Water Filtration

Americans spend billions of dollars each year on home water treatment units. According to the Water Quality Association, more than four out of 10 Americans currently use a home water treatment unit of one type or another. These units range from simple pitchers costing less than $20 to sophisticated reverse osmosis systems  costing hundreds of dollars.

Some people use a home water treatment unit to improve the taste of their tap water. Others treat their water because of health concerns, but regardless of why the water is treated, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agency that sets and enforces national standards for the tap water provided by public water systems, says that drinking water in the U.S. can reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. As long as those contaminants are at levels no higher than EPA standards, the water is considered safe to drink for healthy people. ( Individuals with immune systems that are weakened by AIDS, chemotherapy or transplant medications are more vulnerable to microbial contaminants in drinking water. Those who wish to take extra measures to avoid waterborne contaminants can boil their water for a full minute or use a point-of-use filter such as a reverse osmosis unit).

Before purchasing a home water treatment unit, consider local water quality, cost and maintenance of the unit, product performance and certifications to make sure that the unit will meet your needs.

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