When I think about protecting my family—Anthony, our two kids, and myself—it’s all about control.
I remember filling the kids’ sippy cups and realizing that our municipal tap water (the same water we rely on daily) could be carrying contaminants our filters don’t catch—things like heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, fluoride, and even PFAS. That realization shocked me, along with seeing photos of what the pipes that carry our tap water to our home look like! 😱 That was enough to send me straight into research mode! 🧐
🚱 What Studies and Experts Are Revealing
A recent expert warned that fewer than 100 of an estimated 50,000 chemicals in use are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act—which hasn’t been significantly updated since the 1970s. As a result, over 200 million Americans are estimated to be exposed to **PFAS “forever chemicals,” and more than 56% have lead in their tap water—both linked to serious health risks. wired.comewg.org+1nypost.com+1
- Groundbreaking studies confirm that heavy metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, and uranium are found in many water supplies. Long-term exposure has been linked to kidney and liver damage, anemia, developmental delays, and even cancer. nature.com
- Pharmaceuticals—even active medications like caffeine, antihistamines, antidepressants, and painkillers—regularly show up in both surface and treated water supplies because conventional treatment systems cannot fully remove them. usgs.gov+15pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15link.springer.com+15
- Disinfection byproducts, created when chlorine interacts with organic matter in water, have also been linked in numerous epidemiological studies to bladder cancer and adverse birth outcomes. en.wikipedia.org
👨👩👧👦 Why This Hit Home for Our Family
I vividly remember having a water expert from Home Depot come to our home testing our tap water— discovering traces of tons of nasty contaminants— not exactly what I want for my kids’ hydration. Anthony and I both felt uneasy knowing we couldn’t see or taste these chemicals, yet they were there. That’s when we chose to take matters into our own hands…
- We use a Waterwise distillation system, which removes fluoride, arsenic, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and microbial contaminants far beyond standard filters.
- Our model distills 3 gallons at a time and we had a plumber come out to attach a constant flow of water to our machine from the water tank in our home. We keep it in our garage because it can get noisy and emits heat when distilling.
- Water Wise also offers a machine as shown in the photo above that distills 1 gallon at a time and fits on your countertop! 👆🏻
- After distillation, we store the water in two 2-Gallon pour spot glass containers and we re‑add trace mineral drops—so the water our children drink has familiar electrolytes for hydration, but none of the harmful contaminants we’ve read about.
- This means every glass of water we pour at home is the cleanest, safest form of hydration possible.
✅ Why Everybody Should Filter—Seriously
Here’s why investing in proper filtration is non-negotiable:
- Regulations are outdated: Many contaminants aren’t even monitored, and testing isn’t frequent enough.
- Children are more vulnerable: Lead exposure, even at low levels, affects developing brains and long-term health.
- Long-term exposure adds up: Small, daily doses of contaminants can lead to chronic issues in adulthood.
- You can’t trust bottled water either: Many brands still contain microplastics, and information on sourcing and treatment is often vague. usgs.gov+1nypost.com+1nypost.comen.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2theguardian.com+2
🌿 You Don’t Need to Do It All—Just Start Filtering Something
There are so many different types of water filtration systems out there—ranging from a simple Brita pitcher to countertop distillation systems like our Waterwise, and even full whole-home filtration systems. Some of these options can get pretty pricey, but I always say: start somewhere. Even the smallest step toward filtering your water is better than doing nothing at all.
And don’t forget about your shower water! 🚿
You can purchase an affordable shower filter that helps reduce chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants—and trust me, they work. I LOVE the Aquabliss— the very first time I showered with ours, I noticed an immediate difference in the way my hair felt—softer, lighter, less dry, and not stripped. It’s affordable, less than $40 & available on Amazon! Your skin, hair, and body will thank you for every bit of clean water you give it! 🥰
🌟 Final Thoughts from My Heart
As a mom and a holistic wellness advocate, I can’t stress this enough—clean water is not optional. I choose distillation for me, for Anthony, and for our kids because we deserve better than secondhand contaminants. Filtering isn’t just about taste—it’s about peace of mind, long-term health, and creating a legacy of clean, safe hydration for our little ones.
Water makes up the majority of our bodies—it’s truly the foundation of life. While we can go days without food, we can only survive a short time without water. That’s how vital it is. And yet, so often, we overlook the quality of the water we’re putting into our bodies day after day. We may not be able to control what we’re served in restaurants or while traveling, but we absolutely can control what we use at home. If you do nothing else, start by prioritizing clean, filtered water in your home. Your body, your energy, your skin—and your long-term health—will reflect that choice.
💧 Curious about what’s really in your water?
If you’re curious what’s in your own tap water or want tips on choosing filtration systems, let’s chat—or I can walk you through what worked best for us and why it matters down to the last drop.
Check out my deep dive on water filtration systems and the cleanest machines for every home and budget. Your wellness starts with what you sip! 👇🏻 💦 👇🏻
Stay hydrated, stay informed, and keep it clean—
With love & trace minerals,
Cole 🚱💧🍃
RN | Holistic Health Advocate | Mama Naturally
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