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Water worries? -- The right filtration system may help
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January 11, 1999
Web posted at: 7:14 p.m. EST (0014 GMT)
(CNN) -- The film "A Civil Action" comes amid renewed questioning about the safety of America's water supply. It opened just days after President Clinton announced higher government standards for drinking water.
Based on a true story, the movie highlights a lawsuit brought by residents of a small town in Massachusetts against two major companies accused of polluting the water.
"I think that any time a movie or book like that comes out, it does a good job at raising our consciousness," said Environmental Protection Agency administrator Carol Browner. "It reminds us that there were times in this country when there were very difficult pollution problems. It reminds us of the progress we have made in solving problems. It reminds us we need to stay vigilant."
According the EPA, 87 percent of the nation's drinking water is safe. But for extra insurance against water woes, many are turning to home filtration systems.
"One shouldn't buy a system, a treatment system, blindly," said Joe Cotruvo of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
He said potential problems should be identified, first.
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| The filter on the left is new, the filter on the right is a few months old | |
If tap water simply has a bad taste or odor, a refrigerated water filter will work. The small carbon filter fits into the top of a water pitcher where it traps chlorine, often the cause of bad tastes or smells.
It there is an organic problem, a larger filtration system can be installed in the pipes or on a faucet. This type of filter will also trap bacteria and microorganisms.
A system that boils water to kill harmful organisms is also available.
For quality assurance: read the label, Cortruvo said.
"There is a mark that says 'meets NFS and the particular standard' and it will also give you particular information on the label as to what chemicals or what microorganisms that device has been tested to remove," he said.
From Food & Health Correspondent Holly Firfer