How to naturally purify tap water?
Tap water is often considered less healthy and of lower quality than bottled water. Nevertheless, the excessive use of plastic bottles is an environmental disaster. France ranks 5th in the world for plastic water bottle consumption, with 25 million water bottles used per day!
Given this observation, many choose to use domestic water filtration systems.
Filtering tap water can improve its quality and taste, and there are several solutions to do so: from activated carbon filter systems to reverse osmosis, as well as filter jugs and faucet or under-sink water filters. Each of these systems has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, convenience, and environmental impact. We will revisit this in detail in our comparison of the best water filter.
However, there are now natural water purification systems, without mechanical filtration! “How is this possible?” you may ask? Well, we will answer that in this article, which reviews the different ways to purify your tap water.
Water filtration: what is it?
Let’s start from the beginning and answer the following question: what is tap water filtration?
Filtration or filtering of water is a process that promises to eliminate contaminants and pollutants from it. We are talking here about bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals such as chlorine.
This process, in addition to purifying tap water, helps to eliminate unpleasant odors from the water and makes its taste more natural and pleasant.
Water therefore passes through a filter (thanks to good old terrestrial gravity!) which will, more or less, retain certain impurities.
Why filter tap water?
In France, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) monitors the quality of tap water. This agency supervises the quality of drinking water supplied by water providers by regularly checking for the presence of contaminants and/or pollutants. Tap water is therefore perfectly drinkable and poses no major health risks.
Nevertheless, the taste of tap water and its overall quality can often be greatly improved. Indeed, tap water can contain various contaminants, such as heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and pesticides, which can affect health.
Specialized systems such as the water purifier are therefore used to decontaminate tap water and make it healthier.
Also read: The benefits of filtered water
5 natural techniques for filtering tap water
There are several techniques for filtering tap water, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
The UV-A purifier
The “filtration” system using UV-A radiation is by far the most natural and effective method for purifying tap water. It uses UV lamps to kill bacteria and viruses present in the water, without requiring consumables or adding chemicals.
This is the filtration method that we use for our LAVIE water purifiers. Moreover, the term “filtration” is somewhat of a misnomer here, as while the water is indeed purified, it is done so without mechanical filtration.
The LAVIE water purifier employs an innovative and exclusive patented technology: chlorine photolysis by UV-A radiation. This treatment effectively reduces chlorine and its derivatives, and eliminates chemical compounds such as pesticides or traces of medications.
Say goodbye to the undesirable tastes and odors that can be found in tap water! The results obtained are of very high quality, allowing you to permanently eliminate the consumption of plastic bottled water with ease.
- Filters chlorine
- Destroys bacteria and viruses
- Eliminates traces of pesticide and medication
Binchotan charcoal
Binchotan charcoal is a type of activated charcoal produced from ubamegashi, a type of Japanese oak. It is used for water filtration due to its adsorptive properties, such as the ability to remove impurities and odors, in addition to improving the taste of water.
This type of activated charcoal is said to be capable of retaining harmful substances such as pesticide residues and bacteria while preserving trace elements beneficial for health. Its effectiveness remains largely to be demonstrated. To date, no independent scientific study proves the actual benefits of its use. Did you say strange?
Also read: Binchotan charcoal for filtering tap water, from dream to reality
Ceramic beads
Ceramic beads are small balls made of fired clay that are often infused with beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms may reduce chlorine, prevent the proliferation of bacteria and other pollutants, and balance the pH of the water. To use them, simply place the ceramic beads in a water carafe, a pitcher, or any other container holding tap water.
Although the beads offer several advantages, they do not filter all potential contaminants present in the water. For complete and rigorous water filtration, it is necessary to use a more advanced filtration system in addition.
Clay balls
Clay balls do not, in themselves, have microbial or chemical filtration capabilities like certain specific filters. Their main role in water filtration is rather mechanical. Clay balls can retain certain particles suspended in water due to their porous texture.
They are placed in a carafe or pitcher, and tap water is filtered by passing through them.
Ceramic beads or clay balls can help remove physical contaminants such as dust and impurities, but they are not effective in removing chemical contaminants such as heavy metals or chemicals.
Moringa seeds
Moringa seeds contain proteins that can bind particles in suspension, bacteria, and some other contaminants present in water. When these proteins are released into the water, they produce a positive charge that attracts negatively charged particles, leading to their agglomeration and sedimentation.
This method is only useful in countries where access to safe and quality drinking water is limited! There are few benefits to using moringa seeds on our already filtered tap water.
Purification with moringa seeds may also leave a particular taste or odor in the water, which may not be appreciated by everyone.
So, how to purify tap water?
At LaVie, we have designed a complementary range of natural and environmentally friendly water filters and purifiers to allow you to consume tap water with complete confidence and safety.
Scientifically tested by French laboratories, our filters provide you with water quality comparable to that of bottled water… without the plastic and the price!
LAVIE, the filtering carafe... without a filter!
Disposable cartridges to be changed every month, accumulation of bacteria, microplastics… The effectiveness of traditional filtering carafes is constantly questioned by numerous studies such as that of ANSES. We have also conducted a comparison of filtering carafes in this article.
In contrast, the LAVIE carafes use neither filters nor consumables and can eliminate chlorine, bacteria, pesticides, and traces of medications in just 15 minutes!
Your LAVIE bottle with tap water
The bottle in the water purifier
15 minutes for UV-A light to activate the photolysis of chlorine
And appreciate the true taste of healthy water!
The under-sink filter Opropre
Oprore is a water filtration system that uses coconut shell activated carbon to purify drinking water. It is particularly effective against heavy metals, microplastics, and nanoplastics, ensuring you have purer and healthier water every day.
Opropre Turquoise goes further as it also acts against PFAS in water thanks to a specific resin contained in the filter.
The Opropre system is installed under your kitchen sink, and can be used in conjunction with LAVIE purifiers to enhance the taste, quality, and safety of the water.
- Filters chlorine
- Eliminates microplastics, heavy metals, and PFAS
- Reusable cartridges
The salt-free water softener Odouce
The water softener has no impact on potential contaminants present in tap water. And for good reason, its utility is quite different!
A water softener is used to filter minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are responsible for limescale and hard water. Most domestic water softeners use the ion exchange technique.
As a result, softened water contains less limescale, but… more sodium. It is therefore not recommended for drinking. Furthermore, traditional softeners must be regularly maintained and replenished with salt, making it not a very economical solution.
Odouce uses a salt-free ionic system, which reduces and prevents scale formation by 76%, without maintenance or electrical supply. Discover our innovative system now!
- Softens the water
- Reduces the formation of limescale
- Without salt or consumables
FAQ: Filtration and purification of tap water
What are the main contaminants that can be found in tap water?
Common contaminants in tap water may include chlorine, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, bacteria, viruses, pharmaceutical residues, nitrates and nitrites, as well as other organic and inorganic compounds.
How to purify water naturally?
The most natural and environmentally friendly filtration method is UV-A purification, which enhances the taste and quality of water by eliminating chlorine, bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants.
LAVIE purifiers do not require replacement cartridges, as they use chlorine photolysis to purify water, an innovative and filterless technique known for its effectiveness.
What is the best system for filtering water?
A practical, economical, and environmentally friendly solution, LAVIE water purifiers employ a scientifically tested UV-A purification process that makes tap water healthier and purer in just a few minutes (destroying chlorine, bacteria, reducing pesticide levels, pharmaceutical residues…), without the need for a filter!
Combined with our Opropre under-sink filter, the LAVIE system is ideal for regular consumption of quality water, with no maintenance issues and the best respect for the environment.
Do water filters remove beneficial minerals?
Some filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis, can remove a significant portion of the minerals present in water, including some that are beneficial for health, such as calcium and magnesium. They use high pressure to force water through a very fine filter, allowing for the removal of a variety of contaminants.
However, there are more natural filtration methods, such as UV-A, which are designed to retain these minerals while eliminating contaminants.
How can I know if my water is contaminated?
The most reliable way is to have your water analyzed by a certified laboratory. Many test kits are also available for home use, but they may not detect all types of contaminants.
Is boiling water an effective purification method?
Boiling water is effective for killing bacteria and viruses, but it does not remove chemical contaminants, heavy metals, or particles. It is therefore recommended to combine boiling with other purification methods for cleaner water.
It is also a method that consumes a significant amount of energy, resulting in a higher cost per liter than… bottled water!
Article updated on 27/06/2025 by Pascal Nuti – CIO Solable – Passionate about energy, I am constantly seeking new targets for improvement, exploring cross-disciplinary paths using innovative methods.
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