As if you didn’t consume enough fluoride and chloride when visiting the dentist, it’s common knowledge that both chemicals are prevalent in our drinking water. It’s a disconcerting feeling, but the bureaucracies responsible for their usage would have you believe there’s little to no risk. While you may be thankful for your fresher breath, at Megan Drew, we wouldn’t blame you if you were a little unsure about your drinking water.
Contributing more to your unease is the fact that Hamilton Water is adding another chemical known as orthophosphate to your drinking water. Even more alarming? It’s already being used in the GTA.
A Common Chemical
When treatment professionals utilize orthophosphate, it’s because the chemical adheres to pipes in order prevent pipe corrosion in aging water distribution systems. As a result of pipe corrosion, lead may enter your drinking water stream with the potential of causing immeasurable harm to your health.
According to many water treatment experts, orthophosphate is safe. As a form of phosphorus, it’s an essential mineral already found in human bones and teeth for growth and repair of body cells. In moderation, phosphorus is integral to our survival.
Apparently, only a small amount remains in your water by the time it reaches your tap.
An Ineffectual Band-Aid Solution?
It appears “science” supports orthophosphate… but why does your water even need to be treated with added chemicals? As we stated previously, it’s caused by lead pipes—so why not simply replace them?
Most cities don’t have horrible intentions when it comes to replacing lead piping, but it’s hard to account for every single piece of private property. If a home was built before the mid-sixties, homeowners must replace their own incoming lead pipes.
Chlorine, fluoride, aqueous ammonia and poly aluminum chloride are all commonly used to treat led pipes: chlorine disinfects and kills harmful bacteria. Fluoride reduces tooth decay, and aqueous ammonia keeps the chlorine from losing its power as it goes through the distribution system.
If you ask us, it seems like a relatively broken system. Now, we aren’t hurt in the short term but what will be the long term effects of ingesting these chemicals on a daily basis? Are these water treatments healthy in any way for us, or simply the lesser of two evils when compared to ingesting lead?
A Viable Alternative
Sadly, the hard truth of this all is that our drinking water is passing through aging pipes with toxic levels of lead. The only way to ensure the drinking water doesn’t make us immediately, irreversibly ill is by treating the water with a smorgasbord of chemicals we’d otherwise keep out of our body.
So, what are you supposed to do? While you could turn to keenly-purified bottled water, it’s a costly endeavour to both your bank account and the environment.
Your best bet may be installing a UV water filtration system for the most purified water. It’s a highly affordable solution that gets rid of chlorine, fluoride, and led from your water supply, the taste isn’t effected, it’s conductivity and chemistry, easy to use, and easier to maintain.
And if you decide upon purchasing your UV water filtration system, Megan Drew are experts in installation and maintenance of UV Filters. If you live in Markham, Stouffville, or anywhere else throughout the York Region, contact us and give your drinking water a brighter future!
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