Weighing Your Drinking Water Options
Americans are more conscious
of clean and healthy drinking water than ever before.
A 2004 Gallup Study on Water Quality shows that one
in three households “have serious concerns about
the quality and healthfulness of their tap water.”
So it’s no surprise that the percentage of Americans
who own a water filtration system is at an all-time
high of 36 percent and monthly expenditures for bottled
water are up nearly 50 percent since 2002.
Consumers have more options than ever when choosing
a source of drinking water that best meets their needs
and budget. From end-of-faucet filters to bottled
water to filter pitchers, there are a variety of tap
water alternatives that vary in cost, convenience
and filtration quality.
End-of-Faucet Filters: The most
cost-effective option offering the best quality in
filtration is the end-of-faucet water filter. A variety
of end-of-faucets filters are available in price ranges
for every budget. One of the newest technologies,
the Waterpik Instapure water filter, reduces 53 contaminants
that can be found in tap water as well as aesthetic
chlorine taste and odor and rust, sand and sediment.
End-of-faucet water filters
are easy to install within minutes and provide the
ultimate in kitchen convenience; the filter lasts
for 100 gallons or up to three months of average use.
Changing the filter a few times each year is simple
and inexpensive. End-of-faucet filters are an easy
and convenient way to ensure everyone in the household
is drinking clean and healthy water. When shopping
for an end-of-faucet water filter, be sure to look
for NSF certification and compare the number of contaminants
that each filter reduces. For more information about
the Instapure water filter by Waterpik, visit www.waterpik.com.
Filter Pitchers: Water filter
pitchers are easy to use for consumers concerned about
their tap water quality, however pitchers typically
reduce a minimal number of contaminants. Filter pitchers
also need your daily attention since you get filtered
water only if you remember to fill up the pitcher
and place it in the refrigerator. Filter pitchers
hold approximately two to three quarts of water and
need a filter replacement after 35 gallons or approximately
one month of use. Although filter pitchers are not
the most cost-effective filtration option, nearly
11 percent of Americans report using a pitcher, according
to the Gallup Study.
Bottled Water: The number one
reason Americans report buying bottled water is because
they believe their tap water has unpleasant smell
or taste. Bottled water also offers on-the-go convenience.
However, bottled water is not necessarily more healthful
than your tap water. Some bottled waters are actually
unfiltered spring water. Other bottled water brands
are simply filtered tap water.
Bottled water is monitored by
the Food and Drug Administration, rather than by the
Environmental Protection Agency, and contaminant levels
in bottled water are set at different standards than
for tap water and are not publicly tested and announced.
Bottled water is also the most expensive tap water
alternative and can cost hundreds of dollars annually.
For serious health-conscious shoppers, an end-of-faucet
water filter is a much more cost-effective and guaranteed
high-quality filtration option for long-term use.
When weighing your drinking
water options remember to consider key factors including
filtration quality, convenience, initial cost and
ongoing costs. Regardless of which drinking water
option works best for your needs, it is always best
to research the products available to ensure you are
getting the best quality for your money.
