Water Purifier

Metropolitan Cities Fail the Water Quality Test: How to Ensure Your Safety

PUBLISHED ON: 02-Aug-2025

Safe drinking water is a necessity, but many urban households are unknowingly exposed to unsafe water every day. Despite advancements in municipal water treatment, recent findings reveal that water quality in several densely populated areas is falling short of safety standards.1

A study found that nearly 20% of water samples contained pollutant levels beyond permissible limits. In some cases, harmful substances like nitrates and even traces of radioactive elements such as uranium were detected. Experts attribute this decline in water quality to rising industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and mounting urbanisation. Climate change and over-extraction of groundwater are only making matters worse.

In such a scenario, relying solely on tap water can be risky. It’s vital to take control of your home’s water safety through proper purification methods.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key threats in urban water, effective methods for the purification of water, and how understanding the features of a water purifier can help safeguard your family's health.

The Urban Water Crisis: Why Every Metro Home Needs a Purifier

Even treated municipal water can contain heavy metals like lead or arsenic, chlorine residue from disinfection, microbial contaminants, and high TDS levels affecting taste and long-term health. In metro cities, water travels through ageing pipelines, often picking up industrial waste, sewage, and other contaminants.

A BIS survey of 21 major Indian cities found many failed to meet drinking water quality norms—meaning your tap water may appear clean but still be unsafe. Boiling water can kill germs but doesn’t remove chemical or dissolved impurities—this is where advanced water purifiers play a crucial role.

A reliable purifier is essential to:

Eliminate invisible health threats
Improve taste and odour
Reduce dependence on bottled water
Safeguard daily health and wellness

How to Ensure Your Safety Amid Urban Water Quality Challenges

Here’s how you can make sure the water you consume is safe:

1. Don’t Assume—Verify Your Water Quality

Municipal treatment doesn’t guarantee tap water safety. Leaks and local contamination often compromise quality.

Consider testing your household water for:

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) – Ideal range: below 300 ppm for drinking
Nitrates, fluoride, heavy metals (like lead, arsenic, uranium)
Microbiological threats, such as coliform bacteria or viruses

You can use a water testing kit or contact a certified lab to get an accurate report. Testing gives you clarity on the type of purifier you need.

2. Choose the Right Purification Technology

Not all water purifiers are the same. Choosing one based on local water issues is essential for both effectiveness and long-term health benefits. Look for purifiers with 2X Life Filters, which offer extended cartridge durability, lasting for 2 years, reducing replacement costs and hassle.

RO Technology in Water Purifiers: Reverse Osmosis (RO) is highly effective for purified water, especially when dealing with high TDS or chemical contamination. It filters out:

Dissolved salts
Heavy metals
Nitrates, pesticides
Industrial pollutants

Mega Sediment Filter: Many Aquaguard RO purifiers now include a Mega Sediment Filter as a first layer of protection—these trap sand, dust, and coarse particles, reducing load on the RO membrane and extending its life.
UV Purification: UV rays neutralise viruses, bacteria, and parasites without affecting the water’s taste. However, UV does not remove dissolved solids, so it’s often paired with RO for better protection.
UF Technology: Ultrafiltration removes larger impurities and microorganisms but is ineffective against dissolved salts and metals. It’s best suited for water with low contamination and low TDS.
Nanopore Membrane Technology: Nanopore membranes feature ultra-fine pores that block contaminants like mercury, lead, microplastics, and pesticides. By filtering out these harmful substances, they protect you from waterborne diseases such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and long-term health risks, including cancer.

Look for different features of water purifiers that give advanced filtration combinations, such as RO + UV + UF, along with 2X life filters that offer extended cartridge durability. These water purifiers reduce replacement frequency and maintenance hassle.

Smart Solutions: Choosing a Water Purifier That Matches Your Needs

Once you’ve identified your water’s issues, whether it’s high TDS, microbial presence, or chemical contaminants, the next step is choosing a purifier that’s built to handle water complexities. Some advanced water purifiers are equipped with multi-stage filtration systems that do far more than just basic purification.

One example of a well-rounded option is the Aquaguard Delight RO+UV 2X Water Purifier. It’s built to handle urban water conditions with ease, offering features like:

 2-year filter life, ideal for low-maintenance households
 A Mega Sediment Filter that helps extend membrane life by removing coarse particles early
 Nanopore Membrane Technology that filters out microplastics, lead, mercury, and nitrates for high-level protection against waterborne diseases

For those seeking a more connected experience, the Aquaguard Ritz Pro 2X Life RO + UV Smart IoT Water Purifier goes a step further. Along with dual purification and long filter life, it includes:

Smart IoT connectivity to monitor and manage usage via an app
A premium finish to complement modern kitchens
Active Copper, Titanium Duo Filter Technology for enhanced taste, mineral retention, and protection from heavy metals and toxins

These models reflect how purification technology has evolved for homes, offering not just purified water but complete peace of mind and protection from water impurities.

Final Thoughts

Amidst leveraging all the conveniences that metropolitan cities offer, you shouldn't miss out on the importance of drinking clean and pure water. With growing urban populations, ageing infrastructure, and industrial pollution, taking water safety into your own hands is the only sensible solution.

Investing in the right water purifier tailored to your city's water quality gives you peace of mind. Whether you choose an intelligent IoT-enabled model or a dependable water purifier with technologies, ensure every drop you drink is safe, clean, and healthy.

FAQs

1. How do I know if I need an RO water purifier at home?

If your water source has high TDS, a salty taste, or comes from a borewell or tanker, RO is the most effective purification method. It removes dissolved impurities, heavy metals, and harmful salts.

2. Can RO purifiers remove bacteria and viruses?

RO membranes can block some bacteria, but pairing them with UV purification ensures complete disinfection by neutralising microbes that RO might miss.

3. Is it safe to drink purified water from an RO system daily?

Yes, it is safe to drink, as long as the purifier retains essential minerals through a TDS regulator and the RO system is maintained regularly. Models like Aquaguard Ritz Pro and Delight come with long filter life for consistent safe drinking water.