[seasoned traditionalist]

As someone who sold water filters some 16 years ago and is somewhat familiar with bottled water (which was our primary competiton) I can attest that most tap water in most municipalities is as good (quality wise) if not better, than bottled water.

That said, what most people objected to (and apparently still do, based upon the proliferation of bottled water and its continuous increase in sales) was the TASTE.

Most municipalities use chlorine to purify their water and thus there remains a residual tasted and odor when it reaches the consumer.

Moreover, one should be skeptical of claims made by bottled water company (and I'm not challenging FIJI's claims) whose labels say "mountain spring" or "pure," etc., for if truth be told, MANY (at least that used to be the case) bottled water companies, simply took tap water and ran it thru a filter and then bottled it.

Anyone paying for bottled water has more money than common sense--at least in the home.

Two simple solutions:

1. Buy an inline filter Housing from your local hardware store and looks something like this

Then explain to the clerk, that you intend on installing this to your COLD water line under the kitchen sink and he will show you what kind of hoses you need.

You also want to buy a package (usually comes in 2) of Carbon Filters and look like this

These fit inside the housing and actually filter the water

Next decide whether you want to filter all the Cold water that comes out of tap or you can purchase a faucet assembly that looks like this and allows you to access filtered water thru it only

The Housing and Filter and Hose assembly should cost about $60 - $70 and the faucet will add another $30 or so.

Anyone who is the least bit handy or mechanically minded can install this type of system in 1/2 hour or less and there is no need to solder, cut pipes, etc.

Thereafter, you can have equivalent of bottled water for the price of about FIVE CENTS A GALLON. That's right, A GALLON!!!

The Housing unit fits under the kitchen sink and takes up very little room and filters need to be changed (depending on usage and whether all water is filtered or only cooking/drinking) on the average of once ever 2 - 3 months.

[seasoned traditionalist]

PS Forgot the second and even simpler solution

Simply put a pitcher of uncovered water in fridge for 8 hours or so and shzaam, most or all chlorine dissipates and you have good tasting water.

Of course, your fridge should not have any odor producing leftovers or whatever that would be absorbed by water--you know that green, moldy, smelly stuff way in the back that you can't make out what it was when you put it there--like in mine? lol

Enjoy!!!

[reagan_fanatic]

I have a whole house filter, plus there is a filter on my refridgerator's water dispenser. The water from there tastes just as good as bottled, although I do admit to a love affair with Dasani bottled water - mmm-mmm.

[riverdawg]

"Anyone paying for bottled water has more money than common sense ..."

Then you've never spent time in coastal SE Georgia or coastal NE Florida, where the sulphur smell of the tap water is enough to make even the biggest tightwads - including consumer advocate, Clark Howard - drink bottled water.

[presidio9]

The Brita filter on my tap costs $20, works great, and gets relaced every three months or so.

[Toby06]

I'm lazy, I bought a Brita Pitcher water filter.