Importance of Water Filtration

 Many people are aware of the pesticides and other harmful chemicals present in tap water today and as a result are turning to bottled water and filters.  Many have questioned safety of our tap water, and it has been found that 90% of the water pouring through the taps in the U.S. has at least 10 different chemicals and lead.  Not what you thought you were drinking on a hot summer’s day, is it? While the public water utility companies only test for 75 potentially harmful chemicals, a recent Ralph Nader report found that there are over 2,300 harmful chemicals present in our water systems.

Another concern that leads people to filtered water is the levels of chlorine.  Chlorine is used to prevent bacteria from growing in the water, but if it is not filtered out before our bodies ingest it there are serious concerns.  While it is considered dangerous to swim in a pool with more than 3 parts per million of chlorine, the EPA has stated that our drinking water may have up to 4 parts per million of chlorine and pass federal regulations.  High levels of chlorine have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and many other problems.

Science has shown that filtration is important not only for drinking water, but for the water we use to shower as well.  Showering in unfiltered water dries out skin and hair, unlike filtered water, which has wonderful restorative powers for the skin.  Remember that the concentration levels of chlorine in a pool are even less than those coming from your shower head.  Would you shower in pool water?  However, there is a more sinister act going on in the shower when the water has not been filtered.  Many of the harmful chemicals in our water, such as chlorine, vaporize in our showers.  In fact, the water that goes down the drain is relatively contaminate free since the chemicals have all turn to vapor and been inhaled by the unsuspecting person in the shower.

However, turning water that has been distilled or undergone a reverse-osmosis process is not nearly as beneficial as using a filtration device.  While water free of harmful substances is significantly better than contaminated water, it is important not to filter out too many things.  There are many natural, important minerals found in water such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.  If these minerals are removed from our drinking water, our bodies actually take them from itself to balance the pH levels of the water we intake.  A water filtration system such as Aquasana is designed to purify the water of the harmful, toxic chemicals while leaving the natural minerals that our bodies need. Check for Aquasana undercounter  Deluxe Combo water system or for the Best Seller Aquasana Dual water filter here

The Truth About Bottled Water

Drinking bottled water has become more and more common in our society.  It is ultra convenient to pick one up at the store while out around town; it is stylish to carry one to the gym.  Even at home, people often feel they are drinking a superior quality of water to what comes out of their tap.   However, there are many concerns involved with bottled water that should be examined.

Over 60,000,000 bottles of water are either produced or disposed of every day in the U.S. alone, creating an enormous amount of pollution and waste.  In fact, some of the biggest cities in the U.S., including San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Phoenix have now made it illegal to spend any city dollars on this environmentally harmful industry.  Hawaii and Chicago, among other areas of the country, now impose a $.05 per bottle deposit, in an attempt to discourage buying bottled products and encourage greater recycling participation, when the bottles can be redeemed for a refund of the deposit.   

In addition to the environmental concerns that bottled water raises, recent studies have shown that the quality is often no higher than the tap water, despite the images and insinuations made in their advertisements.  In fact, while the water that runs through our taps does have to meet some federal regulations, there are no such regulations on tap water produced and sold within the same state.  A report prepared by the National Resources Defense Council found that up to 70% of all bottled water is exempt from any sort of federal regulation or quality control.  What exactly does that mean for the consumers?  Well, according to the federal regulations, city water cannot have any form of e-coli or fecal coli form bacteria, must be disinfected and filtered, must meet standards for certain toxic and carcinogens, and must be tested for water pathogens that commonly cause diarrhea and intestinal problems.  Companies producing and selling bottled water within the same state are exempt from federal regulations therefore have no such restrictions or requirements to test and control their water.  Not exactly what you thought you were buying for the price of $1-$4 a gallon, is it?

So what is the best alternative?  Buying reusable water bottles that can be filled at home with filtered tap water, such as that from an Aquasana filter, ensures that you are not only being environmentally responsible, but that you are also drinking the highest quality of water.