Our tap water can’t be that bad… can it?!

When Ben first told me we had to order this RO purification system for water, I rolled my eyes. But the thing about Ben is that he is an incredible researcher, and I knew he had spent hours digging into the right filter for our family. I mean, we do drink water all day. It’s kind of an important thing. It took me a minute to get used to the water, but now you’ll find me lugging my 40oz hydrojug everywhere with me because I’m a water snob. 😂

… plus I now understand that our lovely tap water isn’t so lovely after all.

Read through Ben’s review of the AquaTru below and leave a comment telling me what most surprised you about tap water??

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Guest Post by Ben Figueiredo

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If you are a living, breathing being than chances are you drink water!

We all know that water is essential for life, heck, you can only last about 3 days without adding more of it to your body and you probably know that you are 70% water by weight, but did you know that if you count up all the molecules in your body that about 99% of them are H2O? Crazy right?! We are pretty much walking water containers.

Now, not all water is the same. It’s said that water is the ‘universal solvent’, and that’s because it is. It can dissolve more compounds than any other liquid. This means that it can have a LOT of contaminants. Some are not so bad and some we want to avoid at all costs. Fortunately for us, there is a solution! In this blog, we are going to take a look at the best solution for purifying your drinking water and why should really consider it for the wellbeing of you and your loved ones. Let’s dive in and talk about what we think is the best water filter you can get!

Why you need a water purification system, pronto.‍

I don’t know about you but, up until the last couple of years, I never gave much thought to the water I was drinking. I thought, water is water and as long as it’s clear and didn’t smell than it must be clean, right? I could not have been more wrong.

Now while there are varying degrees of water quality depending on the source, unless your drinking verified natural alpine spring water, it most definitely has toxic contaminants. And while it may look clean to the untrained eye, it’s anything but. In fact, an analysis by the Environmental Working Group found over 320 harmful chemicals, linked to cancer, adverse birth and reproduction outcomes, impaired brain development and a revolving door of other deleterious health impacts. Contaminants commonly found in regular water include heavy metals, pesticides, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical compounds, endocrine-disrupting substances, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Regrettably, our regulatory agencies have struggled to keep pace with the chemical industry’s advancements, leaving us vulnerable to chronic health conditions. Municipalities, often underfunded, face challenges in adequately safeguarding us from such contaminants, focusing primarily on immediate and acute health effects.

Chronic health hazards caused by certain chemicals, which can significantly impact life expectancy, are often overlooked in regulation. A prime example is the widespread presence of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” due to their persistent nature under typical environmental conditions. Lead, mercury, perchlorates, and other contaminants have plagued our water supply in the past (and continue to do so today). The issue of contaminants in drinking water appears relentless, with new challenges arising constantly.

BUT, Even in municipalities that have water treatment plants, the tap water is still laden with toxins. Did you know that most of your tap water is actually recycled water? That’s right folks, they take the water that you’ve already used to wash the dishes, wash your hands, shower, rain and even sewer water and run it through a treatment, clean it the best they can and then send it right back. This is why they are finding pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides and other crap in the tap water.  🤢 (Not to mention the chemical waste products like fluoride that they deliberately put in the water and pretend that it’s somehow good for our teeth….)

What about Bottled Water?

And if you think you’re getting away scot-free because you drink “bottled water”, think again. If water is bottled in plastic than you have a problem known as chemical leaching. This is because the molecules in the plastic bottle are not stable and can “leach” into the water, contaminating your precious liquid with harmful petrochemicals like BPA, HPDE, PET, PFAS, and other microplastics which are known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. AKA not good if you’d like to live a long and healthy life.

And here is the kicker… Nearly 64% of bottled water in the U.S. comes from municipal tap water sources. Which means we often pay for the same water that we could drink for free from our tap. Companies that sell bottled tap water, collect the water and treat it before bottling. And there are no regulations or quality standards that these bottled water companies have to meet so you might actually be better off drinking from the tap.

One way they try to deal with bacteria in the water is by adding chlorine, an endocrine disrupting chemical. Now, even though chlorine in low amounts is lower on the list of things to be concerned about in comparison to the other things we are dealing with, I still don’t want it in my drinking water. What’s worse is that when they add chlorine to the water it reacted to the natural organic matter (leaf and plant particles) and created Trihalomethanes, which are potent carcinogens and hormone disrupters. So they figured out that if they added ammonia with the chlorine it wouldn’t create trihalomethanes but instead created less toxic but still dangerous chemicals they called “chloramines”. Neither scenario is a happy one.

Ok, so by now we know that our modern world has really screwed up our beautifully pristine planet and poisoned the very life sustaining systems that we rely on, but until we get that fixed what do we do? Well, let’s talk about how we can make sure we are hydrating our bodies with the cleanest water we can.

So what is the best type of water purifier?‍

Unfortunately, the water industry can be very confusing with convoluted terms and names for chemicals and contaminants and the technology around removing them, and companies like to take advantage of this to sell you on expensive and ineffective filters that can cost anywhere between $2,500 and $25,000.

If you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking that you can just go get one of those popular pitcher filters like the Brita or “hey, my refrigerator has a water filter built in!”, well, I hate to break it to you but those filters are just what I like to call “aesthetic filters” meaning that they might perceptively filter the water, ie. make it taste/look better, but it can’t actually remove any of the harmful contaminants, at least not in any meaningful amount.Let’s take the most common type of filter we have today, the activated carbon filter. This filter, which is in almost every water filter you can buy on the shelf today, with about a cubic foot of filtration can remove 1ppm(parts per million) of chlorine in just seconds. Which is great and why you perceive a change in your water because it ends up tasting better with the chlorine removed. However, now that they are adding ammonia to the water with chlorine which creates chloramines that same filter now needs AT LEAST 5-7 MINUTES of contact time to effectively remove chloramines from the water. Well, if you have an inline filter on your water system (such as a shower filter, fridge filter or RV filter) that means the water is passing through those carbon filters in just a couple of seconds…. not near enough time to actually remove the harmful chemicals!

That being said, Activated Carbon is a great option for removing a lot of the bigger contaminants if it’s given enough time but it still leaves a lot to be desired.

There are really only TWO water purification systems that can effectively purify water:

Distillation + Activated Carbon
OR
Reverse Osmosis + Activated Carbon

I won’t touch much on Distillation in this article as I don’t have any experience with it, but from what I’ve heard it is a time consuming process and honestly after watching some videos on it, the water just doesn’t feel like it would actually be that clean.. 🤷‍♂️

After much research and a lot of podcasts I have settled on using Reverse Osmosis + Activated Carbon filters.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a highly effective water filtration technology that removes impurities through a semi-permeable membrane. It operates on the principle of creating a pressure gradient to force water molecules through the membrane, while leaving behind contaminants.

In reverse osmosis, tap water is subjected to multiple filtration stages to ensure thorough purification. The process typically involves the following steps:‍

1. Pre-filtration: Water passes through a pre-filter to remove larger particles like sediment, rust, and debris. This step helps protect and prolong the lifespan of the RO membrane.‍
2. Pressure Application: The pre-filtered water is then pressurized using a pump or water line pressure. This pressure helps counteract the natural osmotic pressure, allowing water to flow against the concentration gradient.‍
3. Semipermeable Membrane: The heart of the reverse osmosis system is the semipermeable membrane. This membrane contains tiny pores that allow water molecules to pass through while blocking larger contaminants such as dissolved solids, minerals, chemicals, bacteria, and viruses. The filtered water that successfully passes through the membrane is known as permeate, while the concentrated impurities and rejected water are called brine or waste water.‍
4. Post-filtration: After passing through the membrane, the permeate undergoes post-filtration to further enhance its quality. This stage often involves additional filters, such as activated carbon filters or remineralization filters, to improve taste, remove residual odors, and reintroduce beneficial minerals if desired.‍

Reverse osmosis technology ensures thorough purification by achieving high removal rates for various contaminants. It provides a reliable and efficient method for obtaining clean drinking water, making it an ideal choice for home water filtration systems like the AquaTru reverse osmosis water filter.

Enter AquaTru‍

Introducing AquaTru, the pioneering countertop reverse osmosis water purifier that has obtained NSF certification for effectively eliminating 82 contaminants, such as Lead, Chromium-6, Chlorine, Fluoride, PFAs, Nitrates, and many more. With AquaTru, you can enjoy purified, refreshing water directly from your tap without the need for complex plumbing or installation. Our innovative Ultra Reverse OsmosisÆ Technology employs the most advanced filtration process, all packed into a convenient and compact countertop design.

Unlike most other water systems, its advanced 4-step process goes above and beyond to eliminate contaminants, leaving behind only ultra-pure water for drinking and cooking.

What Contaminants does it remove?‍

Find comfort and confidence in knowing that AquaTru surpasses standard lab approvals. Unregulated drinking water can contain unwanted byproducts from cleaning agents and prescription drugs. Many filters fail to remove these harmful particles. With AquaTru, rest assured that your home’s water, for you, your family, and your guests, undergoes extensive filtration through one of the most comprehensive reverse-osmosis systems available. Indulge in pristine, healthy, and chemical-free water, nourishing your body with wholesomeness and purity.

AquaTru exceeds the purity levels even found in bottled water. Various laboratories have discovered microplastics, carcinogens, and toxins in tap, filtered, and bottled waters. Municipal water sources may even contain arsenic, lead, and chromium. AquaTru’s certification guarantees the removal of all these contaminants, surpassing NSF Standards by eliminating 82 contaminants—15 times more than leading pitcher filters. From lead and chromium to fluoride, radium, chlorine, and more, AquaTru leaves no stone unturned. It even removes Glyphosate, a herbicide. (Verify the astounding lab results here.)

Its straightforward 4-step reverse osmosis purification system simplifies the process for everyone. No complex plumbing or installation required—just reserve a small space on your kitchen countertop or table, and let AquaTru work its magic. The comprehensive filtration process eradicates millions of contaminants, granting you purified drinking water at the touch of a button.

View the AquaTru Performance Data Sheet

Use this link to get 10% Off the AquaTru or more with our specially tailored bundles.‍

How we use our AquaTru‍

We got our AquaTru RO filter in April of 2022. Before that we were using the Berkey Water Filter which is a gravity fed Activated Carbon system. It was definitely better than drinking unfiltered water but reports started coming out that Berkey may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

So when we moved to Texas where the water was HEAVILY contaminated with fluoride, and after doing some more research and investigating, we decided that instead of investing in the separate fluoride filter attachments for the Berkey, to invest in a full countertop RO system for our drinking/cooking water.

We chose the AquaTru because not only did it come HIGHLY recommended by top health professionals it was easy to use and the cost of filter replacement was relatively low. AquaTru works by filling up the tap water tank on the back of the unit with tap water. Upon placing the tank back onto the unit, it automatically kicks on and begins to filter the water and redirecting the purified water to the clean water tank at the front. Because of the way RO works you get about 3/4 of a gallon of pure water from 1 gallon of dirty tap water, with 1/4gal of waste water that you pour down the drain. It takes about 20-25 minutes to filter 1 gallon of water which is incredibly fast.

We drink a lot of water between the four of us and on top of that we use it for cooking, watering plants, washing produce, etc. Any time water is touching food in some way, we use the RO water to avoid contamination.

To make sure we have plenty of purified water on hand and ready to go we keep 4 34oz glass bottles filled with the water. Glass is important because we don’t want to store it in plastic. We also keep those glass bottles right next to our Somavedic frequency emitter to restructure and revitalize the water to ensure it is in it’s most optimal state for consumption.‍

Remineralizing the water‍

So, in order to effectively reduce all the harmful chemicals to a level compatible with health, you also have to remove all the minerals and everything else until you essentially only have 2 H’s and an O. But that’s not necessarily as bad as some people make it out to be.

The reality is that our bodies obtain the necessary minerals from the food we consume. Unfortunately, modern agricultural practices such as over-farming, lack of crop rotation, and excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides have led to a deficiency in the variety and amount of minerals in most of the food we eat today, which is essential for maintaining good health.

This is where a remarkable discovery from over 120 years ago comes into play, offering tremendous benefits to everyone. This discovery has stood the test of time and has helped millions of people since its inception.First and foremost, it’s important to note that Quinton, unlike any other product on the market, has a clinical track record dating back to 1897. In essence, Quinton can be described as seawater, but it goes beyond that. It is more accurately defined as Marine Plasma and is the gold standard pharmaceutical-grade solution for remineralizing water. While adding Real Salt or Celtic Sea Salt can help remineralize water, using Quinton in conjunction with AquaTru-filtered water offers far more benefits than sea salt alone.

Quinton is harvested under stringent conditions from a plankton bloom that naturally occurs in a pristine and protected part of the Bay of Biscay. This bloom consists of billions of microscopic plants and animals known as Phytoplankton and Zooplankton. When exposed to sunlight, a transformative process occurs between the plankton, minerals, amino acids, nucleic acids, and more, revealing the secret of Quinton.T

he brilliance of the man who discovered this, Rene Quinton, was his recognition of the biochemical and ENERGETIC properties of this bloom, which were distinct from the surrounding ocean. Moreover, the 78 minerals contained in this seawater were found to be in specific ratios that closely resembled those within human plasma.

This unique bloom imparts intelligence from the sea to our bodies, nourishing our bioterrain and providing our cells with everything they require to function properly. It’s important to note that the human body does not produce these 78 minerals, but they are essential in trace quantities for various functions such as nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, blood sugar regulation, nail, hair, skin, and bone health, electrolyte balance, hydration, and energy production.

While we may be told that there are only approximately 16 essential minerals necessary for survival, it’s crucial to recognize that there are 78 minerals that are needed for us to truly thrive and flourish.

That’s why we trust Quinton Marine Plasma to remineralize our water and let me tell you, we can tell the difference!‍

What I like about the AquaTru‍

I love how easy to use the AquaTru is. It is truly an incredible machine and love the peace of mind I get knowing that my family has the cleanest water available. (Aside from maybe drinking straight from a high mountain spring).The removable tanks make it super simple to refill and clean. You can dispense right from the unit so there is no need to lift or have accidental spills. Unless you overfill your bottle which does happen on occasion ’round these parts.

The filters are easy to access and change. Just a quick twist to unlock and pull out and put a new one in. They also last an incredibly long time compared to other filters I have used in the past and that barely do their job.

What I don’t like about it‍

I have to say the only thing that I don’t like about the AquaTru is that the clean water tank is made of plastic. Although we have remedied this by storing our water immediately after it’s filtered in glass bottles next to the Somavedic. They have also recently come out with a new Glass carafe model, that is a little bit smaller but is definitely a great option for 1-2 people.

In Summary‍

Our water has never tasted or felt cleaner. And we have travelled with it to some places with very questionable water. We love our AquaTru and we bring our water bottles with us everywhere throughout the day. We will even bring them into restaurants to avoid having to drink the tap water that they serve.

We have explored the numerous benefits of AquaTru, making it a compelling choice for those seeking clean and purified water. AquaTru is the first and only countertop reverse osmosis water purifier certified to NSF standards, effectively removing 82 contaminants, including lead, chromium-6, chlorine, fluoride, PFAs, nitrates, and more. Its state-of-the-art 4-step purification process surpasses many other water systems, ensuring thorough removal of chemicals and contaminants, resulting in ultra-pure water that is safe for drinking and cooking.

One of the key advantages of AquaTru is its simplicity and convenience. It requires no complex plumbing or installation procedures, making it ideal for renters, travelers, and those who prefer a hassle-free setup. With easy-to-use quick-change filters that last up to 2 years, maintaining AquaTru is effortless. Its sleek and compact design seamlessly blends into any kitchen, providing pure, clean, and great-tasting water at the touch of a button.

By investing in AquaTru, you can have the peace of mind knowing that you are consuming water that is free from harmful substances and chemicals. It offers a convenient solution to obtain pure and delicious water right from your tap, transforming your tap water into a trustworthy source of hydration. Experience the benefits of AquaTru and enjoy the difference it can make in your daily life.

Head over to EWG.org/tapwater to find out just how many contaminants are in your local water supply

Use this link to get 10% Off the AquaTru or more with our specially tailored bundles.‍