Summary

Check out the condition of your homeÕs drinking water by contacting your water supplier or having your water tested for contaminants.

If your water is well under the maximum allowable concentrations, and your family is small, a filtering carafe or jug is an inexpensive means to healthy and sweet water. For a more aggressive but costly approach, consider an under the sink mounted system.

If your water contains dangerous levels of contaminants, you will need to do a little research to find out which product will remove them. Check out the manufacturerÕs claims to ensure the product has been certified for those pollutants. The National Sanitation Foundation has a complete list of all the filters it certifies, including the manufacturer, the type of filter and the targeted contaminants. Their web site is www.nsf.org.

Finally, make sure the option you choose fits your family's size and lifestyle.