I find it mind boggling that we are fortunate enough to live in a society where we have access to an abundance of running water from our kitchen and bathroom sinks, showers and baths and (in most areas) rainwater yet we can't safely enjoy it as it flows freely in our hands and drinking glasses due to the chlorines, chloramines, arsenic, lead, run off of pesticides and chemical by-products from petro-chemical plants, etc, etc. How something so essential to life can possibly be compromising our road to ultimate wellness has many of us with more questions than answers and scratching our heads as we try to crack through both the media and typical salesperson hype.
For the last 2 years, I have done my best to read about, ask countless questions, call manufacturers AND their competitors to determine what type of water filtration systems, water ionizers, water bottle containers are the best on the market. I was astounded by the misinformation and tactics that many companies use against each other when I simply wanted honest answers. I wanted to provide options of different types of water filtrations systems for drinking and showering so that I could do my best to provide the best option for each person who so inquires. Imagine my surprise when I started calling around to some part manufacturers to confirm the claims that some of the companies touted or the false claims that almost all companies made of one another.
Here is my most current recommended list of products for your water resources. I will continuously update information and products as I learn about them so please check back from time to time. Should you have other brands or products that you are either happy or unhappy with, please email me about them as I'd love to hear any sort of feedback. In addition to that, if you have heard contradictory information than what I claim, then by all means I'd love to hear of that too so that I can either confirm my findings OR correct myself as we are always evolving and learning.
~Sept. 2, 2009~
Considering that our bodies consist of 55% -75% water (non pregnant older women have approximately 55% and babies have approximately 75% water) and we put so much effort into eating healthy, I think it's reasonable to put an emphasis on good, clean drinking water. Please feel free to click on my link to read up on these phenomenal water ionizers and call me with any questions that you may have. Ideally, it's best to drink your water in lead free glass however, glass isn't always safe or convenient to transport, especially for our children. Obviously stainless steel from the drinking spout to lid to container would be 2nd best however we run the risk of accidental spills on precious school work as they sitting at their desk. So that left me reading countless reviews to find the right water bottle!
There is an ongoing debate as to what kind of water is best to drink. What sort of filtration system is best? What are the pros and cons of a water Distiller, Reverse Osmosis system, Water Ionizer or a basic filtration system or filtered container? What brand of bottled water is best? What sort of water bottle container is safe to use? I have done my best to do the footwork for you and found several resources of water and water products that I highly recommend.
Several resources you say? Yes! Unless you have access to UNBOTTLED water from a natural aquifer or CLEAN well water, I believe that ideally, we should drink different types of water. However because most of us have neither the funds or access to various types of water, then my first recommendation to most families is a Water Ionizer. With a Water Ionizer, you'll have access to FILTERED, IONIZED ALKALINE and ACIDIC water dispensed from your kitchen sink for your various drinking, cooking, washing (hair and face) and cleaning needs. Keep in mind that if you aren't interested or in a position to consider an ionizer, there ARE other options based on your individual needs.
My criteria was as follows:
~SAFETY (ie: no BPA, LEAD, ALUMINUM, etc)
~LEAKPROOF
~SOUNDPROOF (some water bottles 'whistle' when you sip them and hence aren't popular with school teachers as classmates disprupt in giggles)
~DURABLE (no sense to invest in something only to have it break on you!)
~AFFORDABLE (the bottles I found ranged from $12 - $22)
Here are just a few water bottle containers that I recommend for cold water:
Thermos Nissan 18-Ounce Stainless Steel Hydration Bottle (for adults)
This Nissan 18oz Hydration bottle has a flip top and an open spout which is easy to drink out of but due to it's open spout under the lid, it may not be good for young children as they could spill it. This is double walled stainless steel so your water stays cool, crisp and delicious! My bottle has been tossed in my bag with clothes, books, my wallet and I've had 100% NO leak issues! Gotta love it! They also have a larger 22oz that costs a bit more in price.
Thermos Nissan Drink Green Insulated Hydration Bottle (for kids & adults)
The Nissan Drink Green Insulated bottle is perfect for kids & adults alike. It is double walled stainless steel so drinks stay COLD, has a pop top straw under the leak proof lid and like the one listed above, it's built like a tank. Your local Target or Wal-mart will also have kid friendlier versions in the camping sections...same brand, same features but smaller and most importantly with fun characters! It's perfect for our 5yr old, Ethan but Randy, our 8yr old finds that the smaller kid versions don't hold enough water for him during the school day so he prefers the 'Drink Green' version instead.
More to be added soon but after Sigg's 'confession', the Thermos bottles are our favorites!
~ONGOING OFFER~
FREE LOCAL WATER REPORT!
Email me at: christina@yourinnereco.com with your complete home address and who your water provider is (i.e.: who you pay your monthly water bill to) and I will provide you with a free local water report to inform you of what is in your local tap water. Please also provide this information below:
*Do you live in a home or apt?
*Year the home was built?
*When, if any pipes were replaced and with what sort of pipes?
WHY is are these details so important prior to even considering a water filtration system? Simply because in order to explore the best options for you, we have to determine what contaminants are in your local tap water to determine the best filters and / or filtration system for your personal or business use. NOT all homes have the same type of water and NOT all water filters are the same. So while one water filtration system may be perfect for a person living in one home, it will be entirely insufficient for another family living in a different home.