Bottled water was at one time considered to be a better, safer choice than water straight out of the tap because of contaminants in our water supply. According to an article by the Environmental Working Group on Sept. 22, 2013 the International Bottled Water Association says people are drinking ever more bottled water. The amount increased from 9.1 billion gallons in 2011 to 9.67 billion gallons in 2012.
But recent reports have revealed that bottled water is not necessarily cleaner. Added to this disillusioning fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has reported that the enormous number of empty water bottles are posing a health hazard of epic proportions.
EWG said that only about 29 percent of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and jars were put into recycling bins in 2011. The other 71 percent went into landfills. And Oceana, an international ocean conservation group, said that 1.6 billion pounds of plastic pollute the seas each year.
EWG encourages everyone to stop buying bottled water. Use some of the money you'll save to use a good water filter and buy a reusable water bottle.
On March 4, 2013, research analyst Paul Pestano reported on the Environmental Working Group website that of 201 water utilities, all were providing water containing chemicals known as trihalomethanes.
Trihalomethanes have been linked with many serious health issues including bladder cancer. Chloroform, considered likely to be a human carcinogen, is one of these chemicals.
Chlorine is added to water to kill bacteria. Unfortunately it also creates trihalomethanes when combined with rotting organic matter. Farm runoff, dead leaves, bugs and sewage are some types of this organic matter.
EWG maintains that while the EPA has regulations for trihalomethanes, there should be more restrictions.
Your water contaminants may not be the same as someone else's. You can learn what many of the contaminants in your water are by checking your water utility's annual water quality report. It might be called a Consumer Confidence Report, a Drinking Water Quality Report, or a Water Quality Report.
Utilities are required to send out the report in the mail, by July 1 each year. You can request a report by phone or mail, or check it out on a utility's website.
A water filter can help protect you from these chemicals. The Environmental Working Group offers a Water Filter Buying Guide that includes 137 water filters.
EWG said that the most effective economical walter filters use activated carbon which eliminates many contaminants including chlorine, lead and trihalomethanes.
Reverse osmosis in combination with activated carbon is the most expensive type but is best if you have high pollution in your water, according to EWG. The best ones will also remove arsenic, hexavalent chromium, nitrates and perchlorate.
Pitcher filters are good options, as are filters mounted on your faucet. However, the most effective alternatives are added onto your existing plumbing.
Sources:
Five Reasons to Skip Bottled Water: No Waste Wednesday: Be Part of the Plastics Pollution Solution. EWG.org. Retrieved Sept. 29, 2013.
http://www.ewg.org/research/ewgs-water-week/no-waste-wednesday-be-part-p...
Finding A Water Filter That Works For You. EWG.org. Retrieved Sept. 29, 2013.
http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2013/03/finding-water-filter-works-you
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN A WATER FILTER? EWG.org. Retrieved Sept. 29, 2013.
http://www.ewg.org/report/ewgs-water-filter-buying-guide
Visit Jody's website at http://www.ncubator.ca
Reviewed September 30, 2013
by MIchele Blacksberg RN