AWWA JAW61253

Over the past several years, many water utilities have begun to consider offering or recommending point-of-use (POU) water treatment devices to their customers. Before making any decisions, however, it is important for utility managers to understand the design and certification processes behind these POU devices. As the final barrier before consumption, properly designed and operated POU/point-of-entry systems are useful in protecting public health. This article provides insights into the design of carbon block filters and shows that the performance of POU devices can be explained by using sound scientific testing protocols. This could in turn lead to the development of improved POU products and help build confidence among POU users that the products are engineered and designed on the basis of sound scientific principles. Includes 26 references, table, figures.