Sift out the bad stuff and drink clean with a water filter

By: Chelsea Lankes

Posted: 8/20/08

Rather than devoting a weekly allowance to water bottles and taking up refrigerator space, one purchase of a water filter is a money-saving and convenient way to stay hydrated. According to the City of College Station's website, College Station's water system has received awards from the Environmental Protection Agency and has been rated "superior" by the State of Texas. Though the water may be clean enough that chlorine is the only chemical used in its treatment for further disinfection, it tastes somewhat short of refreshing.

The water system is a combination of 300 miles of water distribution lines, groundwater wells from the Arkansas based Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, two storage tanks and pump stations. A case study by Robert Stewart, a professor in the Texas A&M oceanography department, states the chemistry of water changes as it moves through an aquifer, thus the water goes from hard to soft. In comparison to surrounding cities - Houston and San Antonio - College Station has the highest concentration of chlorine.

Whether students are living in a dorm, apartment or house, options such as faucet filters or pitcher filters are reasonably priced (under $30 depending on the brand and how high-tech the system) and readily available options - anything to save space, time and money. Water filters are found in local grocery stores and many online websites.