Imagine you are hiking through some of the lushest and most beautiful virgin forests in the middle of nowhere. The air is fresh and everything feels so pristine and perfect. You are thirsty and a small stream with clear fresh water is running in front of you. Naturally you feel the need to drink from that water source; however doing so will be ill advised. Most people think that just because water is from a natural source, is clear and tastes "natural" that means that drinking it will be fine. This is a terrible mistake and would expose you to unnecessary risk. Don't drink untreated water in the wilderness!

For most people, getting a drink of water is just a matter of walking a few feet, turning on the faucet and drinking up. However in the camping or hiking scenario the normally simple task becomes a bit more laborious. Usually the safest option when you are out in the wilderness is to simply bring your own treated water. However, if you are going for an overnight hike or camp-out this simply won't be an option as you can't bring the amount required, the only option will be to treat water that you can source from the hiking or trekking area.
Potential Contaminants

Water taken from natural sources such as lakes, river, streams and ponds may look clean and have no undesirable odor or taste. However pathogens found in water are not only harmful, but are also invisible to the naked eye and may be odorless or tasteless. The pathogens in question are bacteria, viruses and protozoa which can cause mild nausea and fever or can develop into more serious illnesses such as severe diarrhea, hepatitis or typhoid fever. Water from lakes, rivers, streams and ponds should always be disinfected and treated before being used of cooking or drinking.
These pathogens may seem out of place in such pristine environments but rotting or fecal matter in the water harbors these pathogens. This means that there is a chance that some animal has either died or excreted body wastes in the natural water source or there could be some contaminated water run-off from a source upstream which would render the water source unknowingly unusable.
Besides pathogens, sediments from mud, soil or sand may also render natural sources of water unusable. The general practice before the advent of portable water filters is to collect the water and let it sit in a bowl of some sort to let the sediments collect at the bottom then pour the remaining water on the top to another receptacle for consumption. This can normally be a very time consuming process and in emergency situation might not be very practical, especially since the water still isn't fit for consumption, pathogens as discussed earlier may still reside in the water and thus still has to be treated before consumption.
On a more alarming note, the U.S Geological Survey reports that in North American wilderness waters, there are trace amounts of organic chemicals, pesticides, solvents, gasoline compounds, refrigerant and fumigants in the supposedly pristine wilderness waters. The good news is that the levels of chemical concentrations are very low but is an early warning that human activity is having an effect on regional surface-water quality even in remote areas.
Water Treatment Devices for Campers/Hikers

Water treatment devices can generally be divided into two groups following their functions. The first group are water treatment devices to improve the overall taste, smell and appearance of water or to remove undesirable chemicals or minerals, these types of water filters are not as essential to the camper/hiker thus we will not discuss them there. The next group is water treatment devices designed to disinfect water which we will discuss here since the biggest risk for hikers or campers is ingesting water with active pathogens which will cause illness.
Chlorinators, Iodinators and Ultraviolet Light (UV)

These are generally the most practical mean to disinfect larger volumes of water that might be needed for drinking purposes of a large camp site. Chlorine and iodine kills most disease-causing organisms and require short to moderate contact times with the water before taking effect. Chlorine is used widely in municipally treated water and has virtually eliminated waterborne infectious diseases such as typhoid and cholera in urban areas.
However, chlorine and iodine treatment alone will not eliminate all pathogens, protozoa such as Giardia Lamblia and Cryptosporidium Parvum will not be killed with just chlorination. If protozoa are present or suspected, then it is recommended that the water be passed through a water filter with a 0.1 micro-meters or smaller pore size to remove these harmful parasites then treated with chlorine or iodine before consumption.
Iodine is another alternative to disinfecting water, however should be reserved for occasional or emergency use only. Iodine should not be used as a long term solution for disinfection because iodine is physiologically active thus ingesting large amounts over a long period can also be harmful.
Both chlorine and iodine are effective at killing pathogens however research has indicated that long term chlorine usage is dangerous and can be linked to cancer and also brain damage, it is thus advised that these treatment agents be used as a last resort where other water treatment options have been exhausted.
Ultra-violet devices are also effective against bacteria, viruses and protozoa. You don't have to add anything to the water thus the treated water has no taste or odor, additionally only a few seconds of expose is necessary if the water is clear. This system however is rather expensive compared to the other types of water filters and also doesn't guarantee the quality of the water beyond the point of use. Basically, once you apply the UV light, you should drink it immediately, it isn't a long-term solution where you can store the water in a receptacle for future consumption.
Ceramic or Glass Fiber Filters

These types of filters normally come in a canister form for use in camping or hiking situations. They treat smaller amounts of water, suitable for camping with few people or when the water needs aren't very high. These types of filters can remove most bacteria and protozoa from mildly contaminated water and are normally sufficient for the average camper/hiker's needs. When presented with heavily contaminated waters, it is recommended that these filters be used in conjunction with the above mentioned chlorinators, iodinators and ultraviolet lights to get a broad spectrum of disinfection and treatment.
There are also portable glass fiber/ceramic filters with iodine-releasing resins designed specifically for campers or travelers to countries where drinking water quality is questionable. Some of these iodine-releasing portable filters also have activated carbon filters to remove excess iodine from the water.
Generally, these types of filters are the most practical when it comes to hiking or camping because of their easy of use and portability. If the camper of hiker is looking to clean the natural water that isn't overly contaminated, using these types of filters is recommended above the rest of the treatment options.
Distillers and Ozonators

These are point-of-use devices that are suitable where electric power isn't available such as during a hiking or camping trip. The distillation water filters are effective for the removal of inorganic chemicals including heavy metals and selected organic chemicals. They are often combined with activated carbon for the removal of certain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) such as trihalomethanes and tetrachloroethylene. It should be noted that distilled water is demineralized, there have been quarters that say drinking demineralized water for extended periods will cause illness however there has been no research to prove or disprove this theory.
Ozonators produce small quantities of ozone which is a very strong oxidizing agent that is effective in killing pathogens over a short period of time. Ozonation produces no taste or odor in the water. Unlike chlorine and iodine, ozone does not protect water after the application (however is safer based on research) and is normally combined with activated carbon filtration to achieve a more complete water treatment solution.
These type of filters are normally used in conjunction with ceramic or glass fiber filters when a much broader spectrum of contaminants is present in the water. Generally these types of filters are bulkier, take longer to filter and should only be used where water is known to be contaminated with these toxic chemicals. Under normal circumstances, such a high level of filtrations isn't necessary.
To conclude, the main objective of campers when it comes to their water needs is to ensure that water consumed is free from harmful pathogens, chemicals and toxins so that they don't get ill on their trip. As such, water filters which provide the most balanced filtration needs for the camper/hiker would be ceramic or glass fiber water filters, again assuming that the water isn't overly contaminated.

There is a lot of hype and doubtful claims about water filters in the media. It's hard for the average consumer to understand the different methods and types of water filtration systems without buying into all the sales talk. Water filtration or treatment in itself is a quite a large topic with many methods and technologies involved. Most household water filters/treatment systems are designed to remove various contaminants such as chlorine, lead, mercury, Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), Total Dissolved Solids (TDSs), Cryptosporidium, Chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, Giardia and other bad smell or taste elements.
Feature and Function Differences

Most water filters work on the same general process. Water is passed through a filtration agent (physical, chemical or ultra-violet) where contaminants are either removed or neutralized. The treated water is then either dispensed out of the system or is stored in a storage tank for future use. Generally, most water filters are fairly simple and inexpensive items that aren't very different from one manufacturer to the next. Below is a list of features and functions which you should consider before buying a water filtration system.
1). Filtering Technology

The first and most common sort of filter uses a physical barrier to remove suspended particles such as mud, silt, sand or rust as well as micro-organisms such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium. Physical filters are measured by microns. The finer the filter the smaller the micron number and the more types of particles can be removed from the raw water.
Another type of filter uses chemical processes to remove or neutralize potentially harmful contaminants in raw water. Depending on the type of contaminant, the filter elements can comprise of activated charcoal, copper, zinc etc.
The newest form of filtration technology is to use ultra-violet light to destroy bacteria, viruses or pathogens in water. The ultra-violet light is typically encased in a tank where-by the water is treated either when in storage or is run through a ultra-violet canister. The ultra-violet light deactivated the DNA of the organic particulates which ruin their ability to reproduce and cause disease.
Typically, a water filtration system will contain more than one type of filter because each filter has its own specific strengths and together enable a much wider spectrum of filtration.
2). System Types

There are a few basic types of water filters that range from small portable units to units that can supply an entire house or office. Here are the more common types:
Counter-top: These types of filters are placed on top as of the counter as suggested by the name and is connected to the faucet. The system normally has limited capacity while the filtered water is only available at the faucet.
Under-counter: These systems are very similar to the counter-top systems in that they have smaller capacities and only provide treated water to one faucet. The difference is that these systems don't take up valuable counter space however would require more sophisticated plumbing which makes it slightly more expensive.
Faucet Mounted: These systems are the cheapest and easies to install however offer the least amount of filtration. The system is mounted on the faucet itself and offers treated water to that faucet alone.
Whole House: These water filter systems are typically the most comprehensive and costly filter types that will be needed for a house or office. These systems attach to the pipe mains before entering the house/office which means that they will supply treated water to the entire house/office. These water filters are generally quite expensive to buy and maintain however all water in the house is treated.
Water Softeners: These types of water filters are used specifically to remove only some types of contaminants, namely unwanted elements such as calcium, magnesium, lime, and iron from a household's water supply. These elements make water taste metallic and salty.
Dispensers/Pitcher Water Filter: These systems are normally very simple filter assemblies that are built into a Pitcher/Dispenser. Again, this type of filter is very simple and cheap however doesn't filter contaminants all that well compared to the more comprehensive examples.
Portable: These water filters are made to be portable, some are designed for camping and light travel while some are built into sports drink bottles. Interestingly, an ultra-violet light pen is available which should act as a microbe de-activator similar to more complex household systems as mentioned earlier.
3). Capacity

There are generally two measurements for water filters that use "capacity". Capacity can be used as a measure to determine how much water the filter can actually treat before it needs filter replacements.
On the other hand, capacity is also a measure of the storage tank if the water treatment system is built with a storage tank. This goes hand-in-hand with the flow rate. This measurement is normally in gallons per minute. It should be noted that for counter-top or under-sink applications, flow rate isn't that important as waiting a few seconds longer to fill a glass of water won't be much of an issue. However, flow-rate is very important for Whole House systems, you won't want to be stuck in the shower with no water.
It should be noted that capacity and flow rates are directly related to how expensive the system will be.
4). Costs

When choosing to buy a water filter, you must also consider the maintenance and running costs of the filter. Generally the more complex and higher capacity systems will cost more to maintain and also more to run. Depending on the amount of water treated, water filter systems will need their filters replaced or treated every so often.
Additionally, some complex filters like Reverse Osmosis water filters will only produce 1 gallon of water for every 4 gallons of water supplied which will mean an increase in your water bills too. Further to this, ultra-violet light systems will also require a power source which will also affect your electricity bills.
In conclusion, I hope I have shed some light on buying water filters. The list of points in this article are by no means exhaustive but should serve as a rough guide in the selection process.

A Guide To Aid Consumers In Choosing An Effective, Cost Efficient, Drinking Water Filtration Unit.

Purchasing a water filter in today's marketplace can be confusing even for the most savvy of consumers. Hopefully this guide will assist you in making the right choice in purchasing any water filtration system.

There are over 400 companies that sell drinking water systems for the treatment of various contaminants. Water filters vary widely in quality, price, and performance. Although hundreds of companies make water filtration devices that can reduce chlorine from water, only a few companies offer drinking water treatment units that are certified to reduce a wide array of contaminants of health concern.

A few companies or their representatives claim their products produce PURE drinking water. I have yet to meet such an animal. No water filter produces PURE water, but some do reduce numerous contaminants to a high degree. Avoid any brand that makes such false claims.

Water filters are like everything else, quality costs money. Quality drinking water purification systems usually cost a few hundred dollars to purchase, but save money in the long run because they produce drinking water for a fraction of the cost as compared to cheap filters.

Cheap filters do little or nothing as far as purifying drinking water. One thing they are good for is costing the consumer a lot of money in purchasing replacement filters. A quality filter will give you years of service and save you money. As a rule of thumb - If it costs less than - Let's say $200.00 - Put it back on the shelf. Do not worry, I am going to show you how you will save more than the $200.00....

Here are a few simple steps to purchasing a quality water filter that will be highly effective, cost efficient, and last for years.

Step 1 - Type Of System

Which application would be best for you - Counter Top - Undersink - Inline - or a Convertable type that can be used as a countertop or be installed undersink?

Counter Top Systems usually install by the use of a valve and rubber hose attached to your existing sink faucet. They do take up some space on the counter. Many people find this to be inconvenient.

Undersink Water Filters install conveniently under the sink and have their own faucet which should be installed at the corner of the sink. They save counter space. Sure beats having a monster sitting on your counter or a hose hanging off your sink faucet. This is the preferred type as it is not only the most convenient but can also be hooked up to an icemaker.

Inline Filters install directly in the line to any appliance that uses water such as an icemaking machine, coffee pots, water coolers, beverage machines, etc.

Convertible - Undersink/Countertop can be used as a countertop or installed as an undersink water filter.

Step 2 - Technology

Determine what you are trying to accomplish by using a water filter. Chlorine reduction only? Bacteria?

Or, do you want to effectively reduce bacterial cysts, chlorine and a wide range of chemical and organic contaminants at the same time. This is what a quality water filter can do.

Another thing to consider is - Do you want to remove the "Healthy Minerals" from your water? Minerals are good for your teeth and bones.

There are a number of different technologies when it comes to water purification. Here are some examples -

Loose Carbon - This is a bacteria factory. Loose carbon allows oxygen to exist within the filter itself which encourages, infact, enhances the growth of bacteria. These filters are very cheap to purchase, but expensive in the long run because the filters have to be replaced frequently.

Distillation - Can be effective on bacteria, sediments, solids, and any organic or chemical contaminant that will not evaporate. There are some chemical contaminants found in water today will evaporate, MTBE is a good example.

Ultraviolet lighting is sometimes used in conjunction with a filter to kill bacteria and has been found to be effective.

Reverse Osmosis - A membrane which reduces radium, fluoride, and numberous other contaminants to a high degree, but it does have it's limitations. There are many contaminants found in water today that will pass through an RO membrane. Reverse Osmosis used in conjunction with a high quality filter can be very effective. Reverse Osmosis does remove the "Healthy Minerals".

Reverse Osmosis alone is capable of reducing a number of contaminants found in drinking water today.  Arsenic, barium, radium, giardia, cryptosporidium, entamoeba, fluoride, lead, nitrates, nitrites, 
selenium and a few others...

Solid Carbon Block - This type of filtration reduces the widest range of chemical contaminants to a very high degree. Some are higher quality than others. The density and high quality of the carbon determine the effectiveness. Water passes through a high quality solid carbon block as a molecule instead of a drop. This means all the water touches the carbon. Therefore all the water is subject to proper filtration. Look for a carbon block which will reduce contaminants to at least 1 micron, preferably 0.5 micron. The smaller the number the better. 

Any high quality solid carbon block will reduce a wide range of contaminants.  Contaminants such as
lead, bacterial cysts, mercury, asbestos, mtbe, and many others. 

Step 3 - Performance

Performance is the key factor. Actually the most important thing to look for in any water filter. Don't waste your money on an ineffective water purification system that simply does not work.

****Carefully read the packaging. Determine which contaminants the manufacturer states the filter will reduce. The label on the product package should state exactly which contaminants it is capable of reducing based on standards set by NSF International.

**** So how do you know if the claims made on the label are correct? If the filters is not certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, put it back on the shelf. Quality water filter manufacturers put their filters through rigorous testing by NSF and are proud to advertise their certification.

**** NSF International tests and certifies drinking water treatment devices to the standard appropriate for the technology of the product. For filtration devices, NSF International may certify the product to improve the aesthetics of the water to Standard 42, the health effect of the water to Standard 53 or both. In addition, NSF has developed an additional testing standard for Reverse Osmosis units, Standard 58.

One other thing I want to mention, be sure the packaging states NSF Certified To Standard 53 for example. If it says "tested to NSF Standards" - This does Not Mean Certified.

If you want to see the actual certification, go to the NSF website: www.nsf.org - Click the consumer block and put in the make and model of the filter. If the filter is actually NSF Certified, you will be able to view the contaminants tested for and certified to remove. This way you can compare different certified filter's performance.

Step 4 - Cost Efficiency

Quality water filters have a long filter life capacity. This is what Saves You Money. Look for a water filter that has a capacity rating of at least 6 months. Understand, this is an estimate. The actual life of the filter depends a lot upon the qualities of your water. If your water has a lot of solids the filter will clog sooner than it is rated. If your water has a high level of contaminants, it will become ineffective sooner. In most cases though, the filter life rating is conservative, meaning the filter will actually outlast the capacity rating. Always keep the filter changed at the recommended intervals, even sooner if possible.

Cheap ineffective filters actually cost more to operate. Having to frequently change the filter cost a lot of money in the long run. 

I hope this article helps you in your quest for a quality water filter!

Read More Articles Concerning Drinking Water, Water Filters, Reverse Osmosis, Tap Water, Bottled Water, Home Water Filtration, Water Contamination, Water Purification, and the Florida Aquifer @ 

http://www.supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com 

Patti Wilson
Water Filtration Consultant

MultiPure Independent Distributor
St Augustine Florida

email:   patti@supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com  

Which water purifier system works best?  Let's look at what water quality should be and what type of water purification system is best for the home.   And importantly what is best for your health.

Water Quality Standards

Standards for public water purification are lacking.  Bottled water is simply tap water that has been run through some sort of water purifier.  The need for in-home water purifiers is real, but not all products really provide pure water. 

What Water Should Be

Pure water should be chemical free.  It should be free of illness causing bacteria.  The mineral content and pH level should be well balanced.  It should taste and smell good.  The more you learn about public water treatment facilities, the more you realize that what they do can not be called water purification.

Be Careful!

So, the in-home water purifier has become popular and you find them attached to kitchen faucets and sitting on kitchen counters in homes around the country.  Every company claims that their products are the best water purifiers in the world.  The truth is that some of them are not actually water purifiers at all.

A very popular product sold on the home shopping network for around $40.  Since, pure is a part of the companies brand name, people bought the units for in home water purification.  It just seemed logical.

What a number of dissatisfied customers learned was that the so-called water purifier did nothing but remove some of the chlorine and odor.  That’s not what water purification is.  Good water purifiers can do so much more.
  
Chlorine and other Contaminants

Chlorine in the drinking water is a problem that most American’s face, but it is not the only contaminant found in tap water.  Consumer protection agencies estimate that there are some 2400 cancer causing chemicals in tap water.  The best water purifiers can remove them all.

Lead Found in Water Supplies

In some areas, lead has been found in the drinking water.  Lead is a toxic metal that builds up in our bodies over time.  By the time you have symptoms of lead poisoning; the damage has already been done.  How could a product that does not block lead honestly be called a water purifier?

The company mentioned above says that it does not claim to sell water purifiers.  So, if a customer misunderstands, it’s their own fault.  But, in the TV ads, people would drink the water and say things like, “Wow!  That tastes pure.”  Really?

Eventually, the Federal Trade Commission might bring charges against them for false advertising or misleading statements.  Over the years, a number of “water purification” systems have been brought up on charges.  One, a product made by Company N, actually added a toxic chemical to tap water.  Water purifiers should not add.  They should take out the bad and leave the good.

Reverse Osmosis? – The Truth

Another system that is considered an effective water purifier is reverse osmosis.  Reverse osmosis systems for home use cost around $10,000.  They are the most expensive products on the market.  The problem is that they take out the good and leave some of the bad.  They reduce particles, like mud.  They de-mineralize water.  But, they cannot block chemicals like pesticides.  So, even if you buy a reverse osmosis water purifier, you would also have to install carbon activated filters to block chemicals, and you would still be drinking de-mineralized water, which is bad for your health.

There are a number of technologically advanced water purifier systems on the market and they are affordable.  You just have to do a little research, so that you don’t buy an ineffective product.  For more information see my website for the water purifier system that works best.  -Larry L. Taylor

Putting in a drinking water filter system in your home will make an overall difference in the way your water smells and tastes. It's clear to see that having some kind of water filter system will benefit you more than not having one. The most healthful system for you or your family is a multi-type system that gets rid of all pollutants and harmful microscopic germs that make you sick. You will sleep better a night knowing that you have pure clean water for you and your family to drink and bathe in.

You can protect you and your family from almost every possible pollutant contained in many city water systems by using a drinking water filter system. Pollutants such as chlorine rust and sediment, prescription drugs, and yes, even human feces! Why would you want to take the chance of these things coming into your home via your water supply?

Chlorine is used by many municipal water treatments plants to prevent microspical germs that may be lurking in your water pipes. Chlorine is definitely not something you want to be drinking, as it has been associated with many health problems and can cause dry skin. It is also very bad for your hair. Have you ever noticed how many swimmers have problems with their hair due to the chlorine content in the water?

Water is the most important element to human life along with air. It's a fact that our water supply is becoming more polluted every day. It's now essential that you and your family have a safe clean source of pure water to drink, cook and bathe in. Having a drinking water filter system is a must have item for the health of you and your family. Bottled water is very expensive. On a per gallon basis, bottled water cost more than a gallon of gas! So having a drinking water filter system will also save you big money! This is one area you do not want to neglect when it comes to the health of you or your family.

If You're Not Using A Drinking Water Filter, You Could Be Drinking Chlorine, Lead, Pesticides, Drugs And Even Human Feces.

The caliber of our drinking water has been continually falling. Our government has turned a cold shoulder to the problem. They proceed to pour chlorine into our water supply, brush aside industrial pollution, and neglect to address the latest menace to public health: prescription medications oozing in to our water system. Drinking water filters are now a necessary item for all.

You need to know what you and your family are consuming when it comes to your water, and how to keep your water safe by using a quality drinking water filter.The human body contains almost 60% water, and you need to ingest about 6 glasses of water to maintain optimum health according to the Mayo Clinic.

Every part in your body needs water - the problem is that most people are not feeding their system with safe, clean drinking water. If you're not using a drinking water filter you need to know some things that may be hiding in your water: Chlorine, Sediment and Rust, Prescription Medicines, Industrial Waste, and Human Feces may all be contained in your tap water. Drinking water filters help combat this problem.

This minute many cities are trying to bring reclaimed water into the public drinking water supply. That may sound like a small thing until you realize that reclaimed water is the waste that is going down your toilet. The system in place to separate the water from the human feces include the use of chemical sanitizers. Some cities in Southern California alone with around 6.5 million people drink from regional water supplies partly treated with reclaimed waste water.

By contrast, drinking water containing human feces is a little risk to your health when compared to the more serious substances, and toxic elements found in your public water supplies shown here.

Chlorine is used in city water systems to get rid of very small organisms in your water. The problem with this is it's poisonous While it's better than having harmful organisms in the water, it is not safe to have it in your water. According to the National Cancer Institute, those who use water with chlorine in it have a 90% increase in the risk of many forms of cancers. Rust & Sediment

Sediment and Rust. Even if your local water treatment facility could remove all of the pollutants from your drinking water you would still have a risk to your health. If you were to go down into your basement, open up one of your water pipes, and peek inside, you would almost be sure to find sediment, lead, and rust accruing on the inside of your water pipes. There is also the possibility of pollution coming from the pipes that transport the water from it's origin into your house, which you can not control.

The Los Angeles Times reported in it's January 30th 2007 edition that medical prescription drugs are now showing up in all the water systems in the highly evolved areas of the world. Drinking water filters are a must with medicines such as steroids, Valium, and other medicines showing up in every glass of water you consume.

It's a scary thought, and to make matters worse there are no regulations from the government prohibiting any of these medicines from being in your water.

Nearly 15,000,000 (fifteen million) gallons of oil seeped into the ground below a New York neighborhood. Even with residents showing a disproportional.amount of people found to have cancer, and and after a class action lawsuit was filed against the oil companies that were liable, the spill has not been cleaned up fully to this day. Industrial waste and pollution is a major problem.

It's nearly out of the question to get rid of all the pollutants in your city water supply. Using  drinking water filters is a must in today's world. Shouldn't you and your family seriously consider the benefits of a quality drinking water filter?

 

If you’re like the many other consumers not using drinking water filters, you’re in bad company, and here’s why. Go down the isle at just about any grocery store in America that carries beverages, and the most popular item that you will find on the shelf is water. Why is that? One, it sells like crazy, and two, those who don’t use drinking water filters have lousy tasting water. However, there should be another reason to consider using a water filter, your health!

Many people do not know what is in their tap water, and there in lies the shock. A few of the ingredients in your tap water include bacteria, viruses, uranium, radium, nitrate, arsenic, chromium and fluoride. One of the most prominent ingredients in tap water is dissolved toilet tissue. Doesn’t sound very appetizing does it?

Where does this contamination come from? Some of it actually comes from natural sources such as rock formations that find their way into our water supply. Some chemicals such as chlorine are actually placed into our water supply on purpose to kill off harmful bacteria. The problem is, chlorine can be very harmful to the human body and has been linked to certain cancers. This is why many people have turned to using a drinking water filter.

Other sources of water contamination include not getting rid of everyday items in your house such as cleaning solvents, paint, and motor oil in a proper manner. Then you have problem of industrial waste. Seems like everyday you read about some kind of accidental leakage or a large company using illegal methods to get rid of its waste. Pesticides are also another item that has found its way into our water supply.

Our local water treatment plants do try to do a good job in making sure our water is safe, but it’s next to impossible to get rid of all the contaminants. We are also faced with a dwindling supply of fresh pure water, so many cities have turned to using reclaimed water. Reclaimed water includes the waste that is flushed down your toilet, and then is chemically treated and used in our drinking water supply. You should consider using a drinking water filter if you live in an area where reclaimed water is being used.

Many people would like to use a drinking water filter, but don’t know where to start. There are many types and brands available. They most expensive is not always best. Same goes for the cheapest. Some drinking water filters are cheap and do a fair job, but they need replacement cartridges often, which can end up being more expensive in the long run than higher priced drinking water filters.

Some higher priced filters do a poor job but carry a high price tag just to make a profit for the promoter. Doing a little research when choosing a drinking water filter will not only improve your health, but will save you money in the longer term.

 

Water Treatment Health

How Can Water Treatment Equipment Save You Money and Keep You Healthy

These days, more and more people are realizing the need to take care of the environment and to perform the consequent responsibilities in order to ensure the health, safety, and longevity of human life. Because three-fourths of the world we live in is made up of water, it is only understandable that proper precautions must be taken to assure the continued availability of our vastest and most precious natural resource. In this regard, many companies are now in the business of selling water treatment equipment designed to purify water and make it safe to use in any whole house water treatment.

When the word "equipment" comes up, most people immediately associate it with cost and instantly think it must be expensive. Water treatment equipment is no exception to this public perception. Many companies acknowledge the fact that equipment for the treatment of water can indeed be a little over what many consider reasonably priced. However, this doesn't mean outright that a whole house water treatment is nothing but a scam to make opportunists filthy rich. The truth of the matter is that water treatment equipment can actually help you save more money than you think, especially in the long run. More importantly, it can keep you healthy and greatly improve your quality of life. This article shows you how.

With a whole house water treatment, you can make sure that the water that runs through your entire house is clean. This is because the water treatment equipment you use has the ability to conduct a purification process that transforms dirty water into clean water. More than clean, your water actually becomes highly potable. In this case, you don't have to buy bottled water for drinking purposes. With a water filter or water softener, whichever you choose, you can drink your water straight up without having to worry about having an upset stomach afterwards because the whole house water treatment of your choice takes care of all the bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, chemicals, and other contaminants that are harmful to your health. You can use the money - think hundreds of dollars in a year - meant to buy bottled water for other more practical and necessary expenses.

When said contaminants are out of the picture, so are the number of diseases that you can contract from drinking dirty, untreated water. Some of the medical conditions that a whole house water treatment can save you from include allergies, asthma, chemical contamination, and water poisoning. A water treatment system can help greatly reduce the risk of these unfortunate incidents and ensure that you use only clean and safe water for drinking, showering, and washing. Because a whole house water treatment can help maintain good water hygiene, it goes without saying that it can also keep you healthy. Your health is protected against illnesses that using untreated water can bring. It is also because of this that water treatment equipment can help you save money. With a water treatment system, you can be saved from unnecessary hospitalization and medical care, things that are not only taxing but also very expensive.

About the Author

John Lim Cher Sern is an avid proponent of natural health. Water treatment equipment can be a great money saver and can also help your family stay healthy. To get more information about whole house water treatment visit our website at http://www.cleanhomewaterfilters.com

Male health workers for disease-prone districts
NEW DELHI: The Mission Steering Group of the National Rural Health Mission on Tuesday approved hiring of 53,000 male health workers in 235 high-focus districts on contract basis. This will involve an expenditure of between Rs.300 crore and Rs.360 crore annually.

Water Treatment Health

Using American Style Fridge Freezer Water Filters is one way of providing a fresh and clean supply of water for all your day to day water intake needs.

Water and Water Filters.
Some chemically sensitive people find they are sensitive to water that they ingest in their daily lives, due to minute traces of chemicals and metals. For some people, it is reasonable enough to take care with water that they use for drinking and cooking. Other people, if they are highly sensitive, are affected by washing with, or touching tap water, some even by breathing in steam or vapours from standing or running water – a flushing lavatory, for instance. Intolerance of this nature is rare, however, and for most people, it will be sufficient to avoid drinking the water that upsets them.

What Causes Reactions to Tap water?
Low levels of chemicals known to cause chemical intolerance are found in potable, as well as metals known or suspected of causing harm.
Water quality regulations permit levels of chemicals which may not be Hazardous to your health. Chemically sensitive people are, however, affected by very low levels of chemicals, and particles present in tap water are often sufficient to cause them reactions.

The contents of tap water vary quite considerably across the country, and even within the locality of water companies. This is partly because the level of industrial or agricultural contaminants leeching into the surrounding countryside and finding their way into the local water table. It is also because of the age and quality of water treatment plants and their associated pipe networks. You might happen to live in an area with relatively new water treatment plants and pipe networks, or with little or no industry, or with a farming community with low fertiliser usage, then your tap water will contain lower levels of contaminants than that of other places.
Of course your water supply may come from groundwater drawn direct from springs and or boreholes. If this is the case then little or no filtration would be required.

Water that is drawn from rivers is subject to more pollution and needs greater sanitization, especially water from lowland rivers and reservoirs. The chemicals found in tap water which are predominantly associated with chemical sensitivity are:  chlorine, nitrates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, trihalomethanes, and organic solvents.

Aluminium, found naturally or added to purify water in some areas, is linked to some health problems and in the case of the older buildings, lead can be found sometimes in water pipes within the home and is known to be a health hazard.
Traces of other heavy metals are also found in drinking water – metals such as zinc. Metals like zinc do not cause specific sensitivity reactions, but it is thought that digesting them can depress the immune system, diminish vitamin, and thereby reduce your capability to withstand the chemical excesses.
Finding the right Water Filter for your needs is critical to your well being. Recent resource for all your Water Filter needs.