Is drinking water safe where a person lives? Is the available water safe where a person travels in their RV? Having safe drinking water available is an important health consideration for every homeowner and traveler. No one can be sure of the quality of water coming out of a faucet. Purchasing a water filtering system is one way to be safe. There are systems for whole houses and there are systems that are portable for use when traveling.
Small Water Filters
One way to get safe water at home and when traveling is to get a small water filter such as Travel Berkey This is a good solution for people who cannot afford a whole-house water filtering system and, since it is portable, it can be taken with a family as they travel serving a dual purpose. Water filters that filter contaminants out of water can be as small as one and one-half gallons and still serve a home. The user just has to put water in every time they take water out.
Why Are Water filters Needed?
The water that comes out of America’s taps is not always as pure as everyone would like it to be. The water travels through miles of old pipes and systems before reaching home faucets. It may contain a number of unhealthy contaminants such as lead, arsenic, iron, forever chemicals, organic matter, and minerals. A water filter gets rid of many of those substances to deliver safer water to drink or cook with.
By getting rid of contaminants, water filters also improve the smell and taste of water. Every person should be drinking more water to stay hydrated and for general health. If the water tastes better, it is more likely to be consumed. Though most municipalities offer safe water, using a water filter offers one more layer of filtering for safety.
What Types of Water Filters Are Available?
Water filters or water filtering systems come in different sizes and types. There are water filter pitchers kept in the refrigerator, under-sink water filters, and whole-house water filter systems. One thing they all have in common is that the filters need to be replaced periodically. Water filtering systems are offered by many manufacturers, and some work better than others. It is important to check ratings for different water filters and to make sure they meet NSF/ANSI standards.
Some water filters use charcoal to get rid of impurities. The charcoal is in the removable filters and removes impurities as they pass through the filter. Other water filter systems use reverse osmosis or a multi-layered process to remove water impurities. The charcoal filters leave behind good minerals while the reverse osmosis filters remove both good and bad minerals.
Is a Water filter Needed?
Not all water needs to be filtered, and homeowners can have the water tested to determine what chemicals and contaminants are present and at what levels. The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, offers information on water testing in the home. Water testing kits tell the homeowner what is in their water. Once a person knows what is in their water, they can shop for the type and brand of water filter that lists those contaminants as ones they remove.
Water filters do not all remove the same substances from water. The more contaminants a filter will remove, the more costly it can be. A homeowner does not need to spend extra money on a filter that removes chemicals that are not present in their water. No matter which water filter is purchased, the homeowner must read directions and maintain the device properly, including changing filters on schedule.
