Healthy water at home: water filters are so easy to use

Water is our most important foodstuff. We need 1.5 to 2 litres of it every day. It is therefore understandable that most people are concerned about which water is the best choice and which water filter is most suitable. There are different types of water. The most commonly used water is tap water. It comes into our homes directly from the water supplier via the mains. Then there is mineral water, spring water, table water and medicinal water.

Tap water - a cost-effective option

Tap water is by far the most commonly used water. It is a very inexpensive and convenient option as it comes straight from the tap. In Germany, tap water is strictly controlled according to the criteria of the Drinking Water Ordinance and is of good quality. However, for cost reasons, the water is not tested for all pollutants at the waterworks and may also be contaminated due to outdated pipework. The control takes place at the waterworks and not at home. Excessively high nitrate levels can also be a problem in intensively farmed regions. In certain areas, the water is also very calcareous (hard water), which can lead to problems with kitchen and household appliances. Although the very mineral-rich water is not harmful to health, it is not ideal for making tea or coffee. Some health experts advise against very hard water and recommend "softening" it, for which there are special water treatment processes.

Mineral water must be bottled directly at the source, only carbon dioxide may be added and iron removed. Natural mineral water has been filtered through a natural filtering and purification process and contains minerals and trace elements that have been dissolved through the individual layers of rock during the filtering process.

Spring water, also often referred to as well water, comes from deep underground water deposits. If the water is pressurised, it is referred to as an artesian spring. As with mineral water, the quality of spring water must also comply with the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance.

Table water is not a natural product and therefore does not have to originate from a natural spring. Other substances such as minerals may be added to table water in order to achieve the desired flavour. The legal requirements for purity are lower than for mineral water.

Bottled water - practical, but not always a good choice

Bottled water is a practical option when travelling and even if you are not convinced of the quality of your local tap water. However, bottled water is significantly more expensive than tap water and the quality can vary from brand to brand. In addition, the majority of bottled water is nowadays filled in plastic bottles, but more and more people are avoiding water from plastic bottles. This is partly due to health concerns that certain ingredients are released from the plastic into the water and partly due to the environmental problems associated with plastic production and its disposal.

According to a United Nations study, 350 billion litres of water were bottled worldwide in 2021. This resulted in 25 million tonnes of plastic waste, which is equivalent to a 40-tonne chain from New York to Bangkok. Germany ranks 10th in the world for per capita consumption of bottled water with more than 150 litres per year (in 2021), behind the USA and ahead of Italy.

For reasons of sustainability, more and more people therefore want to treat their own tap water with a water filter at low cost.

With your own water filter, you reduce your environmental impact by buying fewer bottles of water. You also save yourself the hassle of carrying heavy crates of water. You will always have more than enough fresh and pure water available and, as a bonus, you will save a considerable amount of money on your weekly shopping.

Incidentally, 22 March was World Water Day, and this year's motto was: tap water instead of bottled water

Simple water filters

A simple water filter offers the possibility of filtering drinking water at home and removing dirt particles, rust and other impurities. The filter principle is based on porous materials through which the tap water flows in order to filter pollutants out of the water.

The most commonly used methods are activated carbon filters (Carbonit) and ceramic filters. Activated carbon has a very large surface area and is therefore able to absorb and bind impurities. This is why the filter inserts have a limited absorption capacity and need to be replaced at regular intervals.

A simple water filter can be connected directly to the tap, while under-sink water filters are installed invisibly under the sink between the wall pipe and the tap. Both offer a wonderful and simple way of producing filtered water at home. Installation can be done without a plumber and takes just a few minutes.

Water filters offer an inexpensive way to enjoy water at home that is very similar in flavour and purity to spring water.

A water filter from Carbonit or a Maunawai filter removes pollutants and micro-fine substances from the water that a kettle cannot remove when it is heated. Water filters offer safety because they provide effective filtration beyond legal limits, e.g. by removing impurities such as pesticides and methane.

If you want to turn your tap at home into an artesian spring, modern water filters allow you to produce your own filter water. The filters imitate the natural process of rock strata, such as the Manuawai water filter. Artesian water offers a natural flavour that is often perceived as softer and more pleasant than tap water or bottled water.

We are lucky in Germany to always have enough water available. If you want to raise the most important of our resources to a higher level, you can use our water filters to produce drinking water of the highest quality and purity with little effort and at a manageable cost.

Keimling Naturkost offers jug filters, countertop filters, under-sink filters, home water filters, drinking water filters and travel filters from the renowned brands Alvito, Aqua Living, Carbonit, Dahlert, Manuawai and Tribest for water purification. In our water filter category, you will find not only the systems but also the necessary replacement filters and accessories to be able to use the purchased water filter for many years.

Our video "Water filters and water purifiers" with Peter and Mira provides a nice overview of the possibilities of producing the best water yourself at home.

Our customer service team will be happy to advise you in detail on the phone: 04161-51 16 0

United Nations study: https://www.merkur.de/welt/studie-abgefuelltes-wasser-untergraebt-nachhaltigkeitsziele-zr-92150025.html

Study "High nitrate levelse ": https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/verbraucher/Wie-Nitrat-Grundwasser-belastet,wasser714.html