Queensland Drinking Water Quality

Have you had tap water in Melbourne and Hobart? The locals are very sure that their water is the best in Australia in terms of quality and purity. They are actually right, their water can be consumed from the tap as it is without requiring any filtration or purification.

However, this statement cannot be made for the entire country in general.

Considering the north eastern part of Australia, water quality is definitely lower, which makes it essential to install water filtration systems in Queensland and other nearby areas.

What Does Tap Water Taste Like?

Pure rainwater is tasteless. However, tap water is sourced through multiple ways, and hence, is often flavoured. Sediments like manganese and iron also add some taste. Iron sediments make water flavour more metallic, whereas algae that often grows on rocky waterways makes the taste a bit swampy.  Tap water flavour is also affected by impurity levels at different rock sites. If these rocks are reactive in nature, other chemicals are introduced in the water, which may also affect appearance.

Taste is also impacted by other factors like household fittings, vegetation types, agricultural runoff and animal activity.

What is Queensland Water Quality Like?

Generally, tap water in most cities in Australia has a saline taste, which has emerged as a key issue for water treatment companies. Freshwater in Australia contains sodium and chloride in greater quantities because rainwater originates from the ocean. Also, the wind blows additional salt into the catchments.

A research conducted by Western Sydney University states that water quality in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth is the poorest because of high salinity levels. Salt levels in the water are measured in milligrams per litre or TDS. Queensland water quality is also on the lower side. As reported by ABC

What Are Common Health Effects of Drinking Saline Water?

Australian water is often found to be saline in nature. While sodium is an essential component in our diet, consuming too much of it does lead to serious health effects.  Water gets a saline taste if sodium levels exceed 180 m/L. For drinking water, sodium levels shouldn’t be more than 20 mg/L to prevent health issues. Drinking saline water possesses numerous health risks such as dehydration, increased blood pressure, cell shrinkage and kidney issues.

Dehydration

Queensland’s summers are warm and the winters are mild, making it an ideal destination for outdoor fun and adventure all year round. However, many people who go out without taking necessary precautions, and thus, expose themselves to the risks of dehydration. Dehydration is referred to a condition during which your body loses its water rapidly through urination, sweating or breathing. Sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting also cause your body to lose water.  Dehydration occurs if the lost water isn’t replaced in a timely manner.

Generally, the most common situations that increase the likelihood of dehydration include the following.

• Strenuous or prolonged exercises during which you sweat excessively
• Manual work performed on a hot day
• Time spent at a poorly ventilated gym, warehouse or another indoor space
• Dry environment
• Limited water intake
• Caffeinated drinks

Dehydration has the following symptoms.

• Dry mouth
• Thirstiness
• Headache
• Yellow coloured urine
• Dizziness
• Thirstiness
• Drowsiness
• Rapid heart rate

Dehydration is prevented through different ways.

• Drink plenty of water; women should drink 8 cups and men should drink 10 cups daily. Also, if you work out regularly, you should drink more water. Please note that water should always be drunk in small amounts after short intervals so that you don’t suffer from hyponatraemia
• Stay under the shade if you’re outside.
• Avoid going out unnecessarily on hotter days.
• Control the levels of salt in drinking water by using water filters in Queensland.

Cell Shrinkage

The cells of your body have a semi permeable membrane through which water enters and leaves. Drinking saline water increases sodium concentration present outside the cells, which causes water to move from the cell into the outside space, decreasing their size. Significant shrinkage can affect cell functioning, causing various health problems.

Increased Blood Pressure Levels

Blood circulation is increased if too much salt is present in the body. More fluid is attracted resulting in higher strain on the blood vessels. This forces the blood pressure levels to rise, which is a common cause of many serious health problems.

Kidneys

The primary role of the kidneys is to eliminate excess water and salt in the body. Obviously, greater salt levels imply a greater load on the kidneys. Overworking kidneys can ultimately fail.

Dry Skin

Salty water makes your skin dry and ashy, primarily because of dehydration. The effect is first noticed on the lips and then on other parts of the body.

How Can Excess Salt be Removed from Water?

Water salinity cannot be treated with conventional filters or boiling. Instead, you need state-of-the-art water filters in Queensland for the job. Generally, such systems operate on the basis of ion exchange or reverse osmosis.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis water filtration systems in Queensland are usually connected to a water pipe, meaning that running tap water will be provided. Such filters work by forcing water to pass through a semi permeable membrane that removes all contaminants including sodium. Many times, a carbon pre-filter is installed in conjunction with reverse osmosis water filters in Queensland to remove chlorine and other organic material that can damage the semi permeable membrane. Filtered water passes through the faucet and the rest is drained away.

Dual Stage Filters

Dual stage filters feature both basic filtration and ion exchange mechanism for removing heavy metals like sodium and chlorine. Minerals that are healthy, such as potassium, aren’t filtered. Water is made to pass through dual carbine filters and then through the faucet supply pipe. Such a filter can easily be installed beneath a sink or on the countertop.

Which filtration system in Queensland is the most effective and within your budget? Drop us a message to find out.