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November 30th, 2008 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Drinking Water Stations - is Water in Water Fountains and Water Coolers Filtered?

Concerns about contaminated drinking water stations or fountains are not unwarranted. Most of the manufacturers do not include appropriate filtration systems. So, you and your co-workers are consuming whatever contaminants are present in the local water supply.

Chlorine and THMs are chemical contaminants present in practically all publicly treated water supplies. Cysts may also be present at any time, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Lead is a problem in a number of cities, particularly those with older infrastructures. Herbicides and pesticides are big problems in Maryland and the "Corn Belt".

Benzene and other cancer-causing chemicals are present throughout the world. Perchlorate, a VOC and endocrine disruptor, has been found during independent testing in sites throughout the US. MTBE is a problem in many areas, due to seepage from underground gasoline storage tanks. MTBE is probably not a carcinogen, but it ruins the taste and smell of the water.

You might believe that the five gallon jugs are a good alternative to contaminated drinking water stations, but testing by public safety groups found that most of those jugs leach BPA into the water stored in them. BPA is another endocrine disruptor. You might like to know what endocrine disruptors are.

They are chemicals that act like hormones within the human body; they interfere with the body's natural production of hormones. Most of them have been proven to heighten a person's risk of cancer. Recent studies indicate that they may be part of the the obesity epidemic. BPAs are prevalent in the environment, in processed foods, and in bottled water.

The best alternative to contaminated drinking water stations is an effective purification system that can be installed on any faucet in the building. To guarantee protection, check the product performance data. The information should include the type of contaminant that is reduced as well as the extent of reduction. The list should look something like this:

THM reduction; 99% or more

Chlorine reduction; 99.99% or more

Cyst reduction; 99% or more

Lead reduction; 99% or more

Benzene, MTB, and VOCs should also be on the list as should common herbicides and pesticides such as lindane, alachlor, and atrazine. Filters should be changed regularly, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

There's no need to worry about contaminated drinking water stations if you install an effective purifier. Purifiers are a more affordable option than supplying bottled water to all the employees. According to estimates from the Environmental Working Group, a family of four saves over $1000 per year by installing a purifier and giving up bottled water.

If you have a large work staff, imagine how much you could save. You can avoid the risk of contaminated drinking water stations and save money too. What could be better?

About the Author

Zach Zimmerman has been researching water purification methods for several years. Visit his webpage Natural Purified Water to discover how to select the very best water filtration system for your home or office. Invest in your health and buy a home water filter, but make sure you make it a good one.

Station Instructions