Available Water Filter Products
In this section, we focus on available products that use the multi-stage water filtration method, and we’ll help you to determine which product is the most suitable for your personal needs.
Pitcher Style Water Filters
These are a quick solution for filtering water without installation. Small, transportable, and reasonably inexpensive. They ususally contain a granular activted carbon filter, and therefore are able to reduce contamination of the tap water by a considerable amount. While they are better than no filter at all, there are a few downsides, however. Firstly, they are only able to filter a small volume of water at a time. The filter cartridges have a low capacity and are exhausted quite quickly. After a small initial investment, the price of the replacement filter cartridges makes them actually quite expensive. Secondly, without a sub-micron filter they don’t remove micro-organims as effectively as a proper multi-stage water filter. We therefore don’t consider these filters to be a viable solution.
Countertop Filtration Systems
To get all the benefits from multi-stage water filtration, you have the choice of a range of products that may need some installation but are more effective and versatile than the 'pitcher style' filters.
Countertop water filters are water filters that are connected to an existing faucet - with minimum installation - at the point where the filtered water is used for drinking and cooking. The housing with the filter elements sits on top of the kitchen counter beside the sink and is connected to the faucet with two thin plastic hoses. A lever allows you to switch the water flow from normal to filtered water, flowing at a rate of about 2 quarts per minute. The filter elements last typically 500 gallons and only need to be replaced every six months. Your advantage with this kind of filter is that any contamination from the existing pipework, i.e. old lead pipes or sediments, in your building will be filtered from the drinking and cooking water. Ideal if you are renting, or if you are not allowed to make any alterations to your kitchen counter or sink. Easy to install and easy to remove without leaving any traces.
Under-Sink Water Filters
Basically the same as the countertop filter, an under-sink water filter will also be able to filter 500 gallons of tap water before the cartridge needs replacing. The filter housing is installed out-of-sight under the counter, and the water is connected to the filter from an existing pipe under the sink. The filtered water is then delivered to the top through its own attractive faucet. Again, these filters are easy to install. In any case, a reputable water filter company will deliver all the necessary parts, together with a comprehensive installation guide. In the same way as the countertop filter, this filter will reduce any contamination from the existing pipes. Tidy installation without any extras on the counter top and without any free running hoses. Filtered water literally available with just moving one finger. One big advantage is that it also leaves the main faucet free for other tasks.
Shower Filters
As mentioned before, the chlorine and volatile oganic compounds from contaminated tap water can also have negative health effects in the shower where the lungs and skin get exposed to the vapors from the hot water. But that’s no problem at all as you can get purpose-made filters which are easy to install and fit directly into place between the water outlet and the shower head.
Whole House Water Purifier and Filter
You may want to consider installing a whole house filter if the following applies to your home:
- you have more than one faucet in your home which you use for drinking water,
- or several bathrooms with showers,
- AND
your house plumbing system is new and free from any sources of contamination.
A whole house water filter is a large version of a multi-stage water filter, that will be installed at the point where the public water supply enters your home. You’ll have the advantage of purified, filtered water from every single faucet in the whole house and the added advantage that you only need to see to the maintenance - if any - and filter replacement of the one water filter. A quality whole house water filter should be nearly maintenance free and have a certified filter capacity of 300.000 gallons for the main filter, which should last three years. The only point of installation is at the incoming water pipe, and all existing taps and faucets and shower heads deliver quality clean water.
How can You be Sure to Select the Best Water Filter?
For something as important to your health as a water filter, make sure to check:
- for a multi-stage filtration system to remove chlorine, lead, organic chemicals and micro-organisms;
- for a certification by an independant authority;
- for the filter performance data sheet to know exactly what toxins are removed;
- and in the case of a whole house water filter - for a three year main filter life with hardly any maintenance, and a certified capacity of 300,000 gallons.