Water Filtration

Water is a crucial resource which many of us living in the cities have come to take for granted. Our survival and health depend on the water we drink, but yet we hardly give a thought to the water we use each day.

Here are nine reasons why we should not take our water at face value, and why a water filter could be the best investment we can make for our health:

1. The Water Myth

Pure natural water is a myth. In nature, water picks up minerals as well as contaminants like arsenic, viruses and bacteria as it flows through streams, sits in lakes, and sips through soil and rock in the ground. It is the amount of these substances that determines whether the water is safe or unsafe for consumption.

2. Great Polluted Lakes

The five Great Lakes — Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior — make up more than 80 percent of the U.S.’s freshwater supply and more than 20 percent of the world’s. But they have been increasingly polluted by agricultural, industrial and recreational activities that take place around and within the lakes. Pollutants, such as discharged waste water from factories, untreated sewage and toxic contaminants, enter and get trapped in the lakes, increasing in concentration over time.

3. Massive Contamination Power of Oil

Used oil is a major source of oil contamination of waterways and result in pollution of drinking water sources. Spilled or inappropriately disposed used oil from one oil change can contaminate up to 1 million gallons of fresh water, or a year’s supply for 50 people.

4. Chlorine: The Double-Edged Sword

Chlorine is a commonly used disinfectant to remove viruses and bacteria from water. But chlorine is also toxic to humans and it reacts with organic compounds in the water to form by-products like trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that can lead to cancer and reproductive disorders.

5. Killing with Ozone

Ozone is another popular disinfectant that is used standalone or in addition to chlorine to kill germs in the water. However, ozone can react with natural occurring bromide in the water to form bromate, which is a known carcinogen.

6. Chloramine: Deadlier than Chlorine?

Chloramine is an increasingly common disinfectant used as an alternative to chlorine as it is more stable and does not dissipate from the water before it reaches consumers. It also does not have the distinct smell and taste which is characteristic to chlorine-treated water. However, chloramine has been found to create more disinfection by-products than chlorination and increases the leaching of lead from pipes.

7. Mouth Wash or Drinking Water?

Fluoride is often added to drinking water by water suppliers to prevent tooth decay. But this controversial additive has also been linked to bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones, in some studies.

8. The Convoluted Journey of Water

Treated water from public water suppliers can be further contaminated as it makes its way to our homes — by dissolving unwanted chemicals and substances such as asbestos, bacteria, viruses, lead and PVC from corroded pipes.

9. Drink to Even Weaker Immune Health

Seniors and young children, as well as people with immune systems compromised by chemotherapy, AIDS and other chronic diseases are more vulnerable to microbial and toxic contaminants in drinking water, even at levels determined safe by the authority.

So, you see, water filters can be the best investment we can make for our health.

An Ezine article

A very good question, “are water filters important?” In today’s society, life is very fast paced, 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 I 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 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 quite 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 unit is a good way to go and there are many variations to choose from ranging from around fifty to a couple 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 what type of water comes into the house, well or city water. Other considerations are how big the house is, the number of bathrooms and so on. Whole house units can range from as little as a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars. 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 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 (chemical contaminants) 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 systems that use 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 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.

Water filter systems 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.

An Ezine Article

I bet you are frustrated over constantly having to buy new water filters for your home. After all, you don’t want to drink the tap water straight- who knows where it has been. And, you certainly don’t want to keep paying for water filters that only last so long. Well, the good news is that there are a couple of tips to keep in mind when shopping for your new water filters. We’ll go over a few of them here.

1) Quality over quantity. Just because a water filter looks like a good deal, does not mean it actually is. Compare the quality of the different filters and most importantly how many uses you are likely to get out of each water filter and you should be able to make a fairly good judgement on just what you are getting in a water filter.

2) Don’t forget online resources. The web is an amazing resource for those of us who want to compare the different types of bargains that might be available to us. You need to look everywhere. Buying in bulk direct from the manufacturer is a great way to save if you have a large family that runs through water filters constantly.

3) The most important part is to learn about the different types of water filters available. Quality and online shopping will only take you so far if you don’t know what you are doing. There are literally hundreds of different manufacturers and distributors of water filters that you can spend your money with these days. Like any market, a few of the water filter companies are really good and a few of them are really bad. Taking time to learn the basics is well worth your time and will definitely save you a lot of money in the years to come. Basic research can return a huge amount of value to those people who are motivated to do it. Invest your time in learning which water filters are the best for you.

An Ezine Article

The debate over the safety of water continues. It seems like it has been going on for decades. Today, concerns over the quality of tap water that initiated the bottled water craze are still ever present.

It’s a fact that tap water is nowhere near free from dangerous contaminants. This realization has increased the widespread popularity of home water filters. A number of innovative products are being developed in the new age of water filters.

Using water filters makes more sense than drinking bottled or tap water. But how do water filters work with all their newfound shapes, sizes and processes? First, understand that there are many different kinds of water filtration systems.

One more simplistic method of water filtration is found in the pitcher filter. If you need filtered water on the go or only for occasional use, a pitcher system is a pretty effective creation. You simply add water to the top portion of the carafe, and the water flows through an interior filter into the main canister. A pitcher arrangement can be a good thing to bring to a picnic or to the beach. Just know that some types can take several minutes for the water to filter through before you can pour it.

A more popular form of filtration device is a faucet mounted filter. These allow you to filter water straight from your tap. You can even find some new fangled models that let you control the filtration device. This gives you the ability to divert the water from the filter if you just want to wash dishes or your hands.

The next popular style of home water filters consists of under-the-sink models. A lot of people might ponder the question: how do water filters work when they are under the sink? These systems are similar to the faucet-mounted ones, in that they only service a single sink in your house. But they install under the sink and usually come with a designated faucet or tap. The filters are usually larger and will last longer than the first two types.

These days with so many innovative kitchen appliances being made, you see home water filters that are built right into refrigerators. To provide customers with fresh, clean ice and water right at their fingertips, many manufacturers are offering refrigerator water filters.

Whatever system you decide on, just make sure it can provide clean, safe water so you can live a healthier life. As you know, you can’t count on bottled or tap water to be pure and safe.

An Ezine Article

The best way to keep your water filtering system working properly is to change the filters as often as the manufacturer recommends. Many times, this will be after a certain number of gallons of water filtered, for instance 500 gallons or 1500 gallons. So if you use the filter frequently to filter your drinking water, you may find yourself spending a lot of money on filters. Time to find a discount supplier of these filters. They are not all the same, and if you shop around, you can find a place to buy these filters at the best possible discount. Many of these discounters will offer the best deals to returning customers, so if you go on an automatic program, you will get the best price.

Naturally, you have to make sure you buy the filter that is compatible with the filtering system you have. Many times the discount filters will be a generic brand, so you have to know the measurement of the filters you use in order to chose the right one for your system. If you are going to a store, bring the old filter with you and make sure it matches.

If your water filtering system requires a screw in type filter, make sure you know the diameter of the pipe in the filter so that you get the one that fits right. Also, make sure the thread types are the same for a perfect fit.

There usually is a part number or a OEM number that will make it easier for you to find the water filter cartridge for you system. In the worst possible case, if you have some unusual type of water filter cartridge that you cannot find, you should contact the manufacturer of your water filter system and they can recommend a supplier.

An Ezine Article

It goes without saying that water is necessary for life and clean water is a essential for a good life. Unfortunately, due to the pollution brought about by man, these facts have pushed us to the point where it is now necessary to pass almost every drop of water we intend to drink through some sort of filtering system.

Soon, bottled water companies may be the oil barons of the new world which is why more and more companies have entered the market in recent years and in doing so have provided their own take on the water filter. It is because of this, consumers are now faced with a wide array of costs and features from which to choose. With this article, we are going to attempt to answer the question of “what affects water filter costs?”

Quality - Higher quality water filters can cost more than ordinary water filters. Often this is for a very good reason. High quality products often perform better because of certain added precautions in their production. As you know, such quality does not come cheap. The added costs of maintaining the production of high quality products do affect water filter costs. Because of this, people who buy expensive water filters do expect certain things from them.

Features - With technology forever changing the face of various products, it is no surprise to learn that even water filters can have various features. Additional features that help make water filtration more convenient and efficient can affect the cost of water filters. If you wish to add some frills to your water filters, then you had better be prepared to pay more cash.

Type - The type of water filter also affects the cost. Basic filters like screen filters and disk filters which can be easily manufactured often cost a lot less money. Similarly, filters that remove a large number of contaminants or specialize in specific, hard to remove contaminants may cost more to manufacture and therefore can cost you a bit more. Because of such factors, it is wise to do your homework before investing in any type of water filter.

Popularity - Of course, the demand always affects water filter costs. If a particular brand or type of water filter proves to be very popular with the public, its cost may very likely be increased by the company selling it.

As you are comparing prices and manufacturers of water filters for your home or office, keeping abreast of the factors that can affect water filter prices will enable you to make the best and most cost-effective choice before buying. Since our bodies are approximately 75% water, it just makes good sense to make sure you only put into it the most clean and healthy water available.

An Ezine Article

Many people are starting to become concerned by what is in their drinking water. Water filters and filtration systems are becoming popular in homes across the country. Safety is one concern, but taste is another that water filters address. Contaminants are the cause of particles or bad taste. Testing your water for contaminants is the first step. If contaminants are found you can then look into a water filter.

The type of water filter you chose will be based upon a few factors. If you own your home you can pretty much install any water filter you chose, but if you do not own your home then you are limited to water filters that are non-evasive or easily removed. Costs also vary from under $100 to over $1000. The amount of filtration also varied from filter to filter. To start with you should familiarize yourself with the types of water filters available.

Whole house filters are set up through the main water line that comes into the house. This type of water filter removes contaminants from all the water entering your home. A whole house system is good for removing particles like rust and sediment.

Under sink filters come in a variety of styles. There are filters that take multiple cartridges or only one. Each type of under sink filter is designed to remove different contaminants. Some may only remove particles while others may have additional cartridges to remove odors and taste problems. These can be bought according to the particular needs based on the contaminants in your water. They only filter water going to the area where the filter is installed.

Faucet-mounted filters are easy to install and remove. They only filter the water coming out of the faucet where it is installed. There is no mounting required as most simply screw onto the faucet. These types of filters also come in a variety that can be chosen based upon what contaminants are in your water.

Canister filters are the simplest form of water filter. These filters are basically just a pitcher with a filtration system in the lid. Water is poured in, goes through the filter to the reserve tank (pitcher bottom) and then can be drunk. The only water filtered is what is put in the pitcher.

These are the basic types of water filters. Your needs and the contaminants in your water will help you decide which water filter will work best for you.

An Ezine Article

Home water filters are used to purify the water either at the tap, the shower, or throughout the home. Filtered water is safer, beneficial to good health, and reduces exposure to the many contaminants that can be found in water. They use no more energy than water being pushed through pipes.

Filters are used to remove sediment, particles, and dirt. They also absorb pollutants. They also remove bacteria, chlorine, cysts, and VOCs - volatile organic chemicals. The taste of the water is improved and most filters take away pollutants but leave beneficial minerals behind.

There is a variety of filter systems available on the market. Budget, need, and space will likely influence the type chosen for an individual home. All are effective and produce healthy and safe drinking water.

Faucet filters are attached to the faucet or at the point of use. The water is purified as it passes through a filter. These are very effective systems to use. Most of them are relatively easy to attach. They usually have replaceable filter cartridges.

Whole-house filters are especially good for large homes. They are attached at the point where the water enters the home. The water at the tap, shower, bath and toilet are all purified as it passes through the filters. An added benefit to this is that because less contaminants remain in the water fewer of them can escape to the air. The result in this case is purer air as well.

Shower filters are attached to the shower head. They can also be attached to hand-held shower wands. The resulting pure water can reduce or alleviate the incidences of skin problems such as rashes and other irritations.

Drinking water filters can be faucet filters, whole-house filters, or pitcher containers that easily go in the refrigerator. There are also individual systems such as filter straws and filtration bottles.

Counter models sit on the counter. Under sink/counter models are designed to be installed out of sight. They are larger than counter top models. Yet they are every bit as effective in treating water.

Home water filters promote good health. In today’s economy, they are definitely cheaper in the long run than bottled water. They also remove about 2,000 contaminants as well as some known poisons that can be found in water supplies.

An Ezine Article

Water is precious. Water is the second most important thing man needs to survive on earth. The importance of water can be known from the fact that more than 70% of our body is water. This exactly shows how important water is and its quality.

We have about 326 million cubic miles of water covering 70% of our planet. To top it, there is an untold amount of ground water and water vapor in the atmosphere. For the last 6000 years, we are using this water and the water supply has been recycling itself through an endless process of evaporation, condensation and precipitation.

But with rapid industrialization, water at present has got polluted at an alarming rate in most parts of the world. About half of the world’s pollution problem stems from leaking gasoline storage tanks, storm sewers, sewage treatment plants, septic tanks, and industry.

Due to the increase in water pollution, source of pure drinking water has depleted considerably. The situation is grim. Impure water is taking its toll on human lives. People are suffering from water borne diseases; thousands of people are dying due to lack of pure water.

The grim situation has led to the launch of various kinds of water filters by many companies in the market. It has become absolute necessity in life. Water Filters produces clean, crisp, great tasting water without eliminating naturally occurring minerals like calcium, magnesium that is so vital to our health. It removes soluble impurities along with harmful bacteria and viruses.

There are many types of water filters available in the market. There are water filters for domestic, commercial and industrial use. In fact, you can get water filters that meet all your requirements. You can have for your home faucet mounts, under-sink water filters, whole house water filters, reverse osmosis water filters and other types of water filters according to your pocket size.

If you want to lead a healthy life, install water filter at your home and save yourself from poor digestion, water-borne diseases and wastage of money on medicines. With a right kind of water filter, you can romance your life to the summit.

An Ezine Article

Whole house water filters are connected to the main line coming into your home. That means all the water coming into your home is being filtered. This includes the water that you shower or bathe with, your drinking water, and even the water that washes your clothes. If you want total protection home water filter systems that are connected to your main water line are the way to go. You will need a plumber to install a system like this. House water filters can also come in the form of countertop water filters, under sink water filters, and shower filters, and protect only the water that comes from the faucet that they are attached to.

Why These Systems Are Important

Why is it so important to use these systems and filters to keep your water pure? There are many contaminates that get through city filtration systems and even well water has been found to be contaminated these days. What are the benefits of drinking clean pure water? The body is mostly water; the percentage is 60 to 75%. If the water you drink and cook with, wash your clothes in, and use to bathe isn’t clean, your body takes the impurities into your system through consumption or absorption through your skin.

You Need Sufficient Water

Drinking sufficient water every day softens your skins and makes it supple, is good for your circulation, assists your liver and kidneys in removing toxins, and prevents headaches. The crux of the matter is that only pure water can help your body. Water containing toxins works against the bodily systems it should help keep healthy.

The Reasons Are Clear

The reason that home water filter systems and house water filters are important is clear. When all of your water outlets are protected then your water is completely cleaned and that is the job of filter systems and water filters. When you get them installed you are assured of having clean safe water.

Best Quality - Best Prices

If you want the best quality home water filters and you know where to look on the Internet, you can buy the best rated water filters direct from the manufacturer for big savings.