Don’t underestimate water quality care and control through water filtration. People often live with less healthy water that takes a toll on their health. Estimates vary, but science says that the human body is between 60 percent and 70 percent water. Muscle is about 80 percent water. Even a loss of 2 percent of your body’s water can result in dehydration which can be debilitating. On the other hand, bad water is bad for you.
Living Dangers Without Water Filtration
According to the CDC, germs (bacteria, protozoans, and viruses), as well as chemical contaminants, cause a variety of dangerous diseases with improperly treated water. A waterborne illness kills millions of people every year. Most commonly, bacteria cause water-borne diseases. Bacteria cause diseases like salmonella, a serious disease of the digestive tract. E. Coli infections affect the urinary tract and can cause severe dehydration. Parasites like Giardia duodenalis are protozoans that form cysts (or capsules) that open when digested. The organism affects digestion and can be serious. Some kinds of amoebas also form cysts which open in the body and can cause serious neurological disorders.
Test drinking water for harmful bacteria. Bacteria are very small organisms that cause a host of serious diseases. The most inclusive water test is a test for the presence of coliform bacteria. This form of bacteria is found in human and animal waste. If your water contains coliform bacteria you may be in danger of contamination from a variety of organisms many of which are larger than coliform bacteria and therefore easier to filter out. Bacteria form biofilms include reddish-brown slime on pipes and fixtures. The presence of biofilm is a sure sign that your water is contaminated, unsafe, and that you will need water purification.
Viruses
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria as a rule. Virus particles in your body can cause many serious diseases. These particles can modify the cells in your body so their DNA can become part of your cells. Special filtration cuts off the virus’ path between your water source and your faucet. This requires very fine filtration. Some new filtration methods have been developed capable of blocking viruses. These quasi-organisms can be almost molecular in size, but most can be filtered out of your water. Ceramic or carbon filters have water passages narrow enough to block many bacteria. Ultraviolet sanitizers can kill the vast majority of organisms including viruses before they enter the outflow. The only downside of extreme filtration is the slowing of water flow. With heavy filtration, only a small proportion of the water flow comes out of your faucet.
Chemical Hazards
Water that comes into your home from wells or springs often passes over mineral deposits in the earth and carry particles of minerals with it. If the rocks and soil in your area contain large concentrations of magnesium and calcium and those minerals enter your water supply your water will be said to be hard water. Hard water may reach the point of saturation for minerals and be less able to dissolve dirt or make productive use of soap. You may find mineral spots on your dishes and in your clothes when washing. Eventually, the minerals in the water may build up in pipes and affect the flow of water through your faucets.
Lead may be also get picked up as it passes through soil or old pipes. Lead is a deadly accumulative poison that seriously blocks the growth of nerves in children. High lead concentrations can cause birth defects or slowed development in children. High concentrations of iron in water also may have harmful effects. Certain harmful bacteria species feed on iron particles and can be brought into your drinking water when iron concentrations are high. Many people who drink high iron concentration water show symptoms of iron overload
Learn More About Water Filtration
Water filter systems that are effective in removing minerals from water use physical filtration and chemical filtration methods. The filters may cut off the flow of physical particles because they are too large to pass through pores in the filter material. In other cases, the minerals pass over chemicals that react with the minerals, changing them into harmless salts.
Advanced Water Softening ensures health through effective water filtration. Please contact us to learn more.
