Water is a funny substance, because we swiftly die without it, but it also represents one of the gravest health risks to human beings, and has throughout all of history. Indeed, for much of human history, people didn’t often drink straight water, due to all of the associated health risks. It was far more common for people to drink low alcohol-content wine or beer, because it was safer to drink, having been boiled, distilled, or otherwise treated in the fermentation process.
Fortunately, in the modern world, most people have reliable access to safe drinking water, but certainly not all. As of 2022, up to a quarter of the world’s population lacks reliable access to safe drinking water around the globe, according to the World Health Organization. Problems in water come in all shapes and sizes, and from a variety of different underlying causes. Let’s dive in and see what there is to find.
Common Contaminants That Might Affect Water Quality
There are so many potential contaminants that could be in water, that it is most helpful to consider them in various classes. The first class is sediment and minerals. Water is a powerful solvent, so it dissolves rock, dirt, organic material, and so forth, and carries it along, either in small particulate form, or fully dissolved into the water. Many minerals are good for us, such as calcium and selenium, but others, such as lead and arsenic, are considered unsafe at any level.
Another common class of contaminants is chemical contaminants, such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be found in paints, lacquers, solvents, fuel additives, glues, and other industrial products, as well as PFAs, which are moisture-repellent polymers like Teflon. All of our technological innovation has come with a hefty price tag down the line in the form of poison running throughout our world, and within our bodies.
Finally, there are microbial concerns in a lot of water. Water is an ideal medium for many living creatures, including tiny parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium, as well as E. Coli, coliform bacteria, viruses, helminths, and so on. These are not so much a threat if you are on city water, which has been treated to kill microorganisms through either chlorine, chloramines, ozonation, UV light filtration, or some combination of the above.
Different Sources Of Drinking Water
You likely get your water from one of two main sources: either a city or municipal water treatment plant, or a local well or spring. Both city water and ground water bring specific risks that should be taken into consideration when you are looking into your water quality, and thinking about a filtration system. City water is typically safe to drink in the United States and other developed countries, though not always. Many large cities even in first-world countries have problematic water, with high TDS and generally high contaminant levels, New York City and Los Angeles being two prime examples. The greater the concentration of people in one area, the greater the concentration of human waste, produced trash, and so on. This means that the municipal plant has to work harder than ever to try and get water safe and potable, and that often happens through elevating chlorine and other disinfectant levels.
If you are on well water, then you face a different set of challenges. Most wells are not chlorinated, and many small wells are not regulated or tested at all, leaving the onus on the individuals drawing water from that well. The biggest concern with well water is microbial contamination in the form of parasites, cysts, helminths, viruses, and bacteria such as E. Coli and coliform bacteria. Well water can also be high in sediment and tannins, which are produced by rotting vegetation, and can stain water a dark brown or tea color. Any number of other possible contaminants may also be present in well water, so be sure to send a sample of your water away to an accredited laboratory for proper chemical testing if you have any reason to suspect that your water is problematic.
Government Regulations And Standards
The United States government closely monitors the presence of a wide variety of chemicals in our drinking water systems, and mandates annual testing (which is always made available to the public) of municipal water systems. In 1973, the United States Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), that lists a number of concerning contaminants, and the minimum standards of safety for all municipalities. These laws have been revisited and updated since, with the emergence of new and unexpected contaminants. The law is publicly available for all to read, and you can find much of the information you will want to know about your own drinking water in your city’s most recent federally mandated water quality report.
How To Test Water At Home (Test Kits, What To Test For)
There are a few easy home tests you can do on your water to see what the quality is like. Water hardness, which is caused by elevated levels of calcium and magnesium, is one of the easiest things to test for. Just put some water in a glass, and add a squeeze of dish soap, then stir. If the water becomes cloudy and opaque, then you have high mineral content, or hard water. If it remains clear, then your water is relatively soft. You can also buy pH test strips to get the same information, and there are other home tests that can allow you to identify microorganisms in your water. For a full-spectrum analysis, however, you are best off mailing a sample of your water to a local laboratory for a complete chemical report. Such tests are available for around $100.
Water Filtration And Purification Methods
Water filtration is an ancient art dating back to the Egyptians and Mesopotamians of earliest record. Early peoples quickly discovered that boiling water made it safer to imbibe, as did passing it through charred logs, which is just a form of activated carbon filtration, which greatly improves the taste and odor of water. Water filtration today follows the same general rules, and the benefits associated with filtered water haven’t changed either–we just have more options and technical specificity these days. Basic water filters include sediment mesh filters for straining out particulate matter, activated carbon filters for chemicals like chlorine and VOCs, and more robust methods such as reverse osmosis and deionization when you want to remove nearly everything from your water. Different methods serve different goals, so first determine what is in your water, and then decide upon the best way to remove it.
Practical Tips For Ensuring Safe Drinking Water
Use your water fixtures regularly, to keep water flowing through your pipes. Letting water sit for too long in the pipes can cause leaching, or stagnation. Don’t let water sit for too long–still water attracts insects and dust, and after a time, can go bad. Regularly check in on your city water quality, and spring for some lab tests if you have any doubts about the safety of your drinking water.
When To Seek Professional Help
If your water is seriously problematic, with elevated lead levels, high E. Coli or bacteria presence, or any other seriously alarming type of contamination, notify city officials, and get to the bottom of it. Don’t try to sort out death-dealing contaminants on your own–call in the pros, who know how to test for it, and deal with it. If you are installing a home system, you may want to reach out to a plumber to come do it for you, unless you are a proficient DIY-er yourself.
The Bottom Line
We take in water constantly, and it has a lot to do with our overall health and quality of life. If our water is poisoned, we will be slowly poisoned. If our water is clean and full of salubrious minerals and nutrients, without any of the industrial sludge or synthetic chemicals, then we will feel better, and live better. Take the time to get to know your water, and treat it until it is where you want it to be.