Water Filters? - Omaha,NE

Updated on January 04, 2011
A.H. asks from Omaha, NE
4 answers

I am considering getting a water filter for my kitchen faucet when I learned about a recent study that tested the water of 35 cities for hexavalent chromium or chromium 6 (this was the same cancer causing contaminant that Erin Brockovich fought PG&E about in the movie Erin Brockovich). Anyway, 31 cities tested positive for having the substance in their water supply including my city, Omaha. I did find out from the local water department that the government allows no more than 100 parts per billion of chromium 6 in the nation's drinking water and Omaha's water tests at 7 parts per billion. I realize that is far below the national regulation, but if someone told me there was just "a little" poison in my water I still wouldn't want my family or myself to drink it! I have looked at several filters, but none of them mention filtering out chromium 6. Currently, I have switched my family to drinking bottled water, but that also presents a problem as well. For one, I really don't know how much safer it is than the water from my tap and it contains no flouride which is needed for my children's teeth. My husband thinks I am overreacting, but I do have a mental block to drinking the tap water and I love drinking water! Anyone have any insight into all of this or recommend a good water filter? I saw a Brita water pitcher at my grocery store for about $30 that I might purchase in the interim, but again it didn't say anything about filtering out chromium 6.
Thanks,
A.

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T.N.

answers from Albany on

Hi A., we have a whole house system install by Culligan, including a reverse osmosis system for all drinking/cooking water. It was expensive (about $3000 5 years ago), but it so dramatically improved our life it was WELL worth (and was a big re-sale factor when we sold the house as well).

And very convienent too. They delivered the salt monthly, and put it in for you if you are home. They also came and changed all filters on a schedule for no charge except the cost of the filter.

They also offer JUST an under the sink reverse osmosis system that was much less expensive, and provided similar services for just that as well.

Might be worth a phone call to have them come out and talk to them about it.

:)

(The reverse osmosis is the only thing I know of that gets out EVERYTHING!)

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I actually read that bottled water might also have chromium 6. The reverse osmosis thing that everyone's talking about sounds promising. I would do that if I had the $!

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

A.,
Check out the water treatment options at www.shaklee.net/healthforlife. There are reverse osmosis systems and the best pitcher option. Look under both Bestwater and Home Care. You can see the data sheets.

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S.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

I think the only way to get rid of chromium 6 is by using a reverse osmosis filtering system. A brita will not remove it. These filtration systems are much more expensive and require a little more installation, but if you are concerned about your family's health and if you consider the cost of bottled water it might be worth it. You can get them at Home Depot and places like that. Just search for reverse osmosis filter systems online, the prices vary a bit.

Another alternative might be a water cooler in your home like this one http://www.walmart.com/ip/Haier-Convertible-Water-Dispens.... You can buy the replacement water bottles at price clubs like Sams and BJs or you can pay for a service to deliver them to your home.

One note on fluoride in your water is that there is a lot of controversy about whether it even helps your teeth. Studies have shown that in places where there is naturally a lot of fluoride in the water the incidence of cavities is lower, but it's not clear that it is also lower when it's just added to city water. If your kids are old enough to spit I would just get some fluoridated mouthwash.

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