Can Unfiltered Water Make You Sick?

Many of us take tap water for granted and assume it always tastes fine and contains nothing extra.

Unfiltered tap water can still contain chlorine, PFOA, heavy metals, and other chemicals. That is worth understanding before you decide whether to filter.

This article looks at common tap-water concerns and the filtration options families use to reduce chemical contaminants.

If you feel ill, see a doctor. A home filter is not medical treatment.

Common Concerns About Unfiltered Tap Water

Most municipal tap water in developed countries is treated to meet legal standards. That does not mean every household likes the extra chemicals.

One concern is toxic chemicals and heavy metals.

Cities add chlorine and other disinfectants as part of municipal treatment. Those chemicals can affect taste and odor. Prolonged exposure to chlorine and disinfection byproducts is a reason many families filter tap water.

Tap water may also contain traces of lead, arsenic, and other metals from aging pipes. Those have been linked to neurological and developmental concerns.

Pesticides, herbicides, and industrial pollutants can also show up depending on the source water and local infrastructure.

Pregnant women and young children are often the first group families want to protect when they add a home filter.

If You Feel Ill, Start With a Doctor

If you or a loved one feels sick, pay attention to symptoms and get medical care if needed.

Stomach symptoms can have many causes. Do not assume a home filter will diagnose or treat illness.

If public-health officials issue a water notice, follow that notice. Report suspected community water problems to your local health department.

Tap Water Risks and What To Do

For chemical contaminants in municipally treated tap water, a home filter is a practical step.

Options include a countertop gravity system, whole-house filters, under-sink filters, and pitchers.

These systems are used to reduce heavy metals, pesticides, chlorine, and many other chemical pollutants.

Choose a system based on your tap water and household size. Follow the manufacturer instructions for cleaning and replacement.

You can also review your utility’s water-quality report and, if you want more detail, have water tested by a certified lab.

If your city issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow official guidance. A gravity filter is not a substitute for that notice.

How Do I Know if My Water Quality Is an Issue?

Look at taste, odor, and your local water report first.

If someone in the home has ongoing symptoms, see a healthcare provider. Timing can help a doctor ask the right questions, but it is not a diagnosis by itself.

Lab testing can identify chemical contaminants and help you choose a filter aimed at those contaminants.

How Berkey Helps With Tap Water

A gravity-fed Berkey is a simple way to reduce many chemical contaminants in municipally treated tap water.

Berkey filters are used to reduce pesticides, chlorine, heavy metals, and many other chemical pollutants, while helping keep beneficial minerals.

Available testing covers trihalomethanes, pharmaceuticals, perfluorinated chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants.

The system is intended for municipally treated tap water at home. It also works during a power outage because it needs no electricity. It is portable for travel when tap water is available.

See our emergency preparedness guide for storing tap water and using a no-power filter.

Elements often last thousands of gallons. Official replacements are the Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition filters.

If you want cleaner, better-tasting tap water, Berkey is a strong long-term option.

Learn about our Berkey Water Filters here.