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Healthy Kitchen Makeover Challenge Day 2: Filter Your Water

By Kerri-Ann Jennings, September 7, 2011 - 10:05am

You might not think of water as a source of toxins, but tap water can in fact contain up to 315 pollutants, including arsenic (a heavy metal) and pesticides, according to a 2009 analysis by the Environmental Working Group. And bottled water can contain the same contaminants as tap.

Fortunately, there's an easy fix--filter your tap water. Look for a filter for your sink, a pitcher filter or even one in a water bottle. Just make sure it’s certified by the Water Quality Association (wqa.org) or NSF International (nsf.org) to screen out pesticides from farms and golf courses that can leach into well water. (Even tap water may contain traces of unregulated pesticides.) In most cases, a $15-20 PUR or Brita pitcher filter will do the trick.

Want to take the EatingWell 14-Day Healthy Kitchen Makeover Challenge? Visit our Healthy Kitchen Makeover Challenge landing page to find find daily tips and tools you need to detox your kitchen.

Do you filter your water? Tell us what you think below.

TAGS: Kerri-Ann Jennings, Eating green, Healthy Kitchen Makeover Challenge

Kerri-Ann Jennings is a registered dietitian with a master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University. She is the former associate nutrition editor for EatingWell Magazine.