Drug Medical Information

CLEANING UP YOUR ACT: BUILDING A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS

There are several things you can try before spending twenty to thirty dollars a month for a bottled substitute. Homeowners who don't like the taste of their water, worry about what's coming out of their faucets, or have quality concerns, should find out what impurities lurk in their water supply. If served by a public system, call the water department to get a copy of the latest analysis report. If you're supplied by a well on your property, get an independent laboratory analysis.
ConsumerReports advises boiling your tap water for twenty minutes to get rid of bacteria. Since chlorine is a gas that dissipates, letting water sit out for a time in an open container sometimes helps. When it comes to chemicals, filters that attach to the end of your faucet are not a good buy for they may give you a false sense of security. Most experts consider those devices ineffective.
A more sophisticated reverse osmosis purifier runs between four and six hundred dollars. Before investing in any costly filtration systems, request information from the Environmental Protection Agency, Washingtoa DC. 20460. Check out Consumer Reports' magazine rating of available brands. If you're on a tight budget, you can build a system with a supply of granulated activated carbon, a large funnel, some coffee filter papers and a container to collect the filtered water. For complete directions, check out Carol Keough's book, Water Fit to Drink.

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