You've likely been told to drink plenty of water. This life-sustaining liquid fuels our bodies and minds and helps prevent many health problems. Without it, the average person would die within three days. Yet, water can also carry substances that harm us and make us ill. To prevent this, authorities treat water before it can be drunk and manage common pollutants.

From treating and bottling to transportation and refrigeration, bottled water requires large amounts of energy. Most water supplies naturally contain fluoride at varying levels depending on the source while lead can also find its way into your water though this depends on the presence of old lead water mains in the supply network. Fluoride Whilst the health risks related to chlorine are minimal (and certainly less than the risks posed by inadequate disinfection according to the World Health Organisation) it can impart a strong chemical taste and smell, which can be unpleasant, particularly to those with sensitive palates. Limescale All of these steps utilize chemicals and energy, thereby resulting in an environmental impact. Still, the overall environmental effects of tap water are significantly less than bottled ( 11).Lighting Sofa In A Box Bathroom Lights Mirrors Carpets Outdoor Lighting Radiator Covers Fireplaces & Stoves If you spend time at your local swimming pool, you’ll know that chlorine is completely safe. It’s typically added to water supplies as a natural agent to kill harmful bacteria. While there are no health risks associated with chlorine, it can often come with a certain taste or smell if found in high concentrations. Limescale Hard water and soft water contain many properties, including minerals and chemicals. The concentration of certain minerals is what creates the… READ MORE Added fluoride - Many UK water suppliers add fluoride to tap water to improve dental health and reduce tooth decay. While the practice is considered safe and effective, some regional areas may naturally have higher water fluoride levels. In rare cases, long-term excessive fluoride intake can lead to skeletal fluorosis - a serious condition of the bones.

Limescale is the chalky deposit made up of calcium and magnesium carbonate formed when hard water (i.e. water with high dissolved mineral content) is heated. Water hardness varies greatly by region in the UK, with hard water areas seeing greater issues with limescale build up on kettles, coffee machines and taps. Not only does limescale look unsightly but it also affects the efficiency of heating elements in kettles and boilers. The Carbon Trust state that just 1mm of scale will require “ a 7% increase in energy input to the boiler to meet the same heat demand”. Possibly In Your Water It’s usually advised to avoid drinking from the warm tap. Although not particularly harmful this water may not be as fresh as the cold tap as it could come from a water heater or storage tank. What if my tap water is cloudy? Water butt taps are essential accessories for any eco-conscious gardener or homeowner who has invested in a water butt. By installing a tap on your water butt or rainwater barrel, you can easily access to the collected rainwater, making them practical, as well as helping you to reduce your carbon footprint. Although both tap and bottled water have pros and cons, tap water is generally the better option. It’s less expensive, more environmentally friendly, and less likely to contain microplastics.Registered Office: Aqua Cure Ltd,Units3A & 3B, Dakota Business Park, DakotaWay, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 8AF This is created through a combination of limestone and chalk, which may give it a cloudy appearance. While no health risks, hard water may not taste as nice as soft water, which typically features in the North and West. Before it reaches your house, water is stored in a treatment facility in which it undergoes several processes to remove potential contaminants. During disinfection, chemicals may be added to kill off any remaining microbes and protect against germs ( 3).