Blog:
UK Tap Water’s Journey: Why We Built Tapure

Water flows from your tap countless times each day, yet most of us rarely consider the remarkable journey it takes to reach our homes. As the founder of Tapure, I've spent years studying this process, and what I learned during my own health journey as an ex-Royal Marine completely changed how I view the water we drink, cook with, and bathe in.

The Source: Where Your Water Begins

Your tap water starts its journey from natural sources across the UK – rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and underground aquifers. The Thames, Severn, and other major waterways supply millions of homes, whilst groundwater sources provide the foundation for many regional supplies.

These natural sources face increasing pressure from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urban development. Pesticides, fertilisers, and pharmaceutical residues enter our waterways daily, creating challenges that our Victorian-era treatment infrastructure struggles to address completely.

We recognised this reality when developing our filtration systems. Modern life demands modern solutions, which is why our technology removes up to 99.99% of over 1,000 contaminants that may remain after traditional treatment.

Treatment Works: The First Line of Defence

Water treatment facilities across the UK work tirelessly to make raw water safe for consumption. The process typically involves coagulation, sedimentation, filtration through sand and gravel, and disinfection with chlorine or chloramine.

These facilities do essential work, meeting strict regulatory standards. However, the treatment process itself introduces concerns. Chlorine, whilst necessary for disinfection, can create disinfection by-products (DBPs) when it reacts with organic matter. These compounds, including trihalomethanes, have raised health questions amongst researchers.

This is precisely why we developed our Purahouse® Whole House Filtration system. Fitted at your stop tap, our three-filter, nine-stage solution addresses both naturally occurring contaminants and treatment by-products before they enter your home's plumbing system.

The Distribution Network: Miles of Hidden Infrastructure

Once treated, water travels through an extensive network of mains pipes, many installed decades ago. The UK's water infrastructure includes cast iron pipes from the early 1900s, alongside more recent installations.

During this journey, water can pick up additional contaminants. Pipe corrosion introduces metals like lead, particularly in older properties. Biofilm formation within pipes can harbour bacteria, whilst pressure fluctuations may allow contaminants to enter through microscopic breaches.

Our research into UK water quality revealed that even well-treated water can deteriorate during distribution. This understanding drove our commitment to point-of-use filtration, ensuring your family receives the purest possible water regardless of your local infrastructure's age or condition.

Your Home's Internal Plumbing

The final stage occurs within your property. Internal pipes, storage tanks, and fixtures all influence water quality. Older homes may have lead pipes or solder joints, whilst even modern copper pipes can leach metals under certain conditions.

Hot water systems present additional challenges. Heated water becomes more aggressive, potentially dissolving more contaminants from pipes and fixtures. Storage tanks, if present, can harbour bacteria or accumulate sediment over time.

We address these concerns through our comprehensive filtration approach. Our under-sink reverse osmosis systems provide purified water for drinking and cooking, whilst whole-house systems protect your entire plumbing network and every tap in your home.

The Hidden Contaminants: What Testing Reveals

Standard water quality reports don't tell the complete story. Whilst utility companies test for regulated parameters, hundreds of potential contaminants remain unmonitored or are present at levels below detection thresholds.

Pharmaceutical residues pass through treatment works largely unchanged. Hormones, antibiotics, and other medications create a cocktail of compounds in our water supply. Microplastics from synthetic clothing, packaging, and industrial processes now appear in tap water samples worldwide.

Heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may occur at low levels individually but can interact in ways science is only beginning to understand.

Our filtration technology addresses this reality comprehensively. Rather than hoping these contaminants aren't present, we remove them proactively, giving you confidence in every glass of water.

The Environmental Impact: Beyond Purity

Many families turn to bottled water for peace of mind, but this creates enormous environmental costs. The UK consumes billions of plastic bottles annually, with most ending up in landfills or polluting our oceans.

We founded Tapure with environmental consciousness at our core. Our systems eliminate the need for single-use plastic bottles whilst delivering superior water quality. One household switching to filtered tap water can prevent hundreds of plastic bottles entering the waste stream annually.

Our Purahouse® system also extends your appliances' lifespan by preventing scale buildup and corrosion. This means fewer replacements, repairs, and ultimately, less environmental impact from manufacturing and disposal.

Why Filtration Matters for Your Family

Clean water isn't luxury, it's necessity. Your body is approximately 60% water, making water quality fundamental to your health and wellbeing. Children are particularly vulnerable to contaminants due to their developing systems and higher water consumption relative to body weight.

We've seen families report improved taste, reduced skin irritation, and greater confidence in their water after installing our systems. Parents tell us they no longer worry about what their children are drinking or whether their morning coffee tastes as it should.

Our approach goes beyond basic filtration. We re-mineralise water to achieve optimal alkaline pH levels and add antioxidant properties, supporting your family's health goals whilst eliminating harmful contaminants.

Taking Control of Your Water Quality

Understanding your tap water's journey highlights why home filtration has become essential for health-conscious families. We can't control what happens at the source, treatment works, or distribution network, but we can ensure what reaches your glass meets the highest standards.

Our experience in the construction sector, combined with over 15 years of industry expertise, allows us to offer professional installation and ongoing support throughout the UK. Every system comes with a two-year warranty and free delivery, reflecting our confidence in the technology and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Water quality affects everything from the taste of your tea to your family's long-term health. We believe every household deserves access to pure, clean water without compromise or ongoing plastic waste.

Ready to take control of your family's water quality? Visit our website to learn more about our filtration solutions and discover how we can help you achieve the pure water your family deserves.