Are Water Treatment Systems Worth the Investment?

Water quality issues are a problem for residents throughout Florida and the greater United States. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave our nation’s drinking water infrastructure a C – rating on their last report card. Our water processing plants struggle to keep up with emerging contaminants such as lead, copper, and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Families with wells are at an even higher risk of drinking contaminated water since their water is unregulated. If your water is tainted with contaminants, a water treatment system is a worthy investment.

The purpose of a water treatment system is to improve your home’s water quality. A whole-home water treatment system purifies all water flowing through your pipes and out the faucets. Ideally, your water treatment system will be designed to target the specific contaminants in your water based on a water analysis report. The best water filter for your home will depend on what is in your water. You may need a compound system with two different types of filters or a system with a water softener and filter.

 

 

What is water contamination?

A contaminate is any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance in water that can be harmful to human health. Some water contaminants primarily affect the taste, smell, or feel of your water, while others have a more significant impact on its safety. For example, sediment is a physical contaminant that is often a problem for homeowners with wells. It can make your water feel gritty but, most likely, will not have any adverse health impacts. In contrast, radium is a radioactive element that can be a byproduct of oil and gas extraction or naturally show up in groundwater. Ingesting it in high levels can cause bone cancer and other types of cancer.

This is a list of some of the most common water contaminants found across the U.S. and their harmful effects:

• Ammonia is toxic to aquatic life like fish and frogs.
• Arsenic can harm your cardiovascular and nervous systems as well as cause cancer.
• Barium can injury your nervous and circulatory systems.
• Calcium causes water hardness which damages appliances and pipes, dries out skin and hair, leaves soap scum behind on clothes and dishes, and leaves behind calcium scale.
• Cadmium can damage your bones, blood, kidneys, and liver.
• Copper can cause anemia, kidney failure, and liver poisoning.
• E. Coli is a harmful intestinal infection.
• Fluoride can cause bone disorders.
• Iron rust stains bathroom and kitchens sink as well as appliances and laundry.
• Lead damages your brain and nervous system (it’s especially harmful to children.)
• Legionella causes legionnaire’s disease.
• Sulfur gives water a rotten egg-like smell.

There are many more contaminates that could show up in your water.

Why opt for a water treatment system instead of bottled water?

Many Americans believe that bottled water is the best option to avoid contamination. However, comprehensive testing by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed that this assumption is incorrect. Through their tests, they discovered a surprising array of chemical contaminants in every bottled water brand analyzed. Some brands had water contaminant levels at the same level as local tap water. Other brands had contaminant levels that exceeded the legal limits for water contaminants.

While bottled water brands market their water as a safe alternative, it is rarely better than drinking tap water. Investing in bottled water is also more expensive and worse for the environment.

What are the benefits of a water treatment system?

A whole-home treatment system is a wise investment if you have contaminated water. There are many additional benefits to water treatment along with safety, such as:

• Better tasting water free from unpleasant smells, colors, and grit like sediment.
• A sustainable source of safe drinking water without the chemical, physical, and water waste produced by bottled water factories.
• Increased longevity of appliances such as dishwashers and laundry machines.
• Savings on soap or detergent since you won’t need as much to clean your body, home, dishes, and clothes.
• Less plumbing maintenance.
• Lower electrical and gas costs.

The last four benefits will depend on your water treatment system. If your system treats hard water, you will enjoy all of these benefits listed above.

How can I know if my home needs water treatment?

Getting your water tested is the only way to know if a water treatment system will be worth the investment. Tri-Florida Water Treatment offers FREE in-home water analysis for residents throughout Lakeland, Florida, and the surrounding area. We will share the report from your water analysis with you. If contaminants are found in your water, we will let you know the recommended treatments to improve your water quality. Contact us to find out what’s in your water!