Many homeowners are concerned about the quality of the water their families drink and bathe in. The best way to protect your family is through a whole-house water filter that eliminates harmful substances. Such systems are an option for your home whether you have a well or depend on municipal water.
Clean Water Throughout Your Entire Home
Many homes have point-of-use (POU) water filters. These include ones built into refrigerators, pitchers, and on-counter and under-sink canister systems. These solutions are relatively inexpensive and effective. However, there are two main downsides to a POU water filter. The first is that they provide filtered water through one fixture only. The other is that they deliver a limited amount of conditioned water.
Whole-home or point-of-entry (POE) water filters provide a solution to these limitations. Our plumber installs your POE water filter between the main water line and your plumbing. You get filtered water from every fixture without purchasing multiple POU water filters. You can also opt for a POE system that provides many gallons of conditioning per minute, more than enough to serve your entire home. POE systems cost more upfront but can last decades and may provide better long-term value.
Enjoy Water That Smells and Tastes Better
Many households invest in a conditioner to enjoy drinking water that tastes and smells great. Water can be perfectly healthy but off-putting because of the impurities it contains. Chemicals like chlorine can cause cloudiness and unpleasant flavors. Flavor encompasses taste, smells, and chemical sensations. Many water filters use activated charcoal to provide better-tasting water.
Another benefit is having pure water to cook with. Many homeowners do not realize that the characteristics of their tap water can negatively affect the flavor of the meals they prepare. It can also affect the taste of everything from your morning coffee to powdered drink mixes for kids.
Less Reliance on Bottled Water
Many homeowners also install a POE water filtration system to reduce or even eliminate their reliance on bottled water. Experts recommend stainless steel water bottles that you can fill up from your tap. Keep them refrigerated and take them with you on the go. It may surprise you just how much you can save. In a recent study, the nonprofit DigDeep estimated that the average U.S. family spends $1,350 annually on bottled water. With that savings, you could pay for your water filtration system in a short time period.
The other issue to consider with bottled water is the environmental impact. In the U.S. alone, the bottled water industry manufacturers 600 billion plastic bottles a year. About 86% of those bottles end up in landfills where they can take up to a millennium to degrade. Before they do, they can contaminate soil, freshwater, oceans and coastal areas. There’s also the matter of wasted water and energy. Tap water uses far less energy and wastes much less water than bottling.
Healthier Water for You and Your Family
Perhaps the best reason to invest in a water filter is to prevent exposure to substances that affect your family’s health. A water filter can remove contaminants, chemicals, and microorganisms.
Filter Out Particulate Matter
Many water filtration systems use mechanical filters, often referred to as sediment filters, to remove particles from your water supply. These filters effectively capture ground sediment, silt, rust, and heavy metals. When evaluating particle filtration, it’s crucial to understand the importance of pore size, which refers to the size of the tiny holes in the filter media that allow water to pass through. For instance, a filter with a pore size of one micron can trap cysts like cryptosporidium, ensuring they do not enter your water supply. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests using filters with appropriate pore sizes for your specific water supply is essential for maintaining safe drinking water and protecting your health.
Remove Toxic Chemicals
One of the chief concerns with tap water is chemicals. Chlorine and chloramine receive a lot of attention but may be the least of your concerns. Consider polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Consumer product manufacturers have used PFAS since the 1940s, which is often present in drinking water. In the national drinking water standards of 2024, the EPA recommends water filtration for removing PFAS. You may also have nitrates from agricultural runoff in your water. Other chemicals a whole-house water purifier can remove include pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, and herbicides.
Eliminate Microorganisms
Another consideration is microorganisms in your water supply. Some organisms can cause gastrointestinal distress and illnesses. They can lead to other types of illnesses as well. Mechanical filtration can remove some microorganisms from your water. Cysts are a common example. However, there are many that it cannot. These include bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. There can also be parasites in the water your family drinks. For this reason, some water filtration systems incorporate ultraviolet (UV) lamps. These lamps give off a germicidal light that kills harmful organisms or makes them inert.
Improve Fixture and Appliance Performance and Lifespan
Even though you usually can’t see them, there may be many solids in your water. These can damage your plumbing fixtures over time. If you ever had hard water gunk up your faucets, you’ve experienced this firsthand. Hard water minerals can also reduce the water pressure of your showerheads or cause an unpleasant accumulation in your toilets.
Appliances, including water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, may also experience failure due to minerals. Over time, buildup can cause components to fail and result in a shorter appliance lifespan. Mineral deposits can also lead to reduced energy efficiency and higher operating costs.
Improve Skin and Hair Health
Hard water minerals can also affect the health of your hair and skin. Minerals like calcium and magnesium leave residue on your skin and hair, leading to dryness and irritation. Additionally, when hard water reacts with soap, it forms soap scum, which can clog pores and lead to skin issues like acne and eczema. Hard water can also strip away your hair’s natural oils, causing it to become dry and brittle.
Using a whole-home water conditioner can significantly improve skin and hair health by softening the water and removing these harmful minerals. Softened water allows soap and shampoo to lather more effectively, ensuring a thorough rinse and leaving no residue behind. This results in softer, more hydrated skin and healthier hair that looks shinier. According to the Water Quality Association, soft water can also help maintain the natural moisture balance of your skin and scalp, reducing the need for additional moisturizers and conditioners.
Install a Water Filtration System in Tucson
If you live in Tucson or the surrounding areas and would like to upgrade your plumbing system with water filtration, Cal’s Plumbing can help. We’ve served the community with expert plumbing services since 1948. In addition to water treatment solutions, we can help with emergency plumbing repairs, backflow prevention, and remodeling projects in your bathroom or kitchen. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.
