Which Drinking Water Filters and Stations to Prefer?

It seems a contradiction in terms to speak of contaminated drinking water. Drinking water should be pure by definition. Contaminants however come from many sources and can pollute water at any stage along its distribution.

Pollutants can be grouped according to their nature such as heavy metals, biological agents (pathogens), pesticides and fertilizers (chemicals), volatile and solid organic compounds and a vast range of pharmaceuticals.

One way of looking for information on the contaminants present in the water supply is to obtain a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) which has to be prepared at least once a year by the community water system.

Regulated contaminants are periodically analyzed to determine if they exceed the legal limits established by the appointed authorities. The issued Reports permit an impartial assessment of water quality in the location examined.

The use of pesticides and herbicides has become so high that they find their way in water streams. Traces of them are now commonly found in household tap water and bottled water. Their contribution to cancer cases is strongly suspected.

Lead is one of the most common contaminants found in tap water. Central water treatment plants cannot help because lead is found between the water main pipe in the street and the house faucet. Lead has an alarming record of harmful effects on health, and it is especially dangerous to small children.

It has been determined that in many parts of the world drugs of all kinds, including antibiotics, birth control drugs, and anti-depressants are flowing in rivers, ground water and tap water.

There is a growing concern that pathogens in such waters may develop resistance to common antibiotics, becoming an increasing threat to public health.

Large animal farming operations release enormous quantities of organic refuse. Wastewater treatment factories, which are not designed to remove drugs and other synthetic chemicals, dispose of contaminated wastewater as a byproduct into the environment.

Chlorine is universally used as water disinfectant, not because it is safe and effective but because it is the cheapest of all disinfection means. Its use is not free of dangers.

In fact the association between cancer and chlorinated water seems proven, and chlorine is considered highly carcinogenic. Cancer however takes a long time to develop and may be due also to additional contributing factors so that it is hard to reach agreed upon results from statistical analysis.

The conclusion is that, short of energetic enterprises at the national level,  capable of providing improved drinking water quality for all, individuals wanting to drink better water should take their own initiatives.

In public places as well as in private offices drinking water stations are often found. These are mini water treatment devices made up with a sequence of filters and other decontamination implements. They are meant to purify the tap water running in the premises.

Given the variety of stations in the market one cannot express a general judgement. The users should obtain guarantees relative to the quality of the processed drinking water.

At home however, one should consider the installation of a good filter system right at the faucet to protect health and life of all the family. Although some filters offer better guarantees than others, and those one should strive to seek, any filter is better than no filter at all and will improve somewhat the drinking water quality.

Go for it!