Contaminated drinking water didn’t start, nor did it stop, with the big news of Flint, Michigan. This generation is just becoming more aware. Recent studies have shown that tens of millions of Americans could still be exposed to unsafe city and well water during any given time of year – ingesting a wide spectrum of contaminants including fecal coliform, lead, arsenic, and residues. Contaminated water can lead to cancer, gastrointestinal diseases and developmental delays in children, and this list goes on too. This is a reality.
A History of Water Pollution
Your body is made up of 55-75% water; water is a must for life. That’s obviously why most early settlements began near a water source. Unfortunately, the connection between our water sources and water pollution, causing outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid, was not understood until the 1850s. In the United States, human waste was carried in our rivers for centuries. Not only were our freshwater sources used as sewage dumps, industrial waste was also discarded in rivers and streams. The progression of the Industrial Revolution added more pollutants into our waterways. And since the 1930s the Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire several times due to oil slicks and flammable industrial waste. Now imagine these sources at one time fed into our bodies’ water supply.
We Now Live the Clean Water Act
Thankfully we have learned along the way, and in 1972 the Clean Water Act (CWA) was passed to implement pollution control while restoring the integrity of our natural and navigable water sources. And in 1974 the US passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish and regulate standards that public water suppliers must meet (not including private wells) to limit contaminants in our drinking water. But let’s be realistic. There is no real, full proof standard to keep our water completely safe. Everchanging factors affect our supply each day – from natural disasters to chemical seepage to naturally occurring contaminants and everything in between. Do not worry. There are treatments that can help purify, and already clean the water supply coming into our homes and businesses. Therein lies the debate.
Should You Stick with Just the Chemical Treatment?
Public water supplies are already chemically treated to meet the Standards of the SDWA and EPA. Chemical treatment is applied to help remove additional contaminants and toxins that seep in. That’s great! In a nutshell, chemical treatment is the go-to option for making your water safe. It helps meet the Standards, and in most cases, it is already in play.
However, as in Flint, we know it’s not full proof. And for you naturalists, chemical treatment is an obvious concern. And for many others, it might become a physical concern. Residue from chemical treatment can make its way to your tap causing unexpected side effects, not to mention what it does to your pipes and appliances.
Read more about the advantages and concerns with using Chlorine and Chloramine as a public water disinfectant in our blog “Chloramine – The Second Disinfectant” – https://gordonbroswater.com/blog/chloramine-the-second-disinfectant.
Mechanical Might Actually Be Your Thing
There is no stopping the chemical dump into our public water supply, but you can control the water making its way to your tap. Mechanical treatment offers a complete solution consisting of filters and advanced water purfiying technology to remove those chemical residues, impurities, particulate and toxins that still make their way in after chemical treatment. And mechanical Treatment offers plenty of options specific for your home’s needs.
Get A Better Idea – Mechanical treatment methods simplified:
- Water filtration systems
- Drinking water systems
- Reverse osmosis
- Ultraviolet treatment
- Water softeners
- Distillation systems
Mechanical Treatment is environmentally and physically friendly and it plays well with your appliances too. Learn more about the benefits of Mechanical Treatment from our blog “Top Benenfits of Better Water” at https://gordonbroswater.com/blog/you-deserve-the-best-water – this includes saving money!
Let Us Help You Decide
Gordon Brothers Water is here to help you love your water. Getting the best water on tap is possible! We provide a variety of Mechanical Treatment Systems to fit your needs and budget. Make an appointment with one of our professionals today for a free in-home water analysis. Learn more about your specific water needs, benefits and receive free estimates on services and products that can improve your whole-home water supply. Remember: you can’t know what’s in your water until it’s tested. Give us a call today for better water and a completely customizable solution for all your water needs at 800-331-7611, or visit us at www.gordonbroswater.com.