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0 PFAS or Forever Chemicals in Water
PFAS in UK Drinking Water: What “Forever Chemicals” Mean for Your Home and How to Remove Them You may have heard the term ‘forever chemicals’ in the news a lot recently; and for good reason. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of manmade chemicals used for decades in everyday products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam. The problem? These forever chemicals don’t break down naturally, meaning once they enter our environment, including rivers, lakes, and even our drinking water; they can linger indefinitely. In the UK, PFAS contamination is increasingly under the spotlight. Localised testing has found traces of these forever chemicals in tap water near industrial sites, airports, and areas where firefighting foam was used, sparking concern among homeowners and regulators alike. While most UK mains water is still considered safe under current regulations, public awareness is rising, and people are asking important questions: Is my tap water truly safe? Can my existing home filter remove PFAS and other forever chemicals? This article explains what PFAS are, how these forever chemicals enter UK drinking water, and which home filtration options help reduce exposure, and which may give a false sense of security. What are PFAS? PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of over 4,000 forever chemicals designed to resist heat, water, and oil. They are used in countless products, including: Non-stick pans and bakeware Batteries Medical devices Waterproof jackets, outdoor gear, and stain resistant fabrics Food packaging (like microwave popcorn bags) Plastic bottles Firefighting foam at airports and military bases Lipstick The reason they’re nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ is simple: their chemical bonds don’t break down naturally. As a result, PFAS accumulate in the environment and in living organisms, including humans. Health studies suggest long-term exposure to certain PFAS forever chemicals can contribute to thyroid problems, reduced immune response, hormonal disruption, and even some cancers. While the levels found in most UK tap water are low, reducing unnecessary exposure to these forever chemicals is increasingly seen as a prudent step. PFAS in UK water – The current situation Recent investigations have revealed PFAS contamination in UK water sources, particularly near industrial sites and locations where firefighting foam has been heavily used. Some water companies have detected PFAS levels in treated water that approach or exceed recommended limits in other countries, though the UK regulator, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) maintains that most mains water meets current safety standards. The regulations state that the maximum allowed in water courses is 100 nanograms per litre (ng/L). One nanogram per litre is one billionth of a gram in a litre (1000 grams) of water. Private wells, especially near industrial or contaminated areas, can me more at risk. This makes understanding filtration options essential for households concerned about long-term exposure to forever chemicals. Water companies filter and dilute the water they supply to make that dilution even lower; 10 ng/L at most, which is classed as low risk in the UK, EU, and US for the majority of PFAS forever chemicals. There are lower levels permitted or for certain PFAS known as PFOA and PFOS. PFAS water filtration comparison (UK) Method PFAS Removal Effectiveness Best for Pros Cons Activated Carbon (Carbon Block) High (many PFAS) Most UK homes Affordable, simple, good taste and smell improvement Needs 12 monthly cartridge change Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Moderate – High Whole-house systems Lower cost, widely available Can lose efficiency due to channelling Nano-Ceram PAC High High flow whole house systems High flow rate, strong PFAS reduction Higher upfront cost Reverse Osmosis (RO) Very high Drinking water only Excellent PFAS removal Slow flow rate, removes minerals, higher upfront and maintenance cost Ion Exchange Moderate Specific PFAS reduction Effective for some compounds Less comprehensive than carbon or RO Bottled water Low / Unreliable Short term use only Convenient Not PFAS free, plastic leaching risk, not environmentally friendly How PFAS enters your tap water PFAS forever chemicals can enter your tap water in several ways: Mains water: Contaminated rivers or groundwater used by water treatment plants. Private wells: Particularly if near industrial facilities, airports, or sites using firefighting foam. Bottled water: Not all bottled water is guaranteed PFAS free; some brands still contain trace amounts. Even everyday exposure through tap water contributes to the overall body burden of PFAS forever chemicals, making filtration an appealing option for many households. Let’s drill down to bottled water a little more. Sadly, buying vast quantities of bottled water is not going to reduce forever chemicals in water that you drink. There’s evidence that PFAS in plastic bottles can leach into the fluid they contain, and the water in those bottles can be stored for months or years before they even reach the supermarket shelves. That’s a lot of opportunity for that leaching to happen. The shorter the time the contained liquid is in the bottle, the less time there is for PFAS leaching. Your bottle of milk on the other hand is not going to contain huge amounts of PFAS leachate because it’s used up in only a few days. What home water filters can and can’t do Not all water filters are created equal when it comes to removing forever chemicals. Here’s what works and what doesn’t. Effective options Reverse Osmosis (RO): Removes up to 99% of many PFAS compounds. Highly effective but requires under-sink installation, regular maintenance and doesn’t filter water throughout the house. Activated carbon / granular carbon filters: Can reduce certain PFAS depending on filter quality and water contact time. Not all carbon filters are equal, so certification matters. Ion Exchange filters: Can remove some PFAS but usually less effective than RO. Limitations Not all filters remove every type of PFAS/forever chemicals. Some ‘cheap’ or untested filters may be ineffective. Regular maintenance and replacing cartridges is critical. Filtration does not address all contaminants, so choosing a certified system is essential. Choosing a PFAS water filter in the UK Water filters can certainly help reduce or remove the levels of forever chemicals and other things you may not want in your water. When selecting a filter, you might consider the following: Certification: Look for NSF, WRAS, or independent testing for PFAS removal. Water source: Private well v mains water may require different filtration strategies. Capacity and maintenance: Check how long cartridges last and the cost of replacement. Installation type: RO systems and under sink water filters are more involved, while countertop or jug filters are simpler but may be less effective. Need help choosing the right filter? Contact us for a free consultation. Practical tip: If you can get hold of manufacturers technical specifications for the filter cartridges then look at these for PFAS removal claims. Please note that most manufacturers won’t have these. Manufacturers tests are entirely dependent on water chemistry, and the test data is only based on the water that the manufacturer has used in the testing process. Best water filters to remove PFAS Any water filter system that contains an activated carbon cartridge will be the most effective and low cost method of filtering out PFAS forever chemicals. Activated carbon harnesses the power of adsorption, where the molecules of various contaminants, such as PFAS, are attracted to and “stick” to the molecules of the filter medium in the cartridge. Activated carbon cartridges come in different compositions: Granular activated carbon (GAC): These filters contain a granulated carbon media, in a filter canister, or sometime loose inside larger vessels. Granular activated carbon (GAC) serves as an efficient filtration medium; however, its performance may decline if water forms channels within the media, thereby diminishing the contact surface area available for effective filtration. Carbon block: Carbon block water filter cartridges provide greater contaminant removal efficiency compared to granular activated carbon (GAC), despite many similarities between the two types. These cartridges are manufactured by compressing and extruding GAC into solid blocks, which are then encased in a protective covering. Unlike GAC filters, channelling does not occur with carbon block cartridges. The high-pressure compression process produces a denser filtration medium with an increased surface area within the same dimensions as a GAC cartridge, thereby enhancing contaminant removal capability. NanoCeram PAC: Manufactured by Argonide, a leading innovator in the USA, NanoCeram PAC are pleated filter cartridges designed to remove a wide range of particles, microorganisms, and chemicals from water. These filters utilize electropositive technology and feature a carbon coating, with larger cartridges also containing a carbon block to ensure thorough filtration. They provide a high flow rate at a fine 0.2 micron rating, while their carbon elements offer extended contact time to effectively eliminate PFAS, chlorine, and numerous other chemicals. Now that we’ve established that activated carbon is up there as one of the best ways to remove PFAS forever chemicals in water, you now must decide whether you want to remove PFAS from just your drinking water or from every tap in your house. Whole House PFAS Filters Whole house filters will remove PFAS from every tap in your house. The filter system must be able to handle the required flow rate. For a single bathroom house or flat, a system containing a 4.5’’ x 10’’ carbon block cartridge is a good choice. That will provide water flowing at around 10 litres per minute – enough for most showers. A system containing a NanoCeram PAC will give a higher flow rate should you want it. For bigger properties with multiple bathrooms; the system you require will contain at least a 4.5’’ x 20’’ carbon filter cartridge, or NanoCeram PAC. These will give you at least 20 litres per minute and will make your water taste and smell much nicer, as well as giving you the peace of mind that you’ve removed most of the unpleasant things from the water that might be there. There are even bigger systems available for very large houses or commercial premises. The Big Bubba units will provide up to 56 litres per minute of filtered water. They even offer a 15 litre per minute option to remove the most harmful type of PFAS (PFOS/PFOA). Drinking Water PFAS Filters If you just want to filter the water to your kitchen cold water tap, then you’ll need a separate drinking water filter tap that sits alongside or near to your kitchen tap, or a 3 way tap. A dual stage drinking water PFAS filter is a much smaller filter system that easily fits in your under sink cupboard and doesn’t take up much room. Or you can opt for an affordable single stage drinking water PFAS filter which makes removing forever chemicals very accessible. Other ways to remove PFAS in water You may have heard that Reverse Osmosis (RO) is the best or only way of removing forever chemicals from water. RO systems effectively remove PFAS through multiple stages involving carbon block or GAC filter cartridges, like non-RO filtration systems. However, they also extract beneficial minerals from the water, and some units subsequently reintroduce these minerals in a final stage. Consequently, RO systems can be complex and costly, and their water production rate tends to be slower. If you are seeking comprehensive water filtration solutions, one of our Water Purifiers is an excellent choice. We offer options suitable for whole-house systems, single taps, or compact drinking water filters. Actionable advice for UK households If you live in an area with possible contamination or rely on private water sources, make sure to test your water regularly. Keep up to date by checking reports from the DWI or your local water supplier. Using a combination of filters may offer enhanced protection. Take care to properly maintain your filtration system; old or blocked cartridges can be more harmful than helpful. Limit exposure whenever feasible by avoiding microwaving foods in coated wrappers and stay conscious of products that contain PFAS such as non-stick cookware. How Fountain Filters can help you While PFAS are persistent chemicals, proper filtration and informed choices can reduce household exposure. UK tap water is usually safe, but those near industrial areas or using private water supplies may find filtration helpful. By learning about PFAS, consulting experts, and taking simple actions at home, you can manage your water quality effectively and affordably. Everyone has different needs, requirements, and expectations so we really encourage you to contact us on our helpdesk or call 01352 838281 to talk to us about your individual circumstances. Further reading/viewing There are vast amounts of information on the internet about forever chemicals in water. Here’s a few articles that we’ve found interesting and useful. You can go down a rabbit hole with the information available. Remember that you can remove PFAS in water so tackle that act first and then read about it. Remember, it’s pointless moaning about something and doing nothing about it. BBC UK launches plan to tackle ‘forever chemicals’ amid growing concerns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz9vz249keno - Do you know what a forever chemical is? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c208x683jyqo Other articles Cleaning up UK drinking water - https://www.rsc.org/policy-evidence-campaigns/environmental-sustainability/sustainability-reports-surveys-and-campaigns/cleaning-up-uk-drinking-water/#interactive-map FAQ’s What are PFAS (forever chemicals)? PFAS are man-made chemicals used in products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. They’re called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down and can build up in the environment and the human body over time. Is UK tap water safe from PFAS in 2026? Most UK mains water meets current safety standards in 2026. However, PFAS have been found near industrial sites, airports, and in some private wells. Many households choose filtration to reduce long-term exposure and add peace of mind. Do home water filters remove PFAS? Yes, but only certain types. Activated carbon and reverse osmosis filters are proven to reduce forever chemicals. Cheap or uncertified jug filters may not work, and cartridges must be replaced on time to stay effective. Is bottled water better than tap water for PFAS? No. Bottled water is not guaranteed PFAS-free, and PFAS can leach from plastic bottles during long storage. A home water filter is usually safer, cheaper, and more sustainable. What is the best PFAS water filter for UK homes? For most UK homes, activated carbon block filters offer the best balance of PFAS removal, cost, and simplicity. Whole house systems protect every tap, while under-sink filters are ideal for drinking water.
Is tap water safe to drink? 4 ways to make tap water drinkable Throughout the course of your life, the subject of ‘is tap water safe to drink’ is going to come up and be talked about. Whether that’s with people who normally live in the UK or those just visiting. Tap water is a very subjective topic with some people telling you it is safe to drink tap water and some people telling you to avoid it at all costs. We’ve been in the business of water filtration since 2011 and have heard it all! That’s why, as water filter specialists we can help guide you towards making decisions that are right for you about your household drinking water. We are lucky in the UK, in that household tap water is potable. Potable water is a term commonly used to refer to water that is safe to drink, cook with, and wash in. It has normally been treated and tested to ensure its of high enough quality for human consumption. But just because it’s met the strict standards for drinking water set by the relevant authorities in the UK (World Health Organisation (WHO) and the English, Welsh, and Scottish governments) that doesn’t mean you have to like drinking tap water. Those same authorities will happily tell you that you don’t need a water filter or drinking water tap either. It wouldn’t make sense would it, that on one hand these authorities are telling you that tap water in the UK is safe to drink and then on the other hand telling you to filter your water. That’s why we are here! In this article, we’ll take you on your very own UK tap water journey so that you can answer that burning question ‘is UK tap water safe to drink’ and be armed with knowledge on ‘why not to drink tap water in the UK’ without putting it through a water filter first. And at the end you’ll find four ways to make your tap water more drinkable. What’s in UK tap water? If you want to know more about your water, a good starting point is your local water company. If you’re unsure who that is, look at one of your water bills or this handy tool will tell you. The standards for water quality are there to protect you. They cover metals such as lead and copper, micro-organisms, chemicals such as pesticides and nitrates, and the way the water tastes and smells. Your local water company can give you the breakdown of the water that’s supplied to you. Let’s now go through the different kinds of things that may or may not be in UK tap water. Discolouration Have you ever poured a glass of water straight from the tap, without it having gone through a water filter first, and it appears cloudy? We get calls from people who say their water looks ‘milky’, closely followed by ‘is tap water safe to drink?’. It’s really nothing to worry about as it’s nearly always air or small deposits of naturally occurring chalk. You often get the same even if your tap water has been through a water filter, and again it’s just air and absolutely nothing to get worked up about. Try running your tap slowly for a few minutes and the water should clear. In almost all cases, discoloured water may look weird but it’s perfectly safe. Sometimes your tap water can be brown, black, or orange, and this is normally due to harmless deposits if there has been a disturbance in the water mains such as repairs to a leak or burst pipe. Taste and smell You may have travelled throughout the UK and decided that you don’t like the taste and smell of the tap water in different locations and think to yourself is UK tap water safe to drink? Before you go rushing to the supermarket to clear the shelves of bottled water, keep on reading. That tap water you are drinking is safe, but your tastebuds get very used to what you have at home and that makes you very aware of anything that tastes or smells different. Back at home, there are a few reasons why you might occasionally become aware of the changing taste and smell of your tap water. Chlorine Chlorine is used to keep your water supply safe by killing harmful bacteria. The levels of chlorine may fluctuate to ensure your tap water is meeting quality standards, and the closer you live to the treatment works the stronger the smell and taste of chlorine. Water source Where your water comes from can change. For example, some water companies are increasing their use of boreholes so in areas that used to have soft water – people are experiencing more difficulties with limescale. Time of year Seasonal weather changes can alter the way water tastes and smells. Reservoir catchment areas are mainly in rural areas, so winter animal stock movements require increasing the amount of chlorine added to the water to ensure microorganisms don’t contaminate the supply. Your plumbing The materials used in your plumbing system, or a breakdown of components used may cause your tap water to taste and smell differently. Limescale The focus of this article isn’t about the annoying effects of hard water, but we do need to highlight that no matter where you live in the country your water is going to be hard or soft, or somewhere in between. Find out how hard is the water in your area here. The general rule of thumb, working from the top of the UK down, is that tap water becomes harder the further south and east you live. The naturally occurring minerals of calcium and magnesium are the culprits here. Although tap water containing these two minerals is safe to drink, they are also the cause of all the furring and scaling on your kettle and other household appliances. Lead If you have lead lurking in your water that’s a very good reason why not to drink tap water in the UK, and you need to do something about it. Lead can be particularly harmful to young children and pregnant women. However, before you start panicking, you only need to worry about this if you have old lead pipes in your house. We know that ripping out and replacing old lead pipes can be time consuming and costly, so we would always encourage you to start with the simplest and most cost-effective solution first and that would mean filtering it out. It’s very quick and easy to check if you have lead pipes. Find the point where the external water pipe enters your house. It’s usually under your kitchen sink at the stop cock. Lead pipes that haven’t been painted will appear dark grey or black in colour and the joints may appear swollen. With a coin, scrape the metal and if it’s lead it will leave a shiny silver strip. Lead is quite a soft metal. Fluoride Aside from the naturally occurring fluoride in your tap water, if the area you live in hasn’t had the water supply artificially fluoridated then you don’t need to worry about it. We respect people’s decisions on whether they agree or disagree with artificial fluoridation as an aide to reduce tooth decay. If you disagree, then it’s easy to do something about it with our easy to install drinking water solutions. The quality of your water isn’t always the same As with anything in life, stuff happens. And that goes for water too, with incidents that may have a negative effect on the quality of your tap water and make you question is water from the tap safe to drink. The causes of these incidents vary, but may include: Poor weather – significant periods of poor weather can whip river sediment up into a frenzy thereby decreasing the raw water quality. Raw water is untreated water, i.e., the stage before the water treatment works. Mechanical failure – if pumps stop working or the power fails at the treatment works this can have an impact on the water quality. Journey through the mains – leaks and bursts in the water mains can make the water unclear due to the disturbed sediment inside the pipes. Did you know that there are approximately 348,723km of mains water pipes looked after by the various water companies and that 3,031 million litres of water were leaked each day between April 2019 and March 2022. That’s the equivalent of 1,212 Olympic swimming pools per day. Incidents may result in you receiving a ‘boil notice’ from your water company. What is a boil notice and what should I do if I get one? One of the best ways to kill bacteria or viruses in tap water is to boil it. If you get one of these notices it means that your tap water might contain harmful bacteria or viruses and you shouldn’t use your tap water for drinking, cleaning your teeth, making food or ice cubes, or giving it to your pets. You can still shower or have a bath – just don’t drink the bath water! However, think about the following. If you had one of our bacteria water filters with one of our 3-way water filter taps or a drinking water filter with your favourite from our wide selection of drinking water filter taps then you wouldn’t need to boil your water. You also must take some responsibility! It’s probably unlikely, but there is a small possibility that your internal plumbing may be causing some issues and therefore making your tap water unsafe to drink and cook with. If your plumbing hasn’t been fitted or maintained properly this can cause taste issues and water discolouration. While the poor taste and colour of the water may not mean it’s unsafe to drink, a build-up of bacteria and micro-organisms at the tap ends may. So, keep on top of your cleaning! We’ve also had a few customers who’ve had a new water filter tap installed and then had a water analysis done and they find that they have low levels of nickel in their water. That’s because nickel can be leached from the new tap for a short period of time after installation. What’s the difference between kitchen water and bathroom water? Unless you are on a private water supply there is no difference between water that comes out of the bathroom or kitchen tap on a mains supply. So, it’s perfectly safe to drink from either tap as the water quality is the same. I remember as a child hearing conversations about bathroom tap water and is bathroom tap water safe to drink. I spent a lot of years thinking that I couldn’t. Experience has taught me a lot and I now happily drink water from the bathroom tap if I’m thirsty. Drinking warm water or cooking with warm water directly from your kitchen tap is a different thing altogether. Drinking warm tap water It doesn’t sound that appealing, does it? Can you drink warm tap water? The most straightforward answer to this is MAYBE. We would suggest avoiding it depending on the following reasons. When your house was built – in a modern house you’ll probably be ok to drink warm tap water, but in older houses there may be lead pipes or lead solder to hold the pipes together. If there are lead pipes or lead solder, warm water will dissolve the lead more easily causing lead contamination. It is unsafe to drink that. What type of plumbing system you have – with old fashioned, unsealed heating systems there is usually a cold tank in the loft where water is stored. This can become contaminated with bacteria and other microorganisms. You don’t want to drink that. To be quite honest, we would recommend avoiding drinking warm water from any tap. What are the alternatives to drinking tap water in the UK? If you are toying with the idea of whether tap water is safe to drink in the UK, there are a few alternatives that should only be used on a temporary basis due to the financial cost and lack of environmental sustainability. Bottled water – an eye watering 2.51 billion litres of bottled water was consumed in the UK in 2021, worth an estimated 1.64 billion British pounds. Plastic bottles are the most common form of packaging with less than 5% of water being sold in glass bottles. Contrary to popular and misguided belief, bottled water is no safer to drink than tap water in the UK. The UK has some of the highest standards in the world when it comes to water hygiene. Canned water – the supermarket shelves are rapidly filling up with flavoured and non-flavoured canned water. It’s a slightly more sustainable option than plastic bottles, but the major brands all argue over who does it better! How to make tap water taste better Add some fruit such as lemons, strawberries, kiwi fruit, or some cucumber and mint. These will drown out any bad tastes or smells. Allow the tap water to sit for a bit before drinking it. Did you know that chlorine dissipates after 24 hours. Fill a water filter bottle so you have fresh filtered water while on the go. Install one of our stunning water filter taps for home along with one of our drinking water filters and you’ll never have to have that debate ‘is tap water safe to drink’! We’re lucky in the UK to have such good access to predominantly safe and clean water for most of the time. We have robust laws that underpin the expected high standards of the public water supply in the UK so that residents have access to potable water. So, please enjoy the fact that you can turn on the tap and the water isn’t going to harm you. We realise it’s all down to personal preference and you have a multitude of options at your fingertips to treat your water in whichever way you choose. That’s why we are here to help in any way we can, providing solutions to all water related problems. FAQ What is potable water UK? Potable water UK is water that has been treated and tested to ensure it is safe to drink, cook with, and wash in. Can you drink bathroom tap water UK? Yes, bathroom tap water in the UK is safe to drink if you are on mains water. The water is the same whether it comes from the bathroom or kitchen tap. How clean is tap water UK? Tap water is clean in the UK. You are fortunate in that UK water has been treated to some of the most stringent levels in the world, overseen by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
0 7 ways purify water naturally drinking cooking hygiene
7 ways to purify water naturally for drinking, cooking, and hygiene Are you looking at ways to purify water naturally? Purifying water means different things to different people. That makes it a more complex subject than it may otherwise appear, so let’s break it down by specifying what “water purification” and “natural filtration” are. Water purification is simply the act of removing unwanted substances from water. Natural water purification can mean that it’s a physical process where no chemicals are used. Alternatively, natural water purification may also mean that you want to use natural materials to purify water. To complicate matters further, purifying water can be defined as making it safe from microorganisms, removing sediment particles, or removing chemicals and metals, or any combination of those. So if you want drinking water filters for home here are seven methods in two groups to consider. How to purify tap water naturally As tap water is already purified of most things, it’s chlorine what most people want to remove. Chlorine is added to prevent bacteria, mould, and other microorganisms from contaminating the water. Method 1 - The simplest natural way to purify water at home is to fill a jug with water and put it in the fridge for 24 hours, or at least overnight. Chlorine breaks down and dissipates naturally over time, so when you pour yourself a glass of water the following day it will have no chlorine taste or odour. Method 2 - Or if it’s disinfecting water that may contain microbial infection. If that’s the case then to purify water naturally you can boil the water for between three and six minutes. The boiling time depends on altitude – at sea level three minutes is fine, above 1000 metres (3000 ft) it’s six minutes. You can’t get more natural than those two methods of water purification! The main natural materials to purify water are carbon, fabric, paper, and ceramic. We talk about each one of these natural water purifying methods in the next section of this article. Method 3 - Removing particles from water can easily be done using clean fabric such as muslin or a paper coffee filter and pouring water through it into a jug or bottle. That will get rid of visible particles but not microscopic, chemical, or biological contaminants. Method 4 - Another natural method of disinfection is to fill a clear bottle with water and then leave it in direct sunlight for at least six hours, preferably longer. The ultraviolet radiation in the sun’s rays will kill any microorganisms contaminating the water. As you’ve seen filtering water naturally at home without a dedicated water filter is not very effective when you want to have properly purified water that’s safe and hygienic. Especially if you want that purified water on demand. How to purify water with natural materials We’re now into the realms of natural ways to purify water at home using manufactured filtration systems that use natural materials to purify the water. Filter housings are generally made from food grade plastic or stainless steel, and the purified water is delivered from water filter taps installed on a kitchen sink or bench. For an in-depth understanding of water filtration see the ultimate water purification guide. UV Water Filters As mentioned previously, the natural ways of purifying water employ carbon, ceramic, and sunlight. If we look at the sunlight as a water purification method; clearly, you can’t bring the sun into your house, but it’s the ultraviolet part of sunlight that does the disinfection. Method 5 - To recreate that in the home requires a UV water filter system: a stainless-steel vessel that contains a UV lamp that shines through the water as it flows through the unit. All it requires is electricity to power the lamp. Carbon Based Water Filters Carbon based filters are another method of water purification and are often described as charcoal, this is a natural material made by heating coconut husks in low oxygen ovens. What you get is black, brittle, and easily ground up into granules that can be placed into canisters, or shaped into cylindrical blocks, known as carbon block. You may also see that carbon filters are called “activated carbon”. This may sound unnatural, but it’s really a simple process of heating the carbon to make it have a very large surface area to volume ratio – it’s the same process as making popcorn. Activated carbon is made by heating up coconut shells and then breaking them down into granules that are used to either fill a canister or press into a filter cartridge shape. Of course, these different styles of carbon filter material need to be contained within a manufactured vessel, either stainless steel or plastic. That high surface area attracts chemical contaminants to “stick” to the carbon within the cartridge therefore removing them from the water. This is called adsorption and is highly effective at removing many substances such as chlorine, PAHs, THMs, pharmaceutical residues, agricultural substances, endocrine disruptors. The list goes on and on… Method 6 – obtain a filter containing either carbon block or GAC (granular activated carbon) cartridges. Ensure the size is sufficient for the flow rate you need for counter-top, cold water tap, or whole house filtration purposes. Some activated carbon block filters are made from bituminous material, so if you don’t want something that’s been extracted from a mine then it’s best to avoid these (although they are highly efficient filter cartridges). Ceramic Water Filters Ceramic filters have been around for a good couple of hundred years. This was pioneered in Staffordshire, UK, by John Doulton in the early 1800s, and developed by his son Henry. Doulton filters are still made today. Ceramic filter cartridges are made from naturally occurring clay, and some also contain carbon so that they naturally purify water of bacteria, moulds, cysts, sediment, and chemicals such as chlorine. The way they work is that the ceramic material has microscopic pores that allows water to pass through it, while trapping particles. The pores are so minute that in addition to fine sediment, ceramic filters can also remove bacteria and cysts. This makes ceramic filters a very good natural method of purifying water. Some ceramic cartridges also contain activated carbon block elements within the ceramic shell so purify water naturally of chemicals AND microorganisms at the same time. Method 7 – this method of purifying water naturally consists of installing a filter system that has ceramic candles or cartridges – Doulton still makes these in the UK! The only drawback with these ceramic filters is that they aren’t always suitable for whole house applications due to flow rate restrictions – but you will get good, clean water for drinking and cooking with. One of the practical benefits of installing a manufactured filter is that you can match it with something from our modern and stylish 3 way taps selection. Best natural water purifier If you’ve read this far you now know that there isn’t necessarily a simple answer to the question of how you purify water naturally. However, describing those seven methods gives a good indication of what you can do simply and easily using things you already have in the kitchen to filter your water. Plus, you now have the knowledge of what natural materials are used in the manufacture of water filters that do a lot more than the basic methods described in methods 1 to 4. We haven’t covered reverse osmosis water filter systems in this item even though RO could be considered a natural method of purifying water. It works by having a number of filters plus a semi-permeable membrane through which water molecules pass to be stored in a reservoir ready for use. The main reason for omitting RO is that some of the filter cartridges used, including the membrane, are made of non-natural materials. You can make an informed choice of what you want to improve about your water, and which method will work for you while also using natural materials. Got more questions? If you still need more information or want help choosing the right filter for you feel free to give us a call on 01352 838281 or send a message on our helpdesk. Image by Jarkko Mänty FAQ How to clean water naturally? Cleaning water naturally to ensure its drinkable can be done using a variety of methods ranging from standing water in the open air to remove chlorine to carbon based water filter systems to remove chlorine and other contaminants. Can water filters remove chlorine? Yes, water filters can remove chlorine. Water filters containing a carbon block water filter cartridge will remove chlorine. Which water purification system is best? The water purification system that is best for you is the system that removes the contaminants that you don't want in your water. Knowing what you want to improve about your water is the first question you need to ask yourself. Seeking help from a water filtration expert like Fountain Filters may help.
Water fluoridation in the UK Fluoride occurs naturally in water, but some areas of the UK (England only) have fluoride added by the water companies upon request from local health authorities. We’ll cover why they fluoridate drinking water later. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not currently add fluoride to drinking water, but naturally occurring fluoride may be present. Here is a water fluoridation UK map so you can quickly see if fluoride has been added to your drinking water. This map was sourced from GOV.UK. Understanding water fluoridation The main reason that fluoride is added to water is to prevent rising tooth decay and improve oral health in the general population. However, fluoridation of water pales in comparison to the availability of toothpaste containing fluoride, which is available across the UK. Fluoride in varying levels is added to toothpaste as a preventative measure against oral disease and is the most common delivery system of fluoride to the UK population. Benefits of fluoridated water The addition of fluoride in water is all about intervention. Food sugars + mouth plaque bacteria = acid, which leads to cavities. Dental cavities can ultimately end in tooth decay and extraction, unless something is done about it. Tooth decay is avoidable. Extracting decayed teeth from children is not something to celebrate. According to the British Dental Association (BDA) 'tooth decay is still going unchallenged as the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children'. And for the financial year 2021-2022 there were 26,741 episodes of tooth extractions in NHS hospitals for 0-19 year olds, with the primary reason being tooth decay. This obviously cost the NHS, and you the taxpayer a lot of money. This is why some parts of the UK fluoridate water, and why fluoride toothpaste is available. So that there are consistent levels of fluoride in the mouth to make teeth enamel more resistant to decay. Research findings on water fluoridation Despite the horror stories that you’ll read on the world-wide web, water fluoridation is a safe and effective public health intervention that can improve dental health and help to narrow dental health inequalities across England. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. You can remove fluoride from tap water and we’ll guide you through the most effective ways to do this with one of our fluoride water filters. The Water Quality Regulations 2016 allow for up to 1.5 mg/l of fluoride in the public water supply. If water companies in England fluoridate water, they do so up to 1 mg/l. Visiting your water suppliers website will give you the most up to date information of the fluoride levels in your water supply. Remember that fluoride is naturally present in water, and the fluoride UK water map above tells you if you’re in an area that is artificially fluoridated. Fluoride in drinking water We’ve already established that England is the only country in the UK that adds fluoride to drinking water to improve dental health. And only 10% of England’s population has fluoride added to drinking water, which is about 6 million people. The most extensively fluoridated areas in England are the West Midlands and the Northeast of England. Historically, these are areas that have experienced high levels of deprivation. Checking fluoride levels in your area To quickly check if you have fluoride added to your drinking water supply, look at our UK fluoride water map above. Then for more detailed information about the fluoride levels in your drinking water, look at your water suppliers website. They may have a postcode checker, so it’s worthwhile looking for that. This will give you the level of fluoride present in your household water. It will also give you information on permissible levels. Effective methods for removing fluoride from water If your water is currently being fluoridated to elevate the naturally occurring levels, you may or may not agree with it. That’s entirely up to you and if you disagree with the fluoridation of water, you can do something about it. Firstly, you can stop buying toothpaste that has fluoride added to it. The toothpaste tube will always list fluoride if it’s been added. Secondly, you can reduce the amount of fluoride in your household water with one of our specialist fluoride water filters. Our fluoride filters will either treat your drinking water only, kitchen cold tap, or whole house. It really is very easy, and we will do what we can to help you. So, check the map, check your water suppliers website, do some research, decide what’s best for you and your family, and if that’s to minimise exposure to fluoride the next logical step is to call us on 01352 838 281 or pop a message on our helpdesk. Key takeaways from Fountain Filters When it comes to water filtration there is always a lot of information to sift through and try to understand. But for the purposes of fluoride in water, here are our top three takeaways. Look at the UK water fluoridation map above to determine if your water is artificially fluoridated. Remember that fluoride occurs naturally in water, so getting one of those home test kits for fluoride will almost always throw up a positive reading for fluoride. It’s better to visit your water suppliers website. Work out whether you want fluoride in your water or not. If you don’t want fluoride in your drinking water, then contact Fountain Filters and do something about it. FAQ about fluoride in water Does boiling water remove fluoride? NO. Boiling water does not remove fluoride. If you boil water containing fluoride, it would leave the same amount of fluoride in a smaller amount of water, due to evaporation during the boiling process. Why do water companies use fluoride? Fluoride is added to some public water supplies in England to reduce oral health inequalities and tooth decay rates, particularly in children aged 0-19 years old. Does bottled water have fluoride in it? Bottled water may contain fluoride. It's important to look at the label on the brand you wish to purchase.
0 Can You Drink Softened Water
Can you drink softened water? Is it safe? As specialists in water filtration, we are often asked these two questions “can you drink softened water?” and “is it safe to drink softened water?”. We like easy answers to simple questions like that, and in this case the answer is “yes, in most cases”. Important note: what follows in this article is our best advice and information as water filtration experts. We are not health professionals; if you have any doubts you should consult your GP or other medically qualified person. Let’s get some understanding of how water is softened and why it may not be good to drink it for some people. What is softened water? In simple terms soft water is water that has low concentrations of dissolved minerals – mainly calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), that’s below 100 milligrams per litre (mg/l). Water above that level may be slightly hard (100 - 150 mg/l), moderately hard (150 – 200 mg/l), hard (200 – 300 mg/l), or even very hard (300 mg/l and above). Softened water is hard water that has the hard minerals, also known as hard ions, replaced with sodium ions, in a process called “ion exchange”. Note that the sodium in softened water is not salt (sodium chloride, NaCL) so your water won’t taste salty if you install a water softener. The chemical introduced in water softening is sodium bicarbonate and it’s not a 1:1 ratio, in fact it’s closer to around 40%. So, if you have hard water of 200 mg/l you can expect around 80 mg/l of sodium to be introduced. If you’re in a very hard water area with 350 mg/l it’s 140 mg/l of sodium introduced. Now that we know that we can consider this further. Is it safe to drink softened water? For most people you can drink water from a water softener safely. Adults sodium tolerance in drinking water The UK’s drinking water regulations and the World Health Organisation (WHO) state that the maximum safe level of sodium in drinking water is 200 mg/l (or 200 parts per million – ppm). That’s based on WHO recommended maximum daily sodium intake of 2000 mg per day from all sources, which includes meals, snacks, supplements, and drinks. Having said that the NHS and British Heart Foundation say that the maximum daily limit is 6g of salt per day for adults (that’s 6000 mg/day!) which seems a bit high if the sodium content is 40%. Bearing that in mind it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and limit your intake to 4g of salt per day at most. Taking these figures into consideration, drinking softened water may be safe for healthy adults, but what about other people? Children sodium tolerance in drinking water Tolerance for sodium increases with the age of children: Age Sodium Salt Babies < 0.4g < 1g 1 - 3 0.8g 2g 4 - 6 1.2g 3g 7 - 10 2g 5g 11 and older 2.5g 6g As you can see from the table, you need to be much more vigilant with your children’s intake of salt and sodium to safeguard their health. It is probably best if children don’t drink softened water at all. Health effects of sodium Sodium in your diet affects your health by increasing blood pressure. While that may be fine for healthy adults who are reasonably active, it’s a big risk for some – it could even be life-threatening some. But what are the risks involved in drinking softened water? Given that sodium increases blood pressure, if you suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, you’ll already be aware of what follows. If not, then it may surprise you to learn that high blood pressure significantly increases the chances of developing heart disease. And then add to that: Heart attacks Strokes Heart failure Peripheral arterial disease Aortic aneurisms Kidney disease Vascular dementia Why can’t you drink softened water? Think of this in terms of the health effects of softened water for at risk people. If you have normal blood pressure, it’s likely that it’s perfectly safe to drink softened water. However, if your blood pressure is already high, or of you have slightly elevated blood pressure then you really don’t want to add to the problem. So, it’s definitely not recommended to consume water with extra sodium added in by a water softener. Can dogs drink softened water? Water from a water softener is perfectly safe for most dogs, and other pets. Older animals are probably best not to have the increased sodium. However, hard water is likely to be a higher risk to dogs due to kidney problems it can cause. The same is true for cats and the best advice is to give your pets filtered soft water which reduces most chemicals that might have adverse health effects. The side effects of drinking softened are not severe for most people, but you still may want to prevent limescale, but without using a water softener. Salt free water softeners Strictly speaking salt free water softeners aren’t water softeners, but they do prevent or minimise the formation of hard scale. They can also be combined very cost effectively with other filters that will improve water quality overall. Salt free systems tend to be lower maintenance, have a lower purchase price, and be very much cheaper to install. The latest technology employs a system called template assisted crystallisation (TAC) or media assisted crystallisation (MAC). For whole house applications Watts’ OneFlow+ mains water filter system is a simple all-in-one solution that maintains a great flow rate while treating hard water and filtering out chemicals. Or if you’re happy with the taste of your water and only want to treat the limescale problem then a superb option that is also able to be fitted in a kitchen under sink cupboard is the OneFlow Hard Water Filter 30LPM . With this post we hope you are now more informed about drinking softened water. When it comes to treating limescale or softening water, everyone has different needs, requirements, and expectations so we really encourage you to contact us here on our helpdesk or call 01352 838281 to talk to us about your individual circumstances. Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians
0 10 Refreshing Ways to Liven up your Water
This is a brilliant article for anyone who wants to liven up their water and move away from processed drinks which contain way too much refined sugar and other artificial nasties that are better out of your body and not in it. It's packed full of refreshing fun recipes using fruit and herbs. Such a good alternative to plain water. Read the article HERE Intro: "Fruit-infused waters are a wonderful and refreshing drink option for summer when the sun is out, the kids are bored, and the bugs are biting.TV commercials will try to convince you that only soda and processed drinks are thirst-quenching enough for summer. Of course, you probably already know better, but sometimes it is nice to have an alternative to plain water.The market for sweetened, processed junk to add to water is a multi-billion dollar industry. This is unfortunate for all of the people drinking this junk. The body doesn’t need refined sugar, and it certainly doesn’t need artificial sweeteners or food dyes.If you want to add some delicious taste and health benefits to water, try these fruit-water recipes instead! These recipes use micronutrient-rich herbs, fruits, and vegetables for thirst-quenching flavor with added benefits!"
0 5 Amazing Benefits of Drinking Water
Water is and always will be the BEST drink to keep you hydrated. In this video you'll learn 5 amazing benefits of drinking water. And installing a drinking water filter is way cheaper than buying expensive bottled water.
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