“Why do I need water purification systems if my city treats the water?” This is a common question that calls for attention and explanation, which is what this article aims to achieve. For starters, it is important to note that city water undergoing reverse osmosis purification is considered one of the safest ways to ensure clean drinking water; however, for many people in the United States, especially in areas with aging infrastructure, the water’s journey from treatment plants, post purification, is what may call for point of use water purification systems and individualized solutions. After all, as purified water travels through miles of outdated lead, copper, and rusted iron pipes beneath public streets, it can pick up -and store- toxic contaminants along the way, creating serious health risks and not to mention, unpleasant odors, colors, and tastes.
Purified Water Meets a Corroded Journey:
Many cities on the East Coast are facing the consequences of old, corroded infrastructure. Even though water treatment facilities may follow stringent guidelines and even employ reverse osmosis systems to ensure safe water at the source, drinking water is only as clean as the pipes through which it travels.
Lead pipes, which were banned for use in the U.S. in 1986, still exist in older cities, posing a threat of lead contamination. According to the above cited EPA article, lead is a neurotoxin that can severely impact children’s development and adult health. Even trace amounts of lead in water are linked to neurological issues, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive problems. One sure way to attend to these issues is with point of use water purification systems, also known as POU water dispensers.
The Call for Point of Use Water Purification Systems In Recent News
Recent news highlights the growing issue of poor quality drinking water in cities across states like Massachusetts, West Virginia, and the Carolinas, due to aging infrastructure. In many communities, water pipes and treatment facilities have been in use for decades, far beyond their intended lifespan, which has subsequently led to leaks, corrosion, and even the leaching of harmful substances such as lead into the public water supply. In the northeast, several towns in Massachusetts have reported elevated levels of lead and other contaminants, raising concerns about the safety of drinking water for residents, particularly children and vulnerable populations; however, the costs of repairing and replacing these outdated systems are significant. This leaves many local governments grappling with how to address the issue effectively while ensuring public health is protected.
In the South and Southeast, states like Florida, Georgia and West Virginia have also faced drinking water challenges due to infrastructure failures, compounded by extreme weather events. In both rural and urban areas, drinking water systems have been compromised after treatment, leading to bacterial contamination, discoloration, and unsafe levels of chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances); boil-water advisories have been issued after pipeline breaks and contamination risks were discovered. With these recurring issues across the east, experts warn that immediate action is needed to modernize water infrastructure and prevent further deterioration. While communities push for federal and state support, the safety and reliability of city water systems remain a pressing concern across the region – leaving people with one clear solution: point-of-use water purification systems, or POU solutions.
Did you Know? Pipes Store Toxins from Agricultural Runoff & Dumped Pharmaceuticals
Corroded pipes aren’t the only concern. Excessive agricultural runoff and improperly disposed pharmaceuticals are entering waterways at alarming rates. According to a report produced by the US Geological Survey, over 90% of water systems in the U.S. contain traces of pesticides and pharmaceutical compounds. Though treatment facilities attempt to neutralize these toxins, the cracks and buildup inside aging pipes allow harmful contaminants to infiltrate water before it reaches your home or workplace. Rusted iron pipes can contribute to this, as they degrade and leach rust into the water, which can turn it reddish-brown and affect its safety, as well as its color, odor, and taste!
Understanding the Quality of Your Drinking Water
Water quality reports produced by county or city treatment facilities often tout compliance with federal safety regulations. However, these reports can be misleading if the water is tested at the treatment plant rather than at the point of use—the taps in your home or office. Once the water leaves the treatment plant, it can encounter a variety of contaminants that aren’t accounted for in official reports. Have you ever tasted, smelled or seen the difference for yourself?
To truly understand the state of your water, it’s important to access independent water analyses. Several water testing initiatives and independent labs have revealed significant disparities between official reports and actual water quality at the point of use. For example, an independent study in Philadelphia found elevated lead levels in several homes that did not meet the EPA’s threshold for action but still posed a danger to vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.
Taking Control of Your Water Quality With POU Water Purification Systems
So, how can you protect yourself from these hidden dangers?
First, stay informed. Request a water quality report from your local municipality, but also consider conducting an independent water test. Many tests are free!
Talk about it with your local water experts. If someone arrives at your workplace asking about your drinking water quality, invite him or her to discuss the issue further! He or she may reveal contaminants that enter your drinking water, post-treatment, with simple testing. Better than this, he or she may help you navigate different solutions to optimize your unique hydration needs.
Consider POU water purification systems for your workplace. Installing advanced point-of-use water purification systems at your workplace ensures empowerment for a large population of workers. If you have seven or more employees, a POU water purification system, that takes the shape of a water dispenser, can provide you and your workplace the power to purify contaminants introduced from the old pipes beneath your feet.
Why Point of Use Water Purification Systems Matter
While city water treatment facilities may be doing their best to purify water at the source, old infrastructure can reintroduce contaminants on the journey from beneath your feet to your sink. The situation demands more attention to the aging pipes that serve as the final stretch of water’s journey to ensure that no matter where you are. For those living in areas with aging infrastructure, like much of the East Coast, the responsibility often falls on individuals to take the necessary steps to ensure their water is safe to drink. Ask Optimum Water Solutions about optimizing your hydration experience in the workplace. Reach out today with a phone call or website visit and a savvy representative will be out to help you achieve optimal results. Clearly. Pure. Water.
