| If you want to improve the taste of your water - | | | | manufacturers would suggest. They simply are an |
| and in some cases remove lead and copper - and | | | | indication that a company has convinced the |
| you do not consume vast quantities, then water | | | | government certain substances in its product won't |
| delivery is a relatively inexpensive option, in most | | | | at least cause any harm. Consider water purifiers that |
| cases less than $30. | | | | have carbon filters. Such filters contain silver, which |
| You must take care of the three following pointers | | | | slows the growth of bacteria but which can also |
| to stay away from unwanted worries: | | | | leach into treated water and contaminate it if the unit |
| * Be wary of "free" home water tests. The people | | | | doesn't work properly. For that reason, carbon filter |
| trying to sell you purifying units should not be the | | | | manufacturers are required to give the EPA data |
| ones determining whether your water needs them. | | | | showing that their units don't leach the contaminant |
| Put another way, most "free" tests are part of a | | | | into the water. If the data are approved, a |
| sales gimmick designed to prove" that your water | | | | registration number is granted. The number does not |
| requires treatment. If you want to check the quality | | | | in any way signify anything about the product's ability |
| of your water, ask your local water utility to send | | | | to remove contaminants. |
| you the latest computer printout of test results | | | | * Remember that no one type of unit solves all |
| assessing the public water supply. Either someone | | | | water problems. Some systems filter just a single |
| who works there or state or local health officials can | | | | mineral or two, while others are capable of getting rid |
| help you make sense of the numbers on the sheet. | | | | of all minerals and other foreign matter. By the same |
| If you are still concerned about possible contaminants | | | | token, there is a wide variety of water purifiers |
| after you read the printout or if you obtain your | | | | available, ranging from low-cost filter devices that can |
| water from a private well, you may want to have | | | | be attached to a kitchen faucet to more expensive, |
| your water tested by a private laboratory. In that | | | | complicated systems that treat all water from the |
| case, make sure to deal with the lab yourself, some | | | | point that it enters the home. To obtain reliable |
| fraudulent sellers offer to send water samples to an | | | | information regarding water delivery, the EPA |
| independent laboratory for you and then alter or | | | | recommends that you contact either of two |
| misrepresent the results. | | | | independent, not-for-profit organizations: NSF |
| * Do not deal with sellers who claim that their water | | | | International (formerly the National Sanitation |
| treatment units are government--approved. The | | | | Foundation) or the Water Quality Association. While |
| government does not endorse or approve water | | | | neither one recommends particular brands of |
| treatment units or companies. It's true that the | | | | treatment units, both provide advice and literature |
| Environmental Protection Agency assigns certain | | | | about the industry as a whole as well as about |
| products registration numbers. But those numbers are | | | | specific types of units. |
| not stamps of approval, as some unscrupulous | | | | |