Something many people may not be aware of is that our Drinking Water Service Providers generally only guarantee water quality up to the Mains connection outside our properties. Everything beyond that is the responsibility of the landowner. That responsibility includes the underground pipe from the Mains up to the building, and all plumbing and fittings inside the building.

So what does that mean for our drinking water quality?

Firstly, potential microorganisms. Anyone who has ever done any housekeeping knows how quickly gunk and mould can build up around taps and sinks.

While a good scrub can fix up those unsightly and potentially unhygienic issues, what’s going on inside the pipes where we can’t see? That’s a very concerning question, and the answer is not great. “Out of sight, out of mind” is not a particularly good thing in this case. What could be lurking there and building up over the years might be less than ideal. Even new homes are not exempted from the build-up of dirt in the piping and fittings.

Aside from a bad smell or taste, one indicator of a problem is if you notice reduced or uneven water flow from a particular tap. A good first step here is to remove the aerator and give it a good clean. While it’s off, turn the tap on and allow it to run for a few minutes to flush out any sediment that may have built up in the plumbing behind it.

Contamination may not just be confined to potential microorganisms that may be breeding inside your pipes. Another issue is the possibility of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) getting into your plumbing system. A large factor here is how old your plumbing system is and what it’s made of. Most modern pipes are made of polyurethane, which while considered quite safe and not subject to corrosion, contaminants such as solvents, petroleum products and pesticides can leach through these and into your drinking water.

Heavy metals in your water may also be a possibility due to your plumbing system. Copper pipes are still in common use throughout Australia, and this can cause traceable amounts of copper to be released into your drinking water. The amount varies depending on conditions like temperature and acidity of the water, and how long the water has been sitting in the pipe.

Lead pipes are less common in Australia, but lead may still be present in any brass fittings that may be in use, as well as lead-based solders that were once used in copper plumbing systems. As with copper, lead can also be released into your drinking water, and the amount will vary depending on temperature, acidity and the length of time the water has been in contact with it. If you suspect you have lead and/or copper in your plumbing or fittings, a good practice is to only use water from the cold tap for drinking or cooking.

An even better practice, no matter what type of plumbing you have or what condition it may be in, is to install a water filter system for all of your drinking and cooking needs. These will filter out heavy metals, VOCs and microorganisms that may be present in your water, as well as added chemicals like chlorine. That means not just peace of mind that your water is safe to drink, but is also better tasting as well.

Call us today for a chat on (02) 8840 5177, and arrange for home delivery of your brand new water filtration system.

 

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