A Guide To Aid Consumers In Choosing An Effective, Cost Efficient, Drinking Water Filtration Unit.

Purchasing a water filter in today's marketplace can be confusing even for the most savvy of consumers. Hopefully this guide will assist you in making the right choice in purchasing any water filtration system.

There are over 400 companies that sell drinking water systems for the treatment of various contaminants. Water filters vary widely in quality, price, and performance. Although hundreds of companies make water filtration devices that can reduce chlorine from water, only a few companies offer drinking water treatment units that are certified to reduce a wide array of contaminants of health concern.

A few companies or their representatives claim their products produce PURE drinking water. I have yet to meet such an animal. No water filter produces PURE water, but some do reduce numerous contaminants to a high degree. Avoid any brand that makes such false claims.

Water filters are like everything else, quality costs money. Quality drinking water purification systems usually cost a few hundred dollars to purchase, but save money in the long run because they produce drinking water for a fraction of the cost as compared to cheap filters.

Cheap filters do little or nothing as far as purifying drinking water. One thing they are good for is costing the consumer a lot of money in purchasing replacement filters. A quality filter will give you years of service and save you money. As a rule of thumb - If it costs less than - Let's say $200.00 - Put it back on the shelf. Do not worry, I am going to show you how you will save more than the $200.00....

Here are a few simple steps to purchasing a quality water filter that will be highly effective, cost efficient, and last for years.

Step 1 - Type Of System

Which application would be best for you - Counter Top - Undersink - Inline - or a Convertable type that can be used as a countertop or be installed undersink?

Counter Top Systems usually install by the use of a valve and rubber hose attached to your existing sink faucet. They do take up some space on the counter. Many people find this to be inconvenient.

Undersink Water Filters install conveniently under the sink and have their own faucet which should be installed at the corner of the sink. They save counter space. Sure beats having a monster sitting on your counter or a hose hanging off your sink faucet. This is the preferred type as it is not only the most convenient but can also be hooked up to an icemaker.

Inline Filters install directly in the line to any appliance that uses water such as an icemaking machine, coffee pots, water coolers, beverage machines, etc.

Convertible - Undersink/Countertop can be used as a countertop or installed as an undersink water filter.

Step 2 - Technology

Determine what you are trying to accomplish by using a water filter. Chlorine reduction only? Bacteria?

Or, do you want to effectively reduce bacterial cysts, chlorine and a wide range of chemical and organic contaminants at the same time. This is what a quality water filter can do.

Another thing to consider is - Do you want to remove the "Healthy Minerals" from your water? Minerals are good for your teeth and bones.

There are a number of different technologies when it comes to water purification. Here are some examples -

Loose Carbon - This is a bacteria factory. Loose carbon allows oxygen to exist within the filter itself which encourages, infact, enhances the growth of bacteria. These filters are very cheap to purchase, but expensive in the long run because the filters have to be replaced frequently.

Distillation - Can be effective on bacteria, sediments, solids, and any organic or chemical contaminant that will not evaporate. There are some chemical contaminants found in water today will evaporate, MTBE is a good example.

Ultraviolet lighting is sometimes used in conjunction with a filter to kill bacteria and has been found to be effective.

Reverse Osmosis - A membrane which reduces radium, fluoride, and numberous other contaminants to a high degree, but it does have it's limitations. There are many contaminants found in water today that will pass through an RO membrane. Reverse Osmosis used in conjunction with a high quality filter can be very effective. Reverse Osmosis does remove the "Healthy Minerals".

Reverse Osmosis alone is capable of reducing a number of contaminants found in drinking water today.  Arsenic, barium, radium, giardia, cryptosporidium, entamoeba, fluoride, lead, nitrates, nitrites, 
selenium and a few others...

Solid Carbon Block - This type of filtration reduces the widest range of chemical contaminants to a very high degree. Some are higher quality than others. The density and high quality of the carbon determine the effectiveness. Water passes through a high quality solid carbon block as a molecule instead of a drop. This means all the water touches the carbon. Therefore all the water is subject to proper filtration. Look for a carbon block which will reduce contaminants to at least 1 micron, preferably 0.5 micron. The smaller the number the better. 

Any high quality solid carbon block will reduce a wide range of contaminants.  Contaminants such as
lead, bacterial cysts, mercury, asbestos, mtbe, and many others. 

Step 3 - Performance

Performance is the key factor. Actually the most important thing to look for in any water filter. Don't waste your money on an ineffective water purification system that simply does not work.

****Carefully read the packaging. Determine which contaminants the manufacturer states the filter will reduce. The label on the product package should state exactly which contaminants it is capable of reducing based on standards set by NSF International.

**** So how do you know if the claims made on the label are correct? If the filters is not certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, put it back on the shelf. Quality water filter manufacturers put their filters through rigorous testing by NSF and are proud to advertise their certification.

**** NSF International tests and certifies drinking water treatment devices to the standard appropriate for the technology of the product. For filtration devices, NSF International may certify the product to improve the aesthetics of the water to Standard 42, the health effect of the water to Standard 53 or both. In addition, NSF has developed an additional testing standard for Reverse Osmosis units, Standard 58.

One other thing I want to mention, be sure the packaging states NSF Certified To Standard 53 for example. If it says "tested to NSF Standards" - This does Not Mean Certified.

If you want to see the actual certification, go to the NSF website: www.nsf.org - Click the consumer block and put in the make and model of the filter. If the filter is actually NSF Certified, you will be able to view the contaminants tested for and certified to remove. This way you can compare different certified filter's performance.

Step 4 - Cost Efficiency

Quality water filters have a long filter life capacity. This is what Saves You Money. Look for a water filter that has a capacity rating of at least 6 months. Understand, this is an estimate. The actual life of the filter depends a lot upon the qualities of your water. If your water has a lot of solids the filter will clog sooner than it is rated. If your water has a high level of contaminants, it will become ineffective sooner. In most cases though, the filter life rating is conservative, meaning the filter will actually outlast the capacity rating. Always keep the filter changed at the recommended intervals, even sooner if possible.

Cheap ineffective filters actually cost more to operate. Having to frequently change the filter cost a lot of money in the long run. 

I hope this article helps you in your quest for a quality water filter!

Read More Articles Concerning Drinking Water, Water Filters, Reverse Osmosis, Tap Water, Bottled Water, Home Water Filtration, Water Contamination, Water Purification, and the Florida Aquifer @ 

http://www.supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com 

Patti Wilson
Water Filtration Consultant

MultiPure Independent Distributor
St Augustine Florida

email:   patti@supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com  

Brita Water Filters

Drinking water filters provide much-needed protection against possible harm that may come to you and your family through your water supply. And if you want guaranteed protection, don’t just trust your family’s safety to any brand. Here are the top three drinking water filter brands you can count on.

Brita: Pure and Clean Water Made Simple

Needless to say, Brita is the leading manufacturer of household drinking water filters. Brita water filters focus on a very simple and cost-effective method of purifying your water without all the fuss, but with every ounce of effectiveness possible. Brita is most renowned for its unique Brita water pitchers with built-in filters.

One of the most-liked pitchers, with a 4.4 rating on Amazon, is the Aqualux Water Pitcher with Filter. It can pour up to six 8-ounce glasses and comes with a convenient flip-top lid so you can easily refill it with water. It also comes with an electronic filter change indicator to let you know when it’s time to replace the filter.

The Brita Aqualux Water Pitcher Filter uses an ion exchange resin filter that magnets most of the impurities lurking in drinking water. By doing so, it shields you from drinking the harmful water. It can remove lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc, ad copper. In effect, water comes out clean, pure, and great-tasting.

Culligan: Pure and Clean Water Made EZ

Culligan is another widely trusted brand of water purification systems. One of its most well-known products is the IC-EZ-1 EZ-Change Icemaker and Drinking Water Filter, which got 5 stars on Amazon. The drinking water filter is easy to use with its twist mechanism, which gives the no-leak guarantee so you get to save water. It also comes with a double water shutoff. It is easy to mount, with Quick Connect Fittings and a cover that will conceal the mounting screws for a clean and organized look. All the tools you need in installation are included in the package.

The IC-EZ-1 EZ-Change Icemaker and Drinking Water Filter from Culligan has also been NSF certified and can be used to filter up to 3000 gallons of water. It is effective in removing unpleasant taste and odor from water, especially the taste and odor of chlorine. It can also filter out class III particulates for thorough cleansing. And when it’s time to replace the filter, Culligan replacement filters are widely and conveniently available.

Watts: Pure and Clean Water Made Innovative

If the other two brands focus on simple water filtration, Watts sets its sights on water filtration innovations and new technologies. One such offer is the 500320 3-Stage Undercounter Drinking Water Filter that pushes water through three different filtration stages for thorough cleansing. The best news of all: the third stage is an Ultraviolet or UV unit, which uses UV lamps to eliminate bacteria and viruses that have managed to survive the first two filtration stages.

Together, the three filtration stages can remove lead, particulates, and cysts, and can restore water to its refreshing taste and smell, freeing it from the taste and smell of chlorine. All in all, it can filter up to 1,350 gallons of water. It is rated with 4.7 stars on Amazon, making it an ideal choice. It is innovative and thorough, yet very easy to install and to maintain. Another excellent news: it comes with its own lead-free faucet.

To Find More about choosing please visit our website www.water-purification-guide.com.

Copyright 2009 Water-purification-guide.com, all rights reserved.

About the Author:

Ans is the editor Water-purification-guide.com which provides you with the water softener and water purifier reviews. To Find More about choosing Drinking Water filters please visit our website.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Drinking Water Filters: Top of the Ranks

Brita Water Filter

Uv Water Filters

Drinking water filters provide much-needed protection against possible harm that may come to you and your family through your water supply. And if you want guaranteed protection, don’t just trust your family’s safety to any brand. Here are the top three drinking water filter brands you can count on.

Brita: Pure and Clean Water Made Simple

Needless to say, Brita is the leading manufacturer of household drinking water filters. Brita water filters focus on a very simple and cost-effective method of purifying your water without all the fuss, but with every ounce of effectiveness possible. Brita is most renowned for its unique Brita water pitchers with built-in filters.

One of the most-liked pitchers, with a 4.4 rating on Amazon, is the Aqualux Water Pitcher with Filter. It can pour up to six 8-ounce glasses and comes with a convenient flip-top lid so you can easily refill it with water. It also comes with an electronic filter change indicator to let you know when it’s time to replace the filter.

The Brita Aqualux Water Pitcher Filter uses an ion exchange resin filter that magnets most of the impurities lurking in drinking water. By doing so, it shields you from drinking the harmful water. It can remove lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc, ad copper. In effect, water comes out clean, pure, and great-tasting.

Culligan: Pure and Clean Water Made EZ

Culligan is another widely trusted brand of water purification systems. One of its most well-known products is the IC-EZ-1 EZ-Change Icemaker and Drinking Water Filter, which got 5 stars on Amazon. The drinking water filter is easy to use with its twist mechanism, which gives the no-leak guarantee so you get to save water. It also comes with a double water shutoff. It is easy to mount, with Quick Connect Fittings and a cover that will conceal the mounting screws for a clean and organized look. All the tools you need in installation are included in the package.

The IC-EZ-1 EZ-Change Icemaker and Drinking Water Filter from Culligan has also been NSF certified and can be used to filter up to 3000 gallons of water. It is effective in removing unpleasant taste and odor from water, especially the taste and odor of chlorine. It can also filter out class III particulates for thorough cleansing. And when it’s time to replace the filter, Culligan replacement filters are widely and conveniently available.

Watts: Pure and Clean Water Made Innovative

If the other two brands focus on simple water filtration, Watts sets its sights on water filtration innovations and new technologies. One such offer is the 500320 3-Stage Undercounter Drinking Water Filter that pushes water through three different filtration stages for thorough cleansing. The best news of all: the third stage is an Ultraviolet or UV unit, which uses UV lamps to eliminate bacteria and viruses that have managed to survive the first two filtration stages.

Together, the three filtration stages can remove lead, particulates, and cysts, and can restore water to its refreshing taste and smell, freeing it from the taste and smell of chlorine. All in all, it can filter up to 1,350 gallons of water. It is rated with 4.7 stars on Amazon, making it an ideal choice. It is innovative and thorough, yet very easy to install and to maintain. Another excellent news: it comes with its own lead-free faucet.

To Find More about choosing please visit our website www.water-purification-guide.com.

Copyright 2009 Water-purification-guide.com, all rights reserved.

About the Author:

Ans is the editor Water-purification-guide.com which provides you with the water softener and water purifier reviews. To Find More about choosing Drinking Water filters please visit our website.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Drinking Water Filters: Top of the Ranks

Hiking along the Great Southern Ocean on the South Coast Track
Ozark Mountain country is flat out great hiking and by our lights stacks up favorably to more famous destinations like the slick-rock country of Utah or the Appalachian Trail even though the glories are sometimes on a smaller scale.

Pitcher Replacement Filters
FiltreteTM Water Station 'Filters Out' Bottled Water Waste and Cost
ST. PAUL, Minn.----According to Earth911, Americans buy an estimated 29.8 billion plastic water bottles every year, with 8 out of 10 water bottles ending up in landfills. While plastic water bottles can be costly and do nothing to help the environment, they can provide a convenient option for those looking to have clean drinking water while on the go.

A Guide to Whole House Filter Replacement Cartridges

When was the last time you thought about the quality of your drinking water? If you're particular about your water like me, then you probably own (or at least have thought of owning) a whole home water filtration system. The advantages of such systems are obvious: clean, quality drinking water from any faucet in your home without the space hogging hassles of a countertop system, and with the simplicity of replacing just one filter.

Admittedly, these systems are complex and should be installed by a professional. Replacement cartridges for these systems, however, are easy to install and should be done periodically, depending on your usage, to ensure the cleanliness of your drinking water supply.

Whole house water filtration systems last much longer on average than your normal countertop or pitcher filtration methods. A typical filter lasts 300,000 gallons or three years (which is about right since my family of four typically uses roughly nine to ten thousand gallons per month).

Since whole house filters require such infrequent cartridge replacement, it's easy to forget to change them. That's why a water filter replacement cartridge program is highly recommended. These programs, for a nominal fee, automatically send you the replacement filter for your particular model when replacement is due. Consult your manufacturer for more information. Also, these cartridges can be significantly more expensive than their countertop and pitcher counterparts. However, don't sacrifice quality for price-always go with the manufacturer-recommended replacements. My experience has shown that third-party replacement filters have shorter lives and are not nearly as effective (resulting in poor tasting water).

Regardless of whole house water filtration system, always ensure your cartridge is Underwriter Laboratories certified. These products have passed rigorous testing and are the most effective water purifiers.

In summary, regular replacement of whole house water filter cartridges is important to maintain optimum performance of your water filtration system. Keep in mind that water filters for large systems like these require replacement approximately once every three years; however, follow the guidelines that your system's manufacturer provides. For more information, visit the site below.

About the Author

Andrew Putnam is an avid proponent of natural health and a researcher of water purification systems. To learn about the water filtration system that he recommends after extensive research, visit http://www.water-filtration-guide.info now

Pitcher Replacement Filters

Water Replacement Filters

We did some research on the prices of drinking water filters for you.  At first glance, you might think that the really high priced units are the best quality or that a really low priced drinking water filter is the best value.  We thought that too, until we got a little education.

Reverse osmosis is the most expensive choice in drinking water filters    for home use.  They use them in large industries and public treatment facilities.  In certain situations, they are the right choice for the home, but most of us can do without them.

There best application is desalination, but without additional steps, the water is still not safe to drink.

The more reasonably priced drinking water filter    systems reach a top price of around $420.00.  They are typically some form of carbon filtration, combined with a micron filter and some sort of stage to balance mineral content and pH levels.
 
Practically the same drinking water filters can be purchased for less than $150.  The difference is mark-up.  Buying directly from the factory that manufactures the drinking water filter will save you hundreds of dollars.

 
For less than $150 and a dime a day, you can get one of the top ten rated drinking water filters, in the world.  These units are designed to sit on your counter, next to your sink.  They are more effective and less likely to leak than the units that screw directly onto the faucet.

There is typically an option to switch from filtered to unfiltered, in case you want to extend the filter life by doing dishes or washing vegetables in unfiltered water.  For cooking though, you will enjoy better tasting healthier foods, if you turn the drinking water filter to the "on" position.

You may be tempted by the really low priced drinking water filters that retail around $40.  We thought they might be a good reasonably priced alternative for a family on a budget.  We found that there were several problems.

Most are really chlorine filters, not purifiers.  Many harmful contaminants, such as THMs and VOCs, which have been linked to cancer, will not be blocked by the cheap models.  In some, the toxic metal lead is not removed.  Lead contamination is a big problem in many cities.  Not because the treatment facility isn't doing their job, but because the pipes that run into the house are old.

Bacterial cysts are another type of contaminant that a cheaper drinking water filter cannot remove.  They can cause parasitic infections in the gastrointestinal tract and have been know to cause death in children, the elderly and people with a compromised immune system.

If that's not enough, cheap drinking water filters cost more to use.  On average more than 20 cents per day, as opposed to the 10 cents per day that is available.  You see, they get you by charging a lower price initially, but then charging more for replacement filtration cartridges.  Or, the cartridge has a very short lifespan.  Either way, you end up spending more in the long run.

About the Author:

Author Steve Waters is passionate about our water supply. See which drinking water filter is the only one he recommends after extensive research at http://www.BestH2oFilter.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Not All Drinking Water Filters are Created Equal. What You Really Need to Know

Drinking Water Filters

There is no drinking water filter system that can be called the number one product. There are several filter systems produced by several manufacturers, but the best water filter system is the one that suits your needs the best. There are a few things to consider when looking for a drinking water filter. The first and most obvious reason to get a water filter is that you get pure clean water. The filters also eliminate any smell in the water. The water tastes different too if it is contaminated and the truth is that all the tap water is contaminated even though it goes through a filtration process. Some of the treatments used to purify the water are harmful for our organism, thus further filtering is needed if you want to drink tap water safely.

Each of the models has pros and cons. The water filter pitcher can produce a limited amount of filtered water, the top counter ones occupy space on the counter, and the under counter ones require a little bit of plumbing knowledge or even a plumber. In the process of filtering and purifying the water some of the models use more water than they actually filter while others use electricity. Thus you need to do a little bit of research in your household to see which one fits your needs better and which one turns to be more profitable for you. First of all you need to estimate how much water you need for drinking. Since the recommended amount is 2 liters a day per person, the drinking water usage might turn out to be relatively big in your household. It all depends on how many people you family consists of.

When choosing the filtering technology try to estimate how much your water bill will increase if you use water filter system that uses the reverse osmosis technology or how much your energy bill will increase if you use the ultraviolet technology. Also a good thing to keep in mind before purchasing a filtering system is to check how often you need to change or clean the filters and how much they cost. Often times the system is relatively cheap, but the replacement filters or cartridges are more expensive. Depending on the model you choose the filters from the water filter system have to be change monthly or every trimester or as needed. The advantage of a well known brand in the market is that it usually has filters available in most of the locations, thus changing the filters will not be an impossible thing to do, but rather an easy and pleasant one.

No matter which model or which technology you use in a drinking water filter system, you should be able to observe the differences immediately. Water should have no smell, the taste should be significantly improved and pleasant, the sediment should be removed and the bacteria too. The more filters a system has the better the quality of the water is. Thus water can pass through two, three or even eight filters before it gets in your glass. If you are still undecided which one to buy, you can always start with a carbon filtration system which offers very good quality for the price and does not have very high filter replacement costs.

About the Author:

Find out how you can research and find a clinically tested water filter that will meet your needs by visiting my clean water site. I recently lost over eighty pounds and have been researching health related issues. Go to http://www.clean-filtered-water-site.com and get the additional results of my research. You will find the solutions that you need on clean water there.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Help! I Need To Get A Drinking Water Filter System?

City GM off to the Congo
Richard Forward, the city’s general manager of infrastructure, development and culture, is travelling to the Congo to help install water filters. Forward will be “teaching the teacher” to help each household create and maintain its own clean-water supply.

Replacement Filters

I am looking for a replacement vac filter?

for a Singer Lazer Storm Upright . The vac is great but I cannot find where to buy the replacement filter.

look in your yellow pages under vacume repair they also sell parts and filter bags

Hayward Pool Filters Replacement Cartridges

Over the course of the past few decades cartridge style pool filters have been making huge gains in popularity. The reasons are simple. It's all the result of a range of new developments that have served to improve this style of pool filter in several areas. No where is this more obvious then in Hayward pool filters new generation of replacement cartridges.

An Excellent Concept

When cartridge filters were first developed and introduced to the public they were a good product in concept but the actual technology to support the idea was lagging. Older style plastics and manufacturing processes meant that the actual replacement cartridges degraded too quickly and weren't able to remove particles as fine as todays cartridges are now capable of removing.

New Developments

However; all that has changed today and nowhere else is this more apparent than in Hayward pool filters replacement cartridges. Not only are these replacement filters made of a newer and much more superior reinforced polyester plastic but they are also now manufactured to far more exacting specifications.

Number One on the Market

The end result is clearer water, less maintenance and replacement filters that stand up much longer to the harsh environment that they function in. This in turn has led Hayward pool filter replacement cartridges to now be the number one choice today of all replacement filters that are currently on the market.

Energy Efficient

One more benefit of this scientifically engineered and computer aided designed, state if the art replacement filters is greater energy efficiency, as the result of a smoother more even flow-through design that means far less resistance on the pool pump. Remember that the pool pump is where most of the energy that a pool consumes is used and thus should be your primary focus when looking to conserve electricity.

About the Author

Written by Jakob Albertstein. Let's talk more about Hayward Pool Filters and Swimming Pool Filters at my website.

Replacement Filters