How to Reduce or Remove Zinc in Water - What Products to Buy

Zinc is one of the most common contaminants found in tap water. While it is an essential nutrient, excessive levels in drinking water can pose various health risks. It has been found that tap water can hold higher concentrations of the metal because of leaching from piping and fittings.

Although municipal authorities are supposed to treat zinc in water, it sometimes winds up in our tap water, meaning it is up to you to make sure that you eliminate it through additional filtering.

There are several ways you can do this, but the easiest and most common method is by using a filter designed to remove zinc from the water.

At Culligan ZeroWater, we offer a range of products that use a five-stage filter to remove all contaminants. This includes zinc.

In this blog, we share why zinc removal is so important and how you can do this at home.

How Does Zinc Get In Water?

Zinc in water is bad for our health, and despite systems put in place to remove it from tap water, levels of it still manage to get through to the water we receive from our household taps.

The metal can get into our drinking water in a number of ways:

• Natural processes - zinc occurs naturally in igneous rocks, so can enter the water through erosion and weathering.
• Human activities - tasks such as mining, steel production, coal burning and using fertilisers or pesticides are some examples of how zinc can get into our water.
• Our water system - corroded pipes and industrial runoff are also causes of zinc in water.

Health Impacts of Zinc in Water

As we mentioned above, there are a number of health risks of zinc in water, particularly if it is high levels.

Risks include:

• Gastrointestinal issues - such as stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting
• Anaemia - decreased red blood cells
• Lower Cholesterol levels - reduced levels of “good” cholesterol
• Nervous System Disorders - can cause damage to the pancreas and other nervous system issues
• Other symptoms: low blood pressure, urine retention, jaundice, seizures, joint pain, fever, coughing, metallic taste in your mouth

Use Water Filtration Systems

Water filtration systems that sit under your tap or at your water supply source are especially good at removing zinc from water.

There are a variety of water filtration systems available. Some can be installed to cover all taps in the home, and these are great because you eliminate the risk of exposure through the skin as well.

Each system is fitted with a special water filter that traps zinc and other contaminants, leaving your water completely free from contaminants and safe to drink.

These water filters typically need to be replaced every month - if you don't the contaminants end up right back in your water.

However, many people find these systems expensive.

Choose Water Filter Jugs

If you feel you cannot afford a filtration system, there is a cheaper alternative - water filter jugs.

These water filter jugs come with a replaceable filter that you also have to change about once a month.

If you look online, you will find that there are many different types and water filter jug brands that you can choose from. But you should be careful because not all of them are as good as they claim to be, and not all of them will remove zinc from water. You should be looking for a water filter jug that is made by a reputable company.

When ordering a filter jug, you will need to make sure that you take into account the size of your family so that you purchase an appropriate-sized jug.

The one you choose will also depend on the amount of space that you have to keep it. Many people buy one that they can fit in the fridge so they can always have cool water.

How Do Water Filter Jugs Work?

A water filter jug comes with special filters that capture impurities. You don't need to buy any special water to use in a water filter jug - just fetch some straight from your tap.

As soon as it passes through the water filter in the jug, it is safe and ready to drink as the layers within the filter remove zinc from the water.

Removing More Than Zinc

The other thing you should know about water filter jugs is that they get rid of microorganisms that could otherwise cause you to be ill.

While it is true that the water we drink comes to us already filtered, not all microbes are killed, and sometimes they can lead to disease. By adding an additional filtering stage, you ensure that you are not at any risk.

Order The Best Water Filter Jug Today

We strongly recommend Culligan ZeroWater’s UK market-leading water filter jugs. Why? Because there are other chemicals and minerals present in your tap water that won't do you any good either, and our filters help remove them.

Check out our water filter jugs today. They are all highly affordable and remove 100 per cent of all zinc in water with their patented five-stage water filters, which are a market leader worldwide.