Impact of Drinking Tap Water: Understanding Health Considerations
Most people assume that tap water is completely safe to drink but that’s not always the case. Australian tap water is generally treated and monitored but it can still carry contaminants that may affect your health over time.
There are many hidden risks in everyday water like aging pipelines, chemical residues and excess minerals. These may not cause immediate illness, but prolonged exposure can lead to health issues especially for children, elderly individuals, or anyone with a weak immune system.
Here are the major impacts of drinking tap water:
1. Chemical Exposure and Long-Term Risks
Chlorine is commonly added to water supplies for disinfection, but its by-products have been linked to increased cancer risks with long-term exposure. Similarly, old plumbing can release lead into your water, a toxic metal that affects brain development and causes fatigue, headaches, and behavior issues in children.
2. Bacteria and Parasites
Sometimes, microbes like E. coli, Cryptosporidium, or Giardia may enter the water supply due to broken pipes or heavy rainfall. These organisms can cause stomach problems, vomiting, and diarrhea which are particularly dangerous for young kids and the elderly.
3. Heavy Metals and Excess Minerals
Some regions have high levels of minerals like calcium, magnesium, or even iron. These can affect kidney function and contribute to health problems like kidney stones or joint pain. Metals like arsenic or mercury (though less common) are even more harmful if consumed regularly.
4. Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals
A growing concern in Australia is PFAS which are synthetic chemicals used in firefighting foams and industrial processes. These can enter water sources and interfere with hormones, immune responses, and kidney function.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Family?
The good news is, you don’t have to rely solely on the tap water to protect your health. Installing a water filtration system at home offers a powerful line of defense against contaminants.
- Whole House Water Filters
These systems are installed at the entry point of your home’s water supply, filtering out sediment, chlorine, rust, and bacteria before water even reaches your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry. It’s the best option for families who want clean water in every tap either for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing.
- Reverse Osmosis Systems
For the highest level of purification, reverse osmosis is ideal. RO systems can remove up to 99% of harmful contaminants, including fluoride, lead, arsenic, nitrates, and PFAS. These systems are usually installed under the kitchen sink, giving you purified water for drinking and cooking.
- Benchtop and Under-Sink Filters
Compact and easy to install, these filters reduce chlorine, sediment, and unpleasant taste or odour. While not as powerful as RO, they’re perfect for renters or those on a budget who still want cleaner, better-tasting water.
Wrapping Up: Why More Australians Trust Filpure
At Filpure, we’ve been helping Australian families to enjoy cleaner, safer water for over 35 years. We offer a full range of tested and certified water filter systems, including whole house filtration, reverse osmosis units, and replacement cartridges. With free delivery across Sydney and most of Australia.
Whether you’re worried about chlorine, lead, or just want better tasting water, our team can help you choose the right solution based on your home and water source. Clean water isn’t just a luxury, it’s a basic health need, and we make it simple to access.