Tap water quality meets stringent standards set by regulatory bodies. While generally safe for consumption, trace amounts of certain contaminants might still be present.
1. Where does the UAE tap water come from?
UAE tap water primarily depends on desalination plants (99% for Dubai) to supply its residents. During the desalination process, the water undergoes extensive treatment from screening and filtration to disinfection and mineralization.
2. Most common traces of contaminants in tap water:
- Chlorine: used to disinfect your water from any germs, chlorine is the most common contaminant residue found in tap water.
- Excess of minerals: typically, high level of magnesium and calcium which causes hard water.
- Heavy Metals: while within safe limits, trace amounts of heavy metals like lead and arsenic might occasionally be found.
- Microorganisms: despite treatments, low levels of bacteria and viruses might be present in trace amounts.
- Other Pollutants: pesticides and chemicals can also be found in traces.
3. Water storage tanks and pipes concerns:
If not cleaned and regularly inspected, water pipes and storage tanks – which are the last step before arrival to your household – can contribute to water quality issues. How?
- Sediment Accumulation: over time, sediment or debris may accumulate at the bottom of storage tanks if they are not cleaned regularly. This sediment can include particles, rust, or other contaminants that can affect water quality.
- Microbial Growth: improperly maintained tanks can become breeding grounds for microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, or fungi.
- Corrosion or Leaks: older or poorly maintained storage tanks might develop corrosion or leaks, allowing external contaminants or pollutants to seep into the stored water.
- Temperature Effects: in region with high temperatures, storage tanks exposed to direct sunlight or inadequate insulation may experience temperature fluctuations. This variation in temperature can promote microbial growth or affect the stability of water quality.
On a 63 water storage tanks sample study*, residual chlorine was the number #1 parameter above national quality guidelines.
This means re-chlorination is often use in tank’s maintenance, which can lead to residual chlorine in our tap water and increase skin irritation.
Moreover, study showed that there is a lack of awareness concerning the importance of maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene of the household water tanks*.
4. Conclusion:
- Tap water is strictly monitored and generally safe for consumption.
- However, trace amounts of certain contaminants might still be present.
- When used over an extended period without a filter, your tap water can cause skin breakouts, dryness and worsen skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.
FEELTER is a powerful 5-layer filtration system removing 99% chlorine, 99.9% sand, rust, microorganisms and significantly reducing leads, heavy metals and other substance responsible for hard water.
Using it is a personal choice, that we highly recommend! It will keep you at peace of mind every time you use your tap water.
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*Sources:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. (October 2021). Assessment of water quality variations from mains to building storage tanks in Sharjah United Arab Emirates.
Department of Life and Environmental Science, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai. (April 2016). Assessment of microbial quality in household water tanks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.