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Consumers Urged to Take Test During National Drinking Water Week

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 May 2009, 11:16 CDT

WQA offers online resources for diagnosis and treatment

LISLE, Ill., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Set aside five minutes this week to diagnose your water.

That is the advice of the Water Quality Association as National Drinking Water Week begins.

For more than 20 years, the federal government has called on Americans to start the spring by learning how they can make sure they get the safest and cleanest possible water coming into their house. This year, National Drinking Water Week takes place May 3-9.

WQA offers free online diagnosis tools that let consumers figure out what might be affecting the quality of their water. They are available at wqa.org. In the "Find a Water Professional" program, local certified professionals can be found for consultation. There is also a "Diagnose Your Water" button that provides information on possible problems.

"There is nothing more basic to quality of life than safe, clear water," said Peter Censky, executive director of WQA. "By consulting a certified professional, consumers can be assured they are getting the best advice available."

In addition to helping with diagnosis, the Web site lists products that have been shown to be effective through independent testing at WQA's laboratory for removing contaminants. Less than two percent of all water consumed is ingested by humans, making these "point-of-use" systems the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly approach.

"While utilities are required to meet safety standards set by the U.S. EPA, home filtering systems act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking," Censky said. Even water that meets EPA standards is not necessarily as free of contaminants as possible. In setting standards, the EPA considers whether it is feasible for municipalities to thoroughly treat every element. As a result, the agency allows some contaminants to be present in municipal water. However, the EPA also offers ideal goals for water, with much lower danger levels.

"That is why home treatment can be so crucial," Censky said. "These devices help people ensure that their water is as close to the ideal goals as possible."

For a copy of the WQA Safe Drinking Water Act information booklet, visit wqa.org. The U.S. EPA offers information about water quality at epa.gov/ogwdw/waterweek/index.html.

The Water Quality Association is a not-for-profit international trade association representing the residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment industry. Its membership consists of both manufacturers as well as dealers/distributors of equipment. WQA is a resource and information source, a voice for the industry, an educator of professionals, a laboratory for product testing, and a communicator with the public. WQA has more than 2,500 members nationwide.

Contact: David Loveday (630) 505-1060 email: dloveday@wqa.org

SOURCE Water Quality Association

Source: PR Newswire

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