A very good question, "are water filters important?" In today's society, life is very fast passed, so much to do and so little time to do it. Between work, family and all the things in between, we sometimes overlook the simple things that can make a big difference in our lives. Most people are health conscious these days, we try to eat right and exercise and drink a lot of water, which is good. But most of the time, people end up buying very expensive bottled water and don't realize how much they are really spending, a bottle here, a bottle there, it adds up quick! There have been reports that bottled water isn't even all that good for you, having impurities and even toxins from being stored in plastic. There is an alternative to this highly expensive way of getting our drinking water and that is finding a good water filtering system.

When you take the time to look at what options exist for filtered water, you will see that it isn't all that complicated to figure out and you will save a lot of money compared to what you spend on bottled water. Some people get scared when thinking of purchasing a water filter system. Maybe the price of the unit seems too high or the thought of having to install the unit and then do the maintenance turns people back to the easy way of just throwing their money away on bottled water. Let us examine this further and see if that way of thinking really makes sense or if purchasing a good water filter system is the way to go. We will ask the questions: How do know what unit is the best for my situation? What are the costs of owning a filtration unit and how will it save me money? What are the benefits I will receive from using water filtration over tap or bottled water? Are there different types of water filtration? We will look at these questions and see that the difference is great and filtering your water is the way to go.

First, there are many different water filter manufacturers out there and it is important to find an established company that has a good reputation. Since there is such a great push to being healthy and drinking plenty of water, there are many companies getting into the market and copying what good manufacturers have already put out there. A little research will help you to know the difference. Once you have found a good water filter company, it's just a matter of deciding what you want out of your filtering system. Do you want to filter all the water coming into your house with a whole house unit, or just filter at point of use, such as the kitchen sink using a counter top water filter unit or faucet filter, maybe a shower filter or a combination of filters. Regardless of what you want to filter, a good water filter manufacturer will have what you need and be able to walk you through the process.

The cost of owning a water filter system can vary quiet a bit depending on the type of set up you want.Some people just want filtered water for drinking and cooking, in that case going with a counter top or under sink water filter unit is a good way to go and there are many variations to choose from ranging from around fifty to a couple of hundred dollars. If you are just looking to filter your shower water, there are very good shower filters at very reasonable prices, most around thirty to fifty dollars. A lot of people are looking to filter all the water coming into their house; this is called point of entry. There are many types of units for this purpose and a lot depends on the home you are putting the unit in, such as what type of water comes into the house, well or city water. Also, how big the house is, number of bathrooms and so on. These units can range from as little as a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand. The money you will save by purchasing a water filter system is great! You will have an endless supply of clean filtered water for only pennies a gallon, the water filter will pay for itself in no time when you add up all the wasted money on bottled water. A whole house water filter unit can save you an untold amount of money by protecting your water pipes and all the appliances that use water by keeping sediment, lime and calcium build up and rust out of the system.

Other benefits of filtered water over tap are many. Of course your water will taste better and be healthier for you by taking out the chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals that are added to city water, but there are even more benefits to talk of. A good shower filter will make your skin and hair softer and smoother, good for people with sensitive skin or allergies. The human body is made up of over 70 percent water and showering in unfiltered water allows the body to absorb harsh chemicals like chlorine and THMs that are harmful and the steam from using hot water causes chlorine to be inhaled if no filter is used. Also, your clothes will be brighter and softer especially if used with a water softener.

There are different kinds of water filtration, the most popular are a system that uses filters or a reverse osmosis unit. A traditional water filter system has the most options of filtration as there are sediment, carbon, fluoride and media packed cartridges. It is important to use a filter that has GAC (Granulated Activated Carbon), KDF-85 and KDF-55. It is easier to develop a system that will best suit your needs. Reverse Osmosis water filter system usually will cost more and does have some limitations. It requires more maintenance and is limited to a certain amount of water it can produce per day and may end up wasting more water than it produces. Although, many people say that the water has a better taste and this is because reverse osmosis water filter system also removes dissolved mineral contents which can cause a bitter taste in some water.

A water filter system can greatly affect your life in many positive ways, most importantly by giving you better health, it will also save you lots of money from purchasing bottled water and keeping your pipes and appliances in good working order.

Top Water Filter

The Benefits Of Countertop Water Filters

If you would like to receive the healthy benefits of filtered water you can get it from a countertop water filter system.  These systems provide an efficient way to filter tap water , and although the systems are small they are highly effective in accomplishing their task.  Because of their ease of uses and the ease of installation they have become very popular and can be found in many homes.

These filtration systems work to remove harmful contaminants from our tap water that can cause health issues.  Unfiltered water can cause a number of health problems such as abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems.  In some cases the effects can cause vomiting based on the particular contaminant found in the water supply.  A countertop filter can help to defend against these problems, by filtering out the impurities.

Besides chlorine there are many additional contaminants that exist in our water.  While these contaminants exist in very small amounts, and we are told that they do not pose a threat we can take extra precautions.  Other trace elements found in our water are mercury, lead, organic chemicals, asbestos and fluoride.

For example chlorine while good for removing harmful bacteria from our water it is also not very healthy to consume into our bodies on a daily basis.  Daily consumption of chlorine has been found to be a cause of some cancers.  Chlorine also causes the skin to become dry, and hair to become brittle.  And breathing the water vapor that includes chlorine while taking a shower is not good for your body.

Finding a good water filtration system will depend on what your families water consumption habits are, and what types of contaminants are present in your water.  If you want to know what is in your water before purchasing a system have your water tested.  Once you know what’s in the water then you can purchase a system that will work for you.

While water filters do remove the impurities from the water they do not remove the natural nutrients and minerals in the water.  This will allow you to still enjoy the refreshing taste of the water, and have healthy water at an affordable price.

About the Author

I enjoy writing about environmental issues, and other topics. To learn more about countertop water filters checkout my site at http://CharcoalWaterFilter.info

Which water filter for you?
There’s good news for consumers when it comes to clean drinking water: Water filter makers are producing products that remove impurities, not just improve taste and appearance. Plus, there are filters that cost as little as $30 can provide cleaner, better-tasting water, according to Consumer Reports’ latest water filter tests. Drinking water - Water filter - Water treatment - Shopping - Kitchen ...

Top Water Filter

If you would like to receive the healthy benefits of filtered water you can get it from a countertop water filter system.  These systems provide an efficient way to filter tap water , and although the systems are small they are highly effective in accomplishing their task.  Because of their ease of uses and the ease of installation they have become very popular and can be found in many homes.

These filtration systems work to remove harmful contaminants from our tap water that can cause health issues.  Unfiltered water can cause a number of health problems such as abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems.  In some cases the effects can cause vomiting based on the particular contaminant found in the water supply.  A countertop filter can help to defend against these problems, by filtering out the impurities.

Besides chlorine there are many additional contaminants that exist in our water.  While these contaminants exist in very small amounts, and we are told that they do not pose a threat we can take extra precautions.  Other trace elements found in our water are mercury, lead, organic chemicals, asbestos and fluoride.

For example chlorine while good for removing harmful bacteria from our water it is also not very healthy to consume into our bodies on a daily basis.  Daily consumption of chlorine has been found to be a cause of some cancers.  Chlorine also causes the skin to become dry, and hair to become brittle.  And breathing the water vapor that includes chlorine while taking a shower is not good for your body.

Finding a good water filtration system will depend on what your families water consumption habits are, and what types of contaminants are present in your water.  If you want to know what is in your water before purchasing a system have your water tested.  Once you know what’s in the water then you can purchase a system that will work for you.

While water filters do remove the impurities from the water they do not remove the natural nutrients and minerals in the water.  This will allow you to still enjoy the refreshing taste of the water, and have healthy water at an affordable price.

Under Counter Water Filter

All the doctors and nutritionists, all the diets and the fitness instructors tell us to drink as much water as possible, the minimum of liquid consumed during a day being at least 2 liters. And then we hear from the environmentalists and other government organizations that water is contaminated with all kind of bacteria.

The thing that makes drinking water safe is the water filter. Drinking water filters are available now in many forms and using different technologies. The main goal of the drinking water filter is to make the tap water or almost any other type of water safe for drinking.

There are several types of drinking water filters. Some of them are portable ones like for example the water pitcher filters while others need to be attached to the water pipe. Each of them comes with pros and cons and because of the large variety of drinking water filters available on the market it is important to decide the kind of water filter you want.

It's not only that there are drinking water filters available on the market, but also shower filters systems and whole house water filter systems. The drinking water filter is by far the most popular one and is available as portable filter, counter top filter, under counter filter, and faucet mounted filter.

The most popular ones are the charcoal water filters, the ceramic water filters, the reverse osmosis filters and the Ultraviolet water filters. All the filtering systems have cartridges and filters that need to be replaced from time to time, and need to be cleaned.

As in any other market there are several manufacturers, but you are the one that should decide which one is the best for you. If you want to have purified water in your entire house than obviously the best choice is a whole house water filter system. However these systems are somewhat expensive and their maintenance is not very easy either. Nonetheless with such a system you will have purified water in the entire house because the filter system is connected to the pipe before it enters the house.

The cost of a drinking water filter ranges from inexpensive to pricey, but again it depends on the technology used and the amount of water that can be purified. A small water filter will probably be enough to supply your house with drinking water, but more and more people like to have the water they cook with purified too.

Counter top and under counter water filters seem to be good both at giving enough purified water to drink and cook as needed. And while the counter top water filter is easier to install and does not require extra plumbing work, it is usually cheaper than the under the counter water filter.

So if you have enough space on the counter and you only want to have drinking and cooking water, you can definitely choose a counter top water filter. The main disadvantage of a drinking water filter is that you need a filter for each faucet where you want to have drinking water.

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 - Drinking Water Filters Needed More and More

Countertop Water Purifier

What is this sudden rush? Why is everyone running after countertop water filters today? If you feel you are being left out and want to know what it is all about, read on.

With more and more people understanding the importance of drinking clean and pure water, the popularity of countertop water filters is simply kissing the sky.

Everyone now knows about the condition of the water being supplied to our homes and have accepted the fact that no one but they themselves have to do something to purify and make it safe for their consumption.

This has become especially easy with the advent of countertop water filters which can comfortably sit on top of the kitchen counter and make sure that not a single impurity is left in the water that you are going to use for drinking.

But a word of warning here.

While choosing a purifier, you have to make a wise and well informed choice. Don’t let yourself get lured by the fancy and whimsy of any purification system.

You may find deals with a bang-on attractive price. But make sure to check their maintenance cost as well. After all, it is something which you have to bear every month. So, if you end up buying a system which has a high recurring cost, you are doing nothing more than simply burning a hole in your own pocket!

Don’t let yourself be carried away by the popular brand name. Do the required research to find out the reason for its popularity. While it could very well be the extra ordinary performance of that system, on the other hand, its popularity could be a sheer marketing gimmick as well. So be careful.

Don’t follow the trend but dare to break it. Instead of choosing what your close friend has bought; choose what really is the best for you. Consider a Reverse Osmosis based system for example. People continue buying it in spite of the fact that most medical experts are recommending NOT to use them.

These systems strip away the essential mineral content from the water and make it mineral deprived. Prolonged consumption of this water is something that can lead to the development of serious health problems. And this is why most medical groups and experts are asking people not to use them. However the trend of buying them still continues! Don’t be one of them.

The best way of evaluating the various countertop water filters is by checking the filtration techniques on which they are based. While usually most of them are based on a single filtration mechanism, the best ones have multiple stages of processing and are based on a combination of various advanced techniques.

This ensures 99% clean, pure and safe drinking water.

So what are you waiting for? Do some basic research and then join the rush! However, if you want to bypass it completely and directly know about the efficient countertop water filters which have been getting customer satisfaction awards for past 6 years now, visit my website listed below.

About the Author:

Daniel Woods is a dedicated advocate and researcher of the benefits of safe, clean, healthy filtered water. He shares his research on his website - Water Purifier Home. If you want to know how to choose a water purifier, visit - http://www.waterpurifierhome.com and learn about the products our editors personally use and recommend.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Planning To Buy Countertop Water Filters – If You Hurry, You Will Likely End Up Making A Wrong Choice

Counter Top Water Filter
A Look at 2010 and Beyond
Consumers cut back on a lot of things during an economic downturn, but they can only reduce their consumption of food and household products so much.

Camping Water Purifier

Ultraviolet water purifiers are used by many public treatment facilities to reduce bacterial content. Ultraviolet systems have been adapted for use by homeowners with private wells that have a high bacterial count. Similarly portable ultraviolet water filters are now available for people who are camping or traveling abroad. But even though Ultraviolet purifiers can reduce bacteria to levels that don't cause illnesses, there are some pathogens that are resistant to UV treatment. They are known as cysts. Cysts are parasites in a very early stage of development that can only be neutralized by boiling or by filtering them out. They are greater than a micron in size. So, any purifier that filters down to at least one micron will remove them. Some of the better kitchen units filter down to a half micron. Depending on where you live and the quality of your supply, you may need both ultraviolet water purifiers to kill common bacteria and sub-micron filtration to reduce cysts. The amount of cysts in the environment depends on the year round temperature, the number of animals that are in the area and the season of the year. In the US, public treatment facilities test for them on an occasional, but not a regular basis. The EPA has said that regular testing is impractical. They warn that at-risk individuals should make every effort to protect themselves from this type of infection. Those that are most at-risk include infants, toddlers, the elderly and those with weakened or absent immune system function. In addition to cysts, many homeowners must worry about the chemicals that are used to kill bacteria and control algae growth in the pipelines. The most popular chemical for this purpose is chlorine, because it is cheap and readily available. Chlorination causes the release of byproducts known as THMs. Exposure to THMs greatly increases the individual's cancer risk. Ultraviolet water purifiers serve some purposes, but like reverse osmosis and distillation devices, they cannot kill cysts, nor can they remove chlorine or THMs. If you do have the need for ultraviolet purification in your home, you should know that recent studies done for the EPA showed that all methods of disinfection cause the production of THMs, even ultraviolet. Other studies have shown that THMs become airborne when chlorinated water is heated for showering, cleaning, cooking or other purposes. Well-insulated homes have some amount of chloroform gas (a known carcinogen and a THM) in the air. So, if you do have ultraviolet water purifiers in your home, it is a good first step to having the cleanest water in your home, especially if you get water from a private well. This is because private well owners are responsible for their own water treatment, not the local water authority. However, be aware that there are better water purifiers available which are capable of removing both chlorine and THMs. Some top of the line kitchen and shower water filters are capable of removing both these type of contaminants.

About the Author:

Want a water purifier that can remove chlorine and THMs? These countertop water filters are certified to remove these contaminants as well as other synthetic chemicals. More details: http://www.best-water-filter-guide.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Ultraviolet Water Purifiers - The Best Way To Purify Drinking Water?

Countertop Water Filter

The homeowner with a clean and pure countertop water filter expects that filter to provide him or her with consistent and dependable removal of all water contaminants. A time-pressed homeowner might seek even more. He or she might choose to have a clean and pure filter that is also a maintenance free countertop water filter.

The maintenance free filter has a carbon granule filter. The owner of a maintenance free filter never needs to worry about changing a cartridge. That can seem like a real advantage. Yet like every benefit, it also comes with one seldom-mentioned downside.

Whenever a clean and pure countertop water filter is also a maintenance free countertop water filter, then the owner of that filter can not enjoy all the benefits that come from advancements in technology. Such a homeowner can not plan to replace his or her cartridge with one that has more F.D.A. approved materials or one with a better-graded pore structure.

The cartridge in a maintenance free filter does have a long life. That is why a number of homeowners have purchased the maintenance free, clean and pure water filter. Those homeowners who plan to make a similar purchase should know what to look for in a clean and pure countertop water filter.

Such a filter should have three important features. First, it should have the ability to carry-out mechanical filtration. Mechanical filtration takes advantage of Fickian diffusion. That diffusion process causes absorption of contaminants, whenever contaminated water passes over and moistens fibers.

A clean and pure filter should also have the ability to perform electrokinetic absorption. The unwanted particles in the water produce an electric field. A filter that can perform electrokinetic absorption makes use of that field. By using that field, the filter aids completion of the absorption process.

A good clean and pure filter should, of course, be equipped to function as the site of physical absorption. When water passes over solid absorbent, particles in the water should adhere to the surface of the absorbent. That is what should take place in a working clean and pure filter.

When the three features described above come together in a clean and pure countertop water filter, then that filter can rival the characteristics of other countertop filters. Those filters allow the homeowner to get clean, great-tasting water. Unlike clean and pure filters, those other filters have activated carbon filters with ion exchange and micron filtration.

When a homeowner does not feel compelled to get a maintenance free countertop water filter, then he or she can hope to bring into his or her home an example of our advancing technology. Then that homeowner can anticipate the chance to introduce into the filter system a cartridge with updated materials.

A homeowner can never know when some unseen particle in the tap water might be causing residents of the home to have unusually dry skin or unexplained GI problems. Introduction into the filter system of a new cartridge might bring an end to those complaints. That fact should stay in the mind of a homeowner who is about to get a clean and pure countertop water filter.

Any countertop water filter made today allows the homeowner to enjoy safe and good-tasting water. Still, the homeowner's safety is not at risk, when an old cartridge must be replaced by a newer and better cartridge.

About the Author:

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com
to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Eliminating Cloudy Facts About a Clean and Pure Countertop Water Filter

Multipure Water Filter

In this article we take a look at the Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Water Filter, and compare it with other similar commercially available countertop water filtration systems. Nikken is a Japanese network marketing, or MLM, company founded in 1975. One of their distinctive product line features is the Nikken magnets. These magnets are used in the water filtration process, as well as the many other wellness product lines provided by Nikken. We were interested in both the technology and how a network marketing product compared to others in the marketplace.

We discovered the Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Gravity Water System listed on Amazon.com in both new and used condition. The Nikken website lists this product at $299.00 and includes a short video overview as well as information about dangers present in both tap water and bottled water. We certainly agree on these statements.

Other related Nikken water filter products include the Deluxe Countertop Water System, the Deluxe Under Counter System, Optimizer II, and Ultra Shower System. The company video claims that its magnetic technology doesn’t remove beneficial components during the filtration process as does reverse osmosis technology and other purification techniques.

Although having no personal experience with the Nikken water filters, rather we sought to discover the independent evaluations of others that have actually used them. To accomplish this, we analyzed customer ratings available on Amazon.com and other Internet websites.

In addition to the PiMag Aqua Pour, we compared consumer ratings and comments of two very similar products, albeit using unlike technology. First, we review the Nikken water filter product:

Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Rating – 3.5 Star Rating – The reviews of this product were mixed.. One comment that is of concern is that the company will apparantly not publish independent lab test results (the Nikken website does have a statement that the PiMag water system "meets or exceeds the standards specified in ANSI/NSF 42 and 53").

New Berkley Water Filter System

Big Berkey Water Filter System – 4 Star Rating – All reviews are highly favorable. One comment included a reference to independent testing: The Black Berkey® filter formulation has been tested by State & EPA accredited laboratories to exceed EPA & ANSI/NSF (Std. 53) protocol, and included a link to see test results from the University of Arizona, Spectrum Labs and the LSU Department of Toxicology and Environmental Science.

Multipure Countertop Water Filter

Multipure CBVOCSC Countertop Water Filter – 4.5 Star Rating – All reviews extremely laudatory - Only concern mentioned was: “I wish the flexible pipe was a little longer, so I could position the filter further away from the sink.†According to product description: "Complete lab tests and California certifications are available at the company’s web site."

In summary, the Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Water Filter and other Nikken magnetic-based technologies seem to be very popular. If the company would publish independent test results we could advocate this product without reservation. Competitive produt evaluations are somewhat better, although a small sample size is available.

About the Author:

Jim Green reviews and analyzes MLM company products and opportunities and assists his clients with online MLM lead generation.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Nikken Water Filter Review – PiMag Aqua Pour

Ceramic Water Filters

Did you know that by replacing the aerator in the kitchen faucet, a homeowner can have a functioning countertop water filter system? The homeowner simply puts a diverter in the spot on the faucet that formerly contained the aerator. Once attached to the faucet, that diverter serves a two-fold purpose.

The countertop water filter system, a system created by attachment of a diverter to the faucet, removes unwanted contaminants from the tap water. The homeowner can enjoy drinking water that is free of chlorine, lead, volatile organic chemicals, algae by-products and mercury. Yet the homeowner can retain the ability to enjoy water rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium and manganese.

When water has chemicals added by man, it often tastes foul. When water lacks healthful minerals, it has little if any taste. The typical homeowner does not want to drink either type of water. For that reason, the homeowner often studies the advantages of a countertop water filter. Once a homeowner has decided to use such a filter, then he or she has the opportunity to make a number of selections.

The homeowner who has chosen to install a countertop water filter in his or her home must first decide on how the filtered water will be delivered to the residents of the home. Does the homeowner want the filtered water to come out of an opening at the faucet, or would the homeowner prefer to have the filtered water come from an opening located at the filtering device?

Once the homeowner has made that decision, then he or she needs to study the various types of countertop filters. Does the homeowner want to use a multiple stage filter? Such a filter normally has a ceramic structure. That ceramic structure contains silver, thus preventing the build-up of bacteria in the filter.

When a countertop filter has multiple stages, each stage has a different type of cartridge. One stage normally has a KDF-55 cartridge, a cartridge that contains an alloy of copper and zinc. A second stage usually has a carbon block cartridge. In addition to a cartridge for ultra filtration of the tap water, a countertop filter might include an optional cartridge-one that can remove fluoride, arsenic or nitrates.

Homeowners want to enjoy pure, great tasting water when they drink water from their kitchen faucet. Homeowners can have their wishes answered by buying a countertop water filter system with activated carbon filters, filters that perform ion exchange and micron filtration. The water not only tastes great, but it also gives the homeowner the assurance of drinking safe water.

Once a homeowner has chosen such a countertop filter then he or she can feel free of water-bourn worries. A homeowner in the city does not need to worry about fluoride in the tap water. A homeowner with an artesian well does not need to worry about arsenic in the tap water.

The homeowner's selected countertop water filter allows the residents of the home to enjoy and store great tasting water.

In conclusion, we found for the cleanest, purest, best tasting drinking water, you want a countertop water filter system that combines activated carbon filters with ion exchange and micron filtration. Simply put, it's the safest choice.

About the Author:

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com
to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Discover How Homeowners Can Count on a Good Countertop Water Filter

Why don't we route filtered sea water to toilet flushes instead of purified water?

We don't have to desalinate it, just a simple filtration would be sufficient. Would the salt water cause a wear and tear problem on the ceramic, the plubming or flushing devices if this is done? Would it not be cheaper to maintain and replace those instead of wasting purified water?

I see where you are heading with this, but the trouble arises with the delivery system. You'd need to create two new sets of water delivery systems on a municipal and household level. Which doubles operation costs; requires twice as much construction materials; and obviously increases maintenance costs (salt water is stunningly corrosive -- look at some of the work being done on sailboats in a nearby boatyard if you can).

I'm not sure this is the best approach overall in promoting water conservation at home.

Couple of interesting statistics: toilets account for 26% of a households annual water usage; leaks consume nearly 14% of a homes yearly water usage!

The first thing you can do to reduce your water consumption is to make sure your system is leak free. This is fairly easy to do and often doesn't cost a great deal.

Another trick (many homes in Canada have done this) is to fill a two liter plastic bottle with gravel and water. Then put this in your toilet tank -- this basically (via displacement) reduces the volume of water used with each flush.

The second link below offers 49 tips on how to best save water at home. There are some really cool ideas!

Oh, for Kent j on his petty and childish answer: I think ALL Americans have eaten enough crap from this "current" administration to last a lifetime.