Tap water: to filter or not to filter?
Natalie Louise Burrows, Nutritionist and Clinic Director at Integral Wellness
Our tap water originates from various natural sources, including lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and underground aquifers. Before it reaches our homes, this water undergoes a comprehensive treatment process. First, it's screened to remove debris and large particles. Then, it's thoroughly cleaned and aerated, eliminating unwanted gases and volatile compounds before being disinfected, eradicating harmful microorganisms that could cause illnesses.
Once treated, the water is stored in tanks and distributed through an intricate network of underground pipes. This complex journey culminates in a simple turn of our taps, delivering ‘clean and safe’ water right to our fingertips.
But is it clean and safe?
Tap water should be trusted in a country like the UK, but it’s been making headlines for the past few years for all the wrong reasons.
In 2024 alone, Cambridgeshire homes were warned not to drink tap water, Devon residents were told to boil it to reduce the risk of parasitic infection, Welsh homes received tap water that had not undergone appropriate pH correction and disinfection processes, and London boroughs experienced gastrointestinal symptoms that led to hospitalisations due to tap water.
Add this to the continued sewage dumping that is ruining not only our environment and natural habitats but the very source of the tap water we drink; it would be understandable if you’d gone off the water from your tap and started to switch to a filtered option.
What happens when you filter water?
Filtering water involves the elimination of pollutants, harmful substances, and unwanted components from water to enhance its safety and taste. This process extracts visible particles, chemical compounds, and biological agents through diverse purification techniques - which is essentially, the responsibility that water utilities should be fulfilling.
Nevertheless, water companies are failing to remove all undesirable elements from the water before it flows into our homes. This has led to a rise in household filtration systems, enabling people like you and me to purify the water ourselves and feel assured about its quality.
It’s worth noting that our water exposure extends beyond what we drink; it includes the water used for cooking and showering/bathing. Our bodies absorb water through the skin, and our food absorbs water during cooking.
What might be in our tap water?
● Chlorine and Chloramine are used to kill harmful bacteria, but they can irritate the skin, eyes, and airways and are linked to some cancers.
● Fluoride is added to some UK water supplies to prevent tooth decay. While it helps teeth, too much fluoride can affect bones, muscles, and organs.
● PFAS ("Forever Chemicals") are found in 37% of tested water sources in England and Wales. These chemicals are potentially linked to to various health issues including cancer, thyroid disease, and fertility issues.
● Medications, including trace amounts of antibiotics, antidepressants, painkillers, and other drugs, can end up in tap water because they pass through the body or are flushed away. Standard water treatment methods don't fully remove them.
● Pesticides and fertiliser chemicals from farming can enter water supplies, with the potential to disrupt hormones, affect digestion, and increase cancer risks.
● Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and other metals can build up in the body over time, potentially harming the brain and nervous system. They can come from farming practices or corroding pipes.
Your individual response to water quality can vary significantly due to many factors that influence our health. With the presence of these contaminants, and the incidents of waterborne bacterial infections in the UK, it's worth considering whether filtered water is a good investment for your health and household.
Best ways to filter tap water?
There are many different ways to filter water; your choice might depend on what’s possible within your home.
● Reverse Osmosis Systems are typically integrated into a home's central water system. It is highly effective at eliminating harmful substances, including bacteria and dissolved solids; however, it can also remove beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium and therefore remineralisation to add back essential minerals is important. ○ Example: UK Water
● Alkaline Water Filters are designed to increase the pH level of water by adding minerals. These systems often involve a multi-stage process to remove contaminants, purify, and add minerals. Example: Phox Water Filter
● Activated carbon filters, as the name suggests, use activated carbon, which effectively removes impurities and improves taste and odour. ○ Example: Phoenix Water Filters, Berkey Water Filters
● Membrane Filtration uses thin, fine-pored membranes (micro-filtration, ultrafiltration and nano-filtration) to remove contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals. ○ Example: Water2
Can’t I just buy bottled water?
In glass bottles, yes, although this is often quite costly. Avoid buying plastic bottles of water, as your exposure to microplastic's will just continue.
The verdict? To filter or not to filter?
With the current state of the water companies and sewage dumping, I recommend filtering water, if you can. I currently use an activated carbon filter and would love a reverse osmosis system one day! Having a stainless steel bottle to hand means you can take water with you to save on buying it or risking tap water when you are out. The most significant difference you’ll notice is the flavour - most people enjoy filtered water much more than tap water, and staying hydrated is a key pillar of good health.
About the Author
Natalie Louise Burrows is a registered nutritional therapist (BANT, CNHC) and clinic director at Integral Wellness, a nutrition and health clinic specialising in cardiometabolic health.
Along with her clinic team of nutritionists, they help men and women regain their energy, control their cravings and avoid and reverse type 2 diabetes. They also address health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and heart disease.
Click here to book a free call and find out how you can achieve your health goals.
