Tap water is generally gross, right? It doesn’t matter in which part of the world you live, tap water is just not hygienic enough to drink without wondering exactly what impurities it contains and what toxins this life-giving elixir is actually putting in your body.
We all know by now that the human body cannot function without water and that it is crucial that we drink water regularly in order to replace the bodily fluids we lose via sweating, breathing and urination in order to remain hydrated.
The problem for many individuals world over is not that much that they do not like water, but that they do not like tap water, and with very good reason in many countries, even in the UK where the government swears that the tap water is good yet studies have found that it contains faeces, cocaine and various other pharmaceuticals that just should not be ingested.
There are various methods of still drinking water regularly, including drinking bottled water, investing a water filter, or purchasing an office water or a home water cooler.
Choosing a Water Filter
Choosing a water filter can be a daunting task if you do not know anything about water filters and how they work. There are so many from which to choose, so which one is the best for your needs?
Water Filter Jug
If your water is not that bad, and you do not need to filter that much water, it might suffice to choose something small and simple like a water filter jug or pitcher. These jugs generally provide between 8 and 12 glasses of water.
They offer moderate levels of filtration, are the least expensive option, are portable, can be kept in the refrigerator and require no installation. The downside is that they do not filter the water as well as a water filtration system, the process is slow, and the jug will take up space in the refrigerator.
Tap Water Filters
Tap water filters are a step up from water filter jugs in the amount of contaminants that they filter, and are inexpensive, but there are some problems in finding one to fit snugly without leaking.
Most tap water filters have a valve so that you can switch between using filter and non-filtered water; they are easy to install and use multi-filters that improve quality and taste. Leakage problems and the cost of changing the filters approximately every 3 months are distinct disadvantages.
Under Sink Water Filters
Under sink water filters are very popular because they provide very good water filtration and are out of site. The filtration system is installed under the sink and linked in to the mains water pipe; a separate tap is also usually installed on the countertop or sink.
Under sink water filters last longer than many other types of filters, and the flow of water is faster. The multi-stage filters work very well to remove most of the contaminants, and deliver great tasting water direct from the mains supply. The only slight problems are that they need to be professionally installed and that they take up a bit of cupboard space under the sink. Heavy use can cause the plastic fixtures used on some filters to break.
Countertop Water Filters
Countertop Water Filters are very popular and effective for filtering drinking water. Combination filters produce clean and healthy drinking water; they are easy to install, easy to use and filter large amounts of drinking water very quickly. They are less likely to clog and are inexpensive.
On the downside, they do not always fit the tap snugly and may leak a bit. They can take up a bit of counter-space, so if working space is at a premium this may not be the best solution for your drinking water needs.
Water Coolers
Water coolers are another method of ensuring that the drinking water that you drink is free of toxins and contaminants. Bottled water coolers use spring water or filtered water, and mains or point-of-use water coolers are attached to the main water supply but can be fitted with a filter.
The added advantage of home water coolers or office water coolers is that you don’t only get clean, pure, great-tasting water, but that it is also chilled. Some models of water coolers even offer cold, ambient and hot water so that you have one source for your iced drinking water and the water for your cup of soup, coffee or hot chocolate.
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