The Water Jug (910) 270-9029

Topsail Voice Editorial County Water - Do we drink it? January 24, 2007 No more rust problems or rotten egg smell.  That's great, but with all coastal municipal water systems there are other problems to consider.  After all, the new water just comes from another well. First of all, it is still hard water and in need of softening.  But after salt softening, don't drink it, yet -- your tap water will have high sodium content. Second, the water has been chlorinated, by law, like all public water systems.  Do you notice dry skin?  Chlorine and chlorinated by-products are highly carcinogenic and are absorbed through your skin more readily, even more so than by drinking it.  Still, I won't drink it. Third, the majority of nitrates and nitites in drinking water result from fertilizer and feedlot influences.  High levels of these contaminants can have negative effects on a person, while even any level of these contaminants are of greatest impact to infants and have been know to cause blue baby syndrome.  These pollutants are oderless and tasteless and are normally found in farming and feedlot areas similar to the area in which our water now comes from -- Wallace, NC. Although all of the contaminants are below the maximum levels the EPA deems acceptable (which are frequently changing), some filters are prone to dumping -- that is, the filters fill up with contaminants and dump a large quantity of the contaminant into your water.  I would consider some other contaminants found at certain levels in the water, such as radioactive alpha emitters, arsenic, cyanide, lead, and mercury, although meeting EPA standards, would require additional research for my own health risk. What's the solution?  For washing & showers, a whole house carbon-block filter (20" x 4") to remove chlorine and other by-products.  For drinking, an under the sink reverse osmosis (R.O.) unit will eliminate 95% of the contaminants, including the sodium from water softening.  Or go for the safest way -- good, dependable bottled water. I recommend asking questions and researching what will be affecting you and your household!  Start your research today at www.thewaterjug.net and feel free to contact us with any questions. Sincerely, Russ Tatum The Water Jug

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