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Installing an in home water filter can not only improve your
water’s taste, but also protect your heath and our environment!
However, with all the filters on the market, how is one to
know which is the right one? Read on and learn!
Before purchasing a filter, it is best to identify which
contaminants are contained in water supply. If on a municipal
water system, contact your water utility and ask for a copy
of the Annual Water Quality Report (also called a Consumer
Confidence Report). More information about the report can
be found at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/
If you are on a private well, contact your local health department
and ask for a list of typical well water contaminants in your
area. Alternatively, contact an independent lab to have your
drinking water tested. Your local or state health department
can supply a list of state accredited laboratories for water
testing.
Water filters range in style, properties and price; so, which
of the following statements sound right for you?
I want a filter that removes all or most contaminants.
I want a cheap water filter.
I want a certain type (carafe, faucet-mounted, under the sink,
etc.) filter.
The general rule of thumb is that you can have two of the
three. Rarely, although it is possible, will you get all three.
Types of Water Filters
The most basic and least expensive (on initial purchase)
water filter is the pitcher or carafe. Essentially, this unit
features an activated carbon filter that acts as both a sponge
and a magnet to remove a limited array of contaminants that
generally include chlorine, and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) such as benzene, toluene and tetrachloroethylene, as
well as lead, copper, mercury, cadmium and zinc. Certain brands
of filters remove additional contaminants. Although this filter
is inexpensive and does not require any plumbing work, the
activated-carbon filter needs to be changed frequently, and
therefore, can be more costly in the long run.
A faucet-mounted water filtration unit also features an activated-carbon
filter, but generally, this model removes additional contaminants
such as sediment, cysts (parasites like giardia and cryptosporidium)
and some pesticides. Most faucet-mounted filters have easy
installation and use, as filtered water is dispensed directly
from the tap, but to reduce clogging, the filter cartridges
should be changed often, which can be expensive.
The third do-it-yourself filter is the under the sink model.
Again, it features an activated-carbon filter, but this model
fits under the sink, and filters the water that is piped directly
into your faucet. Advantages of this model include faster
flow rates and less clogs in comparison to faucet-mounted
or pitcher units. Disadvantages are that it takes up space
under the sink that you may not be able to spare, as well
as maybe needing a plumber for installation.
If you don’t mind calling a plumber (or maybe you already
have one in the family), then reverse osmosis, also known
as hyperfiltration, is the finest water filtering option available.
It uses pressure to pump water through a semi-permeable membrane
that separates purified water from contaminants. This type
of filter unit is good for all types of water, especially
well water with high levels of dissolved solids.
Of course, there are a couple downsides to this method of
filtration. Firstly, depending on the reverse osmosis unit,
it can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to create one gallon
of drinkable water, and of that filtered gallon, 3 or more
gallons of water are wasted – yes, wasted. Of the 1
gallon of clean, pure water, three (or more) gallons of water
are less than desirable to consume internally. This “waste”
water can be used; it is just not recommended to drink.
Reverse osmosis is one of the most comprehensive methods
for filtering water, as coupled with a carbon filter it reduces
all the same contaminants the pitcher unit removes and more.
To top it off, with the proper filter, reverse osmosis can
also remove fluoride!
Therefore, if you want ultra filtered drinking water, reverse
osmosis is a great option, however, if you are concerned about
water conservation, this method is extremely inefficient.
Finally, reverse osmosis units range in price anywhere from
just over $100 all the way to $1000. You get what you pay
for; speed, limited “waste” water, filtration
of all contaminants (including VOCs and fluoride) will cost
you.
Bottled VS. Home Filtered
Bottled water, although convenient, has its faults.
A home water filtration system is an investment as clean,
fresh water is a vital component of life. Where bottled water
can cost in excess of $1 for 8-12 ounces, a home water filtration
unit can cost as little as eight cents a gallon.
Bottled water may derive from a variety of sources.
Mineral – Water from an underground
source that contains at least 250 parts per million total
dissolved solids is called mineral water. These minerals and
trace elements must come from the source of the underground
water; they cannot be added.
Spring – Water derived from an underground
formation from which flows naturally to the surface of the
earth. Spring water must be collected at the source and may
not be altered. The composition and quality must be as it
naturally flows to the earth’s surface.
Purified – Water that undergoes distillation,
deionization, reverse osmosis or other suitably recognized
processing may be labeled purified. It may also be labeled
“distilled”.
If purchasing bottled water, be sure that it includes the
label “purified” or “distilled”. Water
that does not contain one of these, or other recognized label
such as spring or mineral, may just be bottled tap water.
Although the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires
bottled water quality standards to be equal to those of the
US Environmental Protection Agency for tap water, the government
does not monitor the quality of the finished product. Bottlers
are also required, by regulation, to inform consumers of bottled
water contents.
Finally, single serving bottles of water create much waste,
and although many of these bottles can be and are recycled,
many are not and they become an addition to already overflowing
landfills. Also, even if and when recycling does occur, consumers
need to remember that recycling also takes energy, and costs
money.
In conclusion, if you are concerned about the health of yourself
and your family, as well as the environment, a home water
filtration system, whether it is a pitcher filter or reverse
osmosis unit, is a sound investment. With proper care, and
regular maintenance, it can raise your quality of life.
RESOURCES:
Organic Style Magazine September 2004
http://www.nsf.org/consumer/newsroom/pdf/fact_water_bottledwater.pdf
http://www.gewater.com/library/tp/833_What_Is.jsp
http://www.momentum98.com/aquawizard.html
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/h2oqual/watsys/ae1047w.htm#effective
http://www.bottledwater.org/public/faqs.htm
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