topic Re: Water Safety in Community Chat

Water Safety

Lillyrose — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 08:41:40 GMT

Ever since the cryptosporidium outbreak in my state, I have been drinking only bottled water.

Does anyone use the Brita water filter system? How do you feel about the safety of your drinking water?

I am concerned about bacteria, chlorine, and lead. Not sure what to believe in several articles I have read!

Thank you in advance for any opinions or views. I won't be online again until 8 pm tonight.

Re: Water Safety

JustJazzmom — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 09:03:12 GMT

Those people with compromised immune systems-- HIV positive for example have more to worry if contracting this parasite. The disease will linger longer in those with compromised immune systems.

I use the Brita water filters at my house to remove chlorine in my water (makes the coffee/tea taste terrible with chlorine). My drinking water comes from aquifers and it is safe.

Cryptosporidium parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection. In other words a specific level of chlorine is needed in the water to kill it.

Re: Water Safety

MaggieToo — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 11:37:55 GMT

I have an RO system. But, I take that water and then put it through a Brita filter also.

The water is my area is terrible. I don't trust it at all.

Re: Water Safety

KYToby — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 16:08:21 GMT

I'm not sure Bria is appropriate for bacteriologically -contaminated water. We use one to reduce the chlorine taste in our water.

Re: Water Safety

Lillyrose — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 02:43:13 GMT

Thank you for your responses. I have not been back on my computer for a while. Got so busy with work, Christmas, and grandchildren!

I am going to try Brita and hope for the best. I am tired of the cost and waste of bottled water.

Re: Water Safety

Pqfan — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 02:47:24 GMT

I don't think b r I t a is going to be enough.

Re: Water Safety

raven-blackbird — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 02:49:26 GMT

On 12/30/2014 Pqfan said: I don't think b r I t a is going to be enough.

it won't be...............you need a two filter system, a reverse osmosis is the best for making sure your water is safe............................................raven

Re: Water Safety

Lillyrose — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 03:01:54 GMT

Can a reverse osmosis system be purchased for in home use?

Re: Water Safety

raven-blackbird — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 03:05:33 GMT

On 12/30/2014 Lillyrose said:
Can a reverse osmosis system be purchased for in home use?

sure..............they fit under the sink in the sink base cabinet.........easy to install and you can buy one at any of the big box stores, like Home Depot or Lowes..............................raven

Re: Water Safety

raven-blackbird — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 03:11:15 GMT

this might help you

http://www.purewaterproducts.com/articles/reverse-osmosis-faq

Re: Water Safety

ROMARY — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 03:15:31 GMT

We don't have that problem, so far. I've been using/cooking with bottled purified water because our water was smelling like algae/seaweed for about a month or so. Not any longer. Anyway, OP: Have you researched whether or not boiling your water first before using will solve that problem? My mom used to say that her mom (a hundred plus years ago, more or less) would first boil water before using it.

Re: Water Safety

raven-blackbird — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 04:54:27 GMT

On 12/30/2014 ROMARY 1 said:
We don't have that problem, so far. I've been using/cooking with bottled purified water because our water was smelling like algae/seaweed for about a month or so. Not any longer. Anyway, OP: Have you researched whether or not boiling your water first before using will solve that problem? My mom used to say that her mom (a hundred plus years ago, more or less) would first boil water before using it.

that won't get everything out of the water............unless you captured and condensed the steam to get distilled water............and distilled water isn't all that good for consumption.........plus you wouldn't have everything out of the water, mostly just particulate matter...........................raven

Re: Water Safety

bikerbabe — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 05:00:54 GMT

Brita it will do nothing for bacteria or parasites like Crypto or giardia per the cdc. You need reverse osmosis with a pore size of 1 micron or less

Re: Water Safety

Mominohio — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 05:02:07 GMT

On 12/30/2014 Lillyrose said:
Can a reverse osmosis system be purchased for in home use?

Yes! We have had a system that was in place when we moved here, and it is by Culligan. It has a number of filters inside it (maybe 4? my husband takes care of it so I'm not sure exactly), and we change them about once a year. This system is well over 20 years old, and still going strong. We are on a well with hard water and lots of iron, and with a whole house filter, water softener and this, we have really nice water by the time it reaches the faucets.

Re: Water Safety

Mominohio — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 05:03:45 GMT

Oh, and I'd suggest a Big Berkey water filtering system if you want really clean and safe water. Lots of information and videos available online.

Re: Water Safety

raven-blackbird — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 05:04:05 GMT

On 12/30/2014 mominohio said:
On 12/30/2014 Lillyrose said:
Can a reverse osmosis system be purchased for in home use?

Yes! We have had a system that was in place when we moved here, and it is by Culligan. It has a number of filters inside it (maybe 4? my husband takes care of it so I'm not sure exactly), and we change them about once a year. This system is well over 20 years old, and still going strong. We are on a well with hard water and lots of iron, and with a whole house filter, water softener and this, we have really nice water by the time it reaches the faucets.

do you have a water softener system????????? or a reverse osmosis.............................raven

Re: Water Safety

Mominohio — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 05:06:46 GMT

On 12/30/2014 raven-blackbird said:
On 12/30/2014 mominohio said:
On 12/30/2014 Lillyrose said:
Can a reverse osmosis system be purchased for in home use?

Yes! We have had a system that was in place when we moved here, and it is by Culligan. It has a number of filters inside it (maybe 4? my husband takes care of it so I'm not sure exactly), and we change them about once a year. This system is well over 20 years old, and still going strong. We are on a well with hard water and lots of iron, and with a whole house filter, water softener and this, we have really nice water by the time it reaches the faucets.

do you have a water softener system????????? or a reverse osmosis.............................raven

Both. We have a whole house filter just past the pump, then a water softener and a Reverse osmosis system. The RO is for drinking only, and is stored in it's own tank, separate from the water pressure tank that holds the regular tap water that has been through the softener.

Re: Water Safety

Lillyrose — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 02:45:52 GMT

Thank you so much to everyone for the great ideas. I will definitely check them out and get something more substantial than just Brita.

Sad that I don't trust the water department. There is also radon in our water and they tell us outright on our water bill.

I remember how sick so many people got during the crypto episode.