Why The Quality Of Drinking Water Plays A Bigger Role In Our health Than We Think?

Water is the most frequently consumed substance in any household, yet the least questioned. Many families believe that once water is filtered or appears clear in a glass, it is safe for daily use. However, the reality of India’s current water landscape tells a far more complex story, one where safety is determined not by appearance, but by what remains hidden beneath the surface. We speak to Dr Anil Kumar, Chief Water Scientist, Eureka Forbes, to understand more.

Across urban and semi-urban India, drinking water rarely comes from a single source. Municipal supply, groundwater, private tankers and mixed inputs are now common, particularly in expanding cities. Each source carries a different risk profile, influenced by local geology, infrastructure

quality and human activity. While visible impurities may be removed easily, the most pressing threats today are dissolved contaminants that travel silently through water systems.

A National Groundwater study highlights the scale of this issue. Chemical contaminants such as nitrates, fluoride, arsenic and certain heavy metals are present across multiple regions, often exceeding recommended safety limits. These substances do not affect taste, colour or odour, which means households may consume them daily without any immediate warning signs. Over time, this repeated exposure becomes a routine part of life rather than an isolated event.

From a groundwater science perspective, this pattern is linked to over-extraction. As water tables decline, deeper aquifer layers begin contributing to the supply. These deeper layers often contain naturally occurring elements that were previously less accessible. Once released, contaminants such as arsenic and uranium enter the domestic water cycle, creating risks that are difficult to detect without testing or advanced purification.

What makes this particularly concerning is the cumulative nature of exposure. Drinking water is consumed throughout the day, while cooking, preparing beverages, washing produce and staying hydrated. Even low concentrations of contaminants, when ingested consistently, can place sustained stress on the body. The effects may not be immediate, but they build gradually, influencing overall wellbeing over months and years.

Despite this evolving risk, many households still rely on basic filtration or boiling as primary safety measures. While these methods may address certain biological impurities, they are not designed to remove dissolved chemicals or heavy metals. In some cases, boiling can even increase the concentration of chemical contaminants as water volume reduces. This creates a dangerous mismatch between perceived safety and actual protection.

The effectiveness of water purification depends on two critical factors: choosing the right technology for the water source and using authentic and certified filtration components. Technologies such as reverse osmosis, ultraviolet and ultrafiltration are designed to address different categories of contaminants. When applied correctly and supported by certified filters, they form a comprehensive barrier against both microbial and chemical risks.

However, technology alone is not enough. The quality of the filter inside the system plays a decisive role. The market today has seen a rise in unbranded and counterfeit filters that resemble genuine products but lack the material integrity and testing required for effective contaminant removal. These filters may function initially but deteriorate rapidly, allowing harmful substances to pass through unnoticed.

This issue has been demonstrated through independent scientific evaluation. An IIT Madras case study comparing genuine Nanopore Longlife filters with ordinary or unbranded alternatives found a stark difference in performance. While certified filters maintained high removal efficiency for contaminants over extended usage up to 12,000 litre, unbranded filters showed sharp decline in effectiveness, in some cases within the first few litres. Such findings underscore that filtration quality is not cosmetic but foundational to safety.

For households, this distinction has real-world consequences. Using an ineffective filter does not merely reduce purification efficiency but creates a false sense of protection. Families believe they are drinking safe water while continuing to be exposed to invisible risks. Over time, this silent exposure can influence overall health outcomes without being traced back to water quality.

However, consumer awareness is beginning to shift. More people are questioning assumptions around clarity and taste and seeking information about what their water actually contains. There is growing interest in understanding water sources, seasonal variations and the role of certified purification. This marks an important move away from intuition-driven choices towards informed decision-making.

Protecting everyday health does not require complex interventions. It begins with understanding the source of water entering the home and testing it periodically. Selecting purification systems that are suited to the specific water profile ensures appropriate protection. Using only certified and genuine filters, and replacing them as recommended preserves system performance. Maintaining hygiene around storage and staying alert to local advisories further strengthen safety.

Drinking water is not merely a utility but a daily input that shapes health quietly . As groundwater conditions evolve and contamination patterns become more complex, households must shift their approach to protection. The true measure of safe water today lies not in how it looks, but in the confidence that invisible risks are being effectively addressed through science-backed purification and certified filtration.