Water qualities can vary as much as the names we choose to give water itself: sea water, tap water, mineral water or rain water.

We all know this, but we do not know that much about the qualities and properties of water, which is why there exists a Decree or Real Decreto RD140/2003 about (drinking) water which establishes the limits of what our water should contain.

These values refer to various parametres: organoleptic traits (smell, taste and colour), physical and chemical traits (turbidity, conductivity, ph and temperature), microbiological traits (total coliform bacteria, fecal streptoccoci, eschericha coli, aerobic bacteria, etc.), unwanted substances (nitrates, ammonia) and desinfecting agents such as residual free chlorine or combined chlorine. These are just some of the traits that can be studied in water. It is very important to consider these aspects in order to obtain safe water. Water has a close relationship with human daily life due to its direct uses and also because it is an essential element in ecosystem conservation. It is also a basic factor that determines health or illness.

Having access to safe water is essential for the health of all people. Therefore, if it is polluted it becomes one of the main vehicles that transmit illnesses that affect the most unprotected groups, such as children and the elderly. Therefore, large companies that provide water are under the obligation to carry out regular checks to guarantee good drinking water.

The new EU rules demand limits that are even lower than present ones. They also include the obligation to carry out checks at domestic level. These checks focus on the analysis of substances that could filter into drinking water through mains water pipes and in particular through domestic water pipes. Our water comes to us from very far away and often goes through pipes that are made of copper, iron, aluminium or plastics.

Water is in fact our main food item, and funnily enough most of us do not give it the importance it deserves. We are content with just having water. Some people prefer to drink bottled water if they do not get safe water, although water that has been contained in bad-quality plastic bottles is not as safe as we may think. Bottled mineral water is subject to different legislation and goes through much less strict controls than tap water does. Mineral water may contain nitrates or pesticides due to underground leeching, agricultural activity or acid rain. Mineral water that comes from a natural fountain is still one of the best waters Nature can offer, as it is complete and gives us the important minerals that our body needs.

Inverse osmosis system

So, how can we get quality drinking water that does not contain harmful substances? Nowadays we can treat our water in different ways that are adequate to our needs. If you do not like chlorine in your shower water then you can treat the water of the whole house or put a small filter to eliminate the chlorine at a given point. For salty water, a domestic inverse osmosis system can be installed which eliminates salt and small particles. Water tanks polluted with bacteria can be treated by installing a simple carbon filter beneath the sink in order to get drinking water. If your tea is

carrying too much lime and this is affecting its taste, a Bellima fan can be added to the water as it is boiled. This absorbs the lime, providing a soft water that is perfect for making teas with, while preventing unwanted lime build-up. There are solutions available to treat water that are within everyone's reach and save money and time, while improving health. •

Carbon filter

Shower filter (eliminates chlorine)

Bellima fan

Text: Genial Productos Innovadores