Did you know that more than 286 million people in the United States get their daily tap water supply from community water systems? Thanks to the 88,000 community supply wells scattered all over the country that makes this achievable.
If you don’t belong in this group, then your household is one of the more than 15 million that gets water from a privately-owned water well.
Whichever the case is, it’s important you know at least what your water supply contains. And why it’s best you start looking for a low-cost water purifier as soon as possible.
Remember, water is a basic life necessity. As crucial as it is to life, it can be as dangerous. Contaminated water can lead to numerous health problems, many of which are serious diseases.
So, read on to find out how water purifiers can make a difference.
Understanding the Risks of Drinking Water Straight from the Tap
There’s no doubt about it: The United States and Canada have some of the most effective and innovative public drinking water treatment facilities. In other words, the residents of both nations have access to some of the safest drinking water throughout the globe.
However, this doesn’t automatically mean you’re always drinking contaminant-free water straight from your taps. In fact, you may be one of the millions of other people in the US drinking potentially-hazardous water.
This is why, as early as now, you want to find out just what’s in your water. Before you continue drinking it. And before any bigger health problems, aside from diarrhea and stomach flu, sets in.
Remember that huge Flint, Michigan crisis that occurred back in 2014? The one in which the city’s residents had to deal with really bad tasting and smelling water. The one wherein their water supply turned orange and resulted in many children suffering from skin diseases.
This massive water-related problem was due to lead finding its way into the city’s water supply. And as you know, this metal is toxic. What’s worse, any type of exposure is unsafe.
The children have it worse though. According to experts, more than 1.2 million children in the United States suffer from lead poisoning. And many of them have ended up this way because of drinking lead-contaminated water.
Keep in mind, however, that lead is just one part of the problem. Many other contaminants can find its way to the water you and your loved ones drink. From ammonia to arsenic, chlorine to nitrates/nitrite, as well as bacteria and viruses to mercury, the list goes on.
All these unwanted contaminants can have serious effects on human health. The last thing you want is to suffer from waterborne illnesses, so it’s best to get a drinking water purifier as soon as possible. In fact, it’s one of the best additions to include in your kitchen renovation/remodeling project.
Where to Start?
First off, consider your specific needs. Do you need a water purifier for your home or your office? It’s important to base your decision on this, as purified water for commercial applications typically has more rigorous standards.
In any case, this is the first question to ask yourself when determining which water purification technology to invest in. This also helps you figure out just how much you need to have such a system installed.
To give you an idea, the average cost of having a water treatment and purification system installed in the US is $1,698. The price ranges from $829 to $2,627. However, the higher-end products can cost up to $4,300.
Of course, this depends on many factors, aside from whether they’re for home or business use. There’s also the specific type of system, such as whether you want to get a “Point of Use” (POU) or a “Point of Entry” (POE) purifier. We’ll take a closer look at both in next section.
Deciding between a POU and a POE System
A low-cost water purifier can only be cost-effective if it fulfills your specific needs. This is why you also should learn the difference between POU and POE water treatment systems.
At its core, a Point of Use water purifier treats the water from that single water connection. In other words, the device purifies the water where you install it in. If you install it under the kitchen sink, then the water supplied to that sink’s connected faucets will undergo purification.
This allows you to choose which specific areas you want to get purified water from. You can install them under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, so you can get clean, safe, and healthy water from the connected faucets there.
On the other hand, a Point of Entry purifier connects to the main water supply line. In this case, the water undergoes purification even before it enters your home. As a result, you can enjoy treated water wherever in the house you are.
This is a great option for households with members who have really sensitive health. For instance, you or another family member has gastrointestinal issues. In this case, a POE may work better, so that no matter which part of the house you drink (accidentally or intentionally) water from, you can rest assure no health problems will arise.
POE systems cost more, but for many households in the United States, it’s a better investment. After all, this lets them enjoy drinking water from all the faucets without worrying about contaminants.
Look for Water Purifier Suppliers and Installers offering Financing Options
From the cost we’ve mentioned above, you already know that water purifiers aren’t cheap. But this doesn’t mean you won’t find any offered at a reasonable price. You’ll still find suppliers and installers offering great deals to make them more affordable.
One of which is through financing methods. For instance, you can look for a water treatment solutions provider offering promotional payment plans. With this, you can have the system installed now and pay for it in say, within three months without interest.
This is just one way to have access to a low-cost water purifier. Read more now about such offers so you can soon enjoy the many benefits of drinking better-tasting, safer, and healthier water.
Choose Only a Certified Water Purification System
As discussed previously, the contaminants that find their way into water supplies vary. Depending on where you are in the United States, you may have more (or less) of these unwanted elements in your water supply.
This said, you also need to factor in the type of contaminants you need a purifier to remove. For instance, your primary concern is lead and chloroform. Then, you want to buy a water purification system designed to get rid of these contaminants.
From there, you’ll have a better idea of what to consider when you start shopping around. However, it’s essential you look closely at the system’s certifications. One certification you want to look for is from the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International.
Some other third-party laboratories also provide certification that meets the NSF regulations. These include the following:
- CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
- UL (Underwriter Laboratories)
- WQA (Water Quality Association)
Seeing the labels of these organizations on your water purifier will let you feel more assured.
Low-Cost Purifiers for Longer Lasting Plumbing System Components
One thing that makes a water purifier a ‘low cost’ one is if it also comes with other value-added benefits. For instance, you’ll find another great feature of modern water purification methods in their ability to treat hard water.
You know those times you need to find the best plumber because of clogged plumbing lines? One possible cause is the build-up of mineral deposits, such as calcium and magnesium. All these tiny particles make water “hard.”
With a water purifier installed in your home, you can address this big problem that affects the overall quality of the water you get. While hard water may not bring serious health risks, it can make your life harder.
Aside from helping prevent clogging in your plumbing pipes, a water purifier that also softens water can aid in lengthening the life of your water-using appliances. And of course, this also ensures these pieces of equipment keep performing at their best.
Just think of how it takes your carafe a longer time to heat water for your tea or coffee. It’s possible that mineral deposits have already built up around the heating element. With softer water, you no longer need to worry about this.
Prevent Waterborne Illnesses with an Effective Yet Low-Cost Water Purifier
Millions of people all over North America suffer from the health problems that contaminated water brings. You definitely don’t want yourself, or your loved ones suffer the same fate. So, as early as now, start looking for top quality but low-cost water purifier.
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