subject: Do You Need An In-home Water Filter? [print this page] It seems as though every day there are reports about damaging metals or bacteria in our drinking water supply. In small doses, the metals and other impurities are most likely safe to drink, and reality is we've been consuming them for years.
But over time and in large, daily doses these can cause long lasting health issues. So many consumers are seeking a way to further purify their drinking supply. Buying water in plastic bottles can be expensive and then you have to think about recycling the bottles. Having spring water delivered to your home can also be expensive. Those are fine options, but putting a water purifier in your home may be the more safe and economical choice.
The advantages of an in-home water purifier are obvious. You will be able to filter out most of the impurities such as metals or bacteria that could cause health problems. Even tap water that has been through a municipal filtration system is going to have trace amounts of chemicals and metals.
Water is the main substance of life. We have to have it to survive. Are bodies are made up of mostly water. Having clear, pure water to drink on a regular basis may just make a healthy difference.
Some people even insist that their tap water has a metallic or bitter taste. A purifier can help filter that out. And that may just make a big difference in the taste of your cooking as well.
As mentioned above, a water purifier is a more economical choice than purchasing bottled water. Unless you read the label very carefully, bottled water may very well just be filtered tap water. Don't assume it's natural spring water just because it's bottled and on the shelf. But with bottled water you pay for the packaging and often for the brand. Do you really need the plastic bottles to recycle or the designer name? Of course not.
But a water filter is not only an economically smart choice, you get the added benefits of better tasting water, which is likely to cause you to consume more, only increasing the health benefits.
When you're looking to install a water purifier in your home, consider whether you just want to filter the drinking water, or whether you want to filter the water to your shower and bath as well. Unfortunately, filter systems for the whole house is not available. You'll need to address each filtering situation separately, making the distinction between utility water and drinking water.
You can get a whole house pre-filter to remove dirt and sediment. You can also add a water softener to help get rid of hard metals and protect your plumbing fixtures. But you'll also need a filter such as a solid carbon block-type for the drinking water system.
Before you purchase a system, you may want to have your water tested to see what contaminants are in your water. If you get your water from a municipal water supply, most likely chloramines and chlorine have been added to your water as disinfectants. You'll need to purchase a water filter that is certified to remove chloramines, chlorine and trihalomethanes which is a carcinogenic by-product of chlorination.
So don't just run out and by the first water filtration system you find. Do some independent research. Find out exactly what a water filter does. Determine exactly what you need to filter out. Different states may have different standards for filtration. Search for the filter that will remove the widest range of contaminants.
You can find a filter and brand to meet your needs and your budget. You may just have to spend some time looking for it. Check out Consumers Digest or the National Sanitation Foundation. Or talk to the folks at your local Health Department.
Water is an essential substance in our lives. Clean, fresh water helps us to live happier and healthier lifestyles.
