What Are the Benefits of Treated Water?

Access to clean and healthy drinking water – the most fundamental resource in our daily lives – has become far more reliable thanks to rapidly advancing technology. Potential risks of contamination in mains water, inadequate infrastructure and environmental concerns arising from bottled water have driven interest in domestic water treatment systems to an all-time high. At this very point, there is a great deal of misinformation circulating for consumers who are researching the benefits of filtered water and wish to make the right decision for their families. In this comprehensive guide, we examine in detail the science behind filtration technologies, the actual effects of these waters on human health, the common myths circulating amongst the public, and provide transparent expert data to help simplify your decision-making process.

What Is Treated Water and How Is It Produced?

Treated water is pure drinking water obtained by purifying water sourced from its origin (usually the mains supply) using multi-stage filtration technologies to remove any sediment, limescale, heavy metals, chlorine, rust and potentially harmful microorganisms that may be present. These devices, which are used to remove physical and chemical contaminants from water, operate by mimicking nature based on a fundamental principle.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology, which has now become the industry standard and delivers the most efficient results, works by forcing water through semi-permeable membrane filters with pores measuring one millionth of a millimetre under high pressure. At this stage, all harmful substances larger than water molecules are expelled from the system (into the waste water). Furthermore, this process, supported by activated carbon filtration technology, clarifies the water’s colour, absorbs unpleasant odours and completely eliminates any off-flavours. According to global market research data, the reliable water treatment equipment sector reached a value of 53.8 billion US dollars in 2023 and continues to grow rapidly day by day, driven by the global demand for high-quality water.

The Health Benefits and Benefits to Daily Life of Treated Water

Being able to produce high-quality, fresh drinking water instantly in your own home not only quenches your thirst, but also directly improves your overall health and quality of life.

Removal of Harmful Micro-organisms, Chlorine and Heavy Metals

The primary and most fundamental purpose of drinking clean water is to protect the human body from potential biological and chemical hazards that may be transmitted through water. Modern reverse osmosis technology provides a powerful protective shield for the immune system by removing 99 per cent of contaminants in water, such as lead, arsenic, chlorine, viruses and harmful bacteria. This high-tech measure, taken specifically to combat rust and heavy metal leaching that can enter the mains water supply from old plumbing pipes, directly helps to ensure that kidney and liver functions continue to operate healthily and without strain.

Maximum Flavour in Food and Drink

Chlorine, which is frequently used to disinfect municipal tap water, and various suspended particles in the water can spoil the taste and aroma of a freshly brewed cup of tea or a carefully prepared coffee. As the filtration process completely neutralises chlorine with the help of activated carbon, it ensures your drinks are much clearer, odourless and retain their natural flavour. Households using state-of-the-art water purification systems report that, thanks to the soft, smooth-tasting water obtained by reducing the hardness of tap water, they have noticed a marked improvement in the flavour of their food as well.

Its Effects on Skin Health and Beauty

Hard water, which is high in chlorine and limescale, is harmful not only when consumed but also through skin contact; in the long term, it can cause dryness, irritation and trigger dermatological conditions such as eczema. Consuming fresh water that has been purified of hard minerals such as limescale and chemicals, and whose pH balance has been optimised, enables cells to hydrate much more easily. This accelerates cell renewal, protects the skin’s natural moisture barrier and helps prevent problems such as hair loss or dullness.

Environmentally Friendly and Economical Consumption

Nowadays, the production, transport and disposal of single-use plastic bottles and massive polycarbonate water containers are leaving irreversible carbon footprints on the ecosystem. Instead of traditional systems with high waste rates, global demand for environmentally friendly filtration systems that minimise wastewater is increasing by 25 per cent each year. Integrating the system into your kitchen reduces plastic waste to zero, whilst also radically cutting your long-term water costs arising from weekly jug orders, thereby offering an extremely economical consumption model.

Should You Choose Treated Water or Bottled Water?

One of the main issues that causes consumers the most dilemma at the point of purchase is the differences between bottled natural spring water and purified water from the tap at home. As bottled waters are generally sourced from natural springs, they have a rich mineral profile (magnesium, calcium, etc.). However, the fact that these waters are stored in plastic containers for months on end and are exposed to direct sunlight and heat during the logistics process carries a very serious risk of Bisphenol-A (BPA) and microplastic particles leaching into the water. Furthermore, once opened, bacterial growth in a jug that has been left standing for days in contact with the air is only a matter of time.

Due to justified scepticism regarding tap water and concerns about the hygiene of bottled water among households living in urban areas, they are 40 per cent more likely to use a water treatment system in their homes than those in rural areas. Innovative products such as water dispensers with built-in filtration – designed not just for the kitchen worktop but also for office or large-scale domestic use – completely eliminate the problems of waiting, water going off and packaging. A water purification system enhanced with a mineral filter proves its superiority over bottled water thanks to the advantage of providing an unlimited supply of fresh water.

The comparison table below summarises this situation more clearly:

Is it harmful to drink treated water all the time?

The biggest source of misinformation in the water treatment sector – and users’ most legitimate concern – is the potential impact of long-term consumption on physical health. To help you make an informed decision, we’re debunking the most common myths and explaining the scientific facts behind them.

Does Treated Water Kill Minerals?

The belief, commonly spread by word of mouth, that ‘the purification process kills all the minerals in the water’ is, strictly speaking, a misnomer; because calcium and magnesium are not living organisms, they cannot be ‘killed’. The scientific term for this process is ‘demineralisation’, meaning the removal of minerals. Whilst the high-pressure reverse osmosis process removes heavy metals from the water, due to the structure of its pores, it also traps and discards beneficial calcium and magnesium ions—which are large in molecular size—in the filter.

Consuming fully demineralised (filtered and neutralised) water on its own in its pure form is not in keeping with human nature. The solution to this fact—which some companies in the sector choose to conceal—is extremely simple: using high-quality alkaline and mineral filters integrated into the final stage of the water purification process. This technology, after completely purifying the water, passes it through rock layers just as in nature, thereby naturally restoring the minerals the body needs to the water.

Is it safe for children to drink filtered water?

A critical proportion of the calcium and magnesium requirements of babies and children during their bone development is met by the water they drink throughout the day. Pure water produced by devices that only have a basic reverse osmosis membrane and lack a mineral filter to raise the pH will be insufficient to meet the mineral requirements of a child in their developmental years. Parents therefore need to be properly informed.

The safety of the water provided for children depends on the quality of the appliance. If your system includes an alkaline and mineral filter that meets the correct standards, this water—which poses no risk of heavy metals or microplastics—becomes the safest and healthiest drink you can give your children.

Can You Get Diarrhoea from Treated Water?

A technology that has been installed correctly and operates without issues acts as a protective shield for the digestive system, as it eliminates cysts and parasites in the water. However, there are two main factors underlying the occurrence of problems such as diarrhoea when water from these devices is consumed. Firstly, there is a lack of maintenance and negligence. Carbon and membrane filters that are not replaced in good time and have reached the end of their service life become unable to function properly, and the device’s water tank can turn into a dangerous breeding ground for bacteria, leading to stomach and intestinal infections.

The second reason is a biological adaptation process. Individuals who have previously consumed water that is very hard, calcareous and has a high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level may experience a brief shock to their gut flora when they suddenly switch to water that is soft and has a low TDS level. It is a physiological response for such temporary digestive disturbances to occur whilst the body adjusts to the new mineral balance.

How Can You Get the Most Out of Water Purifiers?

Buying a unit and having it fitted under your worktop is just the start. There are some crucial steps users need to follow to truly benefit from purified water and enjoy a long-lasting experience.

The Importance of Using Alkaline and Mineral Filters

Pure water is a very powerful solvent. According to scientific research published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), when cooking is carried out using completely demineralised (low TDS) treated water can, due to its powerful solvent effect, cause the loss of up to 60 per cent of the calcium and magnesium present in food (meat and vegetables). In the long term, this weakens cellular nutrition.

For this reason, ‘Alkaline and Mineral Filters’—which restore the pH balance and enhance the nutritional value of purified water—are not a luxury but a biological necessity for these devices. According to World Health Organisation standards, the minimum threshold values that must be present in healthy and ideal drinking water are as follows:

• Ideal TDS Level: 150–300 mg/L
• Minimum calcium: 20 mg/L
• Minimum magnesium: 10 mg/L

A high-quality mineral filter safeguards your family’s health by ensuring that the water from your appliance fully meets these standards.

Regular Filter Replacement and Equipment Maintenance

The freshness of the filters is the key factor directly determining your system’s performance. The saturation points of the filters vary depending on the level of contamination in your tap water and your household’s daily water consumption. As a general industry standard, pre-filters (sediment, granular activated carbon and block carbon) must be replaced every 6 to 12 months. The Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane filter and the alkaline taste-enhancing filter, which form the main filtration stage, should generally be replaced every 1.5 to 2 years. Failure to carry out maintenance will result in harmful substances leaking into the water and the system becoming completely inoperable.

Expert Tip: A Method for Enriching Filtered Water at Home

We have a brilliant practical solution (hack) for those who are currently using a basic reverse osmosis system at home that lacks an older-generation filter or a mineral/alkaline additive. If you want to instantly revitalise your water and enrich its demineralised (filtered) composition until you have the chance to replace your filter, you can follow this simple formula:

Add just 1 tablespoon of natural, unflavoured mineral water to the 1-litre glass water filter jug you have prepared at home. The high concentrations of potassium, calcium and sulphate ions found in mineral water instantly bind to the pure water, which acts as a solvent, thereby balancing the water’s TDS level, raising its pH and transforming it into a much more beneficial, mineral-rich form for your body.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Treated Water

If you still have any queries on this subject, you can find transparent and clear answers to the questions most frequently searched for by users online below.

Is it healthy to drink untreated water?

Water purification systems are absolutely safe, as they remove harmful substances such as heavy metals, microplastics and agricultural chemicals from the water. However, for the water to be fully ‘healthy’ in the long term, it is essential that its mineral balance is maintained. Rather than using older-generation systems that merely purify the water and completely demineralise it, drinking water from a system featuring an alkaline or mineral filter in the final stage is 100 per cent biologically healthy.

Why isn’t treated water any good?

The main reason for public criticism of treated water is that vital minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium are filtered out and lost during the filtration process (using reverse osmosis membranes). World Health Organisation reports state that the continuous consumption of completely demineralised water over many years can lead to cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and nutritional deficiencies. If minerals are not restored to the water, it is merely clean and pure, but does not nourish the body.

Filtered water or bottled water?

As bottled water generally comes from natural spring water sources, it has a rich mineral profile. However, with plastic bottles, there is a very high risk of BPA and microplastics leaching rapidly into the water, particularly when exposed to sunlight or heat. Furthermore, there is a risk of bacterial growth in water that has been left standing. A domestic water purification system fitted with a high-quality mineral filter is, by far, superior to bottled water, as it provides packaging-free, consistently fresh and healthy water.

Can you get diarrhoea from treated water?

A device that is working correctly and is properly maintained provides excellent protection for your digestive system by preventing harmful bacteria and parasites in the water. However, if the replacement intervals for the pre-filter and main filter (6–12 months) are neglected, bacteria will begin to multiply rapidly within the system, which may lead to stomach or intestinal infections (such as diarrhoea). Furthermore, for some people using a water purifier for the first time, the sudden drop in the water’s TDS (hardness) level may cause temporary digestive upset for a few days, until the body adjusts to this softer water.

Copy Blog Link