What You Should Look for When Choosing a Water Filter 

We use water for innumerable purposes throughout the day - cooking, cleaning, showering, drinking, watering lawns and gardens, you name it.  But what some people don’t fully grasp is that there are often many contaminants, bacteria and potentially toxic chemicals that may be found in the water we use daily. While drinking treated municipal tap water is generally safe, too often there have been mistakes made and toxic levels of various contaminants have turned up in our that very same tap water that we use in our homes.

Given the above, it is no wonder that the popularity of using high quality water filters in our homes has surged in recent years.   And this is because water filters are a safe and effective way to clean impurities from your water - impurities that that can have negative health effects,

But choosing a good one that meets your needs takes some research, so below there will be tips on what you should look for when you are in the market for a water filter.

Water Capacity

You should estimate how much water you either use or consume on a daily or monthly basis. If you use water for cooking, which, of course you do, then you should use faucet, countertop or under-sink filters because they typically provide the best value and are more convenient and much less expensive than using pitcher water filters. Countertop filters will filter up to 2500 gallons of water, while faucet mount and water pitchers can only filter up to 400 gallons and filter replacement costs add up quickly.

Installation

Installation is an important consideration when it comes to choosing a filter because, quite simply, if you’re not handy you may have to pay for it.  So you have to factor that into your overall budget.  Installing a Brita water pitcher filter is an entirely different animal than installing an under sink water filter, for instance. Odds are though, if you are at the point of considering the cost of an under the counter water filter system, you are looking for more effective, less long term costs and much more comprehensive filtration than a pitcher filter can provide.

Impurities Removed

Certain filters remove certain contaminants very effectively, and are not as effective for others.  With this in mind, it is generally a solid idea to find out what kind of contaminants are in your water before deciding on your filtration system. One fast and easy way to do this is use a home test kit. These can be purchased from your local hardware store, or big chain stores like Home Depot and Lowes. Once you’ve run your testing and have learned the contaminants that are in your water, you can then choose the filter that removes that particular impurity.

 4 Contaminants which can be in Found in Unfiltered Water

Heavy Metals

Mercury and lead have both been found at toxic levels in municipally treated water in many instances, we don’t need to hopefully convince you of the myriad of health risks associated with lead and mercury, and other heavy metals in your drinking water, all of our water filters remove lead and many remove mercury!                                                            

Fluoride

There has been some debate about whether fluoride affects you in positive or negative ways, while there may not be too many negative health effects attributed to fluoride there are not many positives either. If fluoride was to contribute in any positive way it would be through your teeth and there are no statistics that show that fluoride improves oral health.

Fluoride has been linked to thyroid and other problems when it is consumed internally. For this it is best that you do your own research to see if the risks outweigh the benefits for your family We believe most people receive enough Fluoride in their toothpaste and have no need of it in their drinking water.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Your body’s endocrine system is responsible for the production of hormones related to the healthy functioning of multiple systems within your body.  Metabolism, growth and development, your moods, sexual functioning, all of these rely upon a properly functioning endocrine system in the body.  Not surprisingly, when endocrine disrupting chemicals from pesticides, pharmaceuticals, etc. end up in our drinking water, negative health impacts may occur.

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Water Filters 

What Type of Filter is Best?

Choosing the right type of filter completely depends on what you want to get out of your filter. Do you need one for cooking? Do you need one for your shower? You first should find out what your city’s water has in it and then select a filter that is proven effective at removing the impurities you have found.

What is Safe TDS level of Drinking Water?

TDS, or Total Dissolved Solids, refers to the amount of dissolved organic or inorganic matter that has been dissolved into water.  Not all TDS are bad – it really comes down to what TDS’s we are talking about.  Generally speaking, the organic dissolved solids are not as much of a concern as the inorganic, synthetic solids.  You can have elevated levels of TDS caused by higher concentrations of beneficial minerals, which may actually have health benefits. Or, you can have elevated levels of TDS where the contaminants are residual pesticides from agricultural run-off, which is of course a health concern, if the levels are high enough.

A general rule of thumb is that an excellent TDS level is less than 300 mg/liter. Good is between 300 and 600 mg/liter. Fair is between 600 and 900 mg/liter. Poor is between 900 and 1200. Anything above 1200 is considered unacceptable for consumption (not potable).

Which Water is Safe for Drinking?

Municipal water supplies are regulated through the EPA, which sets forth standards and regulations for over 90 contaminants. Companies must also adhere to the clean water standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Filter?

When you do not change your filter you run the risk of drinking contaminated water, simply put.  How much of a risk?  Well, that depends on the quality of the water that is coming into the filter, and the age of the filter in question.  Is this something you really want to gamble with though? Most filters when they become “full” may release some contaminants back into the filtered water? So change your filters regularly.

Is Boiled Tap Water Safe to Drink?

In short, yes, boiled tap water is typically safe to drink.  But it’s also an incredible pain to boil all of your tap water before drinking it!  Much better to invest in a high quality home water filtration system.

How Long Should You Boil Water to Remove Bacteria?

Boiling water can kill all pathogens. The US Center for Disease Control recommends that water should be boiling for one minute to remove impurities. If you happen to be at an altitude that is greater than 6,552 feet, you should boil for three minutes.

What Do Carbon Filters Remove from Water?

Activated Carbon Filters with additional compounds are the best at removing the taste and odor from water that has sediment, volatile organic compounds, and chlorine, lead, pharmaceuticals, asbestos, arsenic, MTBE, VOC’s, Cysts and much more. Select a tested and certified water filter from our hand-picked selections.

Conclusion

When choosing a water filter there are certain things that you should look for – installation method and cost, water capacity, and the impurities that are actually removed by various kinds of filters. If you start your search with these factors in mind first then you are sure to find a great filter that is perfect for your needs.  Additionally, before buying you should always check the reviews and see what others have to say about their experience. Also, double check the specifications from the manufacturer to be sure you get what you are looking for!