Weighing Your Drinking Water Options
By Dianna Rossetti
Copley News Service

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. [ARA]

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