Benefits of Filtered Water

Water filters represent a common and effective way of purifying tap water. Filters are often made of plastic and carbon, and can be commercialized in different sizes and shapes, from small jugs to filtering systems as big as a washing machine. Apart from retaining pollutant particles, heavy metals and bacteria, water filters can also reduce the bad taste caused by the high levels of salts and chlorine that are used in water treatments to kill bacteria.

Health Benefits

• Water is the universal solvent, essential to the survival of humans and other living beings. However, untreated drinking water can be an avenue of transmission for many diseases, such as cholera, malaria, diarrhea and intoxication by arsenic and other metals, reports Unicef. Sometimes, old houses still have lead plumbing pipes. This heavy metal can accumulate in the body can cause serious problems in the nervous system, reports Domestic Water Filter. Some manufacturers claim to provide partial filtration, eliminating only the biggest molecules, which does not include many bacteria. According to Water Industry, Brita filters can trap but not kill bacteria, for instance.

Taste Benefits

• Limescale is a flaky white deposit caused by high levels of calcium bicarbonate and other salts. It is common in areas of hard water, and together with chlorine, it can drastically alter the normally taste-free characteristic of drinkable water. Carbon filters can effectively remove calcium salts and chlorine, reports Brita.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

• In areas of hard water, buying a water filter can bring environmental and economic benefits, as it reduces the consumption of bottled water and consequent generation of plastic waste. However, not all manufacturers provide recycling schemes to unused filter cartridges, which have to be periodically changed and cannot be recycled together with other plastic sources. Therefore, it is advisable to check this information before buying.