The fact of the matter is that our tap water probably isn't as good as we'd like it to be. River, reservoir and catchment systems are under a lot of stress, since changes in climate, drought and high salinity are affecting them.

Without national standards for quality and safety of drinking water, it's hard to know whether your town or city provides water that's safe for your family. After all, water treatment plants aren't set up to deal with heavy metals and similar materials.

That means that lead, cobalt, cadmium and many other dangerous substances are present in small amounts in many tap water systems. In addition, even if the water is safe when it leaves the plant, it then has to pass through hundred of kilometers of pipe - some of it very old.

Extra contamination often happens along the way, and the appearance, taste, smell, safety and quality overall can be affected. Don't let yourself take quality water for granted.

Tap water contamination can come from industrial sources, agricultural waste, buried contaminants, pipes that are falling apart and others. Even the use of chlorine as a disinfectant can cause taste and smell issues, as well as possible health effects.

Remember that municipal plumbing isn't the only kind that can affect your water - the pipes in your home can, too. While the plumbing in newer homes isn't usually as much of a concern, people living in older houses may find that their pipes can cause a bad smell or taste, or even lead contamination.

Filtering our water at home isn't just an indulgence for the rich and picky. It's a necessity, given how strained our water systems are an how inefficient filtering in public systems can be. If you want to consume your home water confidently, it's time to look into a filter system.

While it might seem like bottled water is a decent substitute for good tap water, think again. Bottled water uses a lot of packaging, is expensive, and is often no better than your home water.

Most bottled water is pulled from municipal water systems, then shipped long distances in chemically unstable plastic containers, making it hazardous and a waste of money. For a lot less money, you can get water that's better than the stuff you'll find in most bottles.

Remember, healthy water is the best health insurance around, and the best way to get it is filtering at home. Lots of companies are offering filtration devices, but not all of them are the same.

If you want to find the filter system that's right for your home, you'll need to pay close attention to your usage, as well as the kind of filtration you need and what sort of substances are in your water. Some types remove only bad tastes and smells, not minerals or other contaminants.

Pick from whole house systems, undersink systems, setups that offer instant cold or boiling water, reverse osmosis filters and much more. Think about checking out a site like H2Only to find out more about all your options and make an informed choice.