We’re lucky in Australia to have access to clean drinking water. But is tap water good for you? Or should you always drink the filtered stuff? Here we look at 3 reasons to drink filtered water.
Tap Water: The Facts
Unfortunately, most research on the health risks of tap water use American data. Obviously, Australian water is different, as it’s sourced from our springs and treated in its own way.
However, recent research published in the New York Times, found that tap water can cause skin irritations, tooth decay and contains many chemicals that may be harmful to health.
There have also been reports that drinking water supplied to American schools is contaminated. And experts say water quality across the country doesn’t meet health standards.
Tap Water in Australia
In Australia, the 2011 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) were developed to ensure all Australians have access to clean and safe drinking water.
A previous study commissioned by the government in 2000, found that there were “major water quality issues” with more than half the surface water basins in Australia. Since then, there have been a few outbreaks in the major capital cities. The most devastating was in 1998, as Sydney was getting ready to host the Olympics. The city’s biggest treatment plan witnessed an outbreak of dangerous parasites, and Sydneysiders were instructed to boil their water.
Since the jury is still out, many Australians choose to buy bottled water – which contributes to landfill and leaves a big carbon footprint. There’s also the concern over chemicals from plastic bottles leeching into the water.
The other alternative is filtered water.
Here are 3 great reasons to choose filtered water:
1. It tastes better: try it for yourself. Filtered water simply tastes cleaner and fresher – and doesn’t have that odd chlorine taste.
2. It’s chemical and parasite free: A good water filter will remove any nasties before you drink them.
3. It has fewer allergens: research suggests filtered water can reduce allergies, as it contains fewer potential allergens.
So drink up!
