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indoors
C l e a r
C h o i c e s
IT ’S T O U G H T O M A K E A CASE FO R B U Y IN G
B O T T L E D W A TE R . After all, the bottle has come
to represent waste and worry— from
production and shipping costs to concerns
about leaching chemicals in the landfill. Still,
convenience and taste make an alluring
combination. How can you get both without
adding to a growing mountain of problems?
The simplest and least expensive way to filter
your home’s water is with a pitcher or drinking
bottle equipped with an integrated filter,
usually under $25. The next step up, purifying
the water at the kitchen sink, requires a point-
of-use system, such as a filtered faucet or a
unit that attaches to your faucet spout,
mounts under the sink, or sits on the counter;
these range from $50-$500 and can be
switched to unfiltered water as needed, such
as when you’re watering plants. A whole-house
water treatment system allows you to brush
your teeth with pure water, but keep in mind
you’ll also be using it to flush toilets— at a cost
of several thousand dollars for some systems.
If cold, portable drinking water is your main
goal, a refrigerator with an ice and water
dispenser may meet your needs. The Fill-N-
Chill refrigerator from Maytag, for example, is
equipped with a water filter and dispenses
water and small ice cubes simultaneously
(from $1,400;
maytag.com).
Whichever approach you choose, use a
refillable bottle made of stainless steel,
considered the most eco-friendly option.
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....CONSERVE' ENERGY.' LIVE" HEALTHIER." SAVE' MONEY.
byKITSELZER
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS JULY2009
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