Environmental Health Issues
Water Filtration

Water filtration systems

Water filters in both the UK and the USA are a big business a billion dollar a year industry, growing by leaps and bounds. 

One of the problems with water filters is understanding whether they are really doing a good job. Trying to evaluate a lab report from a water filter company can be very difficult for the layperson.

To begin with, a filter should be tested for its rated life. If the manufacturers claim that it will work for, say, 1000 gallons,  the tests should be for 1000 gallons and not just 100 g. Filters should be tested at the beginning, middle and end of their life expectancy. Studies have showed that after 75% of a cartridge’s rated life, it can became much less efficient in removing harmful chemicals. Once you purchase a filter, make sure you change the unit regularly Don’t just wait till it clogs up or for the water flow decrease before changing the cartridge. Each morning its a good idea to run the water for a couple of minutes to flush away any toxic build-up that may be in the pipes, before running the water through the filter unit for consumption.

Recently, many states have passed strict guidelines regarding the testing of filters to protect consumers from poor products in some cases having your water tested by a reliable water testing laboratory can be useful. But for most of us extensive testing is over done, expensive and unnecessary.

The major problems In most of our drinking water are chlorine, heavy metals,  and organic chemical compounds. Good filtration systems do an excellent job In removing these harmful substances. In some cases lead and fluoride may be present and should be removed as well. Special cartridges with specific resins can correct these problems and still leave the beneficial elements, like calcium and magnesium In the drinking water for our good health.

Source: - Healthy Water, Martin Fox, PH.