How To Get Clean Water At Home
Who doesn’t know that drinking clean water is crucial for your health? It’s essential for hydration, digestion, skin health, and much more. However, what many people don’t realize is that tap water, which is often assumed to be clean and safe to drink, may not be as pure as we think. While tap water typically goes through a municipal treatment process, it may still contain harmful substances like heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. These pollutants can make their way into your water supply and pose serious health risks. So, what can you do to ensure the water you are drinking at home is truly clean and safe? Let me present you with several options as to how to get clean water at home and the reasons bottled water isn’t the best solution.
How To Get Clean Water At Home: Effective Solutions For You!
In our modern world, there exists an assumption that tap water is safe. However, that is not always the case.
For instance, when in 2014, Flint, Michigan’s water source was switched from the Detroit system to the Flint River, officials failed to properly treat the water, which resulted in lead contamination of the water supply and a public health crisis (source).
Similarly, in 2024, elevated lead levels showed up in the drinking water at several campuses of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), causing public outcry and prompting the district to test water at all schools, with 186 fountains and faucets found to have high levels of lead (source).
Above all, records indicate that since 2004, the water supplied to 49 million Americans has contained illegal levels of harmful chemicals like arsenic, dangerous bacteria, and even radioactive materials. Additionally, 20% of water treatment facilities have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, the sole federal regulation designed to ensure the safety of our drinking water (source).
Now that we understand the potential risks in our tap water, it’s time to look at how we can ensure that the water we drink is clean. Let’s discuss the following points as potential clean water solutions for you:
- bottled water
- water testing
- water filtration
- professional water services
- emergency situations.
Bottled Water: Not The Best Long-Term Solution For You
While the convenience of prepackaged water can be tempting, especially when it’s marketed as a “cleaner” alternative to tap water, is it really as clean as it seems? Let’s break down the pros and cons.
On the one hand, prepackaged water might seem like a simple solution. It’s cleaner than untreated tap water, especially in areas with questionable water quality. Plus, it’s convenient – just grab a bottle, and you’re good to go. However, the truth is that bottled water companies aren’t in the business of making sure your water is perfectly filtered; rather, they’re in the business of making bottles. When you buy water in a bottle, it is often little more than water from the tap, which is then filtered minimally or sometimes not at all.
Additionally, plastic bottles present serious environmental concerns, as they contribute to pollution and take multiple years to break down. Not to mention, drinking from plastic bottles over time can lead to the leaching of harmful chemicals, like BPA, into your water. You can learn more in my blog post Are Plastic Water Bottles Safe?.
Moreover, bottled water isn’t as cost-effective as it may initially appear. Over time, purchasing bottles of water can add up, and it’s not a sustainable long-term solution. Bottom line, prepackaged water is not the answer if you’re looking for a clean, healthy, and environmentally friendly solution.
Water Testing: Discover Exactly What’s In Your Water
The first step to ensuring you have clean water at home is knowing what’s in your water. Water testing can provide you with detailed information about any contaminants lurking in your tap water, including harmful heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses.
For example, My Tap Score, whose services I have used, offers water testing kits that allow you to get hands-on knowledge about your water supply and see exactly what’s in it. These kits are designed for people who want a comprehensive analysis of their water quality, providing a clear picture of potential issues like lead, chlorine, pesticides, and bacteria. The company provides a thorough breakdown of the contaminants in your water, so you can make informed decisions about your next steps.
If you’re particularly concerned about things like heavy metals or pathogens in your water, this service is an excellent starting point. Learn more about How To Test Your Water Quality At Home.
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Water Filtration: A Simple And Effective Solution
If you already know that there are contaminants in your water and want a straightforward solution, investing in a water filtration system may be the right option for you. This is an easy and effective way to get clean water at home without the hassle of testing. If you’re not looking to dive deep into the specifics of your water quality but want to be sure you’re getting a filtration system that works, this option is ideal.
One of the top choices in the water filtration market is Pure Effect Water Filtration Systems, offering a range of filtration systems to suit different needs. They provide undercounter systems (I have one of those in my kitchen), countertop filters, whole-house systems, and even showerhead filters. These systems are designed to remove contaminants like chlorine, lead, pesticides, bacteria, and viruses, providing you with clean tap water in your home.
Pure Effect’s water filtration systems are simple to install and use, making them a practical solution for anyone who wants to ensure the purity of their water without a lot of effort. If you don’t want to think too much about water testing or customization, this is a great option for getting safe drinking water quickly. You can learn why I chose Pure Effect out of many filters on the market in my blog post Best Water Filter System for You.
Professional Water Filtration Services: Tailored To Your Needs
Further, if you want the most customized solution to ensure clean water at home, you might consider consulting with a water filtration company that will customize a water filtration system that best meets your needs.
One such company is Clean Water Revival (CWR), an easy solution for water filtration. The company specializes in providing tailored water filtration systems based on your specific water supply and the contaminants found in it.
The best part? You don’t have to worry about testing the water yourself! The company will assess your home’s water quality and design a system that ensures you’re getting the cleanest, safest water possible. Whether you need a simple under-the-sink filter or a more complex whole-house filtration system, CWR can help you get the best water for your family.
Clean Water In Emergency Situations: Actionable Advice
In emergency situations, getting drinking water can be a challenge. While a proper water purification system is ideal, there are ways to make water safer in a pinch.
First, a coffee filter can be a temporary solution as it can remove larger particles and sediment. Yet, it doesn’t filter out bacteria, viruses, or chemicals. It can be helpful for removing visible debris before boiling or purifying the water, but it should only be used as a last resort.
Another method is boiling water. Boil it for at least one minute to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If the water is cloudy, filter it first with a clean cloth or coffee filter. Learn more in my blog post Does Boiling Water Make It Safe To Drink?.
If boiling is not an option, you can disinfect water with unscented bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite). Add 8 drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) per gallon of water, stir, and let stand for 30 minutes. Check for a slight bleach odor; if none, repeat and wait another 15 minutes.
Conclusion: How Can You Get Clean Water At Home?
Water Testing, A Water Filtration System, And A Professional Water Filtration Service Are Some Of The Solutions For Getting Safe Drinking Water At Home.
In sum, there are several ways to ensure that you and your family have access to clean water at home. The best choice for you depends on your specific needs and concerns. Whether you opt for water testing to understand exactly what’s in your water, an effective water filtration system, or a customized water filtration system tailored to your needs, it’s clear that there are solutions that go far beyond bottled water. Prepackaged water may seem like an easy fix, but it’s not a long-term solution for clean, safe drinking water. Instead, consider the options that best fit your situation, and take control of your water quality today.
Getting clean water at home is an investment in your health and well-being. No matter which solution you choose, it’s time to stop relying on municipal water and take action toward having clean, safe water straight from your tap.
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Hi Irina, thank you for your tremendous work. Which test did you buy from tap score?
Hello, Leslie! Thank you for the question! Irina used an advanced city water test.
HI IRINA
I send water tap sample to them and there was a high Arsenic with a score water quality of 95 out of 100
I send water filter sample which work with carbon black filer (BG 3000) there was a high Ni in water but No more Arsenic and quality sore of 87 out 0f 100
I got Aquatru filtration which work with a reverse osmosis action and send ONE sample of both filter (BG 3000 and Aquatru filtration) that everything was fine and sore was 96 out of 100.
I dug deeper into their site, and read that the fluoride is indeed listed as a substance they test. Sorry — it was just not listed on the main page that compared products, so I assumed it was not tested for.
It appears that Tap Score does not measure fluoride content in water…correct?
Hi, Sasha: Tap Score measures fluoride. What makes you think that it does not? ~Irina
Hey Irina, have you considered or have an opinion on Big Berkey Water Filters?
Curious as they seem to claim a lot of benefits over a usual under sinc method of filtration…
https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/berkey-water-filters.html
Thank you !!!
Hi, Katerina: Could you remind me if they have any NSF certifications? Here is more on that here: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/best-water-filter-system-for-you/ ~Irina
They don’t but claim to conduct more rigorous testing than required by NSF…
https://theberkey.com/pages/test-result
Just trying to narrow it down as I need to pick a system in the next few days…
thanks a lot for your wealth of information!!!
I see. The test reports look good. Why do you prefer Berkey water filters over the ones I researched? ~Irina
Having a GenX problem in NC. Want to get a whole house filtration system. Pls advise
Hi, LaNita: I am so sorry to hear that. Jim, who is detailed in my article, is a great resource for that. Give him a call. ~Irina
Hi Irina,
Did you hear about waterchef for drinking water. Can you pls let me know if it is good.
http://www.waterchef.com/store/products/WaterChef-U9000-Premium-Under%252dSink-Water-Filtration-System.html
http://www.waterchef.com/images/documents/WaterChef-Performance-Data-Sheet-U9000.pdf
Hi, Ramya: it looks like a good one but again it would depend on your water and your filtration needs. For example, do you need to filter out fluoride? If you’d like we can chat on the phone about this: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/ingredient-review/ Thanks. ~Irina