Everyone deserves to have clean water but sometimes the water we think is clean actually isn’t. The good news is you can buy water filters at almost any grocery store nowadays and if you’re really committed to drinking clean water, you can even install a filtration system in your house. 

But does filtered water make a difference? And what do you need to know before jumping head-first into the filtration game? 

Pros 

1. Chlorine-Free

Chlorine is added to drinking water to help kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses. The CDC considers anything under 4 milliliters of chlorine per liter of drinking water safe to consume. However, that doesn’t mean you should drink chlorine. Potential side effects of consuming chlorine include asthma, developing food allergies, congenital abnormalities, bladder and rectal cancer, and unpleasant smelling and tasting water. 

Filtering the chlorine out of your drinking water allows you to get the benefits of chlorinated drinking water without actually having to consume the chemical. 

2. Removes Bad Bacteria

Just because you can’t see bacteria, doesn’t mean it’s not there. A distillation unit can kill bacteria in drinking water, which helps reduce the risk of you getting sick. It’s important to point out that not every filtration system kills bacteria, so be sure to get a distillation unit if that’s a concern for you. Alternatively, you could also boil the water after running it through the filter. 

3. Tastes and Smells Better 

Tap water doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to taste. Some cities (like New York City) are renowned for their delicious tap water, but other cities aren’t as lucky. The water tastes tinny, stale, and unappetizing. The first thing you’ll notice when you switch to filtered water is that it tastes better. The water tastes crisp, fresh, and noticeably cleaner. You may also notice it smells better (which means it doesn’t smell at all, hopefully). 

4. Decreases Limescale 

Limescale isn’t inherently dangerous, it just means that the water is rich in minerals. If you peek inside your electric kettle, you’ll probably find it coated in flakey, white grime. Once again, this isn’t dangerous, but it is annoying to clean out, and you would probably appreciate not having to remove the limescale from your kettle every month or so. Soft water is considered the better option, so it’s best to filter out harsh minerals and limescale when possible. 

Cons

1. Expensive 

Installing a filtration system in your home usually costs around $2,000. While a good filtration system can last years, it’s still a lot of money to pay upfront. For some, purchasing bottled water every week for three years is more financially viable than spending several thousand in one go. 

If you decide to buy a jug fitted with a filter, you’ll need to replace the filter every 1 to 3 months. However, this may also not be financially viable for some individuals. 

2. Plastic Filters 

Although using a filter is a great way to cut down on bottled water and the plastic waste that comes with it, you will still need to purchase plastic filters regularly. If you’re trying to be mindful of waste, we recommend going with a built-in water filtration system. 

In Conclusion 

There are a lot of benefits to filtered water. If you’re able to commit to buying a filtration system or replacement filters, then filtering your water is a great way to ensure you’re only drinking clean and purified H2O. It may be costly at first, but it’s worth the investment. 

Related Content:

• Petition: Protect the Clean Water Act!
• TikTok Hack: How to Save Hundreds of Liters of Water Every Year [Video]
• Everything you Need to Know About Alkaline Water
• How to Make a DIY Water Filter for Your Home
• 3 Ways to Purify Water – Naturally

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