Hello jhc1352 and thank you for your question.
It sounds like we are in a similar situation. Last month we moved to
a new house, and while the water is 'safe' the taste was not good, so
I explored the various options available to us to have 'clean tasting'
water. In the end, after weighing up the options I opted for an
'Activated carbon filtration system' in the kitchen, as the kitchen is
where the food is prepared etc. Apart from the additional cost of
having a whole house filtration system, all water that was drawn for
drinking came from the kitchen anyway, and so I decided to have a
single filtration system just in the kitchen.
I am VERY happy with the system, and the quality of the water is
superb. The system delivers water either at room temperature or
chilled, and the whole system cost me about US$140.
In order to help you choose the best system for you (depending on your
budget, and water quality needs)I have listed some sites below which
you should consult to help you make the right decision.
=============================================
"There are over 350 California-certified drinking water treatment
devices. Carbon filters are the most common type of device; typically
sold in the form of counter top, faucet-mount or under counter models.
Other types of technologies available include distillation,
reverse-osmosis, ion-exchange, and ceramic filter. When a manufacturer
claims that a drinking water treatment device will reduce toxic
chemicals or makes other health related performance claims, the device
must be certified by the California Department of Health Services
(CDHS) [Health & Safety Code Section 116830]."
"For more information about residential water treatment devices,
contact the California Department of Health Services, Drinking Water
Program, Certification Unit, at (916) 327-1140 (phone) or
(916)323-0569 (fax), or by mail at P.O. Box 942732, Mail Station 92,
Sacramento, CA 94234-7320."
http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:36SQRZEIPCgC:www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/ps/ddwem/technical/certification/FACTSHEET.html+water+certification+site:www.dhs.cahwnet.gov&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
NOTE: The Department of Health Services in California is concerned
with water quality, and not with 'aesthetics' ie taste.
================================================
NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certification is essential (and
in California, legally required)
"NSF certification means that not only do the products perform as
tested, the product advertisements are also evaluated for accuracy and
truthfulness."
http://www.cyber-nook.com/water/tbl_trea.html
================================================
"Most reputable companies do not spare expense to achieve respectable
NSF ratings. Various states use NSF ratings when regulating home
treatment devices. For example, California requires that all filters
sold in the state must include the filter's NSF rating on the unit,
the packaging, and all related literature related to the filter.
Arizona does not have regulations pertaining to home treatment
devices.
By referring to NSF testing results, householders should be able to
identify the best system for their needs. Free consumer information is
available by contacting: NSF International, P.O. Box 130140, Ann
Arbor, Michigan 48113-0141; 1-800-NSF-MARK."
http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/arroyo/081botle.html
==================================================
To check that the equipment you are considering buying conforms to NSF
specifications, visit the site below and type in the manufacturers
name:
http://www.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/
==================================================
"The law in California and several other states requires that this
information be included as part of the company‘s literature as well as
the ongoing replacement cartridge cost‚ and that a copy be enclosed
with each product."
http://www.aquasana.com/Product_which.cfm
==================================================
The site below gives some excellent advice when considering a home
water treatment system. It is my experience that the 'Activated
carbon filtration system' is a must. We have an Activated carbon
filtration system in our kitchen, and the water taste is excellent, I
can honestly say that it tastes better than some bottled waters.
"Activated Carbon Filtration
Activated carbon filtration is a common treatment to remove offensive
tastes and odor, color, chlorine and volatile organic chemicals,
pesticides and trihalomethanes (a group of suspected carcinogens).
Activated carbon will not remove bacteria, dissolved metals such as
iron, lead, manganese and copper, or chlorides, nitrates and
fluorides."
http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/publications/c819-10c.html
===================================================
To sumarize, here are some things you should consider:
1. What is your budget?
2. What are your water requirements? (do you need drinking water
available throughout the house? or just in certain locations?)
3. Is the system you are considering NSF certified (go here to check:
http://www.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/ )
4. Does the system require professional installation? or can you do it
yourself? or is the installation included in the price (mine was
included in the price)
5. What maintenance is required for the system you are considering?
6. How long is the guarantee for the system.
7. Are spare parts/filters readily available? and are they reasonably
priced?
===================================================
Thank you for your question, and if you have any queries regarding my
answer do not hesitate to ask for a clarification.
Very best regards, and enjoy your excellent tasting water!
THX1138
Search strategy included:
"Home water treatment systems" nsf california
://www.google.com/search?q=+%22Home+water+treatment+systems+%22+nsf+california&hl=pt&lr=&ie=UTF-8&as_qdr=all&start=10&sa=N |
