Drinking Water Purification Systems Combat Storm Contamination

Not only do toxins and lead end up in your drinking water, but flooding can affect the quality, too. In recent years, drinking water purification systems have gained wide-spread popularity. Such systems do offer many benefits to homeowners from safety to convenience. The research being done about the overall quality has raised public awareness about the need for a home purification system. But there are always new threats to be aware of from chlorine to contaminants in their local wells.

The need for a drinking water purification system can happen without warning and when you least expect it. After a series of terrible storms in Lincoln, Nebraska owners of domestic wells had to evaluate the quality of exactly what it was that they were drinking. The Nebraska Department of Health encouraged homeowners to test their wells for bacteria.

Wells in the area became tainted and residents had to carry out widespread tests; especially if they observed changes in the overall quality. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services warned citizens: "Get your water tested. Cloudiness, a change in taste or an odor can indicate problems, so don't use it for drinking," said Jack Daniel, from the Office of Drinking Water and Environmental Health.

But what can cause such things to disturb your water supply? Well, bacteria for one. These are microscopic organisms that are typically found in many places. Although most are harmless, certain types of bacteria can cause disease, sickness and other problems. Even without a storm causing harm, wells used for drinking should be tested for the presence of coliform every one to two years, in addition to adhering to the standard quality controls.

Other things like iron bacteria can affect household and irrigation wells. Such bacteria can cause stains in laundry and plumbing fittings and, in severe cases, stuff-up well screens. By learning more about drinking water purification systems, homeowners can find the best methods used for their local areas.

Back to Nebraska, the authorities gave tips for homeowners with flooded wells to follow. These included purchasing bottled water or using household bleach as a disinfectant. This is pretty wild stuff. First of all, using bottled is not really that safe for long-term consumption. The second recommendation was to disinfect with bleach by adding 1/8 teaspoon of bleach to one gallon. What!? This just does not seem right.

It's been studied that drinking water purification systems offer a higher quality than bottled with the same convenience of using a tap. And it is not very expensive, for less than 10 cents a gallon you can have a product that is great-tasting, healthy, and chemical-free in your own home.

What those in Lincoln NE might not know is that a company that makes a drinking water purification system is required to document the product purity, unlike the bottled manufactures. In many states it is unlawful to make uncertified claims for home use filtering systems. These strict regulations help consumers to compare and substantiate one companies product performance level against that of its competitors . And with a good system in place, a person can always have a drink regardless of what problems Mother Nature might cause.

 On a final note, certain states have strict laws for manufacturers of filter systems. They require manufacturers to have all promotional, advertising, website and packaging materials reviewed by the Department Of Health for accuracy prior to certification. This is reassuring to know that someone is monitoring some aspect of drinking water safety and system control. That's good news, especially for well-worn homeowners.