The Filtered Files - Filters Fast

Water Testing Kits….I Drink Tap Water! Is it Safe?

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Image Courtesy of WellnessAwareness.Info

 

After being overwhelmed with fancy bottled water at every turn, my family still chooses to drink tap water.  The decision was reached from a financial and environmental standpoint, as well as basic convenience.  After realizing the impact that disposable water bottles are having on the environment, and learning that the average American family spends nearly $100/ year, per person on those bottles and knowing that I can walk to my kitchen faucet for free, it was really a no-brainer for us.

These days, when you admit to drinking tap water, you must be ready to defend yourself.  In addition to the common sense aspects mentioned above, you must also know indisputably that your water is clean and healthy.  Contaminates in drinking water are no joke.  Our first priority should always be to keep our families safe.  One thing we can do is determine what exactly is coming out of your tap.  The easiest way to accomplish this is with a home Water Testing Kit.

There are a variety of kits to choose from. No expensive equipment is required and they are generally easy to use and provide quick results. Some kits are specific to either city water or well water. Some are all-inclusive meaning thtest-kit-lg-plainat they test across the board for the most common contaminates including bacteria, lead, chlorine, other chemicals, minerals and pesticides.  These are a good place to start if you have no idea what type of water you have in your home.  An example of this type of kit is the Watersafe All-in-One Drinking Water Test Kit.

Then there are kits that are specific to particular contaminates.  For example, it may only test for bacteria or pesticides or metals etc.  Examples of these types of kits would be:

These are only a few options available on FiltersFast.com, where you will find a wide variety of testing methods and kits.

Determining if your home drinking water is safe is a priority.  After testing with an approved kit, never fear if contaminates are present.  You can still have your tap water and drink it too, simply invest in an easy to install, faucet mount water filter.  One highly recommended product is the PUR 3 Stage Faucet Water Filter System. This filter removes or reducePUR-FM-9100B-Faucet-Filter-Mounts lead, mercury, sediment, dirt, microbial cysts such as cryptosporidium and giardia, the bad taste and odor of chlorine, and numerous other harmful impurities and contaminants.  In addition to this product, there are countless other options available, as well as other water filtration methods available on FiltersFast.com.

The take away is this; don’t be afraid to drink your tap water.  Be proud to drink it!  The money savings, the environmental impact, the hassle of dealing with a ton of plastic bottles… the list goes on.  But, do be smart about it.  Test your water with an at home drinking water testing kit.  They are inexpensive, easy to use and will provide peace of mind which is priceless.

Please visit FilterFast.com to find all of your water testing supplies and for water filtration needs.

 

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Earth Day: Help the Environment and Go Reusable!

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IMAGE CREDIT: oliveventures.com

On April 22, 2014 the world will celebrate Earth Day, an annual day in which various events are held around the world to show support for environmental protection. One of the best ways you can protect the environment is by going reusable. Many have switched to using reusable bags and more, but what about making the switch to reusable water bottles? I may be preaching to the choir, but there are serious disadvantages to drinking bottled water. Reusable water bottles are more environmentally friendly and save you the long-term cost of paying extra money for plastic water bottles. There are three main reasons for you to start (or continue) using reusable water bottles.

Reduce waste: Did you know that the materials used to package bottled water takes hundreds of years to bio-degrade? It is believed that more than 80% of all plastic water bottles are simply thrown away and becomes litter. An estimated 2 million tons of discarded water bottles clog our nation’s landfills.

Save Money: The above graphic says it all when it comes to saving money. We pay much more for bottled water than we do for tap water. You are paying around 5 cents an ounce (when you consider the price per ounces in the average plastic water bottle) versus about a cent per gallon for tap water. Regardless of claims, the regulations surrounding plastic water bottles are less stringent than the regulations surrounding your local water supplier. The US public water system is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which requires numerous daily tests for toxins and bacteria.

Be Healthier: Many plastic water bottles contain BPA (Bisphenol A) which studies have shown to be harmful to your health. It has been connected to cancer and hormonal issues. By switching to a reusable BPA-free water bottle, such as the Klean Kanteen water bottle, you are keeping your body protected from the harmful effects of BPA.

Many do not drink tap water because they question its safety or don’t like its taste. While these are concerns are understandable, there are solutions to this problem.

If you are weary about the taste or smell of tap water, carbon filters are the way to go. By reducing harmful bacteria and odors, you are left with filtered water that is free of smells, bad taste and chlorine. By installing a carbon filter inside your home (or even replacing your refrigerator water filter) you are reducing the amount of possible contaminates in your water supply and reducing bad taste and odor as well.

Stainless Steel Bottle

Reliable construction. Great fit for your house!

So are you ready to make the switch? If so, we suggest the Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel water bottle. Made from BPA free, food-grade stainless steel, this is an ideal alternative to bottled water. One of the best features of the Klean Kanteen bottles is found in its construction. These stainless water bottles will not impart or retain any odors or flavors. Unlike many plastic water bottles, the Klean Kanteen will not leech harmful chemicals into your drink. This water bottle is 100% recyclable, dishwasher safe, and is available in many sizes such as a 27 oz. capacity (pictured).

If you have already made the switch to reusable water bottles, congratulations! Urge your friends to do the same and drop the bottle! We offer a wide selection of reusable water bottles such as Vapur water bottles, and Brita water bottles. Browse through and choose which you prefer. In honor of Earth Day, let’s make an effort to go reusable! What is your favorite reusable water bottle? Don’t be shy and let us know in the comments below.

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