Chemical contaminants found in water

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Water Quality

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Water Quality

Nowadays it’s hard to say if it’s better to have a private well or be linked to a public water system. Chemicals can be found in either of the two, so the debate is still on.

Chemicals in city water

Many think that city water is much safer then well water, because of the chlorine and fluoride. Chlorine is used to kill bacteria. It was first used in the 1890s because water was infected with cholera and typhoid viruses. But there aren’t any studies on the health effects. Chlorine is a carcinogenic chemical, even in the smallest amounts. It is a know poison, so there are no benefits for the human body.

Fluoride was discovered to also be dangerous for dentures, causing dental fluorosis and was soon abandoned.

Chloramine is another chemical found in city water. This substance is a mix of chlorine and ammonia and is very deadly to fish.

The problem isn’t the power plants, but the pipe system. When it leaves the plant, water is bacteria free, but along the way, it gathers contaminants.

Chemicals in well water

Although wells are considered a cleaner water source, you can be amazed on the contaminants found in it. Wells are more vulnerable to contaminants like fertilizers, decaying organic matter, animal droppings.

High levels of nitrogen, iron, sulfur, lead, calcium and magnesium can be found in your well water. Calcium and magnesium are bad for your water system and water appliances. This is the hard water that you’ve been hearing about. Lead can cause cancer in high concentrations.

Water filtration options

Filtration systems need to be perfect for your problem, so first of all determine the contaminants in your water. Some filtration systems are great for some chemicals, and others are not.

Some of the best filtration systems are carbon filters, activated carbon filters, ozone purification systems and reverse osmosis filters.

Carbon filters are great for removing most organic and inorganic contaminants, especially solid ones. They aren’t as great for removing nitrates and fluoride.

Reverse osmosis filters remove fluoride and almost everything else, but they will waste a lot of water. They will filtrate 1 of 4 gallons of water.