Faucet FiltersLocal water quality
Begin by learning as much as possible about your tap water. If you haven’t already received it, contact your local water supplier and ask for the annual water quality report (sometimes called a consumer confidence report).This report lists the levels of contaminants that have been detected in the water andshows how these levels compare with EPA’s drinking water standards.
Some contaminant levels remain constant throughout
the year, while others vary according to season,
weather, or from house to house. For example, lead
typically occurs when it leaches from the lead pipes
and solder that are in some homes. If you are concerned
about a contaminant whose level may vary,
consider getting your water tested (use a certified laboratory
for the most reliable results). Use this information
to help decide on a home water treatment unit.
If your water comes from a household well,EPA recommends annual water testing for nitrates and coliform bacteria.In addition,check with your health department or local water systems that use ground water for information on contaminants of concern in your area.
Armed with this specific information, you can determine your purpose in buying a home water treatment unit: to remove specific contaminants; to take extra precautions because a household member has a compromised immune system; to improve the taste of the water, or some combination of these concerns.