Water filtration is simply the process of removing harmful material from water. Water occurs in its natural state in water bodies, underground, or as precipitation. In whichever form it occurs, the water interacts with many elements and organisms which leave organic and inorganic contaminants in the water making it a health threat. The process of water filtration removes all levels of contamination starting with solid waste, chlorination which removes organic threats then chemical filtration which removes harmful chemicals such as chlorine as well as heavy metals such as lead. The importance of water filtration is evident in human beings, plants, and pets that use purified water. Here are the 10 benefits we get from using filtered water:
10 Important Reasons Why We Need Water Filtration
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Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Cancer is a killer and cancer-causing agents are all over the world and most dangerously, in the water we consume if it is not filtered thoroughly. There are many chemical contaminants in water that are likely to cause cancer. They include Lead, Nitrates, Nitrites, iron, pesticides, chlorine, and sometimes industrial wastes especially in areas with heavy industrial activity. Purifying the water to remove these elements reduces the chances of getting cancer in the whole population using the water.
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To Improve Mother and Child Health
Organic contaminants such as viruses as well as some metals which are in the water are harmful to children because children have weak immunity. Children also have many developing cells in their bodies and they need a lot of water for their cells to grow effectively. Mothers also need clean water when they are pregnant to keep the children safe from contaminants that may pass over to the baby in the womb or through breast milk after birth. Purifying the water consumed by the mother and children reduce the chances of both of them getting sick and allows children to grow safely and develop a strong immunity system.
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Improve the Taste of Water
Water purification goes beyond removing contaminants. The organic and inorganic wastes that accumulate in water affect its taste making it less desirable for drinking or washing. Unfiltered water may taste salty or slimy on the tongue causing a feeling of distaste from the users which causes people to drink less water than they really need. When purified, bad odor and excess salt are removed from the water giving it a better taste that is more appealing to users. This in its own way keeps people and animals healthy as they drink more water.
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Reduce Chlorine Concentration
Most public water purification systems use chlorine as a disinfectant because it kills all pathogens in the water. Public water purification systems sometimes use too much chlorine than what is really healthy which is why dechlorination is a very important stage in water purification. Chlorine is also soluble and it breaks down to non-toxic levels when dissolved in water but that doesn`t mean it is safe. Chlorine causes breast and skin cancer, birth defects, skin rashes, and distortion among other health threats which is why it needs to be removed at the chemical purification stage of water filtration.
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Reduce Contamination in Plumbing
Chemical contaminants get more active in the presence of water becoming a threat to plumbing, especially metallic installations. Lead, excess calcium, and some organic contaminants are not just harmful to the user but the very system that delivers the water. As the water flows through plumbing, chemical contaminants react with each other or with the plumbing ruining its internal lining. Sometimes, the compounds get deposited inside pipes and taps blocking them which increases the cost of repair. This is the reason why all the organic and inorganic contaminants need to be removed allowing pure water to flow through the pipes without ruining them.
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Improved Plant and Pet Health
Water delivered for domestic use is consumed by animals and plants in our homes as well. The contaminants that are harmful to human beings are also dangerous if they find their way into an animal`s digestive tract or a plant`s water intake. Heavy metals, chemical contaminants, and pathogens in water cause cancer and poisoning to pets the same way they do to human beings. Plants also tend to wither over time when they are watered with contaminated water. Water filtration allows them to get the best value from water for better health.
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Reduced Cost of Living
The main reason why people go for bottled water is that their tap water is not available or not properly purified. Bottled water is considered safe by many consumers but the filtration process is just the same as that of tap water. If you purify tap water correctly, it will achieve the same level of purity as bottled water meaning you won’t need to buy bottled water at all. This means families will spend less on safe drinking water because bottled water is very expensive and also a major cause of pollution as many plastic water bottles are dumped into the environment when people use bottled water.
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Safer and Healthier Food
Cases of contaminated irrigation water causing health problems are very common around the world because many people only look for purified water for drinking. The filtered water delivered for home use is also used to grow plants which end up as our food. The water is also used to wash and prepare our food which is why properly filtered water is key to the safety of the food we consume. If the water contains contaminants while being used to prepare food, the same contaminants are transferred to the consumers of the food. This is why it is important to use the same standard for filtering water for cooking as well as watering crops considering that the final resting point on this water is inside our bodies.
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Eradicate Waterborne Diseases
Consuming unfiltered water causes many dangerous waterborne diseases especially cholera and bilharzia which can cause death and huge financial losses. These diseases are primarily caused by organic contaminants especially bacteria and viruses which live in the water and can be transferred from the water to the users. Water purification saves many lives by killing these dangerous pathogens.
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To Improve the General Health Value of Water
Water purification is not just about removing the harmful components. Purification makes water healthier by increasing the concentration of beneficial minerals in the water. The treatment process includes water softening and PH regulation by which beneficial components such as magnesium are added to the water. The improved taste of water also encourages people to take more of it which in itself is a health booster.
Conclusion
Water filtration is one of the most important health practices done across the whole world and it has been done for a very long time. Water filtration makes life easier and better because it reduces diseases while improving food quality and general health. The process of filtration has improved over the years to catch more contaminants and toxins making the world even safer. Filtering large volumes of water at a time reduces the cost of filtration because it doesn`t have to be done by everyone using the water on their own. It is, however, important to perform personal toxicity tests on the water you consume to ensure it is safe for use.