How to keep your family’s home drinking water safe?
Photo by Bluewater Sweden on Unsplash
According to the EPA, 3.4 million people in the United States become sick from drinking contaminated water every year. Many of these cases come from using contaminated water for day-to-day tasks like showering and bathing. Prevent your family from experiencing the effects of poisonous water by taking the right precautions. With the right equipment in the home and by taking important safety measures, you can protect your family and enjoy clean and safe showers and baths every day.
Most people take drinking clean water for granted, taking it from their faucet without worrying about whether or not it’s safe to drink or if it’s contaminated with harmful bacteria, chemicals, or other contaminants. In the worst-case scenario, this can be dangerous to your health, as you may be exposed to harmful waterborne pathogens like E. coli, legionella, and hepatitis A. Make sure your family is drinking healthy water by keeping this guide in mind.
Boil your water
Boiling your water is a simple and effective way to ensure that you won’t get sick from drinking contaminated water. Boiling will kill almost all bacteria and parasites in the water, but it won’t remove chemical contamination or dirt. For reasons like these, filtering or treating your water with a disinfectant is a good idea before you drink it. Keep in mind, however, that there may be health risks associated with disinfecting (or even filtering) contaminated water—particularly for pregnant women and young children.
Check your water filter
If you have a water filtration system in your home, you need to make sure it’s working properly. Make sure filters are changed out regularly and that there aren’t any leaks in pipes leading to your plumbing system. In addition, get your system professionally cleaned regularly to get rid of any buildup that might be affecting the quality of water being filtered into your home. Lastly, if you have city water coming into your home, contact your local utility company about having them test for lead in your supply periodically—just to make sure nothing is wrong with their testing methods or equipment.
Use a backflow preventer
If you’re living in an area that relies on well water, you may want to consider installing a backflow preventer or ordering backflow preventer repair parts if your current one isn’t working properly. This device stops water from flowing backward into your well when it isn’t supposed to be in use. You can also make your version of a backflow preventer by purchasing one for about $60 and filling it with sand or gravel. Be sure to check your city’s laws before making any changes to your plumbing system.
Try household chlorine
Household chlorine isn’t nearly as toxic as other common cleaning products. Many people are familiar with chlorine bleach for use on clothing, but it can also be used to purify water of bacteria and viruses. Household chlorine is safe to use for non-drinking purposes so long as you don’t exceed the maximum recommended doses. To purify contaminated water for non-drinking purposes, mix one-part household chlorine with 10 parts water.
Use activated charcoal
An activated charcoal filter is a good way to make water less harmful and more refreshing. Just like you can filter impurities out of drinking water, you can also remove impurities from your bathing and showering water using an activated charcoal filter. Activated charcoal is not new; it’s been used for thousands of years. Charcoal has long been known for its ability to absorb toxins, chemicals, and impurities from liquids. It does so by attracting these contaminants (like a magnet) and binding with them while removing them from the solution at the same time.
Use UV light
UV light in certain water filters can remove all kinds of contaminants in our water supply. If you’re wondering how to protect your family from poisonous water, consider investing in a purifier that uses UV lights to kill off microbes like E. coli and coliform bacteria. Whether it’s something as simple as sediment or chemicals like chlorine, these machines can eliminate practically anything in your water.
Don’t let tainted water poison your family. Keep this guide in mind to make sure your family is safe.