Over 15 million U.S. households rely on private, household wells for drinking water. The well water we use to bathe, cook, and drink typically comes from sources such as reservoirs, lakes, rivers, or streams. The problem with these outdoor water sources is that there is no protection against dangerous pollutants infiltrating the water, such as dirt, iron, sulfur, lead, algae, etc.. Even if you are using city water regulated by EPA, your water supply is usually treated with chlorine, chloramines and fluoride to remove the contaminants which could cause illness. Residual chlorine in your water can cause irritation in our eyes, nose, and increase the risk of getting heart disease, anemia, bladder cancer, liver cancer, allergies, as well as other illnesses. So how do you know if your specific area has safe water?
Which Type of Water Do You Have?
The type of water running from your faucet will have an impact on how safe your water is. There are two main types of water you can find in your home: city water and well water.
1. Well Water
When a home has well water, it means that they get their water from a private well located on their property. Wells are created by drilling in the ground, which gives the well access to an underground aquifer. The water is then pumped from the ground and into the house.
The positives of having well water are that the water is typically high in minerals and nutrients. Well water is fresher than city water because it's coming from an underground source instead of surface water. This water source is also typically protected during a natural disaster.
However, well water can contain hard water, heavy metals, or viruses. The well is not the government's problem, meaning it’s not regulated by the government, and you have to manually maintain and fix your well. It's also your responsibility to consistently test the water to ensure it's safe to drink.
2. City Water
If you have city water, your city collects the water, purifies it, and then delivers it to your home through pipes. You don't have any hands-on management of the water. All you have to worry about is paying the city for the water you use.
The positives of using city water are that the water quality must be tested and maintained by the city. They have to meet minimum EPA quality guidelines, which means toxic chemicals at high levels cannot be present.
However, that doesn't mean that city water is always safe or that your water is chemical-free. It's not only less fresh than well water, but it can also get contaminated on a large scale due to natural disasters, problems with equipment, or pollution. Plus, even though the city tests the water, it can still contain high levels of chlorine and/or have hard water problems.
How Do I Get Safe Drinking Water?
Whether you're getting your water from the city or a well, it may not be the safest for you to consume. Having the cleanest drinking water is easy when you invest in a water filtration system for your home. This is an efficient and environment-friendly way to guarantee that the quality of your water is safe to use, regardless of how you source your water.
iSpring is the leading choice in water filtration for both its quality products and its friendly and helpful customer service. We take the health and safety of your water seriously. If you would like additional guidance on how to get access to the safe drinking water, simply reach out to iSpring’s friendly and knowledgeable staff directly so we can provide you with customized service to meet your water filtration needs. Give us a call at (678) 261-7611 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9-5 EST or open a ticket here.