How to understand how much fresh water you drink at home

Which water flows from the tap

Tap water passes through treatment plants and sanitary standardsResolution of the chief sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation "On introduction of the sanitary rules". considered potable. The problem is that it is purified by mechanical filter and chlorine. They kill bacteria, but passed salts of heavy metals and other impurities. The flat water is supplied by water pipe, of which the water get rust, metal chips, sand, microbes and salts of heavy metals.

This whole "compote" pours from the tap. If you drink this water once, nothing fatal happens. But if you drink tap water regularly, it may appear serious health problems.

In general, the quality of tap water is influenced by many factors. For example, the environmental situation in the region, the presence of heavy industry, mining, the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants. For example, in 2017 the cleanest tap water wasState report "On the state sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population in the Russian Federation in 2017".

in St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, Voronezh and Astrakhan regions. The most dirty and undrinkable - in the Republic of Mari El and Bashkortostan, the Murmansk region, the Altai and Stavropol regions.

The tap water is harmful

The tap water contains harmful impurities, that have no odor, taste and color. They are not removed by boiling and accumulate in the human body, causing severe disease. For example, water from the tap may be:

• Residual chlorine. It is stored in the water after purification "Water canal." Residual chlorine reacts with impurities and other formsChlorine in Drinking-water. carcinogenic compounds that cause cancer.
• Ions of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, zinc and others). They collect water through the pipes. They accumulate in the body and affectHeavy Metals Toxicity and the Environment. on the liver, kidneys, nervous system, cause cancer and diseases of the joints.
• Rust. It also falls into the water from the pipes and spoil appliances. Due to the overabundance of iron in the body canIron overload disorder: All you need to know. fade hair, nails break.
• Toxins, nitrates and pesticides. They fall into the water from the environment. They are difficult to remove from the water in sewage treatment plants, so they remain in tap water after cleaning. causeNitrate and nitrite in drinking-water. cancer, allergies, kidney disease and gastrointestinal tract.

How to clean water at home

The most automated and efficient way - Reverse Osmosis Filter. Water is treated with a special membrane that does not absorb any more than the substance. Therefore, contaminants and salts hardness remain on the membrane and washed down the drain. The output is bottled water, but you tap. Soft, completely free from rust, heavy metal ions, toxins, bacteria and viruses. Such filters are used by manufacturers of bottled water around the world. Only home water will cost much cheaper. For example, for a family of three people will on average 1.7 rubles per liter in the first year after the purchase of the filter, and 70 cents in the future.

The second type - steady flow filter. It is set under the sink, cutting into the water. The water passes through the filter and fed to a separate crane. Stationary filter copes with rust, ions of heavy metals, pesticides and toxins. Some models soften the water and cut off the bacteria, but can not remove the virus, so the water should be boiled.

The easiest and most inexpensive way to purify water - use Filter-jug. It purifies the water of dirt, rust, heavy metal ions, pesticides and toxins. Of the minuses: the filter does not eliminate the virus, so the water should be boiled. Yet such a filter does not mitigate the water, if you have the kettle was scum, it will remain after filtering.

Not all filter jugs equally well purify water: it all depends on the composition of a replaceable cartridge. Usually it consists of activated carbon and ion exchange resins. The cartridge does not completely remove contaminants because the water there flows through one channel rather than distributed throughout the area. Because of this coal is washed away, the water is not in contact with the sorbent, and is in a jug without purification.

To solve this problem, experts of the company "Aquaphor" developed a carbon fiber "Akvalit". Among the filters, it is used instead of the ion exchange resin. Fibers distribute water over the entire area of ​​the cartridge, without letting it pass through one channel without purification and better absorb heavy metal ions.

How to check if your home is well filter purifies water jug

Water filters is verified by tests that are regulated by GOST, ASTM International test standards and the Japan Industrial Standards. But at home, you also can check the filter performance.
To do this you need a new replaceable filter cartridge and a dye methylene blue (you can buy at the pet store).

Methylene blue - substances that disinfect aquariums, and even use it to check on STATE filters. It is similar in structure with the molecules of pesticides, by which the filter should be cleaned water. He has an intense blue color, and it can be clearly seen with the naked eye.

As an experiment:

Step 1. Install the filter in a new cartridge, and prepare it for operation in accordance with the instructions.

Step 2. Prepare a solution. To this mix cold water with a methylene blue. On half ml vial 25 need 3 liters of water.

Step 3. Pour the solution into the filter. Before filtering the water is deep blue.

Step 4. Look at the color of the water after filtration. It should become clear. If this happens, your filter pitcher works and purifies water. If not - then, after filtration in water are pesticides and toxins.

If we carry out an experiment with the filter-jug "Aquaphor"Water is clear. Cartridge delays contaminants, making the water clean and safe to health (if the filter retains even small molecule methylene blue, the rust and other larger particles do not exactly fall into the glass water). Details of such an experiment is described here.

Points to remember

• Tap water in different regions differ in quality.
• Drinking water should not contain impurities of heavy metals, chlorine, rust and nitrates.
• Tap water may contain contaminants, causing severe disease.
• Tap water can be purified to drinking state using filters.
• The coolest filter - reverse osmosis. The easiest to use - filter pitcher. He also deals with water treatment, but it is necessary to know how to check it.
• After purification by water pitcher filter still be boiled to destroy viruses.
• filter cartridges should be changed in time. Not to miss the next replacement, subscribe to reminders.