The public water system supplies water to approximately 300 million people and is government regulated and treated. Less than one percent of this water is used for drinking and cooking, while the remainder is used for other purposes. Private water systems, which aren’t government regulated, supply water to 15% of the population’s households. In order to ensure that they have access to clean, safe, and palatable water for drinking and other household usage, many Americans choose to take additional measures, such as purchasing a reverse osmosis system.

Hard Water and Mineral Content

In many areas throughout the United States, the available water is considered to be hard. Recent data shows that this applies to 80% of the country’s water. Basically, this means that the water contains a large percentage of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals.

There are some areas, however, where the drinking water exceeds the daily recommended allowance of these minerals by 100%. While it does depend on a person’s gender and age, the daily recommended intake for these minerals is usually about 300 to 400 milligrams. When a reverse osmosis system is used, this can reduce the percentage of these minerals and other impurities.

Reducing Water Contaminants

Since viruses and bacteria can’t be seen without specialized equipment, a household may not know these contaminants are present in their tap water. E. coliI and salmonella, for example, range in size from 0.2 to four microns. In order to determine whether or not there are contaminants in a household’s water supply, home tests can be purchased. While the price for a home water test begins at roughly $15.00, when there is a long list of contaminants to test for, it can cost several hundred dollars.

In order to remove these viruses, ultra filters and reverse osmosis filters are considered to be the only option. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both recommend utilizing an absolute one micron filter because it is able to remove most of the contaminants that may be in the water.

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

The human body is composed of roughly 66% water, 100% of which is needed for its various processes to function optimally. When someone is slightly dehydrated, they may feel tired and experience a lack of mental clarity.

Mild hydration is defined as a condition that occurs when someone has lost one to three percent of their body’s water weight. When this happens, several aspects of their brain function can be impaired, according to recent studies. These are just a few of the reasons why “staying hydrated” is recommended by experts in a variety of fields.

Options to Purchasing Bottled Water

Many people will purchase bottled water because it tastes better than tap water. It is also believed to be free of the extra minerals and contaminants associated with tap water. However, unless these bottles are recycled, they contribute to environmental pollution. Then there’s the cost associated with purchasing bottled water as well as the storage space needed to supply a household with drinking and cooking water. While having bottled water on-hand can be convenient when households are away from home, there are other options available, such as reverse osmosis systems.

Purchasing a Home Water Treatment Unit

Whether you have had your household’s water tested or not, you are likely considering the benefits of having a home water treatment unit. The Water Quality Association reported that over 40% of the households within this country have one of these units. In addition to purchasing a pitcher-style filter system, a larger reverse osmosis system can supply sufficient purified water for your entire home.

Residential water softener systems, such as a whole house water softener system, may also appeal to you. As aforementioned, 80% of the country has hard water, and this system can address that issue. If you travel or go camping on a regular basis, you may also want to learn more about buying RV water filter systems for your recreational vehicle. When you’re out on the road or staying at various public camp grounds, having this filtration system can assist you with controlling your and your family’s water quality.