Two Frightening Facts Regarding Public H2O That Make a Home Water Filtration System a Smart Idea.

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By: Rich Eng

What is the purpose of a home water filter system? Why should we fret if the majority of us are using the service of a public treatment facility? Keep reading.

When it comes to public water filtration systems, their performance is limited as to what it can do. These are measures taken to prevent us from getting serious ailments, such as typhoid. They remove dirt and mud, as well as harmful contaminates, such as raw sewage and dead animals that might happen to drown in the water supply. Heavy metals, rocks and a lot of minerals was removed by them.

They test the water to make sure that the level of contaminants is not, or should not be, toxic. Since there are problems in the public water supply that are not corrected by the system's filtering system, additional measures must be taken at the tap.

First, most of them use chemicals to kill bacteria and to provide disinfection. Chlorine is most common, but others may be used. Dangerous by-products can result from the chemicals used to disinfect the water. Chlorine produces by-products called THMs. These chemicals are known to lead to cancer. That means they cause cancer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, carcinogenic trihalomethanes (THMs) must not be present in an amount exceeding 80 parts per billion. THMs are considered hazardous to your health above that level, due to their potential to bring about nerve damage and other disorders. You see, the public water filtration system cannot remove the by-products. All they are able to do is check the water for levels that exceed normal.

That raises another issue. If our public officials say something is good that they have tested and determined to be good, doesn't mean that is always the truth. It's easy to assume that the water is safe when it enters your home, because it's been tested before leaving the water processing facility.

This level may be termed "safe", but there are a few other facts that need to be considered. If your weight is less the 175 pounds, there is a threat of greater toxic levels.

Toxic levels are greater in individuals who weigh less than 175 pounds.
Also, in order to pass the tests, instances of incorrect reporting have been observed, even though most facilities are performing their jobs fittingly. Third, the test may underestimate the levels of by-products in your tap water because the water may pick up additional impurities before it enters your home plumbing system.

Frightening? If you have children, it is nearly impossible to function without a water filtration system at the point of use, one that will remove chlorine and block THms. But, you have to shop carefully, because some are advertised as purifiers, when all that they do is block chlorine and odor. There would be no protection from THMs in that case.

You should always request certifications and ask about other industry standards when searching for a water filtration system. Better companies have certifictation done, but it is not necessary. A data sheet listing THMs and other pollutants, such as VOCs and cysts, is also required. Although the names may not be familiar to you, pestisides and herbisides should also be listed. In the U.S. the most common ones will be lindane and benzene. A system that removes everything will give you more value for your money. There are only a few that do the whole job.

Hopefully, this has helped you understand what an in-home water filtration system should do and why you need one. Have fun selecting a product!

Information about the Author:

Rich Eng serves as the leader of a high growth healthcare services business for a Fortune 500 company. A 20 year industry veteran and "holistic health and fitness" coach, he constantly researches better ways to improve one's mind, body and spirit. Visit his site at www.clean-filtered-water.com to learn more about the drinking water filters he personally uses and why he chose this product after extensive research.

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