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Water filters are used to purify water from sediment and toxic elements. Filtration is an exercise that has been applauded and recommended by the United States Federal Regulations. Water filters have moved from just being commercial products but domestic products as well. Home water filtration is a common method of water purification that is currently gaining steady popularity among Americans. Many homes have identified water filtering companies that offer valuable information on the use and maintenance of domestic filters.
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, bottled water has been subjected to thorough inspections. The United States Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) has toiled to ensure safety and hygiene of water consumed. The regulations put in place by the United States Food and Drug and Drug Administration (FDA) have equally ensured that the deceptive brand names of bottled water deliver the quality they advertise in the media. The trustworthiness of bottled water has been at the centre of controversy. The regulatory viewpoint has been to avail a standardized product that is pure and free from lead and chlorine.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established recommended standards that ensure water free from microbial and chemical contamination. The safest recommended production practices maintain that water is sampled and sanitized. It is thus advisable to choose the best methods of water treatment that assure the consumers of safety and good health. On health issues, one cannot gamble. There have been occasions when bottled water was inspected and found to contain mold, benzene and even algae.
Water filters are more economical on a per gallon billing than bottled water. The annual average cost of buying bottled water is relatively more expensive compared to the cost of acquiring and maintaining water filters. This is because most water filters only require changing every one to two months for the average family. Picking on filtering ones own water is a step towards a healthy body and long life. At the convenience of home, one is able to meet the desired quality of water, free from chloride impurities. Additionally, the chemical content does not change with filtration.
Water as a beverage must be exposed to stricter quality measures that will deliver the required purity and freshness. Research conducted indicates that much of the water that is availed to consumers by the bottling companies is drawn from municipal sources. This water is later sold to the unsuspecting consumers posing a health hazard. The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has encouraged consumers to practice the use of domestic water filtration. The organization has also put stringent Model Codes that are applicable in some regions.
The environmental influence that consumption of bottled water exerts on the environment is distressing. More than sixty million plastic containers are dumped in the United States everyday. The plastic manufacturing companies emit bad waste materials that facilitate the green house effect. Bottled water cannot stand the test of time that filtered water has exhibited. Although bottled water is readily available, the filtered water is nature friendly and the quality for good health.
Between bottled water and tap water made to pass through drinking water filters, you will almost certainly opt for bottled water. After all, you need not worry about selection, installation, and maintenance of the filters; you can just call the bottled water company and have them deliver to your doorstep the gallons of water you need. And if you want to take it to the next level of luxury in water, you can even have Berg, Evian, Tasmanian Rain and Cloud Juice delivered to you! Now that is epicurean water at its best!
However, these top-of-the-line bottled water brands cost more than your pretty penny. If you are feeling the effects of recession (and very few people are not affected), then drinking water filters are the best solutions for you.
Long-Term Commitment
You will initially spend a few hundred dollars on high-end drinking water filters, the amount of which is lesser for medium-range lines. Depending on the model and capacity, you can reasonably expect five years of use and thousands of gallons before you have to replace the entire filtration system.
On the other hand, bottled water has to be constantly delivered to your house. You will be spending thousands of dollars during the same five year period, which would include rentals on the water dispensers.
For example, your household uses 25 gallons of drinking water a week. If you buy bottled water at $1.50 a gallon, you will be spending at least $9,750 in five years. If you buy filters at about $350, you will be spending around $700 over the same five year period, including replacement of filters!
If you are committed to providing safe drinking water for your family over the long-term, drinking water filters are more economical.
Environmental Concerns
Most bottled water come in disposable containers. You will probably see tons of them in your neighborhood recycling center, which is just the tip of the iceberg where disposed bottled water containers are concerned. What you do not see are the thousands more of plastic containers that do not get the benefit of recycling.
You can just imagine the financial and environmental costs non-biodegradable plastic containers exact on governments and the planet. It might not affect you in the near future but toxic seepage from dumps can enter the water system in your state, subsequently affecting your health. Cliche as it may sound, water does come full circle.
Additives Issues
Admittedly, all water contain impurities and contaminants. Even if you do have the best quality drinking water filters installed in your house, there will be impurities present. And this goes for bottled water, too!
The difference nowadays between bottled water and tap water lies in the additives present in bottled water. Vitamins, minerals, herbs, fruit flavors, even corn syrup are just a few of the additives added that result in the dizzying array of bottled water - sports drinks, carbonated water, mineral water, spring water, fitness water, and glacier water, to name but a few. But how safe are they? You might just find yourself spending on hospital bills, which are yet another added cost.
Ultimately, your choice for drinking water filters should boil down to economy, environment, and enjoyment.