Question by Tara

An inexpensive countertop filter pitcher reduces or removes most metals, chlorine and other common contaminants. Most countertop and faucet water filters are activated carbon filters, which will get rid of bad tastes and odors as well as many impurities. Filters that are certified as meeting NSF/ANSI standard 53 treat water for health reasons, not just taste and appearance. The NSF certification program provides some assurance that some of the claims made by the manufacturer have been verified. 
 
Before you buy a filtering system, find out what contaminants have been detected in your water. Call your local water utility and ask for a copy of their annual water quality report. That will tell you which contaminants have been found in your water supply and then you can look for a filtration system that's certified to remove them. Read NRDC's Consumer Guide to Water Filters to learn more.

I live in a rural area of New Mexico with well water. My landlord spent a lot of money for the well and says the water is the best I can get but I hate the taste of it. I installed a faucet water filter and thought that would take away the bad taste but it is still there. What can I do about it? I am currently buying drinking water. Thank you

Not all faucet filters are the same, you should check to see what your filter removes and that it meets NSF/ANSI standard 53. An activated carbon filter should get rid of most bad tastes. Before you buy an expensive new filtering system, you may want to have your tap water tested. Then you can buy a filter that\'s certified to remove the contaminants found.

Well water??? I have a deep artesian well in Florida. The water comes directly from the Florida Aquifer. My water is very sulfur, tastes and smells like rotten eggs.  
 
What I did is install a chlorination tank, as water enters the tank, chlorine (bleach) is injected into the water. This not only purifies, but also helps a lot with the sulfur. The water then passes through another tank of loose carbon granules. The carbon removes the chlorine and improves the taste and smell.  
 
This process will vastly improve any well water. 
I recommend it to anyone on well water. 
 
For my drinking water I use a 5 stage carbon block reverse osmosis system.  
My water has went from undrinkable to some of the finest water I\'ve ever tasted!!!  
 
Good luck with your water... 
 
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