You drink it, shower with it, rely on it for cooking and cleaning. So shouldn’t your water be as safe and clean as possible? Ideally, it would be. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, as pointed out in a new guide to water filtration systems from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). “There hasn’t been much improvement in removing contaminants from municipal water supplies,” says Paul Pestano, a research analyst with EWG. His group’s report aims to help consumers find the best water filters that reliably protect against various contaminants. Not sure what’s lurking in your water? Consider the following: Treating H2O might make it worse. To keep water clear of bacteria, water-treatment plants use either chlorine or a compound called chloramine. Unfortunately, those chemicals react with organic matter in the water (like dead leaves or dirt) and form potentially toxic by-products that have been linked to bladder and liver cancer. The devil is in the unknown details. In recent years, several news reports and studies have highlighted presence of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals from consumer goods in our water supplies. While they’re typically present in low levels, these “emerging contaminants” are rarely tested for. Bottled is no better. Surprise! Around 50% of bottled water is sourced from local water utilities. And even when bottled water is sourced from springs or other “natural” settings, Pestano says, companies are tight-lipped about which contaminants they test for and which filters they use to remove them. Fortunately, there is good news. The US boasts one of the safest supplies of drinking water in the world, and if you do your research, you can remove the freakiest stuff floating in your H2O. Here’s how: Call your local water utility. They’re required by law to send water quality reports to customers on an annual basis. The report will detail the contaminants that may exist in your water, and at what levels. Check with EWG. After you’ve got your water quality report, search the EWG database for a filter that removes the pertinent contaminants. Their guide includes filters that have been certified by agencies with the strictest standards for water filtration effectiveness. Or go it alone. Reverse-osmosis filters are the most effective at removing the widest variety of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and consumer-product chemicals, says Pestano. They’re also pricey and need plenty of maintenance, so you might want to consider a regular carbon filter instead. It’ll remove chlorine and disinfection by-products. Replace regularly. All filters contain some material that traps contaminants, and that material becomes less effective over time. Older filters also start to build up bacteria, which can lead to illness. Check the labels on your particular filter to find out when it needs replacement. More from Prevention: 4 Reasons You Need A Water Diet Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team.
