How can I make sure I'm seeing everything on GQWEST's Web site?

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Of course, you can still view Web sites with other browsers (like Netscape Navigator or those that come with America Online for instance), but you may not be seeing them as they were intended. That's because some browsers don't allow you to see backgrounds, don't center objects like photos or format text differently. Make sure you have the latest version of your browser so you can experience all of GQWEST's web site.

For optimum viewing, we highly recommend downloading the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer from Microsoft's Web site.

For optimum viewing, we recommend you set your screen resolution to 800 x 600 and the colors your computer displays to at least 32,000. That way you can be sure you're seeing GQWEST's Web site exactly as it was intended to be viewed.


How can I protect myself and my family from lead in drinking water?

Drinking water generally contracts lead from plumbing that has been connected with lead solder (outlawed in 1986) or from outdated water distribution lines. There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of lead in your drinking water:

Some sources suggest running your tap water for a couple of minutes before filling a glass to flush any accumulated lead from the water line (lead dissolves into standing water over time). This isn't a foolproof solution, however, since there is no way of knowing whether all of the lead has been removed and since lead can still dissolve into running water.

Never use hot tap water to prepare drinks or meals. Hot water attracts more lead than cold water does. If you need hot water, heat cold tap water on the stove or in a microwave.

In their informational brochure, "Living Lead Free," the American Water Works Association recommends having your water tested for lead to find out whether you should take action. Your local GQWEST's water expert can have your water analyzed by a laboratory and help you decipher the results.

Use a carbon drinking water filter or reverse osmosis system that has been certified to protect your drinking water from lead. Check that the manufacturer's claims have been verified by the Water Quality Association or NSF International; not all systems are certified for lead reduction.


Don't water filters remove important minerals from my water?

Studies have found that minerals in your drinking water essentially make no contribution to your health and may even be present in forms your body can't absorb. Unfortunately, the myth that drinking water with minerals is healthy is perpetuated by companies that promote "mineral water."

In fact, the Water Quality Association, the trade association of the water treatment industry, prohibits health claims in any of its members' literature and advertising.