Home Filtering Systems Provide Best Protection for Drinking Water

Article taken from Water Quality Association's website at http://www.WQA.org.

As news reports about pharmaceuticals in water circulate, here are several facts for consumers to consider (for a PDF version of this fact sheet, click here):

• Filtering systems in the home provide the highest technology available for treatment of drinking water. Less than two percent of all water consumed is ingested by humans, making these “point-of-use” systems the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
• While utilities are required to meet safety standards set by the U.S. EPA, home filtering systems act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking.

While specific product performance standards have not yet been developed for pharmaceuticals, many point-of-use technologies have proven effective for some of these emerging contaminants. Nano-filtration and reverse osmosis systems removed drugs tested by the Colorado School of Mines at full-scale facilities in Arizona and California. Activated carbon, distillation, ozonation, and advanced oxidization have likewise shown promise in removing many of these contaminants. Individual manufacturers can also test products for specific pharmaceuticals if they choose.

According to Utah State University Extension, up to 90 percent of oral drugs can pass through humans unchanged. These often then move through wastewater into streams and groundwater. It is generally cost prohibitive for utilities to use systems such as nano-filtration, long contact activated carbon, and reverse osmosis. However, these top technologies have proven successful at removing many contaminants in home water treatment systems.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, water quality experts are examining other emerging contaminants, such as those found in personal care products and pesticides. These are often referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Home filtering systems have also been proven to treat threats such as lead and mercury.

Click here to read the entire article at WQA.org:  http://www.wqa.org/sitelogic.cfm?ID=2059

Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Provides Healthy Water

Most homes and offices are concerned enough about health and water to consider ways to improve water quality while being ecologically conscientious, and a reverse osmosis water purification system is the perfect solution. Whether you are concerned about contamination in your city water or want to offer your employees a healthier drinking water option, a water cooler using reverse osmosis water purification offers a price-conscious, 99.9% effective water resource.

Reverse osmosis water purification filters not only purify the water but also address issues of color, taste, and odor. While other filtration systems may not address issues such as bacteria, mold, or viruses, reverse osmosis water purification systems filter out all impurities larger than 0.0001 microns. Our bottleless water coolers use reverse osmosis water purification filters that tie directly into an existing water line in your home or office. Because there are no plastic bottles involved, there is no risk of a build of contaminants in the water and no risk of exposure to BPA.

Reverse osmosis water purification works by forcing the water to pass first through a filter than removes dirt, sediment, algae, and other particle contaminants. The water is then forced through carbon filters, which remove additional contaminants such as chlorine and other organic sediment. Finally, the water is passed through the reverse osmosis membrane, which removes the smallest of contaminants, including lead, chemicals, sodium, and other particles.

The reverse osmosis water purification system, in addition to providing deliciously pure and refreshing drinking water, is highly effective at removing sodium from water, making it an ideal filtration system for water needed in photo developing and dark rooms. There are several advantages to choosing a bottleless water cooler....MORE