What's Hiding in Your Tap Water

Water isn't always as simple as it looks. Sometimes there's a lot more lurking in what may look, taste, or even smell like otherwise completely safe drinking water.

In much the same way that many of the processed foods we eat can hide more sugar than we expect, sometimes things get into the water that shouldn't be there. Even some of the chemicals and procedures used to treat water at the municipal level can leave behind some unpleasant byproducts, like bromate, trihalomethanes, and chlorite.

Odorless and Tasteless Contaminants

MicroorganismsWhen we think of odorless and tasteless contaminants, microorganisms are among the more obvious offenders that can go relatively undetected in water and cause pretty major problems. Common microorganisms like cryptosporidium and giardia, and perhaps the less common legionella, can all pass a sniff or taste test, but cause severe stomach upset, and in some cases of legionella's presence, pneumonia.
DisinfectantsThe most commonly used disinfectant should be relatively familiar to us since chlorine has a variety of uses, both in and outside the world of water treatment. In large, sustained quantities, however, this fairly ubiquitous additive can cause eye and nose irritation as well as chronic stomach upset. Chlorine's chemical neighbor, chlorine dioxide, used to treat and control microbes, has been known to cause anemia in infants as well as certain nervous system effects.
Inorganic ChemicalsArsenic falls into this category, as well as other offenders like fluoride and asbestos. While none of these are particularly desirable additives to have in drinking water in the first place, arsenic and asbestos can present the potential for immediate health problems and irritations.
Lead, mercury, and nitrates also make the list of hard-to-detect chemicals, since they can generally pass undetected in water - the only way to identify them is a water test.
Know the RisksIn general, regardless of the kind of contaminant(s) that may be present in your water, the most vulnerable populations are the same: young children, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune response.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself from odorless and tasteless chemicals in water is have your water tested.

Courtesy of Culligan Rothesay.

What is a shower water filter and how does it work?

Dry, itchy skin? Limp, lifeless hair? Soap scum or residue? If these are some of the side effects coming from your shower, then it's no wonder you're searching for an answer. For a quick fix, you could try a shower water filter as a simple DIY solution, or you could explore a more permanent, long-term, and professionally installed solution.

How do shower water filters work?

Shower water filters come in a variety of sizes and styles that fit directly onto your showerhead. These DIY solutions effectively reduce chlorine, scale, and sulfur odor, and also help prevent dry skin and chlorine damage to color-treated hair.
Once your shower filter is installed, you'll likely notice your skin feeling less dry, your hair feeling cleaner and full of bounce, and there will be significantly less scale buildup around your tub and faucet (this means less cleaning, which is another hidden bonus), as your filter will remove a huge amount of minerals and potentially harmful chemical impurities in your water.
Although adding a shower water filter can produce instant relief from hard water and other problems associated with your water supply, it is a somewhat temporary solution. Most shower water filters have a cartridge that needs to be replaced regularly. Depending on its use, you typically need to replace your filter or its cartridge after every six months of regular use.

Is there a more long-term solution?

Yes, there is! Although a shower water filter is a relatively quick and easy DIY solution to your problem, there are also long-term solutions that may provide a more effective, longer-lasting result in more places throughout your home than your shower alone.

Installing a whole-house water filtration system means cleaner water everywhere, not just in your shower. By reducing particles, contaminants, and imbalances in your water, whole-house filtration addresses hard water problems like soap scum and residue, poor-tasting water, and chemical odors by treating your water directly at the source.

Another way to reduce hard water in your shower and its effects on your entire home is with a water softener. A water softening system is designed to help reduce water contaminants, scale buildup, and increase energy efficiency while extending the life of your appliances - that means spot-free dishware, soft laundry, and more.

Courtesy of Culligan Rothesay.