What to do when the tap water is undrinkable?
By sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
Cupertino, California
June 7, 2011 11:31pm CST
We recently moved to an area where the tap water is beyond disgusting. The housing office says it is okay to drink, that it takes time to get used to, but I don't think so lol On just about every block there is a water dispenser for spring water, to me that signals a problem. We have tried filtering the water through a Brita Pitcher and a Pur filter and neither improved the quality. Are there better water filters that nay help? If not, how much does a water service - like Kentwood or Alhambra - typically cost? I bought water from Sams Club today, cost about $1 per gallon.
3 people like this
4 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Jun 11
"it is okay to drink, that it takes time to get used to" wow, if anything sends up red flags to me, it's that line right there..Water should not have to be something we have to "get use to" there is obviously a problem...There are many choices out there, the best and most expensive is the reverse osmosis. I don't know what it is you are suppose to get use to, but if it can be filtered out, that is the cheapest option..
We also have bad water, but our water company says there is nothing wrong with it. (other than unless one has a softener, when the water sits in a glass, you can see the floatys and it is packed full of fluoride..
) So we do either buy it from the store, or we fill up our own jugs from family and friends who we know has good water..
) So we do either buy it from the store, or we fill up our own jugs from family and friends who we know has good water..@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
9 Jun 11
Gross! Some friend of ours have already started classes at the base and they are being told not to drink the water - ever! To not even wash food in it or get drinks made with the water when you eat out.
Whole Foods back where we moved from had a 10 stage filter, it was about $200. No idea if that would even help.
I am leaning towards buying a cooler and just paying to fill the 3 gallon jugs. I just about killed myself carrying a box of 5, 1 gallon jugs into the house yesterday from Sams.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
11 Jun 11
The coolers aren't badly priced. There are small ones that just hold 3 gallon jugs but don't do anything fancy for about $20 at walmart. I would like one to do hot and cold water, that is closer to $100. I figure if we use it as long as we did the brita pitcher, its worth the investment. Of course, my husband looks at them and finds one that has 4 different water settings and it hides the bottle for $170. He is out of his mind.
If we knew we would be here more than just a few months I would be totally on board with buying a nice cooler.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
9 Jun 11
That is a good idea too, I have a friend who uses a cooler, but I don't think we could afford it..
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
8 Jun 11
When there is algae in our water, the city advises us to boil t. With Brita I find the first time the water tastes rather alkaline and I do not like the taste. Boiling water is cheaper. Also if it rains, you can catch it in a clean bucket or one with a mesh over it, and use that water instead.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
8 Jun 11
We are in Texas in a an area that rarely rains. The main problem with the water is the quality. There are a lot of minerals in the water, I don't think boiling the water will help.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
9 Jun 11
It probably will not. But it might. The water in Alberta is just as bad and they buy their drinking water. I do not know how much it costs extra, and it is probably go up.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
9 Jun 11
I am not sure how much it would cost. My mom has it. We would like to get it here also but we cannot afford it right now. We just buy jugs of water.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
11 Jun 11
I haven't sat down to price anything. I wish I had time during the day when places were open! I got six gallons of water for a bit more than $5 at Sams. Its going to cost $.50 per jug at the water place up the street to refill those. We are going through 6 gallons in less than a week. If I can find a place that will equal that amount and save me gas going back and forth to fill all those jugs, I am happy.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
9 Jun 11
We tried that and the water is just off. From what we have been told there is a high number of minerals in the water. Supposedly could lead to kidney stones?
