Safe Drinking Water
(Page 3 of 6)
June/July 2003
By Lynn Keiley
Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are microscopic protozoa that are carried into water supplies from animal fecal material, too. Typical symptoms of infection include severe diarrhea, nausea, fever, headache, vomiting and loss of appetite.
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These organisms are rarely a problem with respect to private water supplies fed from underground water sources, because rocks and soil naturally filter out the eggs (called oocysts ) as the surface water percolates down through the ground. Most often, outbreaks of these organisms occur in municipal water supplies sourced from surface waters such as lakes and rivers. Shallow springs and poorly constructed wells also are vulnerable to protozoa infection.
FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION
The good news is that for most of us, the solution to our water problems is simple: An inexpensive carbon filter can improve taste, and can remove chlorine and other common organic contaminants. If you suspect you may have a more serious problem, be sure to have your water tested. People on private systems should have their water tested at least yearly for bacteria and nitrates.
Once you've determined what contaminants you need to remove, choose a filter that meets your needs. Many manufacturers have their water treatment products tested by the National Sanitation Foundation, a nonprofit organization that tests water treatment devices to ensure they remove the toxicants their makers claim they do.
Whatever system you choose, be sure to maintain it according to the manufacturer's directions. Poorly operating filters may cause more problems than they solve.
Here's our rundown of the common types of water treatment systems you'll find on the market. Look for these products in hardware stores and home-improvement centers, or also online. You'll find a particularly good selection of filters at www.realgoods.com.
ACTIVATED CARBON
If you simply want to improve the taste of your water by removing chlorine and its byproducts, an activated-carbon pour-through carafe or faucet-mounted filter may be all you need. Some carbon filters also will remove lead, asbestos, cysts, solvents, gasoline and pesticides. Extremely porous with a large surface area, activated-carbon filters work by adsorption: As the water passes through the filter, contaminants bind to the surface of the carbon. The carbon also chemically converts chlorine into safer chloride and hydrogen ions.
In carafes, water flows from the upper chamber through a carbon filter and into a serving pitcher. Faucet-mounted units screw directly onto the faucet—a turn of the valve diverts water into the filter when drinking water is needed, then back through the faucet for washing dishes and filling buckets.
Priced between about $10 and $40, activated-carbon devices are the least expensive option for home-water treatment—although you can expect to pay up to twice that initial investment annually for replacement cartridges.
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