Drinking water shouldn't spark so much confusion.

But of course, when it comes to our health, we must understand what our best options are.

One of these "best options" is filtered water. Not only is it a great option in and of itself, but it's also undoubtedly the best option anyone has for drinking water.

No matter your lifestyle preferences, there's not much reason to opt for bottled or tap water over filtered water. Especially since bottled and tap water can actively harm your health.

Interested in learning more? Then keep reading to understand four key reasons why you need a water filter. Afterward, you'll wonder why you spent so long without one.

1. Improved Health

Water filters' popularity stems from their ability to filter water. More specifically, they are able to remove a large number of contaminants and minerals.

This is crucial, especially for areas with harder water. "Hardness" of water depends on how many minerals remain in it. While retaining some of these minerals is essential for health, drinking too many minerals can lead to many long-term health problems.

Such problems include respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems, and more. Washing any part of your body with hard water can also cause irritation and dryness, which is detrimental to those with sensitive, fragile, and/or dry skin.

If you think that bottled water will solve your problems, think again. Bottled distilled water may be filtered of all contaminants and minerals, but avoiding all mineral consumption can also be detrimental to your health. Though bottled water can be convenient, it's best to choose filtered over distilled water for everyday consumption.

So if you've been drinking tap or bottled water, make the switch soon. Doing so will ensure that your daily drinking water is well-balanced and clean. All of which is fantastic for your health.

2. Lower Carbon Footprint

Need another reason to ditch bottled water? If you're concerned about your carbon footprint, then that is the only reason you need.

It takes a lot of resources to move water bottles from a few facilities to hundreds and thousands of stores. Not only does transportation require water in and of itself, but it uses a ton of petroleum that could make its way into the water bottles themselves.

In fact, every bottle of water needs about 24 oil gallons to get to its final destination. The price of on-the-go convenience comes at the cost of our planet. Not to mention the amount of gas customers use to get to the grocery store, which only adds to this devastating statistic.

As environmental concerns evolve, so should our responses to them. While many people have been drinking filtered water for years, not enough people have made the switch. Whether you prioritize eco-friendliness or not, your everyday habits have a huge impact on the planet. 

3. Long-Term Investment

Though the occasional one-dollar water bottle seems negligible, purchasing them regularly will rack up costs in the long run. That's unideal, to say the least, especially considering the health benefits of filtered vs distilled water.

Most people need at least eight cups of water a day. Water bottles are generally sold in 16.9-ounce quantities too. Drink enough bottled water to sustain yourself for a day and you've racked up four dollars in a day. All in all, that adds up to about $1460 a year.

On the other hand, drinking filtered water cuts down much of the costs, especially when it comes to transportation and plastic. Removing those barriers alone can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars a year.

Namely, the cost will amount to about two hundred dollars a year. That's a steep difference — a difference that will get steeper for years to come.

Since the best water filter will only need filter replacements, there's a lot less single-use waste to deal with. Instead, you can drink your filtered water for months without worry, knowing that you only need to worry about it a few times a year. 

4. Plastic Waste Reduction

Even if you recycle all your plastic, it's best to not use it in the first place. In the big picture, it's easier to prevent problems than it is to solve them when they happen. That's why it's important for your everyday lifestyle to use as little plastic as possible.

After all, not everyone will recycle their plastic in the first place. And with pleas to improve eco-friendliness increasing, it's even more important to tighten up our habits.

But even if you're not ready to overturn all your habits, buying the best water filtered on the market is both easy and eco-friendly. You won't have to make constant trips to the grocery store and you won't be using up so much plastic.

If you're on the go, you can always store drinking water in a refillable tumbler or thermos and drink from them. That way, you'll eliminate every reason for using bottled water, increasing convenience and lowering your carbon footprint at the same time.

Water Filter

Finishing this post means that you care enough about your health and the planet to make the change. So if you've got the initial funds for a water filter, invest soon. Your body and planet will thank you for it.

At Berkey Clean Water, we know what's at stake when it comes to the quality of our drinking water. That's why we offer all sorts of products for water filtration, including replacement filters for permanent enjoyment and health. So if you're interested, check out our catalog of water filter systems!