Does your Household Need a Water Filter System?

Although tap water in Britain is tested rigorously and is safe to drink, there are several ways your mains water can develop an unpleasant taste, smell or appearance.

On rare occasions there can also be localised outbreaks of water-borne bacteria like E.coli or cryptosporidium in UK mains water and potentially harmful chemicals such as lead can still be present in your water supply depending on the age of local infrastructure.

The UK’s municipal water system is hugely complex but even with cutting-edge water treatment, individual pipes running to your home can introduce contaminants. In addition to this, hard water in certain areas of the UK can cause limescale build-up in appliances such as kettles and boilers.

To improve the taste, smell and appearance of their water and guard against unwanted contaminants, many households in the UK are choosing to install a domestic water filter system which filters the water at the point-of-use. Usually fitted to the mains water supply under the sink, there are also counter top or tap filters which provide filtered water out of your taps 24/7.

Why Do Households Use Water Filter Systems?

If you have any of the following issues, a water filter system could improve the quality of your mains water:

Taste & Odour

Chlorine and chloramines are a vital part of disinfecting water but for many people these chemicals negatively affect the taste and smell of their water.

Contrary to some claims, the low levels of chlorine found in the municipal water supply do not pose a health risk but if the taste does bother you, it could be worth installing a water filter system with a carbon block filter to limit the amount of chlorine in your water.

Limescale

Limescale is the hard chalky deposit that forms when hard water is heated. Usually white in appearance, it can often be seen on the end of taps and inside kitchen appliances such as kettles and coffee machines. Excess scale build up on heating elements inside kettles and boilers can affect their efficiency and can even cause them to burn out.

Many areas of the UK are affected by hard water and even within soft water areas, there can be pockets of hard water. It’s worth using a water hardness tool on your local water authority’s website if you think your water is affected. If limescale caused by hard water is causing issues, then potential solutions include installing an ion exchange water filter or else a filter containing polyphosphate scale inhibition media.

Bacteria

Outbreaks of E.coli and cryptosporidium are potentially harmful, although It is extremely rare that a municipal water supply becomes contaminated due to the rigorous water treatment process in the UK. However, if you rely on an untreated private water supply such as a bore-hole, well or stream you will need to install a UV steriliser in order to kill harmful bacteria.

For water-borne bacterial outbreaks in the municipal supply, local authorities will generally issue a warning to the affected areas with a recommendation to boil or completely avoid drinking the water. However, to fully mitigate against any risk you may want to consider the benefits of an ultra-fine mechanical water filter such as a Doulton ceramic filter.

Particulate or Sediment

Have you ever noticed small particles such as sand, silt or rust in the bottom of your glass of tap water? Although not considered harmful in themselves, this sediment could potentially carry contaminants as well as causing damage to appliances and in worst-case scenarios even blocking pipes.

Whilst far more likely to be seen in private water supplies, particulate can be an unwelcome addition to your drinking water, which is why many households opt for a mechanical water filter: specialist bag filters or micro filters designed to remove any unwanted particulate or sediment in your water.

Is a Water Filter System Right for You?

If you are experiencing any of the issues mentioned above, or want to safeguard your drinking water against potential contamination, a domestic water filter system could be right for you.

Also, if you regularly buy bottled water, you should consider purchasing a water filter system instead. Installing a water filter system is both far more cost effective and far more environmentally friendly than purchasing bottled water. A low cost under-sink filter system also offers cost savings compared to water filter jugs.

If you are concerned with the quality of your water, please contact your local water supplier, a plumber or water treatment experts Aqua Cure.