One in nine people worldwide uses drinking water from unimproved and unsafe sources. While the US has regulations in place, there have been a few instances of compromised water quality. In a recent survey by The Guardian, 118 out of 120 samples had detectable levels of lead! This pulls more weight on reviewing the drinking water’s purity before consuming it.
When it comes to consumption, it becomes essential to check the quality of water. Our digestive system is built in such a way that it breaks down and absorbs nutrients from whatever we consume. Amidst the process, if we consume contaminated water, it can cause health issues like gastrointestinal diseases, infectious diseases, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, kidney stones and more.
The human body takes 10 to 73 hours for digestion and it is during that time the water gets absorbed into the bloodstream and excess liquids make their way out through the kidneys. Water absorption plays a key role in your digestion as it helps you get needed hydration and maintain your overall well-being.
However, most of us don't know enough about the water's purity. Is your water pure enough to be absorbed or we can say digested?
Well, that depends on 2 things -
- Is your water free from harmful contaminants like lead, arsenic, fluoride and bacteria that may cause health issues?
- Does your water have a balanced amount of beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium?
Pure water plays a crucial role in your overall digestion process. With purified water, your body can absorb the water and hydrate properly, thus eliminating or reducing - constipation, acne, brain fog, muscle aches, kidney stones, and more. Many Americans are aware of the benefits of drinking purified water, but far too many drink bottled water rather than get water from their own home reverse osmosis system. Getting a home RO system results in better hydration and a healthier home environment, because its near endless supply provides the freedom to use the water for cooking vegetable washing, and pet watering too. Whereas bottled water users feel stifled at the expense of using bottled water for anything beyond drinking water.
Types of Water - What You Need To Know
Usually, the water you consume comes from different sources such as groundwater, rainwater, lakes, rivers, etc. These should not be consumed directly without laboratory water testing to determine contaminants and their levels present. Water contaminants can originate from the water itself or from the conduits through which the water passes.
The U.S EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has a pre-set standard for maintaining water quality to overcome this issue. If your water quality doesn't meet these standards, it can be declared unfit to consume. This is why it is essential to know the types of water. Keep reading further.
Municipal Tap Water
Municipal tap water is usually provided by a city, county or other municipality, and is subject to EPA regulation, regular testing, and is usually treated with a sterilizing agent such as chlorine or chloramines, and has some fluoride added. According to the EPA, there are over 148,000 public water systems in the United States. EPA classifies these water systems according to the number of people they serve, the source of their water, and whether they serve the same customers year-round or on an occasional basis. The EPA performed offsite compliance monitoring at 239 Community Water Systems, and led 58 onsite inspections - a 0.2% inspection rate. The need for private water testing and use of home water purification systems cannot be overstated.
Spring Water
Spring water is defined as water coming from a naturally-formed underground source. This mineral-rich water is safe to consume if it comes from a hygienic source and is pure enough. In some cases, spring water requires some amount of filtration, purification, and/or sterilization.
Mineral Water
Bottled mineral water is extracted from underground sources and contains multiple minerals suitable for drinking.However, bottled water consumption is less desirable than using a good quality home RO system as bottled water can contain microplastics and chemicals. It is also environmentally unfriendly to produce and transport, and its high cost stifles use.
To avoid these problems, simply look for a reverse osmosis system with water remineralization.
Well Water
Well water is water from a hole bored into the ground which taps the water of the aquifer. Usually, well water is found in rural areas. Well water can also be contaminated from runoff intrusion, naturally occurring contaminants, and contact with a contaminated delivery system. It is critically important to perform a full laboratory test every 5 years, after a major weather event, or damage to the well casing or plumbing system. The annual best practice is to test for microorganisms at a minimum. The level of contamination, if any, will dictate if the water is fit for use and what type of treatment is required, if any.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is water produced by distillation. Water is boiled, converted to steam, and then the steam is collected in a pitcher where it is allowed to cool and turn back into liquid water. As the water first converts from liquid to steam, it will leave behind suspended sediment, and dissolved solids including beneficial minerals. Better quality distillers will incorporate a carbon filter to remove chemicals and VOCs which would otherwise stay in the water throughout the process and carry into the product water. It is the highest level of purification, but home machines produce water very slowly, and require electricity. Many users will add packets of minerals to the water.
Alkaline Water
Alkaline water is water with a pH greater than 7.0. The pH scale measures the logarithmic concentration of hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions, which make up water (H+) + (OH-) = (H2O). When both types of ions are in equal concentration, the pH is 7.0 or neutral. Below 7.0, the water is acidic (there are more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions). When the pH is above 7.0, the water is alkaline (there are more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions). Adding orange juice to otherwise pure water with a pH7.0 will make the water acidic. Adding lye or ammonia to otherwise pure water with a pH7.0 will make the water alkaline.
Why is Purified Water Better To Digest?
Purified water is responsible for a smooth digestion process and eventually improves your skin and gut health. Here are a few more reasons why you need to consume mineral-rich, purified water:
Improves Digestion Process
According to the Mayo Clinic, water helps break down food so that your body can take in (absorb) the nutrients. Water also makes stool softer, which helps prevent constipation.
Makes You Active!
Staying healthy and active is crucial for quality of life.. For those who have already begun their fitness journey, you need to maintain proper hydration. Usually, if you indulge in physical activities, your body may become dehydrated from sweating. Drinking water regularly can be helpful as it cools down your body and lubricates your muscles and joints.
You may not be aware that a traditional RO water filter system may completely strips out minerals during the reverse osmosis water purification process. Instead, look for a remineralization system that adds essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium to the water. With proper hydration, one has higher endurance levels and is able to remain active longer.
Get Glowing Skin
Purified water from remineralization RO systems can be full of essential minerals that work wonders for your skin. It often goes unsaid how water intake is directly related to glowing skin. It enhances skin elasticity and regenerates new skin cells. As a result, your skin appearance is accentuated and glowy.
Removes Toxins From Your Body
The more you drink purified water, the easier it is for your digestive system to break down the nutrients. Not just that, it helps your body eliminate excess toxins lingering in your kidneys. Drinking more water is more likely to keep your kidneys functioning and flush out harmful toxins like lactic acid.
But, you need to ensure that your water is free from harmful contaminants, and this is where the Home Master RO System® comes into the picture.
Try Home Master RO® water systems to purify your potable well or municipal water and become healthier through proper hydration. Our RO systems and water filters come with a non-electric permeate pump that drastically reduces TDS Creep and offers a high flow 4.5 second fill rate. Compare that with a 300gpd tankless system with an 18 second fill rate. Additionally, Home Master RO systems keep 3.2 gallons of purified on hand so you will always have the filtered water even if your area experiences a power outage so severe that it takes down the water pumping stations too. Get in touch with our friendly Arizona support team who will talk through your needs and ensure you get the right tool for the job.