Tap water is the best choice of drink.

 Is your tap water safe?

Would you drink tap water as the major source of drinking water? Many Americans do and thereby are saying it is the best drinking water source on their behalf. Is a sensible choice?

The general consensus is that tap water is a safe, healthy, and economical choice for most Americans. What's more, experts say it's preferable to bottled water.
Why? "There is no reason to think that bottled water is any cleaner or safer since it doesn't have to meet the same stringent requirements as tap," says Jenny Powers of the Natural Resources Defense Council.  http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/green-living/turn-tap


 In fact, current FDA regulations don't require bottled water to be tested as frequently as the EPA requires for tap water.
A four-year intensive study of the bottled-water industry by the NRDC revealed that approximately 25 percent or more of bottled water simply comes from the tap; sometimes further treated and sometimes not. The Environmental Working Group discovered 38 pollutants, from caffeine to Tylenol to heavy metals, in the 10 brands of bottled water it tested.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/49/is-your-tap-water-safe.html

Given those kinds of reports it's hard to justify the hefty price tag that bottled water commands (about 1,900 times the cost of public water according to EWG). There are also several environmental costs associated with producing and shipping bottled water across the globe and then disposing of all the empty bottles.

That said, the quality of your tap water depends on where you live. "There are certainly situations where tap water is not up to standard," says Powers, "but if you do have concerns, there are ways to check on and improve the quality of it."

Start by finding out what's in your tap water. Here's how:  

• Read the annual Consumer Confidence Report from your water supplier to learn where your water comes from and what's in it. It should arrive in your mailbox each year by July 1. Or, check to see if it's available on the EPA's website. To learn how to interpret info and for other useful tips: Download Making Sense of Drinking Water "Right to Know" Reports or read Deciphering Your Water Report.

• Check out EWG's National Tap Water Quality Database to see their analysis of your water and how it compares to other towns and cities in the U.S.

• Check out EWG's National Tap Water Quality Database to see their analysis of your water and how it compares to other towns and cities in the U.S.

• If you have well water, click here for the EPA's guidelines on keeping your water safe and healthy. 

• The only way to know what's coming out of your tap is to test it. Lead, for example, might not be in your municipal supply, but it can leach from your pipes. You can buy a simple test online or at your local hardware store. Or, visit your state or municipal government website to find out if your city or town provides free lead-testing kits. Click here for links to certified labs in each state.  

Use water filters to get rid of contaminants or improve the taste of your water. There are many brands and models, but here are the basics:   

• Buy filters that are certified by NSF International. Look for the stamp of approval on packaging or click here for a searchable list.  

• Choose a filter that gets rid of the contaminants present in your water. A carbon filter is a relatively inexpensive and common solution for many water contaminants, but check the label to make sure it's filtering what you want it to. Reverse osmosis and whole house systems are more complicated options, but in some cases may be necessary. Click here for a brief description of your different options or here for Consumer Reports' ratings on specific brands.

• Don't forget to change your filters regularly.          

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/49/is-your-tap-water-safe.html

Why Are Home Water Filters the Best Option?

The use of home water filters is one of the best ways to protect your health. These filters are effective, economical, and easy to maintain. How do these filters work? What makes them so effective in purifying tap water?
There are many types of home water filters but basically, filtration works by using a special filter to prevent contaminants from passing through its pores. Selective filtration is one of the best ways to filter H2O as it involves a series of steps including carbon filtration, ion exchange, and submicron filtration.
In carbon filtration, a carbon block is used to remove contaminants and impurities from water in two ways.
First, it physically prevents contaminants from passing through. Second, the carbon absorbs dissolved contaminants present in tap water. Carbon is a highly absorbent material and can remove a wide variety of pollutants including chlorine, THMs, VOCs, lead, and other organic substances.
While carbon removes these harmful contaminants, it does not remove healthy minerals in water like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These minerals are needed by the body and help give the liquid a more pleasant taste. In addition, it also keeps the pH of the water at the right level.
Ion exchange is also an important step in water purification. It reduces the hardness of tap water and it also removes dissolved inorganic substances. Submicron filtration also plays an important role as it helps filter out pathogens like bacteria, parasites, and even giardia and cryptosporidium cysts which are resistant to chlorine.
As mentioned earlier, there are numerous kinds of home H2O filters. Which should you choose? Here are examples of the type of home filters so you can determine which one best meets your needs.
COUNTER TOP WATER FILTERS
Counter top filters are easy to install on kitchen faucets. It filters water straight from the tap but only a single sink is serviced in the home.
UNDER THE SINK WATER FILTERS
Under the sink filters also service only a single sink in the home. It is more discreet though, as it is placed under the sink and won't take up any space on the counter.
SHOWER FILTERS
Shower filters are also available as it is not only important to drink clean water, but to use pure water for bathing, washing, and other purposes as well.
INLINE WATER FILTERS
Inline water filters are ideal for ice-makers, water fountains, refrigerators, and water coolers.
WHOLE HOUSE FILTERS
Whole house water filters ensure that every drop of water in every faucet of your home only gives out pure, clean, and safe water which can be used for various purposes such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing clothes.
Lee Ann Wise advocates the use of home water filters to all consumers who are serious about protecting the health of their families. For more information, and to get your free copy of the Water Wealth Report, go to WaterPurityCentral.com today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Ann_Wise

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