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  

Sink Water Purifier

 Concern over the purity of drinking water has grown over time. With the continual spread of the different water-related disease, it is actually no wonder that a large number of households have turned to using different kinds of means of securing pure drinking water. The most famous of which is by using water filters, specifically under sink water filters which are considered more practical and convenient by a lot of people.

 Water filters are used for the general purpose of purifying the water that comes from our taps and it has been recommended by most health experts. Undersink water filter are perhaps one of the widely used types of water filters. It is very convenient primarily because it is very easy to install. A large number of people have attested to this and as such, many have used this. All you have to do is find the hole in your sink where you can insert this filter and then plug the filter in.

 Under sink water filters, as the name implies, are put in a very convenient and accessible place. When placed in kitchen sink, it makes it viable to wash fruits and vegetables with purified water. Therefore, there is no need for much concern when eating fresh foods since it can be expected that germs and bacteria are washed away by purified sink water.

 Further, when water filters are put under a bathroom sink, brushing your teeth and washing your face will likewise be bacteria-free.  Remember that when you wash your face, you open up the pores in your skin. This makes the skin more susceptible to all kinds of bacteria that will come across or in it. Hence, to avoid acne and blemishes, it is important to use under sink water filters.

 Most water filtration technology involves reverse osmosis or distillation. It is actually one of the hypes now. Unfortunately, this is not the best choice you can have for water purification. They may be able to remove a lot of water contaminants, but they also remove a lot of minerals that are very important to our body. These minerals may include calcium, magnesium, and potassium, among others. Some under sink water filters use this technology that is why it is best to avoid them and learn how to choose the type of undersink water filter suited for you and your home.

 On the other hand, some water filtration technologies do not use multi-stages of filtration. This is another thing to be avoided as this technology does not really eliminate all the contaminants and bacteria from the water. They may only seem decorative in your households because they do not really aid in the prevention of water-related diseases.

 A lot of companies which specialize in household utilities sell undersink water filter and other types of water filters. The prices vary from one store to another and so is the quality of the filter. Hence, it is important to be educated before buying one for your homes.

About the Author:

John Lim Cher Sern is an avid proponent of natural health. Learn more about the convenience and ease of use of under sink water filters and how they can save you a substantial amount of money. Get great tips about undersink water filter and water filtration at http://www.cleanhomewaterfilters.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 3 Reasons Why Under Sink Water Filters are so Convenient

Well Water Filter

A lot of people are getting more and more concerned about the quality of their drinking water. And according to published reports they have very good reason to be concerned. It has been estimated that almost 7 million Americans get sick each year from drinking contaminated tap water. And on top of that, many studies that have been done recently indicate that most bottled water is no better for you than what you may get from your home tap. What that essentially means is that you are paying much more for the same quality of water then.

So water filtration systems have become very popular with many homeowners as a means of improving their home. There are several kinds of filtration systems in use today, and we will try to help you get familiar with the most important ones.

1. The cheapest to purchase, easiest to use, and most portable are water pitchers designed specifically for the purpose of filtering water. The advantage of these water pitchers is their simplicity itself. All you have to do is fill the picture up with tap water and then let it filter out the impurities. The biggest disadvantage to using water pitcher filters is the time that it takes for the water to be filtered. Very often they take 15 minutes or more just to filter a half-gallon of water. So obviously, if you often need water right away this may not be your best solution.

2. The next step up in the water filter chain are faucet mounted water filters. These are often seen advertised on television and in magazines. As the name indicates, they connect to the end of your water faucet, and have a lever so that you can either choose straight tap water, or to send the tap water through your filter instead. These are also very inexpensive types of filters, and very easy to install. They filter water much more quickly than water pitcher filters, but the filter cartridges have to be changed on a regular basis, perhaps every month or so.

3. Undersink water filters have the advantage of providing some of the best overall water filtration possible, and also are stored out of sight. They also work much faster then either water pitcher filters or faucet mounted filters. However, the biggest drawback to them is that in many cases professional installation is a good idea. Some homeowners that are very handy may attempt to tackle the installation of an undersink water filter, but for the average person it may be too much of a job. Cartridges are also used as the filter material for these units, but they only have to be replaced about every six months or so.

4. Whole house water filters are able to provide filtered water to every faucet in your home easily and quickly, which many see as a clear advantage. However, they can be even more involved to install than undersink units, and so most often you will need the services of a plumber to get it set up. The filters in these units also last about six months or so.

5. Reverse osmosis water filters were very popular in the past, but are not nearly as popular today due to the increasing effectiveness of some of the less expensive and easier to install water filtration systems. Perhaps the biggest drawback about reverse osmosis filters is that they waste almost 5 gal. of water for every gallon that they purify. On the plus side though, they are one of the best water filtration systems available, capable of filtering out even some of the smallest and most obscure pollutants.

As you can see, there are several choices to be made when you're considering home water filter systems, and hopefully the information provided above will help you make a more informed choice of the water filtration system that will work best for you.

About the Author:

You can find
home water filter systems
and
water filter reviews
by visiting our Home Improvement website.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Your Guide To The Best Home Water Filter Systems

Cold weather limits work on Marysville waste water treatment plant
Cold weather and the holidays have slowed down work slightly at the Marysville waste water treatment plant, but crews are back to it this week. City Engineer Jason Hami said the $20-million overhaul of the plant is on schedule and within budget.

Undersink Water Filters

Water Purifier Filter

Let's face it. The quality of water being supplied to our homes is deteriorating day by day. With all kinds of new chemicals being produced in the industries, sooner or later they make their way into the water supply and pose a risk to our health. You need to ask yourself then - can your water purifier filter handle all these chemicals and other contaminants present in the water?

The three main categories of contaminants a good water purifier filter should be able to filter out are:

1) Dust and Organic matter

Dust particles, bacteria, leaves, decayed organic matter – these all fall into this category. They are also the simplest of all to filter out from the water due to their large size, and almost any purifier is capable of handling them. So be it a Distiller, a simple Carbon filter or even a Reverse Osmosis filter, all of them can remove these impurities from the water.

2) Heavy Metals

Traces of heavy metals like Lead and Asbestos can frequently be found in our water. These metals are mostly added into the water due to the industrial wastes being dumped into our water sources like rivers and lakes. The metals from pipes in the water distribution network also add to it. These metals are especially harmful for children and can hamper their physical and mental growth. The good news is – most purifiers can handle these dangerous contaminants too without any problem.

3) Dangerous Chemicals

This is the category of contaminants that separates the boys from the men – so to speak. With the number of chemicals in our water increasing at a rapid rate – the old technologies have not been able to keep pace with them. So the pesticides and fertilizer traces, pharmaceutical drugs, hormones, soaps and shampoos – they all pose a serious health risk that the older Distillers and Reverse Osmosis filters cannot handle. Only a good multi stage water purifier filter can handle these chemicals and produce 99% pure water.

Apart from the purification, another factor to be considered is the mineral content of the water. Water in nature contains many minerals inside like Calcium, Sodium and Magnesium – which are needed by our body to keep running smoothly. Purifiers like Distillers and RO filters remove these minerals from the water. Drinking the resultant de-mineralized water can cause mineral deficiencies in the body and lead to health problems down the line.

Multi stage purifiers score over the other purifiers here also as they do not remove the essential minerals from the water.

Now that you have this information, you can make an intelligent choice as to the right water purifier filter for your home. To know about a high quality line of filters that can do all this and more – visit my website now.

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 - Three Types Of Contaminants Your Water Purifier Filter Needs To Remove

want to add water purifier to kitchen faucet that has extension line. ?

is there a way to add a water faucet filter to purify water if i have the kitchen faucet that i can pull out?

Yes. Culligan and Pentek both make great undersink water filters that are easy to install. They are relatively inexpensive. They are also easy to maintain.

Under Sink Water Filter

Have you ever wondered why more and more people are turning to under sink water filters to purify their water? The fact that there are more than 2100 toxic chemicals in it could be one of the reasons!

Recent studies have shown us just how bad the quality of our water has become, with chlorine, lead, prescription drugs and who knows what else in it. Our municipal treatment plants can't cope and just add to the problem by adding lots of chlorine, a toxic substance itself.

An undersink water filter is a great solution, saving you space on the worktop and removing much of the noise that can be emitted from some makes. However it is vital to ensure you select the right system or you may not be protecting yourself at all.

The now fast fading reverse osmosis systems are best avoided as they remove vital minerals that we need to remain healthy, like calcium and magnesium, and are expensive to purchase and maintain. Crucially they are not effective at removing the very dangerous synthetic drugs and chemicals.

The best under sink water filters employ a multi-stage process using an activated carbon filter. An ion exchange is also vital to maintain the correct ph balance. This process will ensure a 99% contaminant removal success rate, whilst leaving in those essential minerals.

Be sure to check the manufacturers performance data sheet to identify exactly what it removes, as they are required to show these to you. Don't settle for anything less than a 99% removal rate.

Also look for one that gives you a flow rate of between 25-30 gallons an hour so you're not standing around all day pouring water!

And lastly, the most expensive ones aren't always the best option. I have seen some RO systems go for over $300, while a high quality multi-stage one as I have outlined can be had for around $175.

I hope you can now see how important it is to select the right undersink water filter in order to get the maximum health benefits and great tasting water, thereby safeguarding your health for the present and the future.

If you would like to learn more about the types of under sink water filters that I personally recommend and use, visit my website today.

About the Author:

Ray Hamilton is a dedicated advocate and researcher of the incredible benefits of under sink water filters. Take a moment to visit his site now at http://www.healthy-filtered-water.com and discover which products Ray recommends after extensive research.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Under Sink Water Filters—Essential Factors To Look Out For

How to drill hole through pipe for saddle valve?

I'm installing an under-sink water filter. For the saddle valve, how do I drill the 1/8" hole through the iron pipe? What is the easy way to do this? Seems like I will be slipping around a bit. Any tips on this step?

1) most saddle valves are installed using a turn screw piercer that comes with the valve for copper and are not designed for steel. steel is not soft enough to form a good seal to the saddle valve.

2) saddle valves are much more prone to leakage than other joints, so please consider adding a T connection in to the pipe in between the supply pipe and the faucet with the bottom of the T capable of connecting to the filter tubing with a compression fitting.

3) if you still feel you need to drill the hole, you could make a jig from 2 pieces of wood, both wider than the pipe, one piece with a 1/8 inch hole pointed right at where you want the hole, the other would be screwed to the first piece of wood on the other side of the pipe to hold the first in place. A "V" shaped cut in both pieces would steady the wood around the pipe. The v cuts should not be so large that the cuts allow play in the wood around the pipe.

Undersink Water Filter