5 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Drinking Water
You pour yourself a glass of water, crystal clear and seemingly refreshing. But what if your drinking water is not as pure as it looks?
What if, lurking within that seemingly innocent glass of water, are microscopic particles of plastic, remnants of industrial waste, or even traces of harmful chemicals?
The truth is, while we often take our tap water for granted, the journey from source to glass can be fraught with potential contamination. The thought of ingesting microplastics, forever swirling within our bodies, or unknown chemical compounds leaching into our drinking water—it’s enough to make anyone’s stomach churn!
This fear, while perhaps unsettling, is not unfounded. Microplastics have been found in human livers, kidneys, and placentas.
News reports frequently highlight concerns about aging infrastructure, industrial pollution, and the increasing presence of contaminants like PFAS “forever chemicals” in our water supplies.
Take Control of Your Home’s Drinking Water
While the scope of the problem might seem overwhelming, you have the power to protect your family within your own home. Taking control of your drinking water is a crucial first step.
Even if your Santa Barbara County municipality diligently treats your water, the pipes delivering it to your Santa Barbara, home could be contributing to the problem. Are you willing to take that risk with your family’s health?
Fortunately, you don’t have to.
While we can’t individually solve the larger issues of water pollution, we can take control of the water we consume within our own homes.
In this blog post, Coast Plumbing Solutions Inc will explore five effective and affordable solutions, focusing on readily available water treatment products that can significantly improve the taste, odor, and, most importantly, the safety of your drinking water.
Because peace of mind, especially when it comes to something as vital as water, is priceless.
Why Should You Care About Water Quality?
Clean, safe drinking water is non-negotiable for good health. Contaminants in your water can be a silent threat, leading to a range of health issues.
From immediate concerns like gastrointestinal problems to more insidious long-term effects, the quality of your water directly impacts your well-being. Even if your water appears fine, it might still harbor unseen impurities.
Investing in a water treatment solution for your Santa Barbara, home is a good idea. It’s a proactive step towards protecting your family’s health and future.
5 Practical and Affordable Home Water Treatment Solutions
Here are five different product options that can significantly enhance your home’s drinking water quality:
- Faucet Filters: Faucet filters are a convenient and budget-friendly option for improving water quality at a single tap, typically your kitchen sink—the hub of most household water consumption.
These filters attach directly to your faucet and filter water on demand.
How they work: Water passes through a filter cartridge containing activated carbon and other filtration media, trapping sediment, chlorine, and other unwanted guests.
Benefits: It is easy to install (no plumbing required!), affordable, readily available at most stores, and will noticeably improve the taste and odor of your water.
Considerations: Filters need to be replaced regularly (typically every 1-3 months), and they only treat water at the specific faucet. You might notice a slight reduction in water flow.
Product Example: PUR Faucet Filtration System, Brita Faucet Filter System. - Water Filter Pitchers: Water filter pitchers offer a simple and cost-effective way to filter larger quantities of water. They are ideal for Santa Barbara, households that prefer not to install a filter directly on their faucet.
How they work: You fill the pitcher with tap water, and it slowly filters through a cartridge (again, usually containing activated carbon and other filtration media). The filtered water is then stored in the pitcher, ready to use.
Benefits: They are portable, no installation is required (just pour and wait!), relatively inexpensive, and improve the taste and odor of water.
Considerations: Filters need to be replaced regularly (typically every 40 gallons or every two months), and they require manual refilling. They also take up space in your refrigerator.
Product Example: Brita Water Filter Pitcher, PUR Water Filter Pitcher. - Refrigerator Water Filters: Many modern refrigerators come equipped with built-in water filters, offering the ultimate convenience. These filters provide filtered water and ice directly from the appliance.
How they work: Water passes through a filter located inside the refrigerator, usually near the ice maker or water dispenser.
Benefits: Incredibly convenient access to filtered water and ice, often seamlessly integrated into the appliance’s design.
Considerations: Filters still need to be replaced regularly (typically every 6 months), and the cost of replacement filters can vary depending on the refrigerator brand. Also, not all refrigerators have this feature.
Product Example: Each refrigerator brand has its own filter, so consult your refrigerator’s manual for the correct replacement. - Whole-House Water Filters: For the most comprehensive water filtration throughout your entire home, a whole-house water filter is the gold standard. These systems are installed on the main water line entering your Santa Barbara, house.
How they work: All the water entering your home passes through the filter, removing sediment, chlorine, and other contaminants before it reaches your faucets, showers, and appliances.
Benefits: Protects your plumbing from sediment buildup, drastically improves the taste and odor of all water in the house, reduces chlorine exposure while showering (better for your skin and hair!), and can even extend the lifespan of your appliances.
Considerations: There is a higher upfront cost compared to other options; it usually requires professional installation, and filters need to be replaced periodically (typically every 6-12 months).
Product Example: Aquasana Whole-House Water Filter System, SpringWell Whole-House Water Filter. - Under-Sink Water Filters: Under-sink filters are installed beneath your kitchen sink and provide filtered water through a dedicated faucet, offering a balance between convenience and performance.
How they work: Water is diverted from the cold water line to the filter, which removes contaminants before it reaches the dedicated faucet.
Benefits: Provides a continuous supply of filtered water on demand, doesn’t take up valuable counter space, and generally offers a higher flow rate than faucet filters.
Considerations: Installation requires some plumbing knowledge (or hiring a plumber). Filters still need to be replaced periodically (typically every 6-12 months) and can be more expensive than faucet filters or pitchers.
Product Example: APEC Water Systems ROES-50, iSpring RCC7AK.
Choosing the Right Water Treatment Solution in Santa Barbara County
The best water treatment product for your home depends entirely on your individual needs, budget, and concerns. Coast Plumbing Solutions Inc has a team ready to help you choose the best product for your family, but first, ask yourself these questions:
- Budget: Faucet filters and water filter pitchers are the most budget-friendly options, while whole-house filters represent a larger investment.
- Specific Water Quality Concerns: Do you have known issues with lead, PFAS, or other contaminants? This might necessitate a more specialized filter.
- DIY vs. Professional Installation: Are you comfortable with basic plumbing, or will you need to call a professional?
- Water Usage: How much water do you use for drinking and cooking? Higher usage might point towards a whole-house or under-sink system.
What’s in Your Drinking Water?
Are you concerned about the quality of your drinking water? Contact our team of experts at Coast Plumbing Solutions Inc today for a free water quality assessment and to discover the best water filtration system for your Santa Barbara home. For your free consultation, call us at 805-419-9889 or request service online.