You may think of complex security systems, carbon monoxide detectors, and radon mitigation as keys to family safety. What may not be front of mind when considering the safety of your family is your home’s water.
Municipal water systems provide fresh water to homes across the country, though often the chemicals added to clean the water may be harmful to you and your family’s health.
Mitigation of these chemicals can be achieved through a water filtration system.
Read on to learn more about your water and how to keep it clean.
Municipal Water
Municipal water systems are part of what makes the “developed world” developed. Fresh, clean water from the tap for drinking, indoor plumbing, and washing is an integral part of our everyday life.
Though these water systems do have their issues. The lead pipes used to build these systems degrade over time. Various chemicals and other contaminants find their way into the systems.
If you read anything about the ongoing Flint, Michigan water crisis, you know that when municipalities switch sources to save money, disaster can soon follow.
Not all water systems are equal, and even clean municipal water contains disinfecting chemicals like chlorine that you may not want to consume.
Types of Water
To determine what water filters you need, you must first determine what type of water you have.
An easy way to determine this is with a home water test kit. The higher priced ones can test up for 200 contaminants.
Once you determine which, if any, contaminants are in your home water, you can then decide on a system.
There are many water filtration systems available at various costs. Some as simple as a filtered water pitcher, while some involve a whole home reverse osmosis system that ensures fresh, contaminant-free water from every faucet.
Hard Water
One of the most common household water issues is hard water.
Hard water is drinking water that tests high for dissolved minerals, usually calcium and magnesium.
Often, you can tell if your water is hard just by the feel of washing your hands. The calcium reacts with the soap to create a film commonly referred to as soap scum.
While hard water is not considered dangerous to drink and often thought of as beneficial thanks to the human need for those minerals, it is damaging in other ways.
When heated in a home water heater, solid deposits of calcium form. Those deposits shorten the life span and efficiency of your equipment and can clog your pipes.
If you have hard water, consider a water softener system.
Though they are a pricey investment, they will pay dividends by extending the life of your water heater and pipes.
Clean Drinking Water
Sometimes the municipal water we use isn’t as clean as it should be.
Even if it is, chlorine and other disinfecting chemicals you may not want to consume are often used.
To mitigate, and keep your water clean, consider an investment in a home water system.
For more helpful household tips, continue to check out our blog.
