There’s been a lot of talk lately about the benefits of drinking filtered water. But is a water filter necessary? Or is it safe to drink unfiltered water?
California water safety
For the most part, California’s water is safe to drink due to being tested by water agencies and being in compliance with state and federal law. For example, in 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed the “Lead and Copper Rule” that requires more extensive tests for lead.
And following the “lead” of this federal law, California passed an additional law in 2014, dropping the acceptable amount of lead content in drinking water from 4% down to 0.25%. But you might be wondering, is 0.25% truly safe, even if it’s legally passable? And, what about other potential water contaminants that are less heavily regulated?
Where problems begin
These new regulations on lead don’t apply to older homes here in California, where for example before 1986 it was legal to install plumbing with lead components. There was a law passed in 2016 in California to get rid of any public lead pipes connecting the main line to homes, but not any implementation yet on getting rid of your old home’s lead pipes.
Also, even though according to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) a lead content of 0.25% is safe, according to the EPA, the goal is zero because lead is toxic at all levels and accumulates in the body over time. Also, lead affects babies and children more than adults.
Last but not least, lead isn’t the only potential contaminant in the water supply. These contaminants could include lake sediment, bleach, pesticides, and toxic metals besides lead.
How reverse osmosis helps
If you install a Reverse Osmosis System, it reverses the water flow and makes the water entering your home pass through a filter called a reverse osmosis membrane, and more filters in addition to that!
A reverse osmosis filter has extremely, extremely small pores — 0.0001 microns! For reference, the width of a human hair is about 100 microns, meaning that this filter is about 1 million times thinner than human hair! Can you believe that? According to the CDC, reverse osmosis systems are able to get rid of chemical contaminants from salt, to copper, to lead, to arsenic.
Call for your peace of mind and comfort
At Biard & Crockett Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, we know all about the problems that unfiltered water can cause. We’re always available to come to take a look at your Orange County home and see if a reverse osmosis filter is right for you! Contact us online or call now: (714) 602-1299