8 Ultra Pure Water Problems - What are They?

Ultra pure water filters are designed for use by large industries, such as those that manufacture semiconductors.  If you are looking for a home filtration device, you will find that there are problems with pure water filters.  It all depends on the quality.

You really wouldn’t want to drink ultra pure water.  It wouldn’t taste good and it can cause health problems.  But, you do want “purity”, in terms of contaminant removal.

"Water Enemies" - How Do We Identify Them?

There are many purification devices designed for home use, but certain brands are problematic.  The problems with pure water filtration devices is that they do not remove THMs, VOCs, alachlor, and benzene, TCE or MTBE.  Let's take a brief look at these water enemies many of which are said to cause cancer.

#1 THMs

THMs are trihalomethanes. They are produced when treatment facilities use chlorine to kill bacteria and keep the pipes free of algae.  They are known to cause cancer in humans. 

#2 VOCs

VOCs are volatile organic compounds.  There are thousands of different compounds that fall under this category.  Some cause cancer.  One has been making US news lately, because there is no EPA limit on how much can be present in drinking water.  Ingesting the VOC causes dysfunction of the thyroid gland, growth problems and metabolic disorders.

#3-6Alachlor-Benzene-TCE-MTBE - Are These Cancer Causing Agents?

Alachlor is a cancer causing herbicide that is still commonly used in the US, even though it has been banned in the EU.  Benzene and TCE are also known carcinogens.  MTBE is only “possibly” carcinogenic.  All of these are common contaminants.  Facilities are not required to test for all of them.  So, you don’t know if they are there or not.

Ultra pure water for drinking should not contain cancer causing chemicals and compounds that damage your health.  Those are the problems with pure water filtering systems for the home.  There is no real purity.

#7 Plastic - What is the Danger?

How about ultra pure water sold in a plastic bottle?  The problems with pure water stored in a plastic bottle have to do with the compounds used to make the bottle.  The most common ones are BPA and phthalates. 

Researchers are still debating the health problems caused by these compounds, but they do know that anything stored in containers that they were used to produce become contaminated.  CDC studies found some level of BPA in over 90% of people tested. 

Are You Buying Tap Water in a Plastic Bottle?

Another of the pure pure water problems in a bottle is that companies are not required to use a purification device, at all.  They may sell tap-water.  It’s their choice.  All the FDA has to say is that it be “as good as” what is already coming out of your tap.

#8 "Oh, no,  Don't Tell Me That Distilled Water is Bad Too"?

Some people think of ultra pure water as distilled.  Distillation is commonly used by companies that sell bottled waters.  The process de-mineralizes water.  That’s great for semi-conductors and electrical appliances, but not for the human body.  It’s not even good for fish.

In order to live long healthy lives, we need a good purification device.  A multi-stage system is the best choice, because it removes the widest range of contaminants.  But, remember to compare product performance and look for selective filtration, so that you still get your electrolytes.  That’s the kind of ultra pure water that the human body needs to thrive.   My research produced an excellent water filter system that eliminated all of the above problems with pure water.