Do you need to filter your water?
Many of us trust our tap water because we know that our governments are heavily involved in its regulation. However, even if your drinking water passes the tests set in place by our leaders, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to consume. In fact, drinking water from our faucet without the use of a filtration system could be detrimental to our health. Let’s find out why in this article.
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Is tap water dirtier than it looks?
The general public was very much in the dark when it came to the quality of its unfiltered tap water until recent years. Multiple studies were conducted by various groups in the late 1900s and early 2000s, and one of the most notable was a three-year investigation carried out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Those in the United States can use these findings, which were made available in 2009 and have been compiled to form the National Drinking Water Database, to determine what exactly is in their water by simply entering their zip code and water company into the database search bar. Similar regulations are in place in many other developed countries, but unfortunately, there are still some parts of the world where safe drinking water is not available.
What contaminants do you want to remove in your water?
As mentioned above, the EWG’s National Drinking Water Database is an excellent resource for finding out what contaminants are in your tap water if you live in the United States. You can also request a report from your city’s water utility company or buy an at-home kit to test your own water if your city is not represented in the database or if you simply desire results that are more accurate.
Different kinds of water filters
Once you’ve decided to implement a filtration system of some sort for your tap water at home, you’ll need to choose a type of filter that works best for the contaminants in your tap water. After you’ve determined which contaminants are present in your tap water, use this guide from the National Science Foundation to determine which filtration system will be most effective against them.
Below are the 5 different types of water filter:
Best Pitcher Water Filter
Price when Reviewed: $21.97
The aesthetics of the MAVEA Water Filtration Pitcher is far beyond boring compared to other Filtration Pitcher. MAVEA claims to have the best pitcher filtration, and the quality and the taste of the water from this product will attest to that claim. There are two noticeable features on the MAVEA, one is the filter gauge and the another one is the plastic flap on the lid. The filter gauge pretty much gives you an idea when you need to change the filter. The plastic flap on the top is a good addition as it automatically opens up when you run water into it and closes down as the water level is close to filling up.
Advantages of using Pitcher Water Filter:
- Initial costs are relatively low
- Significantly improves taste of tap water
- Reduces many harmful contaminants yet maintains presence of minerals
Disadvantages of using Pitcher Water Filter:
- Is not effective for all contaminants
- Requires frequent refills – inconvenient option for families
- Filter must be replaced on a regular basis, so costs can add up later
Best Faucet Water Filter
Price when Reviewed: $44.39
One of the downside in owning a Faucet Water Filter is its bulky white or blue facade, but with the PUR New Advance Faucet Water filter you will be surprised how compact it is. PUR’s Advance Water filter has a silver finish that will tie in nicely with the rest of the stainless kitchen fixtures. Installing it does not require any tools, it also has a quick release system that makes changing the filter a breeze. A flick of a lever effortlessly switches the mechanism from filtered to unfiltered. The drawback is the material used, Pur FM4000B used a faux plastic that has been coated with silver, which is quite deceptive hence its name.
Advantages of using Faucet Water Filter:
- On and off switch allows for more control over water usage and filter life
- Convenient
- Easy installation
- Initial costs are relatively low
Disadvantages of using Faucet Water Filter:
- Not an option for pull out faucets
- Do not last long for those filtering well water
Best Reverse Osmosis
Price when Reviewed: $423.07
This Filtration system is definitely in the higher range in terms of price and quality. For others who value health, the Master TMULTRA Ultra Under sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System consider it as an investment. We would recommend that buyers will refer to the installation video downloadable on their site rather than the vague installation guide that comes with the system. You will enjoy a water that is totally odorless, colorless, and tasteless. This type of filtration system is comparable to that of a distillation process and is best used in rural areas with hard well water, or homes that run on copper pipes.
Advantages of using Reverse osmosis:
- Significantly improves taste of tap water
- Most comprehensive system when it comes to contaminant removal and reduction
- Convenient
Disadvantages of using Reverse osmosis:
- Initial costs and maintenance costs are high
- Minerals are removed from the water along with contaminants
- Wastes more water than other systems
Best Countertop distiller
Price when Reviewed: $209.00
One of the most interesting fact about water filtration is that distilled water is purified water. The process of distillation is one of the technologies used to purify water. The Megahome Counter top Water Distiller can distill 1 gallon every five and a half hour, removing unwanted toxins and contaminates. This product comes with a very stylish glass pitcher that acts as a catch basin of the already purified water.
Advantages of using Countertop distiller:
- One of the most comprehensive systems when it comes to contaminant removal and reduction
- Completely eliminates fluoride from water
Disadvantages of using Countertop distiller:
- Initial costs and maintenance costs are high
- Distiller systems are bulky and will take up a lot of counter space
- Can significantly increase the cost of your electricity bill
- Minerals are removed from the water along with contaminants
Best Dispenser Water Filter
Price when Reviewed: $313.50
If you are looking into saving some of your bucks without risking your health, consider purchasing a water purification filter system. This is a good investment that can save you from all of your drinking water needs. The Royal Berkey with 2 Black Filters and 2 PF-2 Fluoride Filters is an incredible filtration system. There is really nothing to it but pure ingenuity, just pour tap water on the top and you will have a filtered water that drips into the spigot at the bottom. This system requires simple maintenance, parts can be removed for easy cleaning and the best part about it is the filters last for a very long time before it needs replacing.
Advantages of using Dispenser Water Filter:
- Reduces chlorine, copper, and other contaminants
- Ideal for families or office environments as they hold more water and require fewer refills
- Can be placed in refrigerator or on the counter
Disadvantages of using Dispenser Water Filter:
- Initial costs and maintenance costs are moderate
- Take up more space than smaller systems that are just as effective
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Is it safe to mix more than one kind of water filter?
Using multiple water filtration systems is safe if well-researched and properly implemented. No single filtration system is effective against all contaminants, so some people have whole house water filtration systems installed into their homes to ensure that all the water being used for drinking, bathing, cooking, and cleaning is of the highest possible quality. This should be done professionally as combining certain filtration systems without knowing how they interact can cause the systems to stop working altogether.
Is bottled water recommended?
Bottled water may be convenient for those on the go and is inarguably a better option than the sugar-filled soda and juice alternatives that can be found in most stores, but more and more questions are being raised about the quality of bottled water compared to tap water, the safety of its packaging and the harmful effects of single-use plastic on the environment. Let’s take a closer look at the truth about bottled water:
- The Quality:
The products of some bottled water companies are able to pass a contaminant test with flying colors and can actually back up all of the information on the labels, but unfortunately, these companies are a minority when it comes to the bottled water industry. Many studies have also proven that most bottled waters are not at all different from or healthier than tap water, and almost half of the bottled water sold in America comes from a municipal water supply. In other words, the bottled water being sold by these companies comes from the same place that tap water comes and the only difference is that the companies might decide to treat it before they put it in a bottle and sell it to you at a drastically increased price. Both tap and bottled water are held to the same reporting regulations yet tap water is tested far more frequently, so in most cases, tap water is actually more trustworthy than your average bottled water and it’s available at a fraction of the cost.
- The Packaging:
One of the most talked about concerns regarding plastic packaging for water and other consumable products are Bisphenol A or BPA. Many big name bottled water companies now emphasize that their packaging is BPA free, but that doesn’t necessarily eliminate the cause for concern. Phthalates are a group of chemicals that can be found in many items that we use on a daily basis. They are most commonly found in food storage containers, cosmetics and baby products such as bottles, pacifiers, and toys. The chemicals have been detected in tainted tap water and they are present in some water bottle packaging, which means they can easily leach into the water in the bottle. In America, tap water falls under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency, which has limits in place to regulate the presence of phthalates and other contaminants in tap water. Bottled water, however, falls under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration which currently does not have phthalate regulations in place for bottled water. The FDA has proposed the implementation of such regulations in the past, but the bottled water industry consistently launches aggressive campaigns to battle such proposals.
- Environmental impact:
It’s no secret that water bottles and other single-use plastics have harmful effects on the environment. It takes an average of more than 400 years for a single plastic bottle to completely break down, and in some cases that time length can more than double depending on which chemicals the bottle is made from. On top of that, an alarming percentage of plastic bottles are never actually recycled and end up in landfills. More often than not, plastic bottles and other items can be found littering in beaches, rivers, oceans, parks and other natural areas that have become overrun by plastic debris. Reusable water bottles are an option, but those made from plastic often contain the same chemicals that are present in single-use plastic bottles. Glass or stainless steel alternatives are the best options for your health and the environment.
Awesome Water Filters to Try Out
Soma Water Filter
Filtration systems have gone from occupying an entire area in our house, then onto the counter tops, and then the pitchers and now everybody will have access on water filtration thru a bottle. The brand Soma Bottle has an unwavering commitment to making sustainable, stylish, and healthy hydration on-the-go. With its very competitive price, the Soma bottle can go head to head with the top brands. Not only that they provide quality water filtration but the company also boast of their stylish design that appeals not only to the millennials but to a wide range of generations. The company viewed Soma Bottle to be a lifestyle accessory not lacking performance and functionality.
Following the essential parts and design of a bottle, the bottle does not actually contain a filtration device. The main purpose of the Soma bottle is just to carry water. For filtration, Soma offers three water filter pitchers, which can be used alongside with the Bottle. The Bottle itself is shatter resistant and is sealed with a leak-proof cap made of bamboo wood.
Visit DrinkSoma.com
Radiant Life 14-Stage Biocompatible Water Purification System
The Water Quality Association states that you can not necessarily see, smell, or taste all the microbial and organic contaminants in tap water. So, for health purposes, some people choose to filter their tap water source. And if you’re willing and able to spend big bucks for a water filtration system, consider buying top of the line Water filtration system like the one being offered by Radiant Life. Depending on the size of the tank, Radiant Life’s 14-Stage Biocompatible Water Purification System’s price can range from $1600 up to $1700. But do not let the price appalled you because, in the long run, they are an inexpensive option.
You can install this 14-stage purification system under your sink which apparently can remove 99 percent of toxins. This includes chlorine, lead, pesticides, nitrates and pharmaceutical residues. The system uses several purifiers, reverse osmosis and alkalizing to name a few.
Visit RadiantLifeCatalog.com
Can you filter rain water?
Rain water can be filtered to the point where it is safe to drink, but doing so is incredibly expensive and time-consuming. The growing presence of pollutants, bacteria, and harmful chemicals, as well as the increased risk of spreading diseases, means that rain water will require far more filtration and purification than the water flowing out of your kitchen faucet.