Water is one of the most important resources in our daily lives. We drink it, cook with it, make our morning coffee with it, and use it to wash our fruits and vegetables. Yet, many of us rarely stop to think about where our water comes from, what happens to it before it reaches our homes, and how its quality may affect our health.
In Malaysia, treated water is monitored and managed according to established drinking-water quality requirements before it leaves the treatment plant. However, water can be contaminated by what happens after that, particularly as it travels through distribution networks, household plumbing, and storage systems before reaching your glass.
When we think about contaminated water, we often imagine water that looks dirty or has an unpleasant smell. However, there are contaminants that may be present in water that does not cause any noticeable change in taste, odour, or even appearance.
Lead
Lead can enter drinking water through plumbing materials, pipes, faucets, and fixtures when lead-containing components corrode or deteriorate. Exposure to lead can affect the developing nervous system and has been associated with learning and behavioural difficulties in children.
Chlorine and Disinfection By-Products
Chlorine is widely used to disinfect drinking water and control harmful microorganisms. However, chlorine can react with naturally occurring organic matter in water and form disinfection by-products, which can cause health problems over time.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
PFAS refers to a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. PFAS can contaminate our water from industrial discharges, landfills, contaminated soil, and even consumer chemicals. Research has associated exposure to PFAS with potential health effects, including ones affecting the immune system and reproductive health.
Take Control of Your Water Quality
For families who want to take an extra step in managing their water quality, a point-of-use water filtration system can be a practical option. ZHULIAN’s BEYOND WATER Bio-Active Reforming System is designed with 7 chambers, 5 treatment stages, and 15 types of filter media to provide multiple layers of filtration and water treatment. It is designed to help reduce various impurities that may affect water quality, including chlorine, odour, sediments, and certain heavy metals.
Ultimately, keeping drinking water clean is not just about how the water looks or tastes. While treated water goes through important processes before reaching our homes, the condition of household plumbing and storage can also play a role. Adding a suitable point-of-use filtration system such as BEYOND WATER can be one practical way for families to have greater control over the water we use every day.
