Women Magazine

Benefits of ‘point-of-use’ systems increasingly touted

As consumers become more aware of contaminants in their drinking water, independent organizations are recommending home-based treatment systems as a solution.

Recently, ABC News with Charles Gibson reported on the issue of pharmaceuticals in water supplies. According to the outlet’s Web site, “ABC News asked researchers to test a widely available water filter for the home. They found it greatly reduced the traces of drugs in the water.”

The National Resources Defense Council now provides a guide on choosing home treatment, available at http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/gfilters.asp.

According to the NRDC, “As a general rule, look for filters labeled as meeting NSF/ANSI Standard 53 and that are certified to remove the contaminant(s) of concern in your water.” Under its Gold Seal program, WQA certifies products to NSF/ANSI standards.

NRDC is one of the nation’s most effective environmental action organizations, boasting 1.2 million members and online activists.

The issue of pharmaceuticals in water emerged last spring, following the first of several Associated Press studies. Just last month, AP reported that almost one in six Americans may be affected by pharmaceuticals in their household water.

Filtering systems in the home provide the highest technology available for treatment of drinking water, according to Joseph Harrison, PE, CWS-VI, technical director of WQA. Less than two percent of all water consumed is ingested by humans, making these “point-of-use” systems the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly treatments.

“While utilities are required to meet safety standards set by the US EPA, home filtering systems act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking,” Harrison said. Specific product performance standards have not yet been developed for pharmaceuticals, but many point-of- use technologies have proven effective for some of these emerging contaminants.

With more than 2,500 members, WQA is a not-for-profit alliance of water treatment companies and has become a resource for consumers and public policy makers seeking information about the issue.

WQA offers an online fact sheet with answers to the issue of pharmaceuticals in water, available at wqa.org. WQA has also joined a task force to develop independent testing standards that will be able to tell consumers what devices are successful at removing many of these newly discovered contaminants.

WQA provides WQA Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants. Consumers can learn about different treatment systems and find locally certified dealers by visiting the WQA Web site’s Gold Seal and “Find A Water Professional” features. Among contaminants that products are certified to remove are arsenic, radium, lead, and other elements.

Source: Water Quality Association