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Water is arguably the most important nutrient in a human being’s life. A human adult has to drink approximately 8 glasses of water in a day so as to replenish the water he losses through urine, respiratory track and through sweating. Even though the better part of the earth is covered by water, 99.7% of it is not safe for human consumption. To make it fit for human consumption it must first be purified. Below are some reasons why your drinking water needs to be purified.
1. Bacteria
Water contains a whole host of bacteria, Escherichia Coli being the most common bacteria in water. The sources are human faeces, decaying corpses and also rotting vegetation. If this bacteria is ingested it can cause abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea. Luckily they are easy to kill but with the right purification process.
2. Chemicals
Industrial waste raging from heavy materials to toxic sludge dumped in rivers and lakes is a huge contributor to water pollution. Not to forget the gasses and soot coming from the factory. Chemicals such as chromium, barium and arsenic are known to cause kidney damage, intestinal lesions and even cancer. One way of removing the pollutants is by evaporating the water and condensing the steam. This process could take long that is why it is advisable to get a professional find the most suitable purification process for you.
3. Viruses
Viruses such as hepatitis A found in water are mostly from human faecal matter. It is the most common virus that you will find in the water. Drinking tap water and ingesting contaminated water it might take a few days or weeks to start experiencing the symptoms.
4. Water hardness
When water falls either as snow or rain it is soft water but after it penetrates the earth it absorbs metals in the soil such as calcium ions and magnesium ions. When the water absorbs these ions it becomes hard water. Hard water can cause several inconveniences around the house such as increasing the heating electricity bill, increased use of detergents and decreased life span of appliances. If used for bathing it can cause skin irritations.
5. Low water pH
The pH value of water shows the relation of hydroxyl and hydrogen ions. When the pH of your water is low it means that the water is acidic. Acidic water can be aggressive and can corrode metal surfaces such as those of house hold appliances and pipes. It is therefore wise to keep the water pH high to avoid corrosion.
Water could contain microorganisms that could reproduce and make you sick. To avoid common water borne illnesses such as cholera, test your water and discuss the available water purification processes available and which would be best suited for your house hold. On top of keeping you and your family in great health, you get to keep your appliances in the home working more efficiently.
