I read some time ago that the water Londoners now drink has passed through people at least 12 times. I also heard that someone put a coin into a glass of water from our flat tap water and the coin turned black. A few years ago there was the case in Camelford where tons of aluminium sulphate was dropped into the water supply causing consumers’ hair to turn green. A few months later a cluster of leukaemia cases was reported in local schools. Even bottled mineral or spring water is not safe to drink as the bottles have been found to contain animal faeces.
The filter is reasonably easy to assemble. First you give all the parts a good wash. The filter cartridge is soaked for 20 minutes in water. The date when the cartridge expires is then set. Each cartridge lasts about 4 to 5 weeks. Finally the whole filter is easily assembled. The filter is then filled with water and it takes about 2-3 minutes to fill up. This filter is filled 3 times. The water from the first couple of jugs may be used to give to plants.
The change in taste was amazing. The water tasted a little sweet and was a definite improvement on tap water.
The accompanying literature mentioned that the taste and appearance of tea was improved. The appearance of the tea was lighter and according to my wife the taste and texture of the tea was lighter and sweeter.
Apparently there is less scale build-up in domestic appliances such as kettles. I found that less steam was produced during boiling a kettle. In the long term it may even save you electricity.
Several types of Brita water filters are available. We plumped for the Brita Fridge version because it fits comfortably in our fridge. This will be useful in summer when you can have access to cold filtered water.
The total capacity of the water filter is 2.3 litres and holds 1.4 litres filtered water. There is an integrated spout cover for easy pouring. The cartridge contains a special blend of food grade materials such as ion exchange resin and activated carbon. These materials reduce the water hardness and absorb chlorine and pesticide impurities.
Replacement cartridges cost £3 from Homebase and £3.98 from Safeway. Freemans sells 3 cartridges for £11 via mail order.
The Conservative government made the mistake of privatising water in 1989. Since then water companies have maximised shareholder return to the detriment of investing in water quality. Subsequently many people have suffered from water-borne diseases.
I am pleased with my purchase of my water filter.
UPDATED August 2001
It was nice to read that this Labour government is conducting an inquiry into the Camelford water poisoning disaster in the early 1980s. You may remember that tons of aluminium sulphate were poured into drinking water at a water treatment plant. Drinking this water caused hair to turn green, nausea, fingernails to fall off, cause Alzheimer’s disease etc.
There was an inquiry into this water-poisoning episode by the then Conservative government. The inquiry found nothing unusual. This was obviously a whitewash and showed the arrogance of a government holding a large majority of MPs in the House of Commons.
I feel sorry for the residents of Camelford who have suffered badly though no fault of their own and have received no compensation.
The share prices of water shares have fallen over the past year. The water regulating authority OFWAT demanded more money be spent on water purification. This meant less profit to the shareholders some of who sold their shareholding. I believe that water should not have been privatized in the first place.
You can now buy Brita filter cartridges at a large number of outlets. The most expensive prices are found at Boots. Occasionally cheap cartridges can be found in the sales at Homebase. I now buy the cartridges via mail order from Freemans catalogue. You get 10% commission back on every purchase.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I have 2 Brita jugs and keep them in the fridge. When I make up a jug of soft drink (squash,for instance) I use the water out of my Brita and then I refill the jug. I don't think we can trust our health to tap water any more. We have to take extra steps ourselves. Good op. rose:)
jefferson 24.08.2001 01:08
Very informative indeed - thanks!
stuee 21.08.2001 23:17
I think I'll have to buy one purely for what you wrote about it passing through 15 people! Very interesting and well written op.
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(Aug 21st, 2001)
very helpful by (100%):
