Before we begin, let’s just be clear that in most modern countries (i.e., Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, etc.) drinking water is very regulated and examined, and in general it is safe to drink, bathe in and cook with. That being said, one can never claim the water coming from your tap is totally pure! Most taps in the modern world are safe and can be drunk directly from, and such are the regulations that govern them, that’s not to say there is no risk of contamination! We’d like to thank Absolute Plumbing & Gas Solutions for conducting the research for this post.
People who live in more rural areas, as in those who drink from wells or boreholes do face a higher risk than people in more urban areas drinking from taps. This makes regular testing of that water a vital job for any government.
With all that being said, here are seven types of substances found in tap water that may warrant a filter in your home!
1 – Legionella
Legionella bacteria are in fact a naturally occurring contaminant in water. Legionella bacteria can lead to Legionnaires’ disease which is a type of lung infection which can be serious. While it’s often spread through microscopic droplets within the air, usually in larger residential or office buildings with greater plumbing systems, it can find a way into your body by aspiration of drinking water. As in, the inhaling of water vapour in the air.
It’s worth pointing out that while this bacterium doesn’t often affect healthy and younger people, there are certain groups that could be at more risk – including elderly people, those who smoke, or those with a chronic lung condition or weakened immune system.
2 – Human/Animal Fecal Matter
Yeah, we know.
Contaminants including the Cryptosporidium virus and Giardia lamblia (generally found in private wells on farms and homestays) from fecal matter from both people and animals can make their way into water supplies, causing gastrointestinal illnesses and cramps from long-term exposure.
3 – Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical you probably only associate with your swimming pool, but it is also often utilised to kill bacterial impurities and others in drinking water supplies the world over. However, while the use of chlorine can reduce the risk from pathogens and bacteria in the water, there is concern from some it could be adding other health risks.
The Water Research Center has said that some of the chlorine found in well water “may not be dissolved” (referred to as “free chlorine”). The WRC also explains that Trihalomethanes (THMs) when organic materials combine with free chlorine, and those THMs “are linked to increases in some cancers.” However, they do add that the health risks from drinking untreated water are much higher than consuming THMs.
4 – Arsenic
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has said, that in the year 2000, around 36-million North Americans had drinking water containing arsenic at a concentration of 3-parts per billion or more. Now, this was some time ago, and the source acknowledges “arsenic levels across the country have declined as a result,” although people should still be vigilant.
As that study was solely USA based, it is hard to apply it the world over. But it is still worth considering!
If your concerned, you should take a closer look at the annual Consumer Confidence Report that is distributed by local water suppliers, as it shows any contaminants that could be posing a risk. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water can lead to various types of cancer.
5 – Aluminum
Aluminium content in water is typically a result of leaching from rocks and soil (as the water passes through the rock and soil, it interacts with the surfaces of the materials.). It is found abundantly in the earth’s crust and can exist in any water source, usually in small concentrations.
Aluminium is indeed regulated within public drinking water, and certain guidelines are used to measure it (the colour, the smell, and the taste). Generally speaking, most countries allow 0.05 parts per million of aluminium in water, while the World Health Organization (WHO) aims for 0.2-ppm. Some sources have said that elevated aluminium in water can have negative effects on the nervous system, but many studies have been inconclusive. So, aluminium is always going to be there, just be hopeful not enough to harm you!
6 – Lead
Lead content in drinking water has been linked to developmental delays within children. It usually ends up contaminating water through the corrosion of older copper or steel plumbing pipes or from natural deposits found in the earth.
You should contact your local health department if you have concerns about your private water supply. Sadly, you cannot see or taste lead. If you’re worried about it, have your water tested by a local lab, or in a university – it’s a relatively cheap test that can give you the full truth about lead content in the water. If you live in an older home with lead pipes, replace them or at least let the tap run for a time before filling your glass. Speak to your local council about financial support as this should be something covered.
7 – Nitrate
Nitrate in the water supply is most commonly found in rural areas, or private water systems, and comes from the runoff from fertilizers and manure storage. Increased levels of nitrate can cause Methemoglobinemia, a serious blood condition from the formation of an abnormal type of hemoglobin (that distributes oxygen in the body).
Often nitrate is absorbed by plants or is taken away in surface runoff, but it can leach into groundwater. This can elevate nitrogen in drinking water and make it unsafe to consume.
If you’re worried about the water coming from your taps, then it’s worth calling your local council with your concerns, and the onus will be on them to test it and get back to you with the results. In the meantime, there are plenty of water filter taps on the market. For any water you are unsure of, simply boil it before consumption.