Even though municipal water supplies are treated, that doesn’t mean our tap water is free from contaminants. Many substances can slip past standard treatments and filters, potentially affecting health over time. Here’s what you need to know—and what we do in our home to keep our water both safe and nourishing.
What’s Hiding in Your Tap Water?
Even “safe” water can contain a mix of microorganisms, chemicals, metals, and emerging contaminants. Here’s a breakdown:
Microorganisms
- Bacteria, viruses, and parasites like E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium can survive treatment.
- Risks: gastrointestinal illness, infections, and digestive issues.
Heavy Metals
- Lead, arsenic, chromium-6, and uranium can leach from pipes or enter groundwater naturally or via industrial runoff.
- Risks: neurological issues, cancer, kidney and liver damage.
Chemical Contaminants
- Chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, nitrates, PFAS/PFOA, and other industrial chemicals.
- Risks: hormone disruption, thyroid and reproductive issues, cancer risk over time.
Pharmaceuticals & Hormones
- Trace antibiotics, birth control hormones, and other drugs can enter water via excretion or flushing.
- Risks: potential hormonal and metabolic effects, low-dose accumulation.
Endocrine Disruptors & Estrogen Compounds
- Studies (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey) have found trace estrogenic compounds in tap water.
- Risks: reproductive and developmental health concerns.
Microplastics
- Tiny plastic particles from bottles, clothing fibers, and personal care products.
- Risks: still being studied, but suspected to carry toxins and disrupt gut and endocrine systems.
Sediment & Particulates
- Dirt, rust, sand, and silt from aging pipes.
- Risks: mostly cosmetic, but can affect taste, appearance, and appliances.
A Real-World Example: The DuPont PFAS Case
One of the most infamous examples of water contamination involved DuPont in Parkersburg, West Virginia. A local farmer, Wilbur Tennant, noticed his cattle dying after drinking from a creek contaminated by chemicals from a DuPont landfill. The legal battle that followed revealed that DuPont had knowingly released PFOA (C8), a PFAS chemical, into the Ohio River Valley’s water. This affected tens of thousands of residents, leading to links between PFOA exposure and cancers, thyroid disease, and reproductive issues. The case settled in 2017, highlighting the real dangers of “forever chemicals” in our water.
Can Standard Filters Handle All This?
Short answer: no.
- Standard fridge or pitcher filters remove chlorine, taste, odor, and sometimes lead/ some heavy metals.
- They don’t reliably remove: PFAS, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, nitrates, fluoride, or microbes.
- Reverse osmosis (RO) can remove nearly everything—but it also strips minerals your body needs.
Introducing the Clearly Filtered® Water Pitcher
For my family, the solution is the Clearly Filtered® Water Pitcher.
It uses advanced Affinity® Filtration Technology to remove up to 99.9% of over 365 contaminants, including fluoride, lead, PFAS/PFOA, arsenic, microplastics, chlorine, uranium, and more.
Key contaminants filtered:
- Heavy Metals: Lead, Arsenic, Chromium-6, Uranium
- Chemicals & Toxins: Fluoride, Chlorine, PFAS/PFOA, Perchlorate, BPA, HAA5 & TTHMs, Formaldehyde
- Emerging Contaminants: Microplastics, Glyphosate
Why it stands out:
- 3-stage Affinity® Filtration Technology captures even stubborn contaminants.
- Third-party tested to meet NSF/ANSI standards.
- Made from BPA/BPS-free medical-grade Tritan plastic.
- Long-lasting filter with ~100-gallon lifespan.
This pitcher gives us peace of mind—our water isn’t just clear, it’s truly clean.
Re-Mineralizing Your Water
While Clearly Filtered removes harmful substances, some filtration methods—especially reverse osmosis—strip away essential minerals. Proper hydration isn’t just about being contaminant-free; it’s also about replenishing electrolytes.
Our Family’s Routine:
We use Buoy Hydration Drops and the Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail once a day and drink our Clearly Filtered water the rest of the time.
Buoy Hydration Drops (Unflavored)
- Clinically studied: hydrates 64% more than water alone and 49% more than another leading electrolyte.
- Provides 87 ionic trace minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
- Dissolves instantly, sugar-free, vegan, allergen-free, keto-friendly.
- 40 servings per bottle, more electrolytes than 13+ sports drinks.
My Tip: You only need a small squirt in a large bottle/jug of water a day.
- Supports relaxed muscle tone, electrolyte balance, and healthy energy.
- Contains 800mg Potassium, 50mg Magnesium, and 90mg Sodium per serving.
- Sugar-free, caffeine-free, 60-day supply—much healthier than typical sports drinks.
This simple routine ensures that while our water is extremely clean, it’s also nourishing for everyday hydration.
Be sure to check out our previous post on the Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail, where we compared it to popular sports drinks to highlight its benefits!
Why Your Fridge Filter Isn’t Enough
Most fridge filters only reduce chlorine and improve taste. They don’t remove PFAS, heavy metals, microplastics, or pharmaceuticals. Pairing a high-quality pitcher like Clearly Filtered with a simple mineral/electrolyte boost is the easiest, most effective way to ensure your water is both safe and nourishing.
Bottom Line:
Filtering water protects you from hidden contaminants—but hydration is about balance. Clean water + essential minerals = long-term health and peace of mind for you and your family.
Information about the Clearly Filtered® Water Pitcher, including contaminants removed and product features, was sourced directly from the official Clearly Filtered website.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you.
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