Photo By Vadym Terelyuk at istock

The water in your Arlington, TX home can come from two different sources: the municipal or a private well. The different sources are more at risk of being exposed to various types of contaminants. In most cases, your existing plumbing system will already ensure that the water is filtered before it reaches your home. With that said, depending on the type of system that is installed, you might need to install another water filtration system just to make sure that there’s nothing amiss.

In this article, we will look at the different contaminants that you need to be worried about, as well as the different types of water filtration systems that are available. If you are interested in installing a filter, you should speak with a plumber in Arlington, TX. A plumber can provide an in-home inspection in order to determine the type of water filtration system that is the best fit. They will look at the quality of your water, as well as what some of the major concerns are for the area that you reside in.

Types of Contaminants to Filter Out

Not all tap water may be safe for consumption. It’s possible for different areas to get contaminated with various substances depending on the location that you live in, the type of plumbing that you have installed, as well as whether your municipal has become contaminated with some type of bacteria.

Knowing what types of contaminants are present in your water supply is important, as it will help you determine the type of water filtration system that you should get installed. Some water filtration systems are able to filter more than one contaminant. They can deal with all of your worries all at once. With that said, more complicated water filtration systems will generally be a bit more pricey.

Below, we will look at some of the most common types of contaminants that you should filter out.

Microorganisms

One of the most common contaminants that you need to get out of the water supply is microorganisms. This is perhaps one of the most important contaminants because exposure to them can result in sickness. The three types of microorganisms that you need to be wary of include:

  • Bacteria. Your plumbing system can be exposed to so many different types of bacteria because they typically thrive in wet conditions.

 

  • Virus. These microorganisms can also cause you to feel sick. In particular, they can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and issues, like vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.

 

  • Cysts. Like the microorganisms above, these microorganisms can also cause gastrointestinal issues. Those with poor immune systems are particularly susceptible.

It can be difficult to determine if there are any bacterial or other microorganisms in your water supply until you get sick. You should watch out for reports made by the Arlington, TX city. At the municipal water supply is contaminated with some type of microorganism, there’s a good chance that it has affected your water supply as well. The main problem with this is that it can be very difficult to get rid of a lot of these microorganisms. Bacteria, for example, can hide in biofilm. Even if you clean your drains, the bacteria may still remain.

Organic Compounds

There are some organic compounds that can make their way into your plumbing system as well. They include:

  • Organic chemicals like benzene. Organic compounds can make you feel seek. They can cause liver, kidney, cardiovascular, and even respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure to these compounds can lead to immune deficiencies, reproductive difficulties, and even an increased risk of cancer.

 

  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). These compounds are incredibly dangerous, so you should try to steer clear of them as much as possible. They can damage your organs, like your liver and kidney, and can also cause symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritation. Exposure to VOCs can also increase your risk of getting cancer.

When dealing with organic compounds, you want to make sure that you find the source of the problem immediately. There’s a really good chance that the leak is not coming from inside your house or from your plumbing system. Instead, there could be a leak or an issue further upstream with the municipal. If you do not filter these compounds out of your water supply, you can get really sick.

Inorganic Chemicals

Organic compounds are not the only contaminants that you need to be worried about. You might also need to worry about inorganic chemicals as well. Oftentimes, these chemicals get leeched into your water supply because of your plumbing. If that’s the case, then your best solution would be to re-pipe the entire home. If there are inorganic chemicals in your water supply, your plumbing might be too old. Some inorganic chemicals that you need be wary of include:

  • Copper. A lot of the older plumbing may contain copper. With time, the copper can leech into the water