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Our city’s water and sewerage infrastructure delivers safe, high-quality water to households and businesses across the Gold Coast. Whether you choose to filter your household’s tap water further is up to you, as is the choice of filtration system you use.
But maybe, like most of us, you take your clean tap water for granted. Perhaps you’re unsure what’s actually in your water supply, whether it needs filtering, or which is the best filtration system for you and your loved ones.
Then, we suggest you read on. We’re about to take a deep dive into our Gold Coast water supply, our drinking habits, the benefits of water and proper hydration, the benefits of filtration and the options available for doing so.
You’re going to want to ‘drink all this in’ so, get comfy.
How many of the following ‘ingredients’ do you think we might find in our water supply? It certainly doesn’t sound like a recipe for anything that’s supposed to be good for you, now, does it?
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The truth is, all of these nasties could very well be lurking in your next glass of refreshing tap water. Yum! Thirsty yet?
And, if you’re following the recommended consumption of 8 glasses a day, think about how many of these could be coursing through your system right now!
While the benefits of drinking water in a controlled environment outweigh the risks, the potential threat remains. Here’s what could potentially be lurking in our drinking water:
Tap water may contain impurities, both natural and artificial. Some are harmless, and others affect what the water looks, tastes or smells like. However, others can give you a primary infection or slowly damage your health over a long period.
Some chemicals (such as chlorine and fluoride) are added to your water in the treatment plant. There are ongoing discussions over potential health risks as a result of this. But the benefits of using the chemicals are still thought to outweigh any potential risk.
Supplying water free from pathogenic microorganisms (those that can make you sick) is the most important task for water authorities.
The short answer is the Hinze Dam. And here’s what Destination Gold Coast had to say about this local gem, the Gold Coast drinking water source.
“South East Queensland’s AUD395 Million Hinze Dam was originally constructed in 1976, later raised 15 metres in 1989 and recently upgraded in 2011. The large embankment and un-gated spillway across the Nerang River provides water security and flood mitigation to the Gold Coast.
The catchment area of 207 square kilometres includes the Numinbah Valley and Springbrook Plateau, which pools into a 3700 acre reservoir called Advancetown Lake. This lake provides recreational users with walking and horse riding trails and is a popular stop off for lycra-clad cyclists passing through the Gold Coast Hinterland.
For anglers with a permit and electric outboard motor (sail or paddle craft) this is a playground for hooking golden and silver perch, saratoga, Mary River cod and Australian bass from either The Western (Nerang Murwillumbah Road) or Eastern Boat Ramp (Little Nerang and Range Roads).
There are four picnic and barbecue areas with nearby playgrounds for the kids and onlookers, plus a state-of-the-art educational interpretive centre perched above the parklands and lake.”
The following video is a great resource explaining Seqwater’s role in ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for South East Queensland. Have a watch here.
The city of Gold Coast’s water and sewerage network and assets are worth more than $3.7 billion and include:
Our own Dr. Karl examines the question, “Do we need eight glasses of water a day?” in this article.
Despite a lack of evidence, the advice from most authorities is that a passive person should drink at least eight glasses of water (about eight ounces each) per day. That totals almost two litres. Active people should drink more.
Besides maintaining proper hydration, “some studies show that drinking lots of water reduced the incidence of bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, urinary tract infections and urinary stones.”
Some reasons our bodies need drinking water are:
So, drink on up!
The City of Gold Coast is helping customers to enjoy a healthy, environmentally friendly and low-cost community lifestyle through its Choose Tap program.
The Choose Tap message is simple: tap water is the best choice for your health, environment, and hip pocket. Additionally, drinking tap water is a convenient alternative to purchasing bottled water by reusing a personal water bottle.
Want more information on the water quality in your area, have a look at the latest report here: Drinking water quality annual report
We have no shortage of water filtration options to choose from. Here’s a glimpse into a few of the most popular comparing their pros, cons and costs. What will work best for you? That’s up to you to decide.
Option | Price | Pro | Con |
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Bottled water | $10 per 24 bottles | Easy to use, transportable In its container | Costs have to be continually replenished, bad for the environment |
Undersink filter | $180 – $600 initial | Filter’s large amounts of water without cluttering up the countertop or attaching to existing taps. Less likely to clog than a jug or tap-mounted filters. Longest lasting option. | It takes up under-sink space and requires plumbing modification. Most expensive option. |
Jug filter | $20 – $75 initial | Convenient, small, and easy to use and replace filters. | Some are slow, prone to clogging and have short filter lives, meaning higher ongoing costs. |
Tap/faucet-mounted | $25 – $75 initial | Most convenient at tap filters, small, and easy to use and replace filters. Easily swap between filtered and non-filtered water. | It slows the flow of water and cannot be used on all taps. |
Countertop | $60 – $350 initial | Filter’s large amounts of water without plumbing modification. Less likely to clog than a jug or tap-mounted filters. | Clutters countertops and cannot be used on all taps. |
Other options include refillable lead-reducing pitchers, fridge water filtration options, and individually filtered water bottles. So, there’s no excuse not to filter!
Did you know?
The next time you’re thirsty, make the right choice for the planet, make the sustainable choice and choose tap.
As crucial as choosing a tap, make the right choice for you, your health and your tastebuds, and make sure it’s filtered tap!
For water filter installation, the professional plumbers from Gold Coast Plumbing Company can help you there. Aside from installation, we can help you choose high quality water filters from reputable manufacturers. Our team can also do repairs and plumbing maintenance. And we can help you too in installing a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter, the most effective way to get contaminants out of your water.