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I Think I Have Giardia (I Really Do)

Water Filters

Tonight, I hosted a little Sunday dinner with some friends - tomatoes and basil and CSA produce and lots of good stories and chats in spite of the mad torrential downpour and lightning storm that drove us indoors.

In a complete change of pace from my normal offering of copious amounts of wine with dinner; tonight, I decided to try to beat the infernal August heat by starting with gin and tonics. Sadly, my freezer is the size of a child's lunchbox - with no room for ice trays - which is why I found myself buying ice at the local supermarket this afternoon.

Paying for Frozen Water

Buying ice seems so idiotic to me. It's water. Probably tap water. Frozen.

The whole "buying water" concept in general has always seemed stupid to me. Don't get me wrong - I like my water. I grew up being forced to drink a ton of it, and I continued on in adulthood. In fact, all that water I drank as a kid was water from a well. And when I wasn't drinking well water, I drank it directly out of a mountain creek (and THAT was laced with giardia so my brother and I have a slight tolerance for the bug...).

All in all, I have never considered water to be something worth PURCHASING unless I was in a bind on a road trip.

Which is why I was glad to discover my faucet filter - I no longer have to buy bottles of water or keep filling my pitcher to ensure that I'm not throwing something nasty into my system. Instead, I flip a switch on my faucet, and viola! Instant, clean water.

I think it even traps the giardia.

-Heather... off to do some dishes and drink some Brita-ed water while watching Entourage...

Posted by: hstephenson on 08/14/2005
related tip
Use water filters instead - tap water might contain contaminants, but (believe it or not) bottled water isn't always cleaner. Use home water filters such as faucet-mounted or pitcher filters - the best way to ensure a clean supply of drinking water at home.
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andrew  on August 15, 2005 at 07:34 AM 1
"Buying ice seems so idiotic to me. It’s water. Probably tap water. Frozen." Aren't you really in fact paying for the energy required to make and store the ice, then?
Ajit  on August 15, 2005 at 08:39 AM 2
Whenever I buy bottled water, I justify it by realizing that I'm actually buying personal-sized disposable containers that just happen to be holding water. Even still it seems ridiculously expensive. But carrying around water in a bottle almost ensures me that I won't buy something less healthy, such as a soda. So I'm paying exorbitant amounts of money (over time) to keep me from drinking something that costs about the same, appears greater in value, but is in reality much worse for me. It's weird that's what it's come to. Damn you, society, for making purchasing water the norm.
Heather  on August 16, 2005 at 03:27 PM 3
Andrew - so true - I am paying for the energy. It just seems to me that I should be able to make my own ice at home. But my sad little freezer won't allow it. And yes - I think "Damn you, society," often, Ajit. Mostly when I buy trendy earrings that I can't afford. But often, yes, when buying water as well :)
Melisa  on February 08, 2006 at 11:44 AM 4
Just saw an article today about the non-benefits of bottled water and thought of this tip. Here's the link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/oneworld/20060204/wl_oneworld/45361268291139089785 Also, a couple years ago, I read something about how the plastic used for *disposable* water bottles shouldn't be re-used because it's linked to an increased risk of cancer. I'm no expert, but seems to me if you consistently drink water from these bottles, even the first time around, there would be an increased risk. I'm sure it's a fraction of a risk, but just doesn't seem too healthy to me.
liz  on July 26, 2006 at 02:26 PM 5
I too enjoy my brita water. However, I'm curious about all of those used up filters. Are there options for recycling these or are filters available that would have less impact?
Clarke  on August 17, 2006 at 07:31 PM 6
A somewhat less guilty way to enjoy bottled water is to buy brands that package in corn-based, biodegradable bottles. One brand I know of is called BIOTA. A little difficult to find, but it's nice to know you're doing your little bit to reduce oil consumption.
Kathleen  on September 02, 2006 at 03:21 PM 7
I use a Brita filter, and fill up a Nalgene bottle if I want water on the go. Works for me, but I have heard that metal bottles are even better Kanteen and Sigg make lightweight ones which do not leach or degrade at all. If at all possible, giving up the bottled water habit is a good idea. Even if you recycle those bottles, that takes a lot of energy, too. Good idea to look into recycling the Brita filters....
Sam  on September 11, 2006 at 10:57 AM 8
Do filters help to filter out flouride that has been added to water?
Pat Yeakley  on September 18, 2006 at 02:34 PM 9
I use bottled water because the water in San Diego tastes terrible. However, I wonder what one does with the used filters if they are used instead for in home filtering...
Laurel Nicolosi  on September 23, 2006 at 03:27 PM 10
I see no mention anywhere of fridge filters - are those as good or better than faucet filters? We also get the benefit of filtered ice cubes too - and how's that for convenient? So I just keep filling my plastic or hard plastic bottle. At work, they gave me a company logo'd hard plastic personal water jug, and I fill it every morning from the water in the 5 gal container and drink that all day... I don't often buy the packs of bottled water for that very reason - many come from "springs" of city water, etc :)
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