Urban water pollution is a growing concern in India. It was recently revealed that, at present, 70% of all surface water in India consists of unusable water, and every day, 40 million litres of wastewater are released into different water bodies.

Water is a vital resource for good health and sustenance. Unfortunately, with increasing pollution levels, some of the water supplied from taps in a lot of cities has become unfit for drinking. Moreover, the presence of excess minerals in hard water contributes to the fact that it forms scale in appliances and reduces soap and detergent efficiencies. Therefore, installing a water filter for hard water has become an essential requirement in urban households for the safety and purity of water.

Understanding Urban Water Pollution

What is Urban Water Pollution?

Urban water pollution refers to the water sources made unfit for use due to various activities and environmental agencies. This ultimately leads to unsafe drinking water and serious consequences.

Common Sources of Contamination:

The sources of contamination may be classified into several categories: 

• Industrial Waste: Factories that discharge harmful chemicals and heavy metals into water bodies.   

• Sewage and Waste-Water: Untreated sewage often gets mixed with municipal water sources.   

• Chemical Run-Off: These include the ground trickle-down of pesticides, fertilizers, and cleaning materials.   

• Micro-Plastics: One more category is the small plastic particles from packaging, clothing, and industrial wastes contaminating water sources.       

How The City Infrastructure Affects Water Quality

Many urban areas still rely on old pipelines and water treatment facilities that are incapable of removing all contaminants present. Old pipes could have sedimented heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, which increases the risk of contamination. Contamination of groundwater due to the increased presence of hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium demands the installation of hard water filters as a priority.

Health Risks of Contaminated Water

Contaminated water consumption could cause health consequences ranging from simple indigestion to chronic illness.

Water-borne Illnesses and Infections:

Contamination through water could lead to bacterial infection, viral infection, and parasitic infections like cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A.

Effects of Heavy Metals and Chemicals:

• Lead and Arsenic: Long-term exposure will cause neurological defects and damage to the kidneys, and also cause developmental problems in children

• Pesticides and Industrial Chemicals: These chemicals can cause hormonal imbalances, which could lead to cancer and reproductive disorders.

Long-Term Health Consequences:

Prolonged exposure to pollutants could cause liver disease, kidney disease, immunity impairment, and even neurological disorders. A hard water filter will help to remove these harmful substances and thus ensure safe drinking water.

How Home Water Filters Help

An efficient water filtration system should supply clean and safe water for daily purposes. Specific filtration technologies are effective in removing specific contaminants.

Types of Filtration Systems:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters: Removes heavy metals, dissolved salts, and bacteria.

• UV Filters: Kills bacteria and viruses by ultraviolet rays.

• Carbon Filters: Absorbs chlorine, pesticides, and chemical pollutants.

• Sediment Filters: Removes dirt, sand, and rust particles from water.

If your house already has RO, then you can also install a prefilter for RO, which removes larger particles from the water and makes your main filter run longer.

For example, homes that have high minerals in their water usually have an attached water filter for hard water or a tap filter for hard water. These can reduce the presence of hard water resulting in safe drinking water and lesser damage to household appliances such as geysers and washing machines.

Environmental Benefits of Using a Home Water Filter

Using a home water filtration system is not just good for health but also benefits the environment in multiple ways.

• Reducing Plastic Waste:

Many households rely on bottled water due to concerns over tap water safety. However, plastic waste from bottles contributes significantly to environmental pollution. By installing a hard water filter, families can enjoy safe drinking water while cutting down on plastic waste.

• Reducing Demand from Municipal Water Treatment:

When more people use home filtration systems, there will be less pressure on municipal water treatment plants which can boost proper resource management and energy conservation.

• Sustainable Options:

Modern water filters use technology that is environmentally friendly and minimizes the generation of wastewater. Choosing an efficient water filter for hard water benefits the cause of sustainability.

Conclusion

Water pollution is a growing challenge, especially in urban areas. However, home filtration systems serve as an effective solution for this problem. Investing in either a hard water filter or a hard water tap filter guarantees clean and safe water for drinking, cooking, and household use.

Take that first step towards a healthier home now-choose RiverSoft today!

Reference: Weforum