Water — Ideal choices, filtration options, how to remineralise, glass bottled spring sources.

In an ideal world, we would all have abundant access to natural springs, where we could fill up on beautiful living water — straight from the earth.

Unfortunately however, we are presently living at a time in human history where the water freely available to most people contains a multitude of poisonous additives, no thanks to the ills of modern society.

Municipal tap water may contain contaminants such as pesticide & herbicide residues, heavy metals, micro plastics and plastic chemical residues, fluoride, industrial chemicals, pharmaceutical residue, chlorine, disinfectants, and more.

This is especially relevant in the context of things like “forever” chemical residue and heavy metals, of which the accumulation from continuous exposure over time can become a serious health issue.

The strength of filtration of any device involves an assessment of the ability to filter dissolved solids, metals, chemicals, bacteria, and sediment — down to the smallest possible particle sizes.

When working with municipal tap water as your drinking source, filtration is absolutely essential. There are however many different kinds of filters on the market, and this post aims to demystify the nuance for you.

WATER FILTRATION

Methods listed in order of filtration strength.

Reverse Osmosis

The highest possible filtration, capable of filtering up to ~0.0001 microns. This includes serious contaminants like heavy metals, fluoride, pesticides, PFAs (forever chemicals), and all the rest. Under sink versions of RO are the best option, and bench top reverse osmosis comes second place. Outside of the necessity of adding minerals back in after such extreme filtration, the only major con to RO specifically is the need to replace filters and maintain the system.

Electric distiller

Distillation is an extremely strong filtration device, removing 99.8–100% of impurities, on par with RO. The most natural way of filtering water. The only flaw being that it isn’t able to filter certain volatile chemicals which have a boiling point beyond that of water. A further limitation is the speed of time to distill water, which is much longer than other options. Minerals must also be added back in.

Nanofiltration

Second to RO and distillation, nano-filtration devices can remove larger organic molecules, around 50% of total dissolved solids, and heavy metals. Generally this type of filter is installed as a whole house setup. Minerals should be added back in.

Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration devices are highly capable of filtering bacteria and sediment, but do not remove any smaller dissolved solids such as minerals or heavy metals. Top option for this filter type is an under sink setup, next option is a bench top ultrafilter.

Activated charcoal

These filters work to absorb organic compounds, chlorine, and some VOCs onto the porous carbon surface. However it isn’t very effective, and cannot filter metals and “forever” chemicals. Brita water jugs are an example of this, however this kind of filter jug also introduces the problem of actually adding contaminants due to the filter materials (plastic) and potential mold growth.

Ceramic filter

Only capable of trapping large sediment and bacteria. These filters are incapable of removing chemicals.

REMINERALISING FILTERED WATER with SALT

Minerals are essential for optimal hydration. Minerals in water act as ions, which are charged particles that are needed for conductivity of electric charge.

When supplied with abundant ionic minerals, cells can function correctly by maintaining their internal and external membrane potential. Optimal cellular charge allows for quantum coherence and body wide flow of bioelectricity across all the waters within.

When our cells and therefore our mitochondria have abundant access to electrolyte minerals, they are much more efficient at metabolism and also the production of metabolic water. This is incredibly important for health, as mitochondria and cellular health is the foundation of life and homeostasis.

Drinking filtered water eliminates a valuable source of minerals. The body must source these vital electrolyte minerals from other places — either through the diet, or by pulling from tissue when there isn’t enough available. This is exactly why adding minerals back into your filtered water is a great way to ensure you’re maintaining a consistent source of ions and not depleting your body.

Natural spring water contains a varied mineral level aka TDS, total dissolved solids, anywhere between 50-250ppm depending on the source. “Mineral water” is simply spring water with a higher mineral content, usually with a TDS of over 250.

To work out exactly how much salt is needed to reach a similar TDS to natural spring water, we can use a parts per million approach. PPM is calculated by dividing the mass of the solute (salt) by the mass of the solution, then multiplying by 1,000,000.

As an example —

1/4 teaspoon fine salt - 1.5 grams

1L - 1000 grams

1.5/1000 x 1,000,000

= 1500ppm

Per this example, distributing 1/4tsp of salt into 7L water, lands on 214ppm per each litre.

With this easy formula, you can freely adjust the amount of salt and resulting PPM in order to suit your needs, and ensure your water is adequately mineralised.

Opt for celtic or other high quality sea salt choices, with all necessary trace minerals present. Salt made from spring water is another wonderful choice.

Beyond filtration, if you have the means and desire, glass bottled spring water is the most optimal choice for drinking water that is unadulterated by man, straight from the source as nature intended, with perfect levels of minerals included.

GLASS BOTTLED AUSTRALIAN SPRING WATER

For those who wish to buy spring water, the ideal is glass bottled at the source. Opting for sourcing from companies who use large water dispenser jugs to distribute local spring water is another option, and more affordable than glass bottles. However it does add the potential for plastic contamination.

So here is my list of favourite glass bottled Australian spring waters, with the options available in each state, including where to source it! As well as a few international favourites too. Note – always opt for STILL not sparkling carbonated water.

AUSTRALIAN SPRING WATER

Overall best choice and available AUS wide — Pure Tassie

My favourite Australian spring water, all factors considered such as potential chemical contamination and deuterium content. A delicious water which isn’t too mineral heavy either, perfect for every day drinking. Order from Dan Murphy’s, online only.

NSW

Beloka — Very pure, alpine water. High mineral content. Order direct from their website for the best price. Free delivery when buying in quantity.

Mount Warning — Spring in Byron bay. Source direct from their website, or Harris Farm Markets. Great daily drink.

Waddi Springs — Another Byron bay spring. Source direct from website.

G2G Living Water — Source direct from their website.

VIC

Olinda Springs — Victorial spring. Melbourne delivery exclusive.

Three Bays — Order direct from their website.Free VIC delivery for ordering in quantity.

TAS

Mt Ossa Tasmanian — Buy online.

Pure Tassie — Buy online from Dan Murphys.

INTERNATIONAL

Antipodes from NZ — One of my favourite international waters. Very pure and delicious. The bottles are also very satisfying to drink from which is a bonus. Order direct from their website for the best price, they also offer discounts for subscription.

Icelandic Glacial — Most favourite water in the world. Low deuterium which makes our mitochondria really happy. Buy through Dan Murphys.

Voss — Norway. Wonderful water. Only con is the plastic cap.

Evian — French Alps. Glass bottled is rare to find, but does exist.