How often do you feel that worry when you hear about polluted tap water in and around your area? 

Or finding out that a boil water notice has been issued in your town? 

With the risks of contaminated water in public supplies, it’s important to know when a boil water notice might be issued and how to make sure the water in your home is safe. Understanding these can help you get safe drinking water, which is essential for your health and well-being.

The Dangers of Drinking Contaminated Water

Contaminated water poses severe health effects. The entry of contaminants like bacteria, viruses or harmful chemicals into the water distribution system could result in sicknesses. 

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), pollutants like E. coli, lead, organic compounds, and other harmful microorganisms can cause gastrointestinal infections, liver damage, and long-term health issues.

Drinking contaminated water can lead to serious health issues. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that millions worldwide used water sources polluted with harmful substances. Which can cause diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio, with unsafe water responsible for around 505,000 diarrhoeal deaths each year. Clean water is so important for preventing these diseases and maintaining overall health.

The Time It Takes to Detect Contamination and Issue a Boil Notice

One of the challenges in ensuring safe drinking water is the delay in detecting contamination. Water sources aren't tested frequently, so it can take a while to discover any issues. 

Even once contamination is found, there are still delays in assessing the risk, deciding to issue a boil water notice, and then informing the public. 

During this time, people might unknowingly drink contaminated water before they're officially warned by the authorities. That is why it is necessary to be alert. 

However, you may not be able to realise immediately when your water is contaminated, but by observing the colour, taste, or odour of your tap water carefully, these could be the signs that something is not as it should be in the very beginning.

The Importance of Monitoring Water Quality: Colour, Taste, and Odour

Your senses can act as an initial barrier against polluted water. Changes in the colour, taste, or odour of your tap water can be warning signs of impurities.

For instance, yellow or brown cloudiness may result from rust or heavy metals, while a foul odour or an unusual smell may mean the presence of chemicals or bacteria. 

A metallic or off-taste might imply high levels of dissolved solids. 

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important not to drink the water until it has been tested or a boil notice has been issued.

Family protection with a Reliable Water Filtration System

Boil water notices are essential, but they aren't always issued promptly. To better protect your family from contaminated water, investing in a high-quality water filtration system is a smart move.

In Ireland, many households use Renewell Water water filtration systems to ensure the purity of their drinking water.

However, many people use filters that don’t provide full protection or don’t use any filters at all. Activated carbon filters, like Britta, don't remove most contaminants.

Many people are also turning to bottled water in search of a safe drinking option, but this solution is far from ideal. Besides the ongoing expense, it also adds millions of tonnes of plastic waste to the environment.

Even with plastic bottle return schemes, many bottles end up discarded, worsening the plastic waste problem. Opting for sustainable alternatives, like a home water filtration system, can save money and help protect our planet.

For the highest level of protection, a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filter system is your best option. Unlike standard filters, which may only remove certain impurities, an RO system can eliminate up to 99.9% of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals. 

This means that even if your tap water is compromised, you can be confident that the water you drink is safe.

What is Reverse Osmosis and How Does It Work?

Reverse Osmosis is a water purification process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants from water. When water is forced through this membrane, impurities like dissolved salts, bacteria, and chemicals are left behind, producing clean, safe drinking water. 

The process involves several stages, including pre-filtration to remove larger particles, the RO membrane itself, and post-filtration to ensure the water is free of any residual contaminants.

This system is effective not only against visible particles but also microscopic threats that can cause illness. Installing an RO system in your home means you can trust that your water is thoroughly purified and safe to drink, even if there are boil notices in effect.

Some people worry that RO systems might strip essential minerals from the water. However, if you have a balanced diet, this isn’t a major concern since you get most minerals from your food. 

For those with less balanced diets, you can easily add natural minerals back into your water or install a remineralizer filter to restore its natural mineral water.

Get your Reverse Osmosis water filter here.

Conclusion

Staying informed and prepared is key to protecting your health in the event of a boil water notice in Ireland. 

By understanding the dangers of contaminated water, monitoring the quality of your tap water, and investing in a high-quality Reverse Osmosis water filter system, you can ensure that your family is always drinking safe, clean water. 

Don’t wait for a boil notice to take action, start protecting your health today.