| 4 things you can do to protect your drinking water
(BPT)
- Water is something many of us tend to devote little time thinking
about, not because it is unimportant but because we take our clean, safe
drinking water for granted. That is, until something occurs that shifts
our focus and shows us how potentially fragile our water infrastructure
really is.
News
headlines from across North America have brought the threat of poor
drinking water to the forefront and caused many people to be curious
about their own water. Research from Culligan International shows that
75 percent of survey respondents said they were worried about the water
they drink, while 73 percent had never had their water tested.
“For years we’ve taken the safety of our water for granted,” says Rick Cook, manager of industry and regulatory affairs for Culligan.
“But our aging infrastructure has heightened the risks of harmful
impurities such as lead and iron contaminating our water supply.”
Preserving
safe drinking water is not something that can be left to chance. To
protect yourself and your family and to ensure the water running in your
home is safe to drink, Cook offers these tips.
* Know where water contamination can occur.
Water impurities are not just limited to the water source. They can
also occur in the distribution system. While many naturally occurring
chemicals and impurities can be filtered at the source, it’s still
possible for unsafe amounts of lead to enter your water. These issues
are more common in older homes — those built before 1986 — which
commonly feature lead pipes and fixtures.
* Educate yourself on the filtration system currently in place at your home.
Water treatment solutions, including water softeners, reverse osmosis
systems and specialty filters, can eliminate specific impurities in your
water. However, charcoal pitchers and refrigerator cartridges cannot.
* Pay attention to the warning signs.
Corroded plumbing fixtures, unpleasant odors, disagreeable taste,
discolored water and even shortened appliance lifespan are all signs
that something is wrong with your water. If you notice any or all of
these occurring in your home, it's time to get your water tested.
* Schedule a test to identify impurities in your water.
Because water contamination can happen unexpectedly, through a
municipality, your own well or your own pipes, it’s important to have
your water tested by a water expert who can determine what harmful
impurities — if any — are present and how to eliminate them. While
testing can be done at any time, Culligan recommends scheduling a water
test after you move into a new house, if you have appliances that are
burning out or if you notice a change in the taste, odor or appearance
of your water. If you have well water you should also have it tested
whenever the water becomes cloudy or changes in taste or smell.
For more information about Culligan water treatment products, or to find your local Culligan representative, visit culligan.com.
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