Water. For something so natural and so common, there sure is a lot of research and opinions swirling around it. While some people swear by the purity of bottled water, others recognize the harm that single-use plastic bottles have on the environment–plus the fact that most bottled water is just water from the taps of selected cities in the U.S. Of course, water filter and bottled water companies are constantly trying to convince us that drinking water from the tap will result in myriads of health issues, and yet your tax dollars go towards making sure your water should be good to go from the tap. What’s a family to do? Storage Unit Rock Springs is here to help you decide.
Should You Use a Water Filter?
Should you use a water filter? The short answer is: it depends. Super helpful, right? For most people, water straight from the tap is fine for everyday needs and drinking. To be safe, and also if your water tastes “funny” or you have a personal well, it’s a good idea to test your water using a kit.
After using the kit on your water, you’ll have a better idea if your water needs some filtering, and what needs to be filtered out. Here are a few reasons you might consider using one:
Well Water
If you bought a house that has a well, the water needs to be treated and tested each year. There can be many bacteria, microorganisms, and chemicals in your water, from the ground water entering into the well, the well itself if left untreated, or the pipes leading to your house.
Lead
There is no “safe” amount of lead, so if there’s any of it in your water after testing, you’ll want to buy a water filter that passes safety regulations for the filtering of lead.
Taste
While the tests themselves may not reveal anything about your water, your water may have a taste to it that is unpleasant for drinking. Water filters can help take away this taste and keep you from buying expensive bottled water.
Contaminants
While the nation’s water supply is tested and held to standards within the water plant, many things can happen to that water on its way from the plant to your pipes. A test will reveal if the water entering your house has been contaminated on the way and what you’ll need to watch out for, especially those bacteria and microorganisms.
Hard Water
Hard water can take a toll on every area of the house, from appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, to the pipes in your home, to your skin and hair. A water softening filter can help the water be gentler on your body and on your appliances.
Types of Water Filters to Consider
Water filters can be divided into two categories: Point-of-entry and point-of-use filters. POE filters start filtering the water when it reaches your home from the pipes or well–the most common of these is a whole-house filter. POU filters clean the water as it’s going to be used–these are the more common and economical choice, and seen on refrigerator water filters, faucet filters, and filtering water pitchers.
Point-of-Entry Filters
While more pricey, these types of filters can add value to your home and value to all your appliances. They can simultaneously filter and soften water that enters your home, and requires no additional point-of-use filters.
Point-of-Use Filters
These types of filters require much less of an initial investment, and are a good choice if you just want to alter the taste of the water or improve the drinking and cooking water quality. These types of filters, especially the ones in pitchers or on faucets, may not be able to keep up with the demand for drinking water for your family if you have multiple people using it during the day.
Our Favorite Method of Filtration
Without going into the science of water filters, our pick is an activated carbon water filter. This works for removing basic silt and sediments from water by trapping it and releasing the purified water. Activated carbon filters can be used for the whole house or just point-of-use filters. While reverse osmosis and distillation can also be popular water filtration types, we recommend these only for POU devices, as the process won’t yield as much water daily, and may not be enough for a family to use.
At Self Assured Storage, we care about your family and your life. We are not just interested in providing you with organization and storage for all the needs that arise, but we also want to make sure our customers are the healthiest and happiest they can be. Call us next time you need a storage unit in Omaha, and our caring and kind professionals will be ready to help!
