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  

Water Treatment Unit
Sustainable water and energy solutions at Siemens 'Answers for the Environment'
29 - 30 June 2010, Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Read About This Whole House Water Treatment

 

 

Whole house water treatment has been rightfully getting a lot of attention as of late.

This piece of water treatment equipment has a few advantages over the point of use units that have been popular for years.

 

Let’s take a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of owning the system.

 

One of the systems that have been heavily advertised is called reverse osmosis.

Despite what the promotional pieces for the RO system say, reverse osmosis is the very definition of the disadvantages that can come from owning of a whole house water treatment system.

 

It simply is not designed for the act of purifying drinking water.

 

The system plays an important role in industry, because of its ability to efficiently and effectively de-mineralize water.

However, de-mineralization is just about the only thing that reverse osmosis is good for.

 

This water treatment equipment does nothing to remove the majority of harmful contaminants that we need protection from.

 

The porous filter that is utilized by this whole house water treatment system is incapable of ridding the water of any contaminants that are of equal or lesser weight than that of the water itself.

This makes it possible for a great many microscopic organisms and chemical agents to flow by unaffected.

 

 

 

These hazardous impurities then enter your tap water, where they begin to take a slow toll on your family’s health.

 

What you need is water treatment equipment that is specifically designed to rid your home of a wide variety of contaminants.

 

There are a few good systems available that will live up to that task.

 

You can basically break down the contaminants that your whole house water treatment system will have to contend with in to 3 categories.

 

The first of these is chemical compounds.

This category is made up of thousands of different chemical and pharmaceutical agents that have entered into our reservoir system.

 

The two pieces of water treatment equipment that are essential in order to ensure the removal of these chemicals are a granulated active carbon filter and a multi block filter.

 

What these two basically do is work in tandem to perform a function known as absorption, which is the act of turning a liquid or gas into solid, trappable matter.

 

The second dilemma that whole house water treatment systems have to contend with is the parasites and bacteria that survived the chlorine disinfection process.

 

For the removal of these microbes to ultimately prove successful, your purification unit will employ a sub- micron filter.

 

This gadget will guarantee that your water remain free of all biological threat.

 

 

When taking on the task of removing toxic heavy metals from your drinking water, your water treatment equipment will use a special tool that will also provide an added bonus.

An ion exchange unit, as the name implies, exchanges the heavy metals that it picks up with healthy electrolytes.

An ion exchange will also act to balance the pH level in your drinking water.

 

You can find high quality whole house water treatment systems which offer you all of these benefits.

 

Plus, since it blocks the contaminants before they ever get into the house you get the added bonus of cleaner smelling laundry, which is something that point of use units cannot offer you.

About the Author

Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of Water Purification Systems. Visit his website now at : http://www.water-safe-and-pure.com to discover which Water Purification Systems Gordon recommends after far ranging comparisons.

Water Treatment Unit

Ge Water Purifier

"If you cannot buy a car that has not been put through various kinds of safety testing, you should avoid a water treatment unit that has not been tested and verified."

Do you shop for the cheapest home water filter or a "discounted" home water treatment unit, or do you look for the one that can do the job right?

Has the cheaper water treatment unit been verified and tested for its performance?

What criteria do you use when choosing the right water treatment?

This is a health issue.

Whether you are looking for the best distiller for your home or the best water purifier for your camping need, it is important that you buy a unit that has been tested and verified by an independent organization like the NSF International, Water Quality Associations, or Underwriters Laboratories.

These three organizations work in concert so an approval by one is most like good for the others.

NSF International tests and certifies drinking water treatment devices to the standard appropriate for the technology of the product. NSF does not "rate" or "rank** water treatment systems, rather each system is tested against its own claims.

Some people will rather walk into a store and just buy one on display or one that is recommended by the sales people.

That's okay.

But if you have tested your water and know exactly what you need to remove or reduce from your water, you should check the labels on the filter to be sure it has the NSF/ANSI label.

NSF Standards are categorized as follows:

NSF/ANSI Standard 42 - Aesthetic Effects NSF/ANSI Standard 53 - Health Effects NSF/ANSI Standard 58 - Reverse Osmosis NSF/ANSI Standard 44 - Cation Exchange Water Softeners NSF/ANSI Standard 55 - Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems NSF/ANSI Standard 62 - Distillation Systems NSF/ANSI Standard 177 - Shower Filtration Systems

So, if you are looking for best water filters that can remove heavy metals from your drinking water, you need a filter that has been verified and tested for the ability to remove or reduce the contaminants. Another example is that not many water filters have been tested and certified to remove arsenic in water. NSF certified very few water filter brands for arsenic reduction.

Any filter can remove solids or contaminants but by how much?

NSF-certified water filters and other treatment units have been rigorously tested for claims to reduce contaminants to a level that is safe to drink. If you are concerned with arsenic or other metals in your water, your first consideration is to look for one with proven performance; then think about the short time cost and the long time benefits.

A cheap filter now may cost you more in the future.

"If you cannot buy a car that has not been put through various kinds of safety testing, you should avoid a water treatment unit that has not been tested and verified."

Do you shop for the cheapest home water filter or a "discounted" home water treatment unit, or do you look for the one that can do the job right?

Has the cheaper water treatment unit been verified and tested for its performance?

What criteria do you use when choosing the right water treatment?

This is a health issue.

Whether you are looking for the best distiller for your home or the best water purifier for your camping need, it is important that you buy a unit that has been tested and verified by an independent organization like the NSF International, Water Quality Associations, or Underwriters Laboratories.

These three organizations work in concert so an approval by one is most like good for the others.

NSF International tests and certifies drinking water treatment devices to the standard appropriate for the technology of the product. NSF does not "rate" or "rank** water treatment systems, rather each system is tested against its own claims.

Some people will rather walk into a store and just buy one on display or one that is recommended by the sales people.

That's okay.

But if you have tested your water and know exactly what you need to remove or reduce from your water, you should check the labels on the filter to be sure it has the NSF/ANSI label.

NSF Standards are categorized as follows:

NSF/ANSI Standard 42 - Aesthetic Effects NSF/ANSI Standard 53 - Health Effects NSF/ANSI Standard 58 - Reverse Osmosis NSF/ANSI Standard 44 - Cation Exchange Water Softeners NSF/ANSI Standard 55 - Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems NSF/ANSI Standard 62 - Distillation Systems NSF/ANSI Standard 177 - Shower Filtration Systems

So, if you are looking for best water filters that can remove heavy metals from your drinking water, you need a filter that has been verified and tested for the ability to remove or reduce the contaminants. Another example is that not many water filters have been tested and certified to remove arsenic in water. NSF certified very few water filter brands for arsenic reduction.

Any filter can remove solids or contaminants but by how much?

NSF-certified water filters and other treatment units have been rigorously tested for claims to reduce contaminants to a level that is safe to drink. If you are concerned with arsenic or other metals in your water, your first consideration is to look for one with proven performance; then think about the short time cost and the long time benefits.

A cheap filter now may cost you more in the future.

To learn about choosing the best water filter system for your home, you may visit the author's website at Water Filters and Water Purifiers Guide.