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There are many factors to consider when choosing a water filter. Some filters will cost less, while others may last longer. Others may look nicer, while others may be more effective. And yet others may be removed more contaminates for your family health.
In this article, I’ll explain how to choose the perfect water filter for your home. I’ll also tell you why some filters work better than others.
What are the most common contaminants In Water?
Toxic chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides, Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) can cause serious health problems if they enter our bodies through our drinking water. They can damage our kidneys, bones, nervous system, liver, heart, lungs, skin, eyes, and immune system.
Here are the most common water contaminates:
- Lead: The EPA has set a maximum level of 5 parts per billion in public water supplies. If your tap water exceeds that limit, it is considered “contaminated” by the EPA.
- Arsenic: This toxic chemical is found naturally in rocks and soil. It’s not harmful at low levels but can cause cancer or other illnesses at high levels. The EPA recommends no more than 10 parts per billion in public drinking water systems.
- Chlorine: Chlorine is used to disinfect municipal water supplies. At very high concentrations, chlorine can irritate the throat and stomach. At lower concentrations, it can react with organic compounds in water to form trihalomethanes (THMs). These THMs have been linked to bladder cancer.
- Nitrate: High nitrates in drinking water can lead to blue baby syndrome, which causes babies to turn blue after birth. Nitrates can also contribute to infant mortality. The EPA says there should be no more than 15 milligrams per liter of nitrate in drinking water.
- Fluoride: This mineral is added to water to prevent tooth decay. However, fluoride can accumulate in the body over time and cause bone disease, thyroid disorders, and skeletal fluorosis. The EPA says there shouldn’t be any more than 1 part per million in drinking water.
It’s estimated that over half of Americans suffer from some form of gastrointestinal illness each year due to contaminated tap water. You can also test the water yourself, either via a home water test kit, which should give you a broad overview of the quality of your drinking water, or via an independent laboratory.
Which water filter removes the most contaminants?
There are many different types of water filters available today. Each type offers its own advantages and disadvantages.
One popular option is the Brita pitcher system. This system uses a carbon block filtration process that traps particles down to 0.2 microns. The result is clean, fresh tasting water. However, this system requires frequent cleaning.
Another popular option is the reverse osmosis (RO) system. RO systems use a membrane to remove impurities from tap water. These systems are very effective at removing chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceuticals. They’re also great at filtering out bacteria.
However, these systems require regular maintenance. They need to be cleaned regularly, and they must be replaced every five years.
If you’re looking for a simple solution, consider buying bottled water. Bottled water is inexpensive, convenient, and comes in a variety of flavors. Plus, it doesn’t require any special equipment.
But remember, there’s no substitute for drinking plenty of filtered water each day.
What kind of Water filter do I need?
There are three main categories of water filter systems: gravity filters, activated carbon filters, and reverse-osmosis filters. Gravity filters work by letting water flow down into a container where it collects. Carbon filters use granules of charcoal to absorb impurities. Reverse osmosis filters use a membrane to separate out contaminants. All three types of filters will remove certain contaminants from your tap water; however, each type will do so differently.
Gravity filters are inexpensive and easy to install. They require no electricity and don’t produce much waste. However, because they rely on gravity to move water through the filter, they won’t effectively remove heavy metals like lead or mercury. In addition, they’ll only remove particles smaller than about 0.2 microns. This is why you want to add a carbon filter to your home.
Activated carbon filters contain tiny pores that trap small molecules. These pores are very efficient at capturing chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and industrial pollutants. Activated carbon filters are relatively expensive, though, and they generate a lot of waste. You’ll usually find them installed in commercial applications.
Reverse osmosis filters are the best option for filtering large amounts of water. They’re highly effective at removing bacteria and viruses, and they can even reduce levels of chlorine in your drinking water. Unfortunately, they cost thousands of dollars, and they can take up a lot of space. If you plan to install one, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
Water Filter Pitcher
The water filter pitcher is a simple way to remove chlorine from tap water. You simply fill it up with tap water and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you’ll find clear water inside. To make sure there aren’t any contaminants left behind, just rinse out the pitcher and use it again.
Whole-House Filters
A whole house filter is a device used to treat all the water entering your home. These devices work by passing water through small holes that allow it to pass through while trapping contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals. This process removes everything except clean drinking water.
The best part about whole house filters is that you won’t have to worry about maintenance. You just turn on the tap, let the water run through the system, and wait for the filtered water to come out. There’s no need to change the cartridge every month, because the entire unit runs off one cartridge.
UV Treatment Option
If you want to make sure that your water is safe, you’ll need to use a whole house filter with a UV treatment option. A UV light kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that could potentially cause illness. If you choose a whole house filter without a UV treatment option, you’ll still be able to drink the water, but you might notice some minor symptoms such as stomach cramps or diarrhea.
Faucet-Mounted Water Filter
You can also get a faucet-mounted water filter. Faucet-mounted filters are designed to fit directly under your kitchen sink faucets. The advantage of these filters is that they’re extremely convenient. Just flip the switch, and you’ve got fresh, clean water flowing right out of your taps.
Hard water contains minerals that can build up over time and clog pipes. Faucet-mountable filters help prevent this problem by allowing the water to flow slowly through the filter.
Countertop Water Filter
The Countertop Water Filter is a great way to keep your drinking water clean. This simple device filters water while it sits on your kitchen countertop. You simply add tap water into the reservoir, turn on the unit and let it do its thing. In just under 30 minutes, the Countertop Water Filter removes 99.9% of impurities such as chlorine, lead, mercury, arsenic, nitrates, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and radionuclides.
You don’t even have to worry about replacing cartridges because the Countertop Water Filter uses replaceable carbon blocks that provide up to 10 months’ worth of filtration. Plus, the Countertop Water Filters are designed to withstand everyday use. So, whether you’re cooking, washing dishes, or making coffee, you’ll always have clean, safe drinking water on hand.
Related Post: Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter Review.
Under-Sink Water Filter
The average family uses about 60 gallons of water per day. If you live in a hot climate, you might use even more water. But there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of under-sink water filter technology. Under-sink water filters are compact, affordable, and easy to install. They provide excellent filtering performance and don’t require much maintenance. You can find under sink water filters for every budget and lifestyle.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
The reverse osmosis filter uses pressure to push water through membranes. This process removes impurities from the water while allowing it to pass through. Most filters use sedimentation to separate out particles larger than 0.1 microns. A microfilter is used to remove smaller particles. Reverse osmosis is one of the best methods for purifying drinking water because it removes almost everything except dissolved solids such as salts, metals, and chlorine. Check out our in-depth article where we explained the benefits of a reverse osmosis water filter System.
Shower filter
If you’re looking for a way to keep chlorine out of your shower water, there are some affordable options. A simple shower filter is one of the best ways to do it. They’re relatively cheap, easy to install, and don’t require much maintenance. You simply hook up a hose to the showerhead and let the filtered water run into the drain. Some even come with built-in aerators to help prevent mold growth.
How Much Does a Filter Cost?
You might assume that the price of a filter determines how well it works. After all, you’d probably pay more for a quality piece of equipment, right? Not necessarily. While there are definitely filters out there that are expensive, many inexpensive ones work just fine. For example, I’ve used a $50 glass water filter pitcher for years. It’s worked great, and I’m sure it could handle a lot more volume.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, choosing a water filter is probably one of the easiest decisions you’ll ever make. There are literally thousands of options available, from simple gravity filters to expensive reverse osmosis systems. But which one is right for you?
The answer depends largely on how often you plan on using your water filtration system. For example, if you live in an area where tap water is safe to drink, then you really won’t need anything fancy, just a faucet filter or pitcher filter should be enough. However, if you’re planning on spending lots of time away from home, or if you want to ensure that your drinking water is free of harmful contaminants like lead, chlorine, and fluoride, then you’ll definitely want to invest in a high-quality water filter like reverse osmosis or under sink water filter.
