drinking water

deanm · #1 04/10/07, 05:57 PM

The home I am moving to is not on city water. There is a well and a cistern. The sink has a faucet for both.

Now, I am a big water drinker. It is all I drink and I go through a minimum of a gallon a day. I've never liked tap water and have always bought gallon jugs or taken gallon jugs to refill at grocery stores. That does get to be a drag.

Does anyone use those water delivery services? Now that I am actually going to have some room and a basement to store some of those tanks, I was thinking of doing it. But they all seem to require a year committment.

Would I be better off buying one of those coolers and some tanks and going into town to the grocery store and filling up a few at a time?

Also, what is the latest on the best type of water to drink? Is it still reverse osmosis? I was looking at one of the water delivery service websites though and it says their reverse osmosis water has "minerals added". I'm not sure if I want that.

They also have distilled water. I didn't think you were supposed to drink that. Maybe people do alot of ironing?

Junkmanme · #2 04/10/07, 06:04 PM

nothing wrong with drinking "distilled water". It is the "purest" that you'll get!

Marcia in MT · #3 04/10/07, 06:08 PM

What is the reason you don't want to drink the water from your well? Does it have quality problems? If it has, could they be fixed by some form of filtration?

Obviously, lots of people drink well water -- I grew up on it and we've had one where we now live for the last 20 years. Once I got used to the taste (even water from the same aquifer tastes different depending on the native rock around the well), it's all I drink, too.

I don't know why you couldn't drink RO water or distilled water -- the companies add minerals to give it flavor!

deanm · #4 04/10/07, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcia in MT

What is the reason you don't want to drink the water from your well? Does it have quality problems? If it has, could they be fixed by some form of filtration?

Obviously, lots of people drink well water -- I grew up on it and we've had one where we now live for the last 20 years. Once I got used to the taste (even water from the same aquifer tastes different depending on the native rock around the well), it's all I drink, too.

I don't know why you couldn't drink RO water or distilled water -- the companies add minerals to give it flavor!

I'm just assuming since I don't like city tap water; I won't like to drink well water. My Grandma drank it for years and it obviously never killed her. I guess I could have it tested.

I'm fine with drinking reverse osmosis water. That's what I think you usually get in those refill tanks at the grocery store. I just didn't realize that minerals were also added to it.

I don't really need/want flavor in my water. I don't like those flavored waters or to add lemon or anything. I just like my water to taste cold and wet. If I want flavor, I'll eat something.

terrythetaod · #5 04/10/07, 06:24 PM

DeanM... I'm picky about my water too, but you should give the well water a chance. At my last house we were on well water, and even with a chlorinator/charcoal filter/water-softener, I still couldn't stand the stuff.

At my present place (only 7 miles away), our water is awesome. It absolutely has no "taste" whatsoever. So, before you give up on the well water, have it tested and give it a try.

Debbie at Bount · #6 04/10/07, 06:28 PM

I am on an artian well. I have it tested every few years to make sure it is safe. I like the water and I do not like city water. Visit my parents and I want bottle water. Try your well but do have it tested first.

Marcia in MT · #7 04/10/07, 06:28 PM

The minerals are added to make it "taste like water" as otherwise, it has absolutely NO taste and they discovered that people didn't like it that way.

Well water is worlds away in taste from city water -- I agree that you should give it a chance, and give it some time. It may take a couple of days or even a week for your tastebuds to get used to it. After that, it won't have any taste to you.

Rory · #8 04/10/07, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrythetaod

DeanM... I'm picky about my water too, but you should give the well water a chance. At my last house we were on well water, and even with a chlorinator/charcoal filter/water-softener, I still couldn't stand the stuff.

At my present place (only 7 miles away), our water is awesome. It absolutely has no "taste" whatsoever. So, before you give up on the well water, have it tested and give it a try.

Our well water was FABULOUS, but not so at this place. We buy distilled to drink and have lots of filters for rural water for cooking and use regular tap for everything else. We've a cistern, also, and will be running water from there for "grey water" purposes to save on the water bill. We're also saving up for a distiller so we can just make our own. Buying it by the gallon or refilling those jugs in town can be a pain...but it's better than drinking rural water. Blech.

big rockpile · #9 04/10/07, 07:44 PM

I won't drink water! Do you know what Fish do in water?

big rockpile

deanm · #10 04/10/07, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big rockpile

I won't drink water! Do you know what Fish do in water?

big rockpile

I remember drinking the water when I was a kid before I cared or knew to care about such things.

However, I know in recent years my uncle had tried to get her to stop drinking it. I remember he put some kind of filter in her water container and the thing looked pretty nasty when I saw it.

Maybe those are just healthy minerals. But then again, I don't want crunchy water either. Cold and wet.

rockinl · #11 04/10/07, 10:10 PM

I have water delivered here for drinking twice a month. I am on a well with too many minerals for my kidneys and no fluoride for the baby's teeth.
I know you can buy the water machine at Sam's and then you could buy the 5 gallon jugs at the store if you don't want to pay the delivery company.

This water tastes great out of my well, it just doesn't meet our needs.

Good Luck, Kimberly

LostnEurope · #12 04/11/07, 04:46 AM

I would taste the well water first before I start spending money to buy water...I grew up drinking well water...It was the sweetest most refreshing water I have ever drank without the taste of the added chemicals........Mike

canfossi · #13 04/11/07, 05:37 AM

Yes, just give the well water a try first, you may like it and save money too. You can have it tested first to put your mind at rest. Did the previous owners drink it? Chris

Debbie at Bount · #14 04/11/07, 06:48 AM

Someone posted that the minerals were too much for their kidneys. Can you explain. I have a filer in the house but in my soap kitchen (another building) I do not and if I haven't used it for a wekk the water will have that sulfer smell (rotton eggs) until I run a tank of water through. ARE THE MINERALS BAD FOR YOU???
Debbie

Rocky Fields · #15 04/11/07, 08:55 AM

Hey Dean.

Walmart sells a gallon of water for about 64 cents. You could stock up cheaply.

RF

Twogun · #16 04/11/07, 11:13 AM

Has anyone tried this system. It sounds interesting.

http://www.aquavieforlife.com/?uid=Y_RW

Lizza · #17 04/11/07, 11:16 AM

Like others said, have your well tested and give it a try. You should mostly likely be able to drink it as is, if there is a problem with excess minerals/sulfur/ect. then you could put on a softner and/or a reverse osmosis. I wouldn't invest in store bought water as a long term solution. Well water is nothing like city water. I took a bath in a hotel in Seattle and had to get out because the chlorine smell was too much for me, it was disgusting.

I just have to add a side note. My sister and I did a trade show in Las Vegas in February. The booth next door was trying to sell this fancy imported french mineral water ($3 for a little bottle). They gave us a case to use while we were at the trade show. My sister and I took one sip and looked at each other and said "hey, they are trying to sell country water, we should call ours "mineral" water and bottle it"

DenverGirlie · #18 04/11/07, 11:36 AM

I would go with a berkey system over buying bottled. Of course I would also test and try the well before I would do this.

They use this system in 3rd world countries and can purfy brackish lakes into fresh, clean water. Had some this weekend, it was great!

http://www.bigberkey.com/

Berkey® systems have become the standard by which all other water filtration systems are measured. You deserve the freshest, cleanest water possible from the world's most flexible, convenient and superior water filtration system.
The unique design of the Berkey® system combines the age-old process of micro-porous filtration used by nature coupled with modern state-of-the-art technology and the highest quality materials to bring you virtually the finest water filtration system available anywhere.

To use, the upper chamber of the unit is filled with water. Gravity draws this water through the exclusive Super Sterasyl™ ceramic filters, where it then collects in the lower chamber.

The two piece housing is portable and can be used virtually anywhere, anytime.

The Super Sterasyl™ filters reduce up to 99.99% of particulates, cysts, parasites and pathogenic bacteria including E. Coli, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Salmonella Typhi. Additionally, these filters will reduce chlorine, rust, sediment and organic chemicals. With filtration rating efficiencies of >98% down to 0.2 microns >99.9% at 0.5 microns >99.99% at 0.9 microns (Spectrum Labs).

Takes minutes to assemble and can provide many gallons of good tasting, sparkling, whole-some drinking water each day. Constructed of high grade, polished stainless steel making it hygienic, durable and easy to clean.

Berkey® water filters are powerful and economical. The unique ceramic filters are impregnated with pure silver, which inhibits bacteria from colonizing within the ceramic. What's more, the durable ceramic filters can be cleaned many times with a soft brush or ScotchBrite® pad.

SteveD(TX) · #19 04/11/07, 11:43 AM

Have your water tested, then by the type of filtration system you think you need. We have a Brita water cooler (also provides hot water) that uses simple Brita charcoal filters. It really helps the taste of our tap water at the city place AND our well water in the country. Paid $100 for it at Target; it holds 3 gallons and we fill it about twice a week for just the two of us. Worth every penny.

doohap · #20 04/11/07, 12:04 PM

Here's a good article on the reasons one should not drink ONLY distilled water. Please read.

http://www.mercola.com/article/water...ed_water_2.htm

In my opinion, there is nothing as wonderful as good, clean well water, filtered by mother earth. I agree with those above who have suggested getting your water tested and then try it! Could save you loads of money besides!

Peace and smiles,
doohap