The Truth About Tap Water Filtration Systems

Tap water filtration systems can provide gallons of purity at a cost that is far less than buying bottled water to drink. But, if you buy the wrong system, it might just be a waste of money.

In the US, about 15% of all homeowners have a private well. The rest are serviced by a public provider. Well owners must have testing conducted to determine their purification needs. The rest of us need a multi-stage selective purifier that removes chlorine, disinfection byproducts commonly referred to as THMs, lead, cysts and traces of other chemical contaminants like bug spray and weed killer.

Reverse osmosis might be necessary for a well-owner. But, the rest of us do not need tap water filtration systems that include that step. It does not provide effective contaminant removal, but it does drive the price up...astronomically.

For example an under the counter unit that reduces the contaminants mentioned above and includes a reverse osmosis step costs nearly $800, four times as much as a system that includes a submicron filter. The submicron filter insures cyst removal, as does RO, but it costs far less.

With an ion exchange step, traces of lead and copper can be reduced by more than 99%. RO only reduces lead to the federal action level. If the lead content in your home's water exceeds the federal action level, your treatment facility should notify you and testing should be conducted regularly. If the public supplier or their pipelines are not to blame, you may have to replace the plumbing in your home. Most people only have small traces of lead and copper and RO won't trap them.

So, you don't need RO, but you don't want to buy one of the cheap tap water filtration systems, either. There are many products on the market and most of them only remove chlorine, when the big problem is actually THM.

THMs or trihalomethanes are chemical compounds that are created when chlorine and other disinfectants react with bacteria, algae and other water-life. They are known carcinogens. It was believed that the amount present in publicly treated supplies was safe for human consumption.

We have learned that the formula used to calculate those maximum safe levels was flawed in several ways. First, the scientists had to estimate what would be toxic to a 175 pound adult. So, those who weigh less are still at risk. Then, they assumed that the only exposure was through drinking. Researchers have now shown that exposure occurs when showering, as the chemicals are inhaled and absorbed through the skin.

So, you need tap water filtration systems that reduce THMs in your kitchen and in your shower. Additionally, the maximum contamination levels are only accurate if only one chemical is present at any one time. There are some 75,000 different chemical compounds in our water supplies.

That's why we should all have effective tap water filtration systems. We just don't have to pay a fortune for them.