The pitcher can be used many years in a row, and it allows you to filter around 2-3 liters at once.
- The water filter bottles are an excellent alternative for people who are on the go! The prices vary around 15 euro for the bottle (based on Amazon prices), and the filter replacements would cost you about 5 euro per piece.
- If you decide to water filtering device, it’s a good idea to discuss with the seller what type of filter is best for you to buy. The most suitable type may depend on the degree of water contamination and its chemical content.
Activated charcoal
As you probably know, the activated charcoal can absorb bacteria, microorganisms, odors, and contaminants. [5] And as already mentioned, it’s often used for the production of water filters. However, you can use it on its own!
It can be found in the form of tablets, sticks, or powder, and it is super affordable. If you decide to use this method in the long run, it is probably best to buy activated charcoal sticks, as they are the easiest to use. In Amazon, you can find 3 sticks for around 25 euro.
But let’s see how to use it: Take a big container or pitcher and pour two liters of water. Put the stick (or another form of active charcoal) and cover the container with a towel or napkin. After about 4 hours, the water would be purified and ready for usage!
Silver
Yes, silver! It can be used to purify water, as it absorbs the microorganisms and bacteria and all other contaminating substances. [6] Just put a silver object in a container or pitcher and pour water. Cover the container with a towel and leave for 24 hours. You can consume the water without any worries!
Boiling
This method is very efficient if you need clean water, but you don’t have any other ingredients on hand. Just put the water in a pot (without the lid!) and boil it for 15 minutes straight. Keep in mind that the volume of the water will decrease. The high temperature will kill the harmful bacteria and organisms.
On the other hand, this purification method has one major drawback. The chlorine and salts from the water will not evaporate and will remain in the pot. As the water will decrease in volume, the content of those substances per 100ml of water will increase. This means that you should be careful with the amount of water that you drink. [7]
If you use boiling for purification regularly, it is best to reconsider your choice and switch to another option.
Tap water may be harmful
In some regions, governments announce that tap water is drinkable. The majority of people think this is a sign that they can pour a glass of water without worrying about its content. But in many cases tap water is not as pure as we wish it to be.
The pipes, through which the water passes, often release substances, which contaminate the water. And even more often the municipalities add chemicals in the water to sanitize it. For example, phosphates, synthetic fluoride, chlorine, mercury, PCBs are the most popular substances used. [2] The water is still drinkable, as the quantities of those in 250 milliliters of water (one regular glass) are small. However, if you continuously drink 2 liters per day, the substances in the tap water build up in the body and can be harmful to your overall wellbeing! They may cause allergies, kidney stones, and sometimes even infections. [3]
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