Green Glossary: Filtered Water
BY:
You know that tap water is great for the environment -- it keeps single-use plastic bottles out of the trash -- and filtered water is the safest way to drink from the tap. But how does a filter work, exactly?
Well, most filters are designed to remove contaminants from the water that flows from your faucet. Different filters remove different substances; it’s best to look for a filter that aims to remove chlorine, industrial pollutants (asbestos, toluene and benzene), heavy metals (mercury and lead), pharmaceuticals (hormones, steroids and antibiotics) and microbial cysts.
Filters must be changed regularly, but replacement times vary depending on what kind of water you have and what kind of filter you’re using -- faucet-mount, pitcher or refrigerator filtering system. It’s wise to look for filters that come with built-in replacement indicators that alert you when it’s time to change your cartridge.
