We’ve all been told that drinking water is important, but tap water doesn’t always taste good. And that can put us off getting the H2O intake we need! Taste aside, there are elements in tap water that may not be great for your health in the long run too.
Is tap water safe to drink?
The tap water in Singapore is generally safe as drinking water. In a CNA Insider study conducted in 2019, water samples were collected from 15 taps across the island – from eateries, shopping centres, public toilets and HDB flats. The results showed that all the samples had no presence of bacteria. As for harmful metal contaminants like lead, they ranged from 0.02 to 0.3 parts per billion (ppb). Thankfully, these figures are way lower than the World Health Organisation’s guideline of 10ppb.
Despite this, there may still be some trace chemicals in tap water, like chlorine and sulphate, which are often used for disinfection. Also, in our homes, pipes may rust over time due to wear and tear leading to potentially harmful particles entering into the water supply if we don’t conduct regular checks.
Why is drinking water so important?
Hydration is necessary for the body to function. For one thing, water is essential for kidney health, as dehydration can result in crystals forming, which can hinder kidney function and lead to kidney-related diseases like kidney stones. Researchers in the UK, Australia and Canada have also found that drinking plenty of fluids helps the kidneys to clear sodium, urea and waste products from the body. This can lower the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
Also, did you know that fatigue is one of the main effects of dehydration?
Around 50 to 60 percent of our bodies are made up of water; not having enough of it in our system can cause us to feel more tired than usual as the body is working harder to pump nutrients to the cells, says Harvard Health Publishing.
What’s an alternative to tap water in Singapore?
If you want to be extra safe, you can get drinking water from Natural Springs Australia. With their water dispensers you can enjoy clean and great tasting spring water at any time of the day. Now that we’re working from home more often, having a water dispenser at home also makes it easier and more convenient to increase your water intake! Tip: Place it near your home office so you’ll be reminded to take regular water breaks.
Natural Springs Australia sources its spring water from the Black Hills mountains in Victoria. It’s fresh and free from contamination, so you don’t have to worry about trace metals or chemicals in your drinking water. The spring water is drawn directly from the source with all its natural mineral content and properties kept intact. It’s then filtered to remove any fine clay and impurities, and ozone-treated to enable it to remain bacteria-free when it gets bottled.
Getting a Natural Springs water dispenser is a great option if you’re not keen on investing in an expensive water filter, since the only payment required is a refundable $250 deposit for the dispenser. As for the water, it’s affordably priced at $19 for a 19-litre bottle, with free delivery with a minimum spend.
Recycle & Reuse!
Natural Springs Australia offers a collection service for its customers, so that used bottles can be sanitised and refilled. Made of recyclable, non-toxic polycarbonate, some are given a new lease of life and transformed into plastic pallets used in the same warehouse. On top of that, the company also offsets its carbon footprint by planting 500 trees each year.
The tap water at our house is really not nice… old pipes I think. We haven’t looked back after getting a Natural Springs water dispenser. There’s no worry about changing filters or making sure the water’s cold or hot either. And it tastes divine!
Find out more about Natural Springs Australia at naturalsprings.com.sg.
This article first appeared in the August 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
