Choosing a Water Treatment System

Water. This precious commodity is in the news a lot these days. Water shortages, concern about the quality and safety of water for drinking and increased awareness of the health benefits of water have generated a greater interest in home water treatment systems. Unfortunately, the increased attention on water safety serves as an invitation for con artists and unscrupulous sellers who use deception and scare tactics when selling home water treatment equipment. Rather than selling a water treatment system on its merits, some companies choose to prey on the public’s fears that the water isn’t safe. Water treatment devices or systems may be referred to as water purifiers, filtration systems or water conditioners which adds to consumer confusion about what type of system will best meet their needs.

No tap water is 100 percent pure, yet the presence of minerals alone does not make water unhealthy for drinking. You may need to have your water tested for contaminants, especially if you are not on a public water system. Water treatment systems can be purchased to improve the taste and color of tap water, reduce water hardness and remove contaminants. The selection of a system will depend on the water quality issues you are trying to address. Some systems treat water only at the point of use, such as a faucet-mounted or refrigerator water-line filter. These are especially good at removing taste and odor problems. Other systems are designed to treat all of the water used in the home and might be a better choice for contamination or water hardness problems. Look for products and companies that are rated by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or the Water Quality Association (WQA) for performance. These ratings will tell you if the product you are buying will address your specific water quality problem.

If you have concerns that your drinking water is unsafe and you are on a public water system, contact your local water system officials. Check your water bill for a contact number. Ask for the latest complete analysis of the water and what the results mean. If you have a well, your local health department can test your water or tell you where to send it for testing. If you still want to have other tests done on your water, there are several options. For a bacterial test, contact your county health department. The fee for a bacterial test ranges from $10 to $50. To test for chemical contamination, contact your local water system or a certified laboratory. Private testing laboratories are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book; make sure the state health department certifies them. Tests for chemical contaminants range from $10 to several hundred dollars.

Contact Extension to Learn More
Learn more about choosing a drinking water treatment system. Ask your local Cooperative Extension Center for these brochures: Home Drinking Water Systems (FCS-419), Questions to Ask When Purchasing Water Treatment Equipment (AG 473-3) and Protect Yourself When Purchasing a Water Treatment System (FCS 418). These brochures and more drinking water quality information are also online at http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/drwtr.html.