This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Culligan International. All opinions are 100% mine.

There’s been a lot of talk in the news lately about tap water, specifically about whether or not it is safe to drink.

75 percent of people believe water safety is a growing concern in North America, yet most have never tested their water for harmful impurities.

We had our water tested by Culligan to find out exactly what we’ve been drinking! WOW —were we shocked by the results!

Keep reading to learn more about what might be lurking in your tap water, how to make your water safe to drink, and the results of our own water test.

Common Impurities Found in Tap Water

The following is a breakdown of some of the most common impurities found in tap water. Your water supply may vary; testing by a qualified professional is the only way to be sure.

Chlorine

Chlorine is a highly effective disinfectant, and is helpful in preventing the spread of water-borne bacteria and diseases. However, chlorine can react with certain natural compounds found in public water to create potentially dangerous disinfection by-products (DBPs). Source

Plus, high levels of chlorine in your tap water can smell or taste bad.

While the ideal level of chlorine in drinking water is 0.5ppm or less, up to 4ppm is allowable. However, that’s enough to clean a swimming pool!

Ammonia

Ammonia is used as an alternative or secondary method to disinfect the water supply. A positive test for ammonia can also indicate the presence of chloramine, which is a compound created by mixing chlorine and ammonia. Source

While it is possible to remove chlorine from water by letting it sit out for 24 hours, this is not the case with chloramine, which requires a special filtration process like reverse osmosis. Source

Calcium or Magnesium (Hard Water)

So-called “hard water” is caused by high levels of dissolved calcium and/or magnesium. Source

Hard water is definitely an inconvenience, as it leads to build-up on faucets, shower heads, and anywhere that your tap water comes into contact. It also causes build-up on your skin and in your hair.

Dissolved Solids

The term “dissolved solids” refers to anything that is in solution in your tap water, from salts to metals.

While dissolved solids are not considered a health hazard, high levels of these impurities can cause your tap water to look cloudy and taste foul. They can also lead to build-ups and corrosion of pipes and fixtures. Source

Other impurities

Arsenic, mercury, lead, cysts, MTBE (used to reduce emissions in gasoline), and Volatile Organic Compounds (a term used to describe a wide range of carcinogenic organic contaminants) may be present in tap water or well water. Source: Culligan

The above contaminants are toxins that can cause serious health issues.

How to remove impurities from your tap water

The first step is to have your water tested to find out exactly what it contains. Your local Culligan water expert can provide a detailed water analysis in its certified testing laboratory.

The results of our water test were pretty shocking. Our tap water contained:

• 3ppm chlorine (barely under the allowable limit of 4ppm)
• 3ppm ammonia/chloramine (again, barely below the permitted level)
• extremely high levels of TDS (total dissolved solids)
• high levels of minerals (hard water)

That’s a lot of nasty stuff! And you can actually see it:

Once the results are in, Culligan will customize an Aqua-Cleer system for your home with up to 14 interchangeable filters (depending on what’s in your tap water). Each filter lasts up to a year, so you’ll enjoy a continuous supply of great tasting water for just pennies a glass — and without the waste and hassle of bottled water.

The Culligan ClearLink Pro is a wireless control system that turns your Aqua-Cleer system on/off. It allows you to get filtered water through your current faucet (no drilling required), so it’s perfect for renters! The ClearLink PRO also features an integrated filter life indicator and a water quality monitor.

You can move the portable ClearLink PRO button anywhere around the sink. A rubber backing prevents it from slipping, and there is no damaging permanent adhesive.

Benefits of Water Purified by Reverse Osmosis

• Safer to drink
• Tastes better
• Plants live longer
• Better for pets

Once you’ve tried Culligan filtered water, you’ll never go back! The difference is incredible — there’s really nothing like clean, clear water.

To find out more about the Culligan Aqua-Cleer Reverse Osmosis System, contact your local Culligan representative today.