Australians know the importance of drinking clean, filtered water. However, the need for filtered water in the bath may be of lesser importance to many. Still, unfiltered water may contain numerous contaminants like chlorine, chloramines, minerals, pesticides, trihalomethanes, heavy metals and bacteria that may affect your health.

These chemicals, especially chlorine, can cause dry skin and hair and worsen skin conditions like eczema and rosacea in young children and babies. To prevent these from happening, a filtration system is essential in your shower or bath. 

Here are other reasons why you need a water filter:

• Chloroform Exposure

In their many forms, Trihalomethanes are produced when chlorine comes in contact with decaying organic matter in waterways. One of the most dangerous forms is chloroform, which may vaporise for you to breathe in if you are on town water. That can lead to feelings of lethargy, dizziness and disorientation.

Long-term exposure to chloroform can also lead to cancer, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services calls a reasonably anticipated human carcinogen. With that said, it’s not something you want in the water you bathe in or the air you breathe.

• Chlorine Exposure

Most Australian cities and towns treat their water with chlorine to eliminate bacteria, viruses and protozoa. While it’s a simple and effective way of treating water to be safe for drinking, there are downsides to showering with chlorine in the water. These include:

• Dry Skin: Chlorine strips both harmful and beneficial bacteria and protective oils from your skin. This chemical can be harsh and may even lead to skin irritation. Moreover, exposure to hot chlorinated water can make your skin itchy and dry, with the drying effect a contributing factor to premature ageing.

• Dry and Brittle Hair: Chlorinated water strips hair of natural oils, leaving you with dull and brittle hair that can be challenging to manage. High chlorine levels in your water can also lead to hair discolouration, giving it a green tinge. Many people also experience flaky or itching scalp due to the chlorinated water.

• Red Eyes: Spending too much time in a pool with chlorinated water can irritate your eyes, and the same goes for showering. Taking too long to shower in chlorinated water can lead to redness and a burning sensation in the eyes.

• Eczema and Rosacea Flare-Ups

If you have a skin condition like eczema and rosacea, bathing in chlorinated water doesn’t help your skin because it can be extremely drying. That dryness can cause eczema or rosacea flare-ups, dramatically affecting your skin condition. If you do have these pre-existing skin conditions, it’s best to shower in filtered water, which can contribute to treating your skin.

Conclusion

When you shower in fresh, clean and filtered water, you can prevent coming in contact with harsh chemicals. You can avoid the negative effects of chlorinated water, such as skin conditions like eczema and health risks like inhaling chloroform. Having a water filtration system in your shower also guarantees you’ll feel better during every shower. 

Jila Water is Queensland’s home water filtration specialist. We provide Australians with cost-effective whole house water filter systems that guarantee clean, fresh water throughout your house for the same price as maintaining a standard fridge filter. Our proprietary Jila Water System is a water filter for the whole home and utilises our patented four-stage filtration system that softens and removes the finest dirt, sediments and chemicals. Contact us today!