Question: Would it be okay to use a Brita filter for the water in the DR or should I just get bottled water?
- Thread starter tarrantino
- Start date
Water
Okay thanks, I 'll just buy a jug or two. By the way where would I find a water analysis lab in Sosua?
Does everyone agree with this quote? A Brita filter is no good to make tap water safe?
Even after 3 years since this thread was active, NOOOOO, Brita still isnt adequate. Bottled water is an extremely cheap commodity in DR...why risk it?
We're kind of a belt-and-suspenders type of family - we buy 5 gallon bottles, and then I use a Brita filter pitcher to re-filter it in the fridge, especially when our grandson is with us.
An ounce of prevention, and all that....
AE
An ounce of prevention, and all that....
AE
If you are still looking.
We have our water tested at Sterling Labs in POP.
From the main road/#5, North onto Av. Colon and a quick right onto Camino Real. About half a block on the North (left) side. OR, half a block S.W. and across from the Metro Bus station.
Sign on the street and office/lab is in the back of the building on the ground floor. They will give you a container for your water and a paper to fill out. Bring sample back on ice with paper and pay. About two days for the results, they can call you when it is ready and you can get the printed report.
Sorry I don't have a phone number, address or remember the cost.
Ringo
We have our water tested at Sterling Labs in POP.
From the main road/#5, North onto Av. Colon and a quick right onto Camino Real. About half a block on the North (left) side. OR, half a block S.W. and across from the Metro Bus station.
Sign on the street and office/lab is in the back of the building on the ground floor. They will give you a container for your water and a paper to fill out. Bring sample back on ice with paper and pay. About two days for the results, they can call you when it is ready and you can get the printed report.
Sorry I don't have a phone number, address or remember the cost.
Ringo
Thre is an American couple in Jarabacoa that sells a water purification system for US25 and according to tests it removes all of the micro organisms to US acceptable levels. They own the Jamaca de Dios development.
Jarabacoa Dominican Republic Real Estate Homes for sale at the Jamaca de Dios Jarabacoa!
Jarabacoa Dominican Republic Real Estate Homes for sale at the Jamaca de Dios Jarabacoa!
Fortunately, you don't have to guess. Contact them and you can see the lab results and certifications they have received. These people are I understand philanthropists dedicated to helping poor people throughout the world and are currently seeking UN approval.
i was just about to say this is too much
when i remembered we have a fridge with water dispenser that uses filter to further clean the water. so we get 5 gallon bottles, water is pumped to the fridge and then filtered. filters are to be changed about once a year and they cost about 30-40 dollars (we buy during trips to USA).
True that. the only water problem I have is when I go back to the US, getting used to the tap water there, ususally ruins me for about 3 days. I use villar brothers here, cheaper and its close
???
I have had water softener systems in the States and have one here in the D.R. I had never been told or read anything about one removing bacteria other then the above quote. So I started to Google to see if I missed something and to learn. I did not found any claims that a water softener will provide safe drinking water by removing bacteria. In fact, some pointed out that they DO NOT remove bacteria and will not make contaminated drinking water safe.
Water Softeners | CMHC
In case this link does not work, this is what one source states.
"Concerns About Water Softeners
Is softened water safe to drink?
A water softener cannot remove microbiological contaminants that cause illness and should only be used to treat drinking water that is considered to be microbiologically safe.
Water softeners replace "hard" minerals with "soft" minerals such as sodium. The fact that sodium chloride (a salt) is used to soften water raises a concern about the potential health risks for those persons suffering from hypertension, kidney disease or congestive heart failure.
As the incidence of hypertension increases and the number of individuals on sodium-restricted diets rises, water softener manufacturing companies have begun to promote the use of potassium chloride as a safe alternative to sodium chloride. However, potential health risks are also a concern where potassium chloride (also a salt) is used to soften water. Water containing high levels of sodium or potassium should not be used for drinking, making coffee, juice, infant formula or for cooking.
If you do not want this additional sodium or potassium in your diet, or if you are on a medically prescribed diet, a separate cold water line and faucet can be installed which bypasses the water softener. This allows for drinking and cooking with unsoftened cold water."
Ringo
I have had water softener systems in the States and have one here in the D.R. I had never been told or read anything about one removing bacteria other then the above quote. So I started to Google to see if I missed something and to learn. I did not found any claims that a water softener will provide safe drinking water by removing bacteria. In fact, some pointed out that they DO NOT remove bacteria and will not make contaminated drinking water safe.
Water Softeners | CMHC
In case this link does not work, this is what one source states.
"Concerns About Water Softeners
Is softened water safe to drink?
A water softener cannot remove microbiological contaminants that cause illness and should only be used to treat drinking water that is considered to be microbiologically safe.
Water softeners replace "hard" minerals with "soft" minerals such as sodium. The fact that sodium chloride (a salt) is used to soften water raises a concern about the potential health risks for those persons suffering from hypertension, kidney disease or congestive heart failure.
As the incidence of hypertension increases and the number of individuals on sodium-restricted diets rises, water softener manufacturing companies have begun to promote the use of potassium chloride as a safe alternative to sodium chloride. However, potential health risks are also a concern where potassium chloride (also a salt) is used to soften water. Water containing high levels of sodium or potassium should not be used for drinking, making coffee, juice, infant formula or for cooking.
If you do not want this additional sodium or potassium in your diet, or if you are on a medically prescribed diet, a separate cold water line and faucet can be installed which bypasses the water softener. This allows for drinking and cooking with unsoftened cold water."
Ringo