Blog

Photo By SOPHIE-CARON at istock

Studies show that an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide don’t have access to clean and safely managed drinking water. Although the US Environmental Protection Agency sets and enforces quality standards that water utility service providers adhere to, drinking water can reasonably be expected to contain small concentrations of contaminants.

Clean water allows homeowners in Arlington, TX, and beyond to comfortably complete daily routines such as cooking and cleaning. Water for household use can come from two sources, the local municipal government or a private well.

Your residential plumbing system may have inherent filters to help eradicate some water pollutants. However, they may not be as effective as a whole-home water filtration system.

It’s estimated that four out of 10 Americans have a home water treatment unit. These components range from simple pitchers to advanced reverse osmosis systems. That said, here’s a guide to help you understand everything a homeowner should know about water systems.

Common Contaminants Residential Water Filtration Systems Can Help Eradicate

As predetermined, the water you receive in your residence may have a small number of contaminants that can make it harmful to humans. Different factors may determine the type of pollutants available in the water in your home. They include the region you live in, the type of plumbing installation your residence has, and the possibility of large-scale contamination within your municipality.

You should have a working knowledge of some of the common contaminants the water you use may be exposed to. This knowledge can help you determine which type of water filtration system would be best for your household needs.

Some units may be effective in dealing with one type of contaminant exclusively while others can remove several pollutants simultaneously. That said, here’s a breakdown of some of the common water pollutants that should inspire you to consider installing a residential water filtration unit.

Organic Compounds

Some organic substances can infiltrate your home’s plumbing system, negatively affecting the quality of water you receive. These include chemicals such as benzene, which can cause a plethora of kidney, liver, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems. When consumed for a prolonged period, it can result in reproductive health issues, immune deficiencies, and elevated cancer risk.

The water in your residence can also get contaminated by volatile organic compounds, which are a distinct class of chemicals that can easily dissolve in the air or water. Volatile organic compounds are quite common as they’re present in household and industrial commodities such as gasoline, perfumes, skin lotions, and adhesives.

Despite their pervasive occurrence in most household products, VOCs can be quite dangerous. They may lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, irritation, and headaches, or acute liver or kidney damage. In some scenarios, prolonged exposure to VOCs can increase the probability of developing cancer.

Organic compounds can leave you or the inhabitants of your Arlington, TX, residence in bad shape healthwise. You should try to resolve such issues as fast as possible, and requesting a whole-home water system installation can help restore the purity of the water available in your household.

Inorganic Substances

Inorganic chemicals can infiltrate your residential water supply through your home’s plumbing system. If that’s the case, you should consider requesting a re-piping service from a professional plumber near you. Inorganic chemicals may find their way into the water you use if the plumbing pipes are outdated.

Some of the inorganic chemicals you should beware of include copper, which is pervasive in the plumbing systems of older homes. With time, the copper may seep into the water you use, causing gastrointestinal issues such as stomach irritation. Kidney and liver damage may be possible if you’re exposed for a long time.

Lead is yet another inorganic pollutant that may be present in older homes. If you’ve fallen victim to lead poisoning, some symptoms you may experience include fatigue, high blood pressure, and kidney problems. Lead can significantly impact developing brains, which is why you should consider installing a residential water filtration system to protect the children in your household.

Calcium and magnesium are also common inorganic pollutants, predominantly popular in regions with hard water. Excessive concentrations of calcium in your body can elevate the risk of kidney stones and can cause constipation. On the other hand, excess consumption of magnesium can result in gastrointestinal problems. You may have some trouble determining the concentration of organic or inorganic chemicals in the water you use in your home daily. Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask a professional plumber near you to come and test the water. After the evaluation, they can recommend the best type of water system based on your needs.

Microorganisms

Exposure to microorganisms that may contaminate the water in your residence can cause various illnesses within a short time. This is why, as a homeowner, you may be advised to consider installing a water filtration system even if you trust the quality of the water you’re receiving.

One of the common microorganisms that impact the quality of the water you use includes bacteria, which typically thrive in wet conditions. That said, your home’s plumbing infrastructure can have a significant concentration of bacteria living inside it.

Your home’s water supply can also be affected by viruses. These microorganisms can also impact your health drastically. Specifically, ingesting water contaminated with viruses can cause gastrointestinal problems such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Cysts are also considered harmful microorganisms that can pollute your household water and lead to gastrointestinal issues, especially in persons with poor immune responses.

You may fail to know if your home’s water supply has been polluted by microorganisms until you or a member of your household has fallen sick. To stay ahead, you should keep an eye out for up-to-date reports from your municipal water utility service provider.

If the municipal water supply is contaminated with any microorganism, your household’s water supply may also suffer. Fortunately, installing a water filtration system can help eradicate most microorganisms to guarantee access to clean and safe water.

Benefits of Having a Water Filtration System

Irrespective of whether your home relies on water from a public water utility service provider or a private well, it’s your responsibility to ensure that it’s safe for consumption. That said, here are some of the benefits you may enjoy by installing a water filtration system in your residence.

You Can Save Money

If you habitually buy bottled water for the inhabitants of your household to drink, your daily or annual expenditure can increase significantly. For instance, a family that consumes two to three bottles each day may end up spending hundreds of dollars by the end of the year.

Luckily, with a whole-home water filtration system in place, you can reduce the amount you spend on packaged water significantly. Reducing your demand for bottled water could also impact the environment positively as discussed below.

Environmental Preservation

As a modern-day homeowner, you’re probably aware of the impact consistent and pervasive plastic use in residential settings has had on the environment. Plastic bags, straws, and water bottles comprise a huge chunk of the plastic waste stream.

Researchers estimate that most plastic products can take upwards of 450 years to decompose fully. Even as an environmentally conscious homeowner you can’t be certain if the plastic water bottles you dump in the recycle bin end up getting recycled.

The only way you can help negate the impact of plastics on the environment is by reducing the use of plastic products, which you can start by scaling down your dependence on bottled water. You can do this by asking your local plumber to install a water filtration system in your residence.

Enjoy a Reliable Supply of Safe Drinking Water All Year Round

Drinking unsafe water can have dire consequences on your well-being. As previously discussed, inorganic and organic chemicals along with various types of microorganisms can infiltrate your home’s water supply, posing several health hazards.

After drinking water contaminated with any of these pollutants, you may experience gastrointestinal problems, and in some scenarios, you can fall victim to cancer or liver and kidney damage. Pollutants such as heavy metals can also make the taste of the water in your home unpalatable.

Although local authorities in the US regularly treat municipal-based water sources to ensure excellent water quality, system failures can be inevitable and the ripple effect can be felt in your residence.

To be on the safe side, you can request a water filtration system installation service, which can ensure that your household receives clean and safe drinking water throughout the year.

Avoid Skin Irritation

If you or an inhabitant of your household has sensitive skin, experiences occasional skin irritation, or is diagnosed with conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, you may suffer if exposed to chemicals often found in water such as chlorine.

However, with a functional water filtration system present in your home, you can avoid these problems without hassle. Even if you’re not affected by any one of the aforementioned conditions, you should still consider installing a water filtration unit on your property for a soothing bathtub experience.

Reduce the Probability of Potential Plumbing Issues

A high concentration of minerals, chemicals, and heavy metals can corrode and damage your home’s plumbing pipes and the components making up the available water-based appliances.

Requesting the installation of a whole-home water filtration system to help eliminate these damaging factors can extend the lifespan of your water heaters, pipes, and water outlets.

Save on Soap

Water with significant concentrations of minerals can also cause problems with soap use during cleaning. With a working water filtration system in your Arlington, TX, home, you can enhance the functional efficiency of your home’s dishwashers and laundry machines. Consequently, you can enjoy cleaner clothes and dishes. Your appliances will also remain in tip-top shape due to the reduction in the mineral buildup.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Water Filtration System

Now that you’re acquainted with some of the common benefits you may enjoy from installing a water filtration unit on your Arlington, TX, property, below are some of the factors you should keep in mind before requesting an installation service.

Water Purity

The first thing you should evaluate before installing a water filtration system is the level of purity the component claims it can achieve. Therefore, in line with these parameters, you should choose a system that’s specifically designed to eliminate the impurities present in the water in your residence. You can ask a plumbing expert near you to help with the evaluation process.

Once you’ve determined the ratio of the pollutants present in the water, you can ask your plumbing contractor to help you choose a unit that’s specifically equipped to deal with the specific contaminants present. Alternatively, you consult with public health authorities to receive accurate information regarding the contaminants predominantly found in the water Arlington, TX, residents use.

The Flow Rate of Water

The rate at which water flows within your home’s plumbing infrastructure is an important factor to consider before choosing a water filtration system. Often measured in gallons per minute, the flow rate determines the quantity of water that you may receive in your home every passing minute.

Essentially, experts in the installation of residential water filtration equipment claim that the best whole-home filtration unit is one that has a flow rate of seven gallons per minute. This rate allows the pressure to remain constant even when water use within the household is high.

Past that, to ensure that you get a proper flow rate, you should strive to acquire a properly sized unit. Other considerations you should make in this regard include the number of inhabitants in your household and the size and number of bathrooms in your residence.

Chemical Presence

Before requesting the installation of a water filtration system in your home, you should know if there are any chemicals present inside the plumbing system. Since chlorine is the contaminant often present in municipal water lines, you can consider selecting a carbon-based water filter as they’re a reputable choice for dealing with this type of pollutant.

Seek Professional Help from Our Plumbing Experts in Arlington, TX

If you need help testing the water in your home or selecting and installing a water filtration system, feel free to contact the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. We offer comprehensive commercial and residential water filtration solutions. Our technicians are well-trained and available 24/7 to accommodate your schedule.