Though many of us living in various municipalities throughout North America are spoiled by municipal water supply networks that distribute clean, drinkable water to the faucet taps of our homes, the World Health Organization estimates that approximately one-third of the global population does not have access to safe drinking water. Water can become contaminated due to a variety of issues, such as flooding and natural disasters, runoff from fertilizers and pesticides, or from an outdated or lack of an adequate water distribution system. While certain technologies, such as the Royal Berkey Water Filter, exist to help turn potentially contaminated water into a safe, drinkable source, it’s worth taking the time to explore some common warning signs that could indicate that you have a problem with your water. Here’s a look:
Signs Your Water is Contaminated
You’ve Become Sick Without Explanation
Some common health side effects associated with consuming contaminated water may include nausea, diarrhea, irritated skin, ear issues and even breathing problems. However, it can often be difficult to trace any of the potential health effects mentioned here directly to a poor water source. It’s why it’s important to try to look for at least one more additional sign that your water could be the issue.
It’s Discolored
A major red flag is water that appears discolored or cloudy. Water should be clear, there should be no odd color to it and no obvious physical contaminants floating around in it. If there is, it could be a sign that there’s lead or high iron content in the water. It could also be a sign of corroded pipes, which could filter sediment into what’s coming out of the tap.
It Has a Foul Odor
If there’s any strange smell coming from your water, then it could be indicative of one of many contaminants. Things like sulfur, oil or even gas may have gotten into the water supply. If you were to consume it, it could make you very sick.
It Tastes Strange
Hopefully, if the water looks or smells off, you refrain from consuming it. But even if there’s nothing abnormal about the way your water looks or smells, it could still taste poorly. If you catch a particular metallic or bitter flavor to your water, refrain from drinking any more of it. Tastes such as this could be indicative of pesticides, chemicals or even certain prescription medications.
How a Royal Berkey Water Filter Can Help
If you have any doubt about the quality of your water or just want to ensure that you’re consuming pure, healthy, and contaminant-free water, then investing in a Royal Berkey Water Filter is the way to go. These filters help set the benchmark for international water standards and are purpose-built to deliver pure, clean drinking water by filtering out virtually any and all contaminants in just about any water source. There are various different types of Berkey water filters to meet your needs or requirements for just about any environment.
