Cost-effective and efficient water filtration for New York City buildings

Water is essential to life, but sadly plastic water bottles are not. Water bottling is one of the biggest polluting industries worldwide. Over 60 million plastic bottles are produced, transported and disposed of everyday in the U.S. alone. Now, more than ever, building owners, managers and residents need to provide assurance that water from the tap is clean, safe and healthy. There are no government standards that require bottled water to be any better, purer or safer than tap water. While people who choose to buy bottled water deserve the assurance that it is safe, the long-term solution to water quality is to ensure that safe, clean, good-tasting drinking water comes from our taps. Those who are concerned about the quality of their tap water can take action by implementing a filtration program. Most water requires some type of treatment before use, even water from deep wells or springs. The extent of treatment depends on the source of the water. Simple, readily available, water testing can help determine the level of filtration desired. Whole Building Water Filtration The road to quality assurance begins with a central water filtration system. Installed on a building's incoming water supply, this is the long-term solution to eliminating sediment and other contaminants. Unlike in the past, today's systems require minimal maintenance and no chemicals. Central filters provide the foundation on which a complete filtration system is based. Local Water Filtration Coupled with a central filtration system, local filters for a specific use, such as a dedicated drinking water spout, or for an entire block of fixtures such as a kitchen or pantry, ensure the desired level of water quality. Specialized filters are available to produce the desired water quality. It is important to note that filters can be too efficient, resulting in the removal of healthy trace minerals that our body needs. Benefits A cleaner water system relieves stress on the building's piping systems and plumbing fixtures, which in turn decreases utility bills and operating costs while increasing equipment life; for example a reduction in flush valve maintenance due to clogged orifices. A further benefit is that building occupants can eliminate the use of bottled water by utilizing filtered tap water thereby eliminating the detrimental environmental effects of manufacturing, utilizing and disposing of plastic bottles. In conjunction with a filtration program, buildings should also consider installing low-flow fixtures and faucets to reduce occupant usage of water. By using water efficient products and practices, consumers save natural resources, reduce water consumption and save money. Par Green Solutions assists all buildings in achieving their energy and water efficiency goals while also reducing costs. For more information on Par Green Solutions, visit www.pargreensolutions.com. Neil Skidell is a managing director at Par Green Solutions, New York, N.Y.