How to Filter Tap Water at Home for Drinking?

Water is an essential component of life, but unfortunately, not all water sources offer a safe and nutritious supply for us to drink. Contaminants such as bacteria, parasites, heavy metals, organic matter and chemicals can be found in various water sources, including our rivers, lakes, water tanks, and even municipal water supplies. There are measures in place to minimise these foreign substances from entering our drinking water, but sometimes these are either ineffective or do more damage than good, such as excessive fluoride ingestion. 

As such, knowing how to effectively filter tap and tank water for drinking can be one of the best investments you make for your family’s longevity and overall wellbeing. In this article, we explore how to filter tap water and tank water for drinking at home.

Why is filtering water so important?

As mentioned above, many Australians are regularly exposed to contaminated drinking water, holding unsafe levels of arsenic, nitrates, fluoride, E. coli, and other elements that fail national standards. Ingesting these contaminants can lead to a range of adverse health effects, such as giardia, salmonella, and organ failure from heavy metal poisoning. 

Even if your tap water comes from rainwater reservoirs and passes through municipal treatment systems, it can still contain these contaminants that surpass the maximum amount for human consumption. Filtering your water at home can ensure that you and your family are drinking clean, safe water.

Likewise, some water filter devices, such as the zazen Alkaline Water System, can offer vital re-mineralisation and far-infra-red energy technology to introduce the natural alkaline minerals and electrolytes Mother Nature intended for proper, cellular hydration.

What are the different ways of filtering water?

There are several different methods for filtering water at home, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, including:

Boiling

Boiling water is one of the most effective and simple ways to eradicate bacteria, microorganisms, and other forms of organic matter from your water supply to make it safe to drink. 

When tap or tank water is brought to a rolling boil and left for at least one minute, many harmful bacteria or viruses present in the water will be killed. Boiling also removes any sediment or particulate matter that may be present in the water. Unfortunately, boiling isn’t a complete solution, as it does not remove dissolved chemicals like chlorine, or other contaminants found in your water, such as heavy metals like lead or mercury. 

Activated Charcoal

Granular activated charcoal (GAC) is another effective way to filter water at home using natural materials. GAC filters hold minuscule and loose granules built using activated carbon, which, when heated, can become highly porous, increasing its surface area and allowing for effective adsorption of contaminants from water, much like a sponge. These contaminants include pesticides, herbicides, and other inorganic materials. As such, GAC adsorption filters are regularly used in drinking water treatments. Unfortunately, activated charcoal isn’t known to be effective in removing various forms of bacteria, viruses and hard water elements.  These filters are best used in conjunction with a more sophisticated filtration system.

Filter Jug

Filter jugs are a convenient and affordable option for filtering water at home. These jugs contain a filter cartridge designed to remove impurities from the water as it passes through. While they are effective at removing sediment, particulate matter, and various chemicals and contaminants, the limited filtration stages mean some elements may still pass through without proper usage and maintenance.  

Reverse Osmosis – Under sink or Whole of House filtration systems

Reverse osmosis is a more advanced method for filtering water at home using a special, semi-permeable membrane to filter out impurities from the water, including organic matter and heavy metals. The process involves a higher pressure on one side of the membrane to force the molecules through and complete the filtration process.  Whilst these systems are convenient, they are often extremely expensive both to install, with the requirement of a plumber, they are expensive to maintain with replacement filters. 

Unfortunately, reverse osmosis was primarily designed for clean water used in medical devices and industrial machinery, not for hydration. The process can therefore strip beneficial minerals within our water, diminishing the hydration benefits we seek from it.

Fridge Filters

Many fridges come with the ability for users to access chilled drinking water from a direct appliance within one of the doors. The type of filter used in a refrigerator varies depending on the manufacturer and what kind of contaminants they are designed to trap. Many manufacturers use activated carbon or sediment filters, while others may also use reverse osmosis technology to filter out impurities more effectively.

Gravity Fed bench top Water Filter Systems

Bench top Water filter systems are  placed on your benchtop and installed in many other locations. They combine a range of technology to remove the impurities and contaminants from our drinking water. With the zazen Alkaline Water System, users will find a comprehensive, 10-stage process that not only removes common nasties like chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals but also reintroduces the necessary alkaline minerals and electrolytes for true, cellular hydration. 

What are the health benefits of filtered water?

Drinking filtered and remineralised water has many health benefits that can improve our overall well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle. These include:

• Skin hydration: Filtered water helps to keep the skin hydrated and nourished, which can help to reduce dryness and improve the overall appearance of the skin. Hydrated skin is also less prone to wrinkles and other signs of aging.
• Nutrient absorption: Filtered water can help to improve the absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat, as it helps to flush out toxins and impurities that can interfere with proper nutrient absorption.
• Weight loss: Drinking plenty of water can help to suppress appetite and boost metabolism, making it easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.
• Detoxification: Filtered water can help to flush out toxins and impurities from the body, promoting overall health and wellness.
• Improved digestion: Drinking filtered water can help to improve digestion and prevent constipation, as it helps to keep the digestive system functioning properly.
• Body temperature regulation: Filtered water can help to regulate body temperature, especially during hot weather or after physical activity.
• Reduction in illness: Drinking plenty of water can help to boost the immune system and reduce the risk of illness and disease, as it helps to flush out harmful bacteria and toxins from the body.

Can I filter my own water at home, or do I need to buy filtered water?

You can easily filter water at home and do not need to buy expensive bottled, filtered water from the shops. In fact, when using systems like the zazen Alkaline Water System, you will find it’s far more affordable to filter tap water (from only 5 cents per litre), with improved taste and even greater health benefits, given the added remineralisation process and energising technology.

There are many different types and sizes of water filtration systems available on the market, so it is important to do some research to find the right system for your home and your family’s needs. For more information, please contact us today.