You may have heard people say that you should never take a drink from a garden hose. This may have more to do with the composition of the hose itself, but it is also frequently due to the fact that water from the hose has not been filtered. Of course, there are many other uses for a garden hose filter as well, such as limiting the chlorine in the water when you need to water plants. You may also be concerned with how hard water will affect the surface when you wash your vehicle or perhaps your house, patio, or deck.
Adding a garden hose filter can help alleviate many of these concerns. The first issue is whether or not a drink from the hose is safe for people or pets. Many garden hoses, because of how they are made, can cause lead to seep into water. This is especially true of water that has not been drained from the hose after its last use, so look for a lead-free garden hose.
There are hoses designed especially for use with drinking water. These types of hoses are generally made available by camping or RV product suppliers as well as other sellers that cater to outdoor enthusiasts. It's still not a bad idea to add a garden hose filter, however.
Chlorine can kill good bacteria along with bad and also tends to harm beneficial insects, such as ladybugs. Along with chlorine, there are other chemicals and sediment that should be removed from water. Depending on your needs, you may require a garden hose filter that removes more than just chlorine.
There are garden hose filter systems available that will both clean and soften water. These are generally made up of two filtering devices, one using a typical filter and the other using a water softening cartridge. They are placed side by side, and water runs through one and then the other. You will need appropriate hoses to connect between the filters, so check to see if the hoses are included in the kit you intend to purchase.
For more information, you might also want to research pre-filters. Some filtering systems treat the water before it reaches the hose. You can add an extra layer of protection if desired by adding a garden hose filter to the other end of the hose as well. You can also order a water testing kit to examine water once it has been filtered to see how clean and safe it really is.
