Navigating the Bottled Water Minefield

Yet in our modern society, health and staying healthy is big business. Health is our national obsession and our attention has been turned to bottle water as a way of staying healthy. However, in itself the trend to use bottled water is not doing our health any real benefit. You see, research commissioned by a Swiss-based conservation group indicates that most bottled water is really only plain tap water quality.

And, to shed even further light on the case of bottled water and tap water, one has to keep in mind that as a developed society we use more than 80,000 toxic chemicals a day, with thousands more being developed each year. These chemicals ultimately stay in the water and are often not extractable in water treatment facilities. This is rather unfortunate as our water treatment technologies have basically remained the same for the past number of decades, depending on sand beds for partial purification and chlorine for removal of harmful bacteria.

Finding the Solution in a House Water Filter

The solution to this is of course a house water filter. Where, after water treatment, a vast range of toxic elements has remained in the water, a house water filter removes even these, leaving only the essential trace minerals behind. Statistics reveal that 75 years ago, when the environment was devoid of present-day chemicals, only 2 % of the American population got cancer. In today’s society that number has gone up to almost 1 out of every 3 individuals with 2 out of every 100 males and 1 out of every 8 women developing breast cancer. Of course not all cancers are directly linked to the water we drink but there is still a very strong relation.

House Water Filter: Good for your Health and your Wallet

Of course, there is the question of the cost of installation of these water systems. On the one hand, one has to admit that it would probably cost more than, say, a bottle of water. On the other hand, however, the long term effect is that money will be saved by replacing bottled water with the water run through a house water filter. This will not only benefit the financial situation of a household, but also the health. A house water filter is an option that can no longer be ignored and is fast spreading throughout the world as the healthier alternative not only to tap water, but to bottled water as well.

The comparison between one water filter and another might not be enough to make an accurate judgment. A sole focus on the most popular types of filtration often neglects non-leading brands as well as an array of other technologies capable of the same performance, if not better. Examples of these include the typical “Distillation” and “Reverse Osmosis” systems.

There is, in fact, an underlying debate as to which of these water filters and water filtration methods are the most beneficial to the everyday consumer: de-mineralized water vs. filtered water. Scientific studies point to filtered water which still contains the natural trace elements as the healthiest option currently available on the commercial market.

Adverse Effects of Distilled Water

Dr. Zolton Rona, author of “The Joy of Health”, highlights the potential long term damage of “mineral deficiencies and an acid state” as some of the more detrimental side- effects of de-mineralized water. This fact is further supported by Dr. Paavo Airola, nutritionist and author of “How to Get Well” and “Cancer… Causes, Prevention and Healing.” He stated that the “extended consumption of distilled water eventually results in multiple mineral deficiencies.”

So what happens when we drink de-mineralized water? Why is it that water passed through a water filter is so much healthier? The answer lies in the body and the way the body copes with de-mineralized water. As mentioned before, the consumption of de-mineralized water causes a mineral deficiency and promotes acidity as it contains an abundance of hydrogen. To stabilize the effect of the acidity, our bodies tend to draw the minerals it needs from our teeth and bones, weakening them in turn. Additionally it needs mentioning that our bodies release more free radicals in a systemic acidic environment, increasing the risks of cancer.

Another additional factor that should count as indisputable evidence of the health of filtered water is that nowhere on this planet is there any single natural occurring spring supply de-mineralized water. In fact, all springs contain important trace minerals such as calcium and magnesium; minerals that are essential for our bodies to function properly.

TDS (total dissolved solids) meters are often used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the water filter at removing contaminants. This, however, is misleading as TDS meters really only indicate the amount of calcium, magnesium and other dissolved minerals in the water and are no indication whatsoever of the purity of the water or the level of contaminants.

The PUR Plus Faucet Mount Water Filter Report

Reduce harmful chemicals as well as unpleasant odors and flavors in your tap water with this faucet-mounted vertical filter from Pur. It attaches to most standard faucet heads, filtering out contaminants including cryptosporidium, giardia, lead, mercury, asbestos, turbidity, sediment, and leus by up to 98 percent. Certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), the filter also eradicates the odor and flavor of chlorine and reduces discoloration. Filtered tap water also tastes better and costs less than bottled water.

Made from carbon and a special active agent that removes lead, the Pur Plus faucet filter fits onto the faucet head so water flows directly through the filter into the sink. Instructions for attaching the filter are available on the Pur website, including a video. Users can opt to tilt the filter back to allow unfiltered water through for tasks like dishwashing. Water flows through the filtration system at a rate of 2-1/2 liters per minute with pressure levels of 60 PSI. This system includes Pur’s ASM filter life indicator, which notifies users when it’s time to change filters. Filters should be changed every 150 gallons and can be purchased in bulk. While Pur filters rid water of many harmful chemicals, coloration, and bad flavors, they do not soften water or remove fluoride.

Kenmore Deluxe 38465 Water Filter Report

Enjoy filtered water at your sink with the Kenmore Drinking Water

Filter. The system reduces lead, cysts, MTBE, VOC’s, chlorine taste and
odor, and sediment. The convenient ‘twist and pull’ encapsulated filter
design makes filter changes easy, fast, and sanitary. Exclusive
‘no-mount’ space saving-design allows for system placement vertically
or horizontally to fit easily under the sink. The stylish faucet with
electronic indicator light provides automatic notification when the
filters need to be changed.

GE FXSVC Under Sink Water Filter:

• Produces healthier and better-tasting drinking water and
  cooking water.
• Under sink water filter reduces lead, mercury, atrazine,
  lindane, cysts, asbestos, turbidity and chlorine taste & odor
• Water filter also reduces sediment and rust particles.
• Under Sink Water Filter. The GE SmartWater FXSVC filters
  more contaminants than the GE FXSLC.

Everpure H-54 Features and Benefits

• The Everpure H-54 water filter treats water to a top
  quality for drinking and cooking.
• Reduces chlorine taste and odor.
• Reduces dirt, rust, asbestos fibers and other particulates
  such as oxidized iron, manganese and sulfides.
• Reduces parasitic protozoan cysts such as Giardia,
  Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium.
• Controls even extreme levels of common “off” tastes and
  odors, including those which are earthy, moldy and fishy.
• Reduces lead to below the Federal Action Level of 10 ppb.
• The Everpure H54 water filter inhibits limescale build-up
  in water-using appliances

Culligan SY-2300 Filter Report

• Compact undersink water filter system fits easily under
  most kitchen sinks
• Helpful Feature: The electronic monitor beeps when the
  water filter cartridges need to be changed. The monitor must be reset
  after the filters are changed. The monitor uses a 9-volt battery and
  turns on when water is being filtered.
• The Culligan SY2650 dual water filtration system filters
  the water twice producing pure and safe drinking water
• Reduces 99% of dissolved lead
• Removes greater than 99.95% of Cryptosporidium and Giardia
  cysts from your water
• Reduces odors, chlorine taste and odor, bad taste,
  sediment, and asbestos
• Reduces mercury, chemicals, VOCs, pesticides and herbicides
• NSF International Certified to Reduce MTBE

Brita Pitcher Filter Report

• Sleek Chrome detailing
• 2-Stage Filter - added layer to trap sediment
• Electronic LED filter replacement indicator flashes red
  when it should be replaced
• Attaches easily with no tools
• Easy to switch from filtered to unfiltered water

Brita Water Faucet Report

• Sleek Chrome detailing
• 2-Stage Filter - added layer to trap sediment
• Electronic LED filter replacement indicator flashes red
  when it should be replaced
• Attaches easily with no tools
• Easy to switch from filtered to unfiltered water