We have decided to get involved in the sale of water filters.  New York City gets most of its water from its upstate reservoirs (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/watersup.html).  Since the development around these reservoirs has increased significantly since the water system was initially built and since some of the piping infrastructure is almost a century old, the water quality is not as reliable as it once was.  The water supply for parts of Queens has repeatedly been subject to contamination back in 2005 and, more recently, in May of 2007 when a liquid used by drycleaners and other commercial businesses made its way into the drinking water http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/05/11/2007-05-11_flood_of_fear_in_queens_over_water_taint-1.html

What to do?  Of course, one can buy bottled water.  But... some of it is just tap water that has been filled in bottles (e.g. Dasani http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasani) or shlepped in from far away places, both at great environmental cost (http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0510-07.htm).  The use of plastic containers for water raises some questions in and by itself http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Plasticizers/Out-Of-Diet-PG5nov03.htm.  We believe that the combination of New York City's generally decent water with a good water filter provides the best solution and protection - especially if you have young children in your household and wish to limit their exposure to water-borne risks.

So, looking around for a product we would feel comfortable being associaetd with, we have decided to, well, hook up with Multi-Pure and are now a distributor for Multi-Pure drinking water filtration systems.  Check out the info below and talk to us if you would like to learn more about these systems.

How do other water treatment methods compare with Solid Carbon Block Filters?
	End of Tap (Faucet Mount) Low filter capacity. Frequent filter changes needed, resulting in ongoing filter replacement costs. Reduces some contaminants of health concern.
	Carafe/Pitcher (pour-through) Reduces some contaminants of health concern, but not VOCs. Inconvenient to use: water must be poured through the filter and then refrigerated while you wait. Low capacity requires frequent filter changes. Must replace filters about every 40 gallons at $7-$10 each, or $130-$190 for 750 gallons (Multi-Pure’s 750 gallon filter is only $59.95).
	Reverse Osmosis No independent ability to reduce most Volatile Organic Chemicals. Very low output - takes up to 24 hours to process 5 gallons of water. Must have holding tank to store the processed water. Wastes water - for every gallon processed, 3 to 9 gallons are wasted. Removes minerals and trace elements essential to good health.
	Charcoal Filters These come in powdered or granulated form which allows water to flow around rather than through the carbon. Referred to as taste and odor filters because of the limited contact time the water has with the carbon. Can promote the growth of bacteria.
	Silver-Charcoal Filters Same as Charcoal Filters above; however, uses silver to inhibit the growth of bacteria while water sits in filter. Silver ingested in certain doses can be poisonous to the human body; therefore, it must be registered with the EPA as containing a poisonous substance.
	Limited Media Filters As the demand for quality drinking water continues to grow, new types of media will be test-marketed, from metal shavings to coconut shells. Some materials can be quite ”exceptional” in reducing a particular contaminant in the water, but there is a wide range of contaminants that should be addressed - not one or two.
	Distillation Removes dissolved minerals and trace elements essential to good health. No independent ability to remove all chemicals - the chemicals can vaporize and recondense into the distilled water. Daily chore to provide enough water for the entire family. Requires electricity at a cost of about $240 per year.

 

Multi-Pure's Solid Carbon Block

Water is forced through the pores of the densely compacted carbon block, where a combination of mechanical filtration, electrokinetic adsorption, and physical/ chemical adsorption take place to reduce a wide range of contaminants. Solid Carbon Block technology can reduce chlorine, taste and odor problems, particulate matter, and a wide range of contaminants of health concern -- cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), VOCs (pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals), certain endocrine disrupters, Trihalomethanes (cancer-causing disinfection by-products), heavy metals (lead, mercury), turbidity, MTBE, Chloramines and asbestos. Solid carbon block filters do not remove healthful, naturally-occurring minerals, require no electricity, and do not add salt or silver to the water. Multi-Pure's Solid Carbon Block filters provide refreshing, delicious, and safer drinking water.