When you are refurbishing your kitchen, it’s important to look beyond aesthetics. Do you know what could be one of the most significant threats to your family’s health and comfort? Access to clean water. Daily doses of clean, pure H₂O are essential for hydrating ourselves and flushing toxins from our bodies. Children are especially susceptible to waterborne illness and parasites, as well as to lead and chemicals that may be in our water supplies. Chlorine, the very agent that is used to purify our water, has been linked to learning disabilities in children. Asthma and other illnesses have also been associated with waterborne chemicals and pollutants.

But don’t go thinking that buying water off the grocer’s shelf will solve your problems. Recent studies have actually found as many contaminants in bottled water as plain tap water. Moreover, bottled water usually does not contain fluoride, which helps maintain healthy teeth.

What’s the solution? Home water filtration products and systems cost very little and yet are quite effective. If your refrigerator does not have built-in filtration, consider installing a filtering system on your kitchen water supply. At the very least, pick up a filtering water pitcher the next time you are at the store. It really works.

If your water supply comes from a private well, you may still be subject to toxins. During the rainy season, flooding can transport bacteria, pesticides, and other chemicals across many miles and contaminate the water supply, since the underground aquifers that supply wells are replenished by surface water.

One easy way to provide purified water for your family is to install a filtering kitchen faucet. Several manufacturers, such as Moen, are now offering built-in filters. You simply turn on the tap and the water is purified automatically. Some models offer bypass options for reverting to standard tap water.

If you suspect that your water supply may be contaminated, you can contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local health departments for assistance.