Is boiling tap water the same as filtered water? | Fohen UK

Are you wondering if boiling tap water is the same as filtered water? Unfortunately, the answer is no, boiled tap water is not the same as filtered water. This is because boiling water will only kill off viruses and bacteria. A water filter is needed to remove other contaminants such as heavy metals, calcium and odour.

If you want to get your water as pure as possible, read on to find out what happens when you boil water and ways in which you can maximise water purity.

What happens when you boil water?

When water is boiled, pathogens are killed off. Viruses and bacteria are very sensitive to high temperatures.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), many types of bacteria and viruses are subject to thermal inactivation at temperatures between 60 and 95°C. These include well known bugs such as Legionella spp, E. coli, Salmonella, Enteroviruses, Coxiella burnetiid, Hepatitis A and Poliovirus 1. To find out the exact temperatures at which these pathogens are inactivated, view the full table here.

Boiling water will not remove impurities like heavy metals (such as lead and magnesium), chlorine, calcium, microplastics, dirt particles, pesticides, and so on. The only way you can remove these contaminants is to filter the water.

How to make your water as pure as possible

In the UK, mains supplied water is usually regarded as clean drinking water. Its quality is among the best in the world. As a result, you won’t need to worry too much about finding nasty disease-causing bugs in your tap water. However, if you want to ensure your water is as pure as possible, boiling filtered water is the answer.

Water filters will help to remove contaminants to make your water taste purer. The boiling action will kill off germs making your water safer to drink.

Use a boiling water tap

Instant boiling water taps with filtration systems are a quick and easy way to get the purest tap water possible.

taps, like the ones found in the Fohen range, combine both filtering and boiling actions to achieve excellent levels of water purification. A water filter is attached to the cold-water inlet to  filter water before it reaches the boiler tank. This means that the boiled water dispensed from the tap is as clean and pure as it can be. 

Hot drinks have a cleaner taste or you can allow the water to cool before preparing cold beverages. If you’re not fussed about boiling first and simply want access to instant filtered water, the Futura Fizz 5-in1 range includes cold filtered water, and even sparkling too!

Fohen filters come in two options, Carbon Purity Filters and Dual Action Resin & Carbon Limescale Filters. Carbon Purity Filters remove unwanted chemicals and minerals for a cleaner taste. Dual Action Resin & Carbon Limescale Filters are specially designed to remove chemicals, minerals and impurities to purify water while simultaneously removing substances that cause limescale. The limescale filter is recommended for those who live in hard water areas as it prolongs the life of your instant boiling water tap.

Easy to use and highly convenient, you can have pure boiled water in an instant, helping you save time in the kitchen. Filters only need to be replaced every 6 months.

Use a water filter

Other ways to filter water before boiling it include installing a water filter that connects to the cold-water inlet of a tap. There are a variety of options on the market including reverse osmosis filters. It is also possible to install a whole house filtration system to filter mains supplied water. All of these systems will remove impurities from your tap water before it is dispensed.

Alternative options include using a fridge filtration system or a filtering jug.

Is UK tap water really safe to drink?

Although strictly regulated, UK tap water has been found to contain some nasty contaminants. However, levels of these impurities are usually very low and there are thresholds and regulations in place that water companies must adhere to, to help keep people safe.

Having said this, there are some occasions when incidents occur that can impact regional water quality. These events include a problem with water treatment processes and issues with infrastructure causing pollutants to leach into the clean water supply.

In extreme cases, you may receive a boiling water notice from your local water supplier advising you to boil your water before drinking it as a precaution.

Reasons to boil water

• Bacteria removal: Ensure traces of bacteria are killed off to prevent illness.
• Protozoa & parasite removal: Micro-organisms are removed that pose a risk to health.
• Virus removal: Boiling water inactivates viruses, helping to keep you safe from disease.
• Water sterilisation for baby formula milk: The NHS recommends boiling water and allowing it to cool before making baby formula to lower risks of potential infection. This is because the immune system in babies under six months is still developing.

Conclusion

Boiling tap water does not filter water. However, there are ways you can maximise water quality through a combination of boiling and filtering. Pathogens and contaminants are removed throughout these processes to make the water as clean as possible.

Boiling water taps offers the ultimate convenience for those looking for a quick and easy way to improve the quality of their drinking water. Shop the Fohen collections for inspiration to help make your life that little bit easier.