Tap Water vs Filtered Water for Babies - Which is Safer

Water is essential for life, and humans can only survive a few days without it. Water supports digestion, immunity, temperature regulation, and overall health. For babies, sufficient hydration is vital because it supports their rapid growth and development, helping to regulate their temperature, transport nutrients, and keep their bodies functioning effectively during these critical stages of growth. While breast milk or formula hydrates infants under six months, water becomes essential as they age. However, the quality of the water they consume can profoundly impact their health, development, and future well-being. While adults can manage some impurities, infants and children are more vulnerable to water contaminants. It raises a growing concern for parents: whether tap water is safe for babies, or should it be filtered? In this article, we will find the answer.

How Important is Safe Drinking Water for Babies

Generally, parents begin giving their baby water at 6 months of age. It is necessary for optimal hydration and plays a significant role in their development. However, poor-quality water can adversely affect many aspects of babies' health:

• Digestion and hydration. Babies' digestive systems are delicate. Contaminated water can disrupt their gut health, leading to diarrhoea and dehydration. According to the World Health Organisation, unsafe drinking water is one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal infections in young children.
• Immune system development. Babies have immature immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections from waterborne pathogens. Exposure to harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites at a young age may lead to severe complications in the future.
• Neurological and physical development. Heavy metals and minerals in water can harm a baby's developing brain and body. Lead and fluoride exposure, for instance, has been linked to developmental delays, reduced IQ, and behavioural issues. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) warns that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
• Dental health. As mentioned above, fluoride in water has long been debated for its health benefits. Many recent studies highlight the importance of monitoring fluoride levels in drinking water, especially for young children, because it may weaken tooth enamel rather than strengthen teeth.

Ultimately, ensuring babies have access to clean, safe-to-drink water supports all their body systems, setting the foundation for a healthy life.

The Quality of Tap Water in Australia

Australia has stringent Drinking Water Guidelines designed to ensure tap water safety. To ensure compliance, local water suppliers must regularly monitor and report on water quality.

Our local guidelines are considered among the strictest globally, covering many potential contaminants, aesthetic requirements (taste, odour, and appearance), and operational issues. As a result, tap water in Australia is considered safe for kids and adults to drink. However, for babies, the safety concern is more complex. Babies have still-developing immune systems and smaller body masses, making them more susceptible to chemicals and pathogens even at low concentrations. While tap water in Australia undergoes extensive treatment, it's not 100% purified and still contains many contaminants, including the following:

• Chlorine. Water treatments use chlorine to disinfect water and kill harmful bacteria. However, it can badly affect the water's taste and odour.
• Fluoride. Fluoride is added to most Australian tap water supplies to help prevent tooth decay. Excessive exposure can lead to dental fluorosis in children, causing discolouration or damage to developing teeth. Up-to-date research also indicates that fluoride can lower IQ and a host of other long-term health concerns.
• Heavy metals. Lead, copper, mercury, zinc, and other heavy metals can leach into water from ageing pipes and plumbing fixtures. They can accumulate in the body, potentially causing developmental delays and cognitive impairments.
• Forever chemicals (PFAS). PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment. They have been detected in high concentrations in some Australian water supplies. Studies suggest they may disrupt hormones, impact immune function, and increase heart and brain health risks.
• Microplastics. Microplastics enter water supplies through environmental pollution and degradation of plastic materials. While research is ongoing, scientists are concerned about microplastics' potential to cause inflammation or disrupt cellular function, particularly in vulnerable populations like babies.
• Nitrates. Agricultural runoff is a primary source of nitrate contamination in water. High nitrate levels can lead to Blue Baby Syndrome, which interferes with oxygen transport in the blood, posing severe risks to infants.
• Bacteria and viruses. Pipe breaks or lapses in treatment can cause bacterial or viral water contamination. Infants are particularly vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.
• Industrial chemicals. Pesticides and herbicides can often enter water supplies through runoff or spills. Long-term exposure to these substances may adversely affect developing systems.

Contamination levels may vary in different regions, but even low concentrations indicate the importance of taking extra precautions for babies. Filtered water can be a safer option, especially when preparing baby formula.

Safety of Filtered Water for Babies

Filtered water undergoes a purification process to remove dangerous contaminants left after municipal treatment. The most popular in-house filtration systems include:

• Carbon filters—effective at removing chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to improve taste and odour. Carbon filters use activated carbon to trap impurities through adsorption. They are affordable, widely available, and easy to maintain but have limited effectiveness against heavy metals, nitrates, and bacteria.
• Reverse osmosis (RO) systems—highly effective at removing a broad range of contaminants, including fluoride and nitrates. RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane to filter out dissolved salts, heavy metals, and other microscopic contaminants. However, they take longer to filter and can strip water of beneficial minerals.
• UV filters—ideal for eliminating pathogens. Ultraviolet light kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in the water, but it does not remove chemical contaminants or sediments.
• Ceramic filters—effective for bacteria removal. Ceramic filters physically block bacteria and sediments due to their small pore size. They are simple to use but less effective against chemical contaminants.
• Ion exchange filters—great for areas with hard water. These filters exchange ions in water to reduce hardness and remove heavy metals like lead, but require regular regeneration using salt.

Investing in a high-quality filtration system ensures your family enjoys safe and great-tasting water every day. At Waters Co, you can discover a filtration system that is easy to install in your house and meets your purification requirements. For example, our benchtop water filters use multi-stage filtration, including activated carbon, ceramic, and mineral filters. They remove up to 99.9% of harmful substances, including chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals, improve water's taste, and add beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium.

We also offer more compact systems, like water filter bottles, which combine carbon and ceramic technologies and provide access to clean water on the go. They are convenient, lightweight, affordable, and practical, perfect for travel, picnics, or camping.

Filtered water reduces exposure to contaminants that could impact babies' development and well-being, and with Waters Co you can ensure they access safe and healthy drinking water.

Safety Considerations: Choosing the Right Water Filter

Filtered water is an excellent choice for babies since it gives them all the hydration they need without risking contamination. However, the water quality heavily depends on the filtration system you choose. To ensure you get the best solution for your family, consider these aspects:

• Tap water quality in your region: Test tap water for contaminants with a home testing kit or check local councils' water quality reports. An in-house filtration system is a must in areas with older plumbing or near agricultural or industrial sites.
• Your purification needs: Different types of filtration systems are available, and their effectiveness may vary. If you need to remove bacteria, choose UV filters or ceramic systems. If you require comprehensive filtration, consider multi-stage filters or reverse osmosis treatment.
• Installation requirements. If you rent a small countertop, opt for a compact water filter jug or benchtop filter. For a permanent setup, go for an under-sink system.
• Capacity: Choose a filter that can meet your household's water consumption. Benchtop water filters, for example, are perfect for small families of 3-4 people.
• Certification: Ensure the filter meets Australian standards—AS/NZS 4348—for performance and safety.

To ensure filtered water remains safe, you should regularly replace cartridges and clean the filtration system to prevent bacterial buildup.

Tap Water vs Filtered Water for Babies: Pros and Cons

Choosing between tap water and filtered water for babies can be challenging for parents because each option has its advantages and drawbacks. Tap water is readily available in most households and is regularly legally tested for safety. However, it can still contain dangerous chemicals, microplastics, and PFAS, posing significant health risks to infants and young children. Even boiling can't help resolve the issue—it can only kill bacteria but does not remove chemical contaminants.

Filtered water is clean from impurities and has an appealing taste and odour. You can choose from many filtration systems to target specific contaminants and regulate the quality of your water. However, you’ll need to invest in the initial purchase and the regular maintenance and replacement of the cartridge filtration systems to remain effective.

Every family makes its own decision after weighing the pros and cons of each option. At Water Co, we recommend taking extra precautions for babies, as they can be more vulnerable than adults.

Recommendation for Parents

Although tap water in Australia is safe for drinking, filtered water is preferable for babies. It provides a safer alternative by removing harmful impurities, making it an excellent choice for mixing formula or direct consumption.

The best choice depends on your local water quality and your baby’s health needs. To ensure safe hydration for your children, it is always wise to consult a paediatrician for tailored guidance. If you have questions about water filtration systems, our expert team at Waters Co Australia will be happy to help.