| Just as water is essential to life, clean water is | | | | system. This is the cheapest water purification |
| essential for healthy living. Whether the water | | | | system and it can be quickly and easily installed by |
| supplied to your home flows from a privately owned | | | | one person with minimal knowledge of plumbing, but |
| well in your backyard or from a public water system, | | | | it is limited to one outlet and requires frequent filter |
| it is important that you consider its purity. Some | | | | changes. This system does not protect your plumbing |
| contaminants are common no matter the source. | | | | or fixtures from deposits. The number of substances |
| While most are not dangerous, they can noticeably | | | | it can remove is less than that of larger water |
| alter the taste of the water or cause mineral | | | | purification systems. |
| deposits to develop which can disrupt your plumbing. | | | | One alternative to a faucet-mounted purification |
| Fortunately, many these contaminants can be | | | | system is an under the sink filter. Like the |
| removed from your water with a home water | | | | faucet-mounted system, it is easy to install but only |
| purification system. This short guide will help you | | | | filters for one outlet. It is larger, however, so its |
| determine which purification system best suits your | | | | filters will not need to be replaced as often. It |
| particular circumstances. | | | | consists of a central unit installed, of course, under |
| Begin by inspecting your water. Pour some into a | | | | the sink. These systems will sometimes have a |
| clear glass and hold it up to a light source. Look for | | | | dedicated tap. |
| sediment or discoloration. Check to see if the water | | | | Another alternative to faucet-mounted systems is an |
| has a smell. City supplied water may smell faintly like | | | | in-line purification system. This option is more |
| a swimming pool, but any other odor is a sign that | | | | expensive, but because it is installed at the water |
| your water should be lab tested. Look for staining in | | | | inlet for your house-wide plumbing system, it is able |
| any basin, tub, sink, or toilet. Examine all taps and | | | | to filter water for the entire house. It also requires a |
| faucets for mineral deposits. A cheaper, albeit less | | | | filter change far less frequently than either the |
| accurate alternative to lab testing is a home test kit, | | | | faucet-mounted or under the sink systems. These |
| which can be purchased at nearly any hardware | | | | systems are only necessary if the quality of the |
| store. Either test will tell you if there is a harmful | | | | water is very poor or if a water softening system is |
| concentration of a particular substance in your water. | | | | to be installed as well. |
| You may choose to install a faucet-mounted filtration | | | | |