The debate on filtering drinking water rumbles on. Just turning on a tap and drinking safe water is a privilege enjoyed by relatively few in this world. So should we go one step further and add filtration between tap and lips?

Well there are pros and cons. Tap water does contain various ‘added extras’ – chlorine, which can be unpalatable but is used to kill microorganisms, and fluoride to combat tooth decay. Tap water also contains varying amounts of minerals, depending on where you live. Some can be harmful and are kept within safe limits by the water companies, some are safe or even beneficial. A good example is calcium, which in hard-water areas can cause deposits (furring) in kettles, but it doesn’t harm us and in fact we need some calcium in our diet.

One unwelcome addition to both drinking water and also food is microplastics. These are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 mm long.  Microplastics definitely aren’t beneficial and could well be harmful as they can act as hormone disrupters, leading to cancer and infertility.

For me, the microplastics are the most persuasive argument for a water filter. However if you use filtered water regularly it’s probably wise to use fluorinated toothpaste to replace fluoride removed by the filter.

So are all water filters equal? In short, no. If you’re looking for the most effective system, ZeroWater® is hard to beat, removing 99.6% of detectable dissolved solids, whilst other leading brands only remove 50% or less. Importantly ZeroWater® guarantees to remove almost all microplastics. It’s so effective because it has a five-stage filter, as opposed to the more usual two-stage systems (see diagram below). Importantly ZeroWater® jugs are BPA-Free.

ZeroWater® has a great range of sizes and designs, but the 12 Cup, 2.8l Ready-Read Jug is particularly useful and very easy to assemble and feels solid and stable. I love the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter which fits neatly in the jug handle so you can check the water purity as you pour from the spigot, and the water really does taste good. Normally priced at £44.99, it’s currently on special offer at just £33.74. You can test your unfiltered water with the TDS meter to estimate how long your filter will last and ZeroWater® operate a filter replacement service by subscription.

If you’re keen on pure water do check out the ZeroWater® range.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

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Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.