@128128terry11t, we all love and miss Katherine @katemn. She is our angel. I saw you requested information about water alternatives. I belived that the refrigerated water and ice was filtered therefore it was good water but the information from the experts has opened my eyes.There is a place where water is stored in the refridgerator, our humidifiers, and hot water heaters and hottubs that is breeding ground for NTM. Also the airaters on our showerheads and on our faucets is another place they like to hang out. My water here is really bad. I have a shower head filter that only i use. For my drinking water I run my tap for a little while to get alot of water that may be sitting in my pipes overnight out. Then i run it cold only into a britta filtered pitcher, then into a pot on the stove and boil it for 10 minutes. Now it is ready for most people to drink. But my water here still looks like it has a lot of stuff in it. So i filter it again with 2 paper coffee filters into a disinfected air dried bottle with a lid and store them in the refrigerator. I use it for everthing instead of buying water. I do have a back up of distilled and spring water in case i run out. Over the memorial day weekend we had a boil order thursday through tuesday. I went to dollar tree and got bleach and water and containers to wash dishes and rinse them . I refrained from using my dishwasher and washing any clothes, or making coffee. That brought a new awareness about how contaminated things can become. If you use any filters during a boil order you have to replace all of them after the order is lifted. I still have to drain the water heater and get to the store for filters. My husband is not helpful and thinks i am just over reacting. I cant get him change the furnace filter and he does heating and cooling. Our home is so dusty and i ask him to please change the filer and he says it doesnt look dirty. I have to get the filters myself and change them without him knowing. You dont realize how lucky we are to have some cleanwater when other's do not. Some People have to disinfect their bath water just to give their children a bath no one should have to do that. Oh sorry, I may have gotten off track a little. I hope this can help in addition to Kathrine' s wonderful advice. I hope you have a great day and stay strong, healthy, and happy!!!
Becky