Many people today avoid tap water and for good reasons. Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in municipal water systems. Chlorine is a an oxidizing agent which destroys Vitamin E. Since Vitamin E is what protects us against the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effect of free radicals, this is a very important matter. Chemicals from industrial plants (e.g., benzene, PVC, PCB, asbestos, etc.), urea, and nitrates from chemical fertilizers pollute our water. Some of these chemicals combine with the chlorine used by the water treatment plants to form carcinogenic substances such as chloroform and carbon tetra-chloride. There are significant health reasons to avoid chlorine.

Also fluorine is added to most tap water, to reduce tooth decay. Proponents think adding it to water supplies is an inexpensive, excellent way to improve public health. Others fear using this additive. The problem is that the level of fluorine necessary to be effective is not much less then the level that is toxic. Since different people drink different amounts of water, plus many get additional fluorine in toothpaste, dental treatments and rinses, some people get more than the toxic level. We personally prefer to avoid fluorine in the water supply.

Tap water also contains a multitude of drug residues, industrial pollutants and other poisons which we should not be drinking. What are the alternatives? Let us consider the options of small plastic bottles of water, bottled water in water dispensers, charcoal filters and reverse osmosis filters.

Small water bottles are as good was what goes in them. Many of the commercial brands use regular city water which is then filtered. This is rarely a good alternative. It is very convenient, but is a terrible waste of our planets resources, as tremendous amounts of waste is generated in producing all of these billions of plastic bottles. A far better alternative is purchasing stainless steel (preferable) or non BPA containing plastic bottles, and filling them with water from one the other sources we are about to discuss.

Bottled water dispensers, like small water bottles, are only good if the water supplier is good. Here in Colorado we have one excellent supplier, Eldorado Springs. This is a good, but very expensive, option. If you drink lots of water, as you should, this can add up to a fair amount of money. But if you can afford it, it is a good option. If you live outside Colorado, thoroughly check out bottled water companies to see what their source is and how the water is treated. If in any doubt, don't get it.

One good and inexpensive choice is charcoal water filters. Good quality ones will eliminate chlorine and reduce all other pollutants. Specific filters can be chosen to reduce specific pollutants including fluorine. There are many types of charcoal filters, but the common ones sold such as Pur and Britta are not very good. These inexpensive units use powdered coal filters. These work to a degree, but solid carbon block filters work much better. We sell units that use solid carbon blocks made of charcoal by burning coconut shells. These can be either mounted at a faucet (easily self installed) or installed under-sink by a plumber. Also whole house units are available which filter all the water in a house.

Unlike charcoal filters, which allow most minerals to remain in the water (which is good) reverse osmosis filters remove everything. The advantage of this is it fully removes everything - all chemicals, chlorine, fluorine etc. The disadvantages are more expensive cost for the unit, removal of healthful minerals and large amounts of waste water. For every gallon of water filtered, 4-15 gallons go down the drain. This both wastes money and ecologically is a disaster.

On balance, solid carbon block filters are often the best choice considering effectiveness, costs and ecology. If interested you can phone us at 561-562-8965 to get these units from us. Countertop units cost only $77. We also carry a wide range of other types of water filters.