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Safe Drinking Water Is the water safe to drink? For most people, the answer is probably "yes." However, water quality is an issue of increasing concern as news stories of contaminated water supplies around the country proliferate and as Congress considers relaxing the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. If you are worried about the safety of your drinking water, first collect some information about what is in your water. The most serious health hazards are not detectable by sight, smell, or taste. Among these are lead, radon, and nitrate. To determine if your water contains unsafe levels of toxic substances, contact your city water utilities department for a copy of the latest water analysis results. Compare the report to the maximum contaminant level standards, available from the Environmental Protection Agency. If you use well water, contact your local health department to find out about typical problems in your area and ask about testing. You should also test the water from your faucet, since lead can enter water through plumbing. Consult a state-certified independent laboratory or use a reputable EPA-certified mail-order lab to conduct a drinking water analysis. Do not rely on free in-home tests offered by salespersons from water treatment companies. Once you have identified specific contaminants you would like to reduce, determine the type of equipment you need to correct the problem. Water treatment options vary greatly both in form (faucet attachments to whole-house systems) and in treatment method (carbon, reverse osmosis, distillation, water softening, activated alumina, etc.). Since no one device can solve every water problem, be sure to match your own needs. Comparison shop among products for price, installation, maintenance, warranties, and operating costs. If you decide to use professional water-treatment, call the Better Business Bureau for a report on the company. Do not believe claims of EPA approval: the EPA registers but does not test or approve water treatment products and systems. Certification from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) provides assurance that the product has met minimum standards of efficacy.