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Benefits of Drinking Tap Water at Home

We all need to stay hydrated, and nothing is more effective than a cold glass of water. If you pull that water from your tap at home, then you’ve got an affordable way to stay healthy.

The amount water each person requires every day to stay properly hydrated depends on their activity levels, personal weight, and eating habits. Someone who eats watermelon and watery fruits, for example, might need less water than someone who eats steak and eggs all the time. If you’re unsure, then take your weight (in pounds) and divide it in half. That is the number of water ounces you should consume each day.

Everyone benefits when they choose water from the tap for their hydration needs. Here are some of the key points to think about.

Why Filtered Tap Water Is Your Best Choice for Hydration

1. You reduce your waste footprint.

One of the greatest sources of waste in the developed world are the bottles used for bottled water. The problem with these plastics is that they almost always degrade to the point that they are not suitable for food-grade products in the future. Tap water access gives us an opportunity to reduce plastic consumption, which is now higher than 40 million tons per year globally. About 80% of bottles find their way to landfills each year instead of going to recycling centers.

2. You reduce your costs.

If you purchase a bottle of water with a name brand on it, you’ll pay between $1-$2 for the privilege of drinking that water. Even you purchase bottled water in bulk, you’ll often pay between $0.25-$0.50 per bottle to stay hydrated. The cost of tap water, on the other hand, is just $0.004 cents per gallon, according to the American Water Works Association, which means you’re paying 300 times more for water in a bottle. Even with a high-quality water filter installed to improve your tap water, you’ll never reach the same price for bottled water with a tap water resource being used.

3. You reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.

Limiting the amount of plastics being consumed does more than reduce the amount of waste you generate. It also limits the amount of fossil fuels that you consume each year. Most food-grade plastics are made from refined petroleum products. About 31 billion liters of water are bottled each year around the world. That equates to the use of 17 million barrels of oil. Although one person limited their bottled water consumption makes a small impact, many homes transitioning to filtered water can make a big difference.

4. You have healthier water.

Bottled water is treated as a food-grade product in the United States. That means it is regularly tested for purity and quality. Compared to tap water, bottled water is tested 36 times more often. The water in bottles is drawn from service waters or underground aquifers, just like tap water resources. The difference is that filtered water or purified water at home is also tested and disinfected before it is distributed to a community. Wells are frequently tested as well. That gives you two lines of defense in water quality instead of just one.

5. You can counter water purity issues at home.

With a simple water filter or an effective reverse osmosis system, even tap water quality issues can be addressed for a small investment. Issues with water quality may start from the water source, as they did in Flint, or be an issue with a home’s internal plumbing. Filtering can remove the harmful contaminants and lingering disinfectants. It can reduce the mineral content in water as well.

6. You can still benefit from the convenience of bottled water.

If you have filtered water at home, then all you need is a reusable water bottle to have the same convenience of bottled water every day. Reusable bottles can travel with you, can fit in a backpack or purse, and do not influence the flavor of the water they contain.

Are There Disadvantages to Drinking Tap Water?

1. You might be exposed to fluoride.

Many communities add fluoride to the tap water supply. The goal of fluoride is to strengthen teeth to reduce decay over time. About 40% of teens in the U.S. are dealing with fluorosis, which interferes with tooth-forming cells in the body. Fluorosis creates cloudy teeth, streaks, and can even lead to brown stains that become difficult to remove. It is important to remember that most toothpaste products also contain fluoride. If this is a concern for you, then look for home filtering system that can remove fluoride for you.

2. You might have inadequate water at the tap.

In the United States, up to 30% of community water supplies are not currently in compliance with government standards for water purity. Even those who are use high levels of chlorine to disinfect the water supply, which can create sensitivity issues for some individuals. Unfiltered tap water, compared to bottled water, may not be the right choice. Filtered water, however, eliminates many of the threats that a municipal water supply may not address.

3. You might be exposed to sediments.

Many of the plumbing networks in the United States are 50+ years old. Globally, some systems are approaching 100 years in age. As plumbing ages, the metals begin to corrode and leave sediments in the water supply. There can be particulates found in unfiltered tap water because of the pipes and a high pH water supply. These issues can lead to health concerns for some individuals as well.

If you’re looking for an easy way to save money, then switching away from bottled water to tap water is an easy decision. The water quality can remain the same and you’ll pay more than $1 less per gallon of water you consume.

For those concerned about the quality of water at your tap, consider the best whole house water filter as a smart investment. That way you can have access to healthy water whenever you wanted.

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