Buying and Installing Water Filters

According to the American Water Works Association, the United States has one of the better water systems in the world. Strict regulations and required testing protect the water systems throughout the country. Although the water may be safe, the pipes that carry the water often leech contaminants into what comes out of the tap. Some 20% of Americans’ lead exposure comes from the drinking water. Tap water has thousands of possible contaminants.

Every year in the United States, Americans drink about 23 gallons of bottled water per person. If you’re concerned about your water’s safety, you can install water filters to clean your water instead of relying solely on bottled water.

Water Filtration Options

You have two main options when it comes to water filtration:

Single-source water filters: You may already have water filters in your home. Water pitchers with refillable cartridges are now commonplace in most kitchens. You may even have a filter attached to your kitchen faucet. These systems use sophisticated activated-carbon filters. Most of these filters remove chlorine, lead, and a range of other contaminants. Along with the potential health benefits, the primary motivation of these filters is to improve the taste of water. Most of these filters don’t remove microorganisms (such as bacteria) or dissolved minerals (such as salt or fluoride). Because these systems are only used in one place, they only treat the water used for drinking or cooking; the other water in the home goes unfiltered.

Whole-house water filters: Instead of only filtering one pitcher or one sink, a whole-house filter removes the contaminants from all the water entering the home. Shower water, laundry water, and bathroom sink water are all filtered. Because the water you consume comes from all these sources, a whole house filter is a wise investment. For around only $600, you can filter every drop of water in your home. The filter is installed near your water meter, so you can easily install it in an existing home as well.

Cost Analysis

Although the cost of any of the water filtration systems is relatively low, in some cases, the replacements for the filters cost more than the initial setup cost. Depending upon the amount of use, the filters need to be changed every one to four months. Be sure to factor this cost into your decision to install a water filtration system.

Is Bottled Water Better?

Bottled water requires a great deal of energy and produces even more waste. From the plastic bottles, to the refrigerated trucks used for shipping, to the storage of those bottles in your refrigerator, bottled water requires a lot of energy.

Most people assume that bottled water is safer and purer than tap water. The labels on the water bottles evoke thoughts of purity, with images of mountains, glaciers, and babbling brooks. In reality, as much as 40% of bottled water is merely bottled tap water. And in most cases, tap water is at least as safe as bottled water.