Years ago people just put up with the quality of the water that came into their homes. There was not much of a choice since homes often got water from wells, springs and cisterns. Homes in rural areas often still rely on these water sources. Municipal water supplies are contending with lake, river and reservoir sources that are difficult to decontaminate. Clean water is a precious commodity that is increasingly difficult to source or attain, but there are many benefits to making sure cleaner water is available in every home.
Municipal Water
Chlorine is a standard chemical used in chemically treating water before distribution to homes through underground pipes. Chlorine reacts with organic matter to create another chemical called trihalomethanes, which the EPA associates with a higher risk of bladder cancer. According to Cancer.org, the United States has about 74,000 new bladder cancer cases diagnosed each year. Municipal water treatment facilities remove lead to federal standards only to have it get back in the water as it travels through miles of pipes that are, in some areas, more than 100 years old. Homes built before 1986 likely have lead solder used at pipe joints.
Well, Spring and Cistern Water
A home’s occupants are at the mercy of whatever exists in the local ground that the water filters through. Various organics, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, man-made chemicals and even radioactivity may be present in the water source. Fertilizers, animal waste and other things that contaminate water are common to rural water sources that some people erroneously consider to be purer than city or bottled water.
Water Hardness
Minerals present in water in high concentrations make water hard. This contributes to rust stains and mineral buildup in toilet bowls, sinks, showers and bathtubs. It also contributes to clogged shower heads and ice makers, and mineral buildup on faucets and in dishwashers and washing machines. Hard water also makes it more difficult to remove dirt from dishes or clothes washed in it, and shower soaps and shampoos are less effective in hard water. Soap works by essentially making water wetter. It breaks surface tension and gets the dirt to lift off the object being cleaned. Hard water prevents soap from doing its job as a surfactant.
Home Water Treatment
Whole house water softeners and water filtration as done by Anderson Water Systems is an example of treating water in the home before it is used by the occupants. Water softener systems help to prevent mineral buildup, and they make soaps and detergents work much better without buying laundry additives or needing to use expensive calcium, lime and rust removers on plumbing fixtures. Water filtration removes lead, iron, chlorine and other contaminants and even improves the taste of water. Anyone sensitive to water softener salts need only have faucets used for drinking, cooking or ice making bypassed.
It is no secret that municipal water has a growing list of contaminants and heavy metals that are becoming increasingly difficult to remove. Rural water systems have no treatment other than what a homeowner installs. Modern water treatment technology is affordable and does a spectacular job of treating and filtering water that families across America are using every day.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.
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