Like many countries, the UK has strict regulations for drinking tap water, and suppliers monitor the public water supply for hundreds of potential contaminants, from lead to pesticides. Even so, recent stories about ‘forever chemicals’, microplastics and ageing water pipes mean more people are having a closer look at what comes from their tap.
Bottled water may seem like a good upgrade, but it comes with high costs and more plastic waste. Some brands contain microplastics, BPA’s, and bottles add emissions through production, transport and disposal. Over time, the price per litre is also much higher than water from the tap.
Choosing filtered water lets you keep the convenience and low cost of tap water, while adding extra protection at home. A good water filter system can improve taste, reduce odour and lower your exposure to substances harmful to your health.
The sections below explain what filtered water is, how it compares with tap and bottled water, and the main health and lifestyle benefits for you and your family.
What is filtered water?
Filtered water is (tap) water that has passed through one or more filters designed to reduce harmful substances, such as chlorine, limescale, heavy metals, and dissolved chemicals that may affect taste, smell or long-term health.
Tap water versus bottled water versus filtered water
While filtered water is a popular option, it helps to see how it compares with tap and bottled water.
- Tap water is widely available and inexpensive. It must meet legal drinking water quality standards, but it can still carry residual substances, limescale and, depending on local infrastructure, trace metals from ageing lead pipes. Taste and odour can vary by region, and some households prefer extra reassurance about drinking water at the point of use.
- Bottled water offers convenience on the go and a consistent product, yet it comes with a heavy environmental cost. Single-use bottles add to plastic waste, and both bottling and transport increase emissions. For regular use at home, bottled water is also one of the most expensive ways to stay hydrated.
- Filtered water uses mains water as the source but passes it through one or more filters before you drink it. Depending on the system, this can reduce substances that affect taste, smell and overall quality, and may also help cut down plastic waste if it replaces frequent bottled water use.
Which is better, filtered or unfiltered water?
Filtered water is better because it gives you more control over what you and your family drink. A suitable system can filter out and significantly reduce harmful substances. This is especially reassuring in older homes with original pipework, or if you have specific concerns about local water reports.
There is also a practical benefit. When water tastes and smells better, people usually drink more of it without thinking. That supports good hydration, which is essential for the human body at every age.
What happens if I drink non-filtered water?
For most households, occasional glasses of non-filtered tap water will not cause immediate illness. The potential risks are usually long term and easy to overlook, because the consequences and effects build up slowly.
Low-level lead contamination can be an issue in older properties with lead-based materials in pipes, solder or fittings. Even small amounts of lead over time are linked with effects on blood pressure and neurodevelopment, especially in children and pregnant people. Some pesticides and industrial chemicals can also reach rivers and groundwater, then appear in tap water at trace levels.
Short-term incidents, such as treatment failures or bursts, can temporarily affect water quality. These events may increase turbidity or allow harmful bacteria or microbes to reach the tap. They are rare, but they show that ‘within limits’does not always mean zero exposure.
Filtering the water you drink every day is one practical step to reduce unnecessary exposure.
The (health) benefits of filtered water
The health benefits of filtered water come both from removing unwanted substances and from supporting regular hydration. Cleaner water supports long-term wellbeing, reduces specific risks, and makes healthier choices a bit more natural.
Below are ten key advantages.
1. Eliminates lead and other heavy metals
Older internal pipework and fixtures remain a potential source of lead in tap water. Over time, lead exposure can affect brain development, blood pressure and kidney function. A good filter can remove lead and reduce other metals from your drinking water, lowering one important source of exposure for your household.
2. Removes limescale and chlorine
Chlorine is added to keep tap water microbiologically safe, but even small residual amounts can affect taste and smell. Chlorine can also strip hair’s natural oils, increasing dryness and split ends. In hard-water areas, calcium carbonate forms limescale on kettles, taps and heating elements.
Point-of-use filtration reduces chlorine and its by-products, producing cleaner-tasting water that many people find gentler on skin and hair.
3. Fights water quality issues such as ‘forever chemicals’
‘Forever chemicals’ such as PFAS are used to make many everyday products and they can persist in the environment for decades. Large reviews have linked some PFAS with higher cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, reduced antibody responses to vaccines and lower birthweight, and there is also evidence for associations with certain cancers in highly exposed groups.
Recent findings on PFAS in everyday foods and water suggest that managing exposure requires attention to both diet and home filtration, and choosing filtered water at home is a simple way to fight these ‘forever chemicals’ by reducing how much you take in through drinking water.
4. Helps the environment
Switching from bottled water to filtered tap water at home reduces demand for single-use plastic. Over time, this means fewer bottles are produced, transported and thrown away, which lowers emissions and pressure on recycling systems. Filling a reusable bottle from your own filter gives you the same convenience, with much less packaging involved.
Our blog on the hidden cost of plastic water bottles explains this impact in more detail.
5. Tastes and smells better
Tap water sometimes picks up tastes and odours from chlorine, metals or local plumbing. Even when it meets all safety standards, this can put people off drinking it. Filtering reduces these compounds and produces clean, neutral, great-tasting water that is healthier. When water tastes good, people naturally drink more throughout the day.
6. Saves money
Regularly buying bottled water is one of the most expensive ways to stay hydrated. The cost per litre is far higher than filtered water from the tap, and bottles take up storage space at home. A home filter involves an upfront investment and occasional cartridge changes, but over time it usually works out significantly cheaper, with far fewer packs to carry and dispose of.
7. Ensures better hydration, focus and recovery
Good hydration supports energy levels, concentration, and physical recovery after activity. Studies show that even mild dehydration of around 1–2% of body weight can affect mood, attention, working memory and physical performance, especially during longer or more demanding exercise. When filtered water tastes clean and is easy to access at home or in a refillable bottle, you are more likely to drink regularly without thinking about it. Over time, that habit helps you stay focused on work or school and recover better from exercise, without relying on sugary or highly caffeinated drinks.
8. Supports skin, gut and wellness
Water quality can influence both skin and digestion. Some people find that high-chlorine water or certain by-products leave their skin feeling dry or irritated. Adequate, clean water intake also supports normal gut function. Filtering can reduce compounds that irritate sensitive skin and can encourage more regular drinking habits throughout the day.
9. Is better for plants and pets too
Pets and plants can also be sensitive to substances in tap water, such as chlorine, hardness minerals and dissolved metals. Using filtered water in drinking bowls and for more delicate houseplants can help reduce this exposure and avoid unnecessary stress. There are many potential risks from exposure to these contaminants for animals, so making sure the water you give your pets is clean is especially important.
10. Requires less maintenance
Some countertop systems keep day-to-day use simple. Many are designed for plug-and-play use and do not require any plumbing alterations, and you can move them if you change your kitchen layout.
With normal use, some filters only need replacing every few months, while others last one or two years. This is far easier to manage than regularly buying, carrying and recycling bottled water.
How do you filter drinking water?
There are several ways to purify tap water at home, each with different strengths. Basic filters, such as jugs or tap-mounted units, usually use activated carbon. Carbon has a very large internal surface area, which helps it trap unwanted substances and some organic compounds. This can make water more pleasant to drink, but it does not remove all dissolved contaminants. Under sink and whole-house systems add sediment filters and other media to target a wider range of substances.
For more thorough purification, many households choose a reverse osmosis water filter. A typical design includes a sediment prefilter to catch particles, a carbon stage to reduce chlorine and chemicals, a membrane that removes most dissolved solids, and a final polishing filter to improve taste. This combination can reduce many dissolved contaminants and some microbes, giving consistently clean water.
Discover AquaTru’s water filters
AquaTru systems combine certified performance with everyday practicality to deliver filtered water that’s clean, consistent, and enjoyable. The patented four-stage design removes up to 99% of many common impurities, including chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals, and is independently tested to recognised NSF/ANSI standards. Countertop models (Classic and Carafe) install in minutes (no plumbing), which is ideal for renters and flexible kitchens. The Under Sink system integrates neatly for higher throughput and automatic refill.
If you’re balancing health, value, and sustainability, AquaTru helps you enjoy drinking water that tastes better, costs less per litre than bottled, and cuts plastic waste.
Explore our products and choose a model that fits your space and routine. Get an AquaTru water filter now!
