DRINKING WATER SOURCES: WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE?

Drinking water sources: which one to choose?

Hence comes the popular recommendation to drink 2 liters (or eight glasses) of water per day; after all, you need to focus on your own health rather than on numbers. However, even if you drink enough, it does not guarantee that you will be as sound as a bell –not only the quantity, but also the quality of water matters.

What kind of water is the best choice for consumption? To answer this question, we offer to consider all the options available to common Kyiv residents in details.

Tap water

Despite the fact that there are certain standards set out by the World Health Organization and current legislation, the quality of water from a centralized water supply network does not often meet the requirements. Thus, in the majority of water pipelines, there are regular variances for more than 10 toxic substances; among them are aluminum ions, iron, manganese, sulfur, fluorine, nitrates, nitrites, organochlorine compounds, and salt. Introduced in 1982, the Ukrainian drinking water standard has not been revised since then, although in most of all developed countries the national standards are annually adjusted, according to the environmental situation.

Water from the pump rooms and wells

Well water is considered useful, as it is naturally created and purified. However, we should not forget that groundwater is affected by anthropogenic environmental factors. With the development of the chemical industry, including pharmaceuticals, the number of anthropogenic pollutants has increased to 30-40 million units. Toxic waste, mineral fertilizers and pesticides, antibiotics get into groundwater, and natural filtration is incapable of coping with such amounts of hazardous substances.Water purified by reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis systems have become very popular recently – sellers ensure that such systems remove all harmful impurities from water: creating pressure, they push water jets through special membranes, and, as a result, bacteria, dirt and molecules of minerals are disposed.

Such water is suitable for consumption; it will not lead to poisoning or allergies. However, since it is mineral-poor, this type of water will not bring much health benefits either. Living creatures receive most of the minerals from water – it is laid by nature and it provides the internal balance. Over time, "empty" water consumption can lead to micronutrient deficiency and the onset of the related diseases.

Water purified using replaceable filters

Various pathogenic bacteria, which lead to the development of diarrhoeal diseases, can multiply even in the last updated versions of filters. In addition, such systems perform their work quite slowly, and can be inconvenient when a large amount of water is needed.

Bottled water

The best option is to buy bottled water from artesian wells. It undergoes a special treatment process, and its mineral composition fully complies with the WHO standards. Such water is suitable for direct consumption and cooking, and does not have any foreign smells or aftertastes. In addition, it is not necessary to buy it in the store – you can order the delivery of water home or to the office, and it will be delivered to you in the necessary quantity at the time of your convenience.