Tap Water Facts & Information
The Myth About Filters
Often filter producers and distributors use presentations to show you how “contaminated” your tap water is. They would run it through their filter and try to convince you that the residue, admittedly sometimes looking very unattractive, is the prime cause of all your health issues. What they forget to mention is that a lot of the things that are filtered are not bad for you, and some can even be beneficial.
The Hidden Ingredients of Tap Water
Typical tap water contains a range of naturally occurring minerals, most of which are neutral to humans. These include calcium, magnesium, sodium, etc. One quite interesting component of tap water can be fluoride – the same thing we use in out toothpastes. Question has been even raised whether there is any connection with tap water consumption going down, especially among children, and increased dental problems. Obviously it would not have been a magical solution, but it probably could contribute to maintaining healthy teeth.
Tap Water Saves Money
Some people think bottled water taste better, though very often the reason behind this will not be the water quality, but its temperature! If you want your tap water to taste better just grab an old bottle and put it in the fridge. You might find that there is not that much difference between your homemade drink and a shop bought bottle of still mineral water.
The Difference Between Cold and Hot Tap
One thing to be wary of is not to confuse the two. Depending on where you live, and how your water is supplied, very often only the cold tap will be providing drinkable water. Often hot water will be recycled in the system, as it is most commonly used for tasks like dishwashing.
Tap Problems
Despite all the pluses, you still should be cautious. Some neighborhoods might have water that even though officially appropriate for cooking and boiling, it might not be suitable for direct consumption. One of many causes could be old pipes, corroding and contributing not necessarily healthy minerals to the mixture.
Another problem might be the water’s taste. Despite being consumable without any negative consequences, if it tastes horrible, it probably will not server well as a replacement for bottled water. The taste change can be due to heightened concentration of certain minerals.
Your Decision
At the end of the day, you have to check it out for yourself and decide if the advantages outweigh the few downsides. With today’s hard times the financial benefit can make a difference to a tight budget. Also buying less plastic bottles - even if they are recyclable - can definitely do a thing or two for the environment.