Water Filtration

It has been more than 200 years now since man has understood that pathogens can be waterborne. Back at that time, a radical new system of sand filtration was developed which dramatically cut back the incidence of cholera, and the people were amazed. This was a Cadillac of systems compared to other 18th century innovations. What most people don’t realize, though, is that our “modern” water treatment plants use this same system to treat our water today. What was outstanding technology during the 1700s is inadequate in today’s world. If you have been trusting that the water that comes from your tap is as good as it gets, you need to learn what’s really going on.

The truth is that while water treatment plants today are bumbling along using these antiquated systems, a certain amount of waterborne pathogens are still being allowed to filter into our drinking water. Yeah, we grew up thinking our municipal water is clean and perfect, and a lot of people still believe this is so. However, studies have been conducted that have proven to the contrary. What was an amazing reduction in bacteria in the water of the 18th century is something that shouldn’t be tolerated now, during the 21st century. There is no reason for us to drink contaminated water, though, and there is something that each of us can do about the problem.

Many types of water filtration systems are available today that utilize much more modern technology than that used by the treatment facilities. These devices are meant to be installed in individual homes to further filter the water that comes in from the municipal systems. Whether you choose a refrigerator with in-the-door filtration, an under-sink unit, or a countertop model, you’ll be doing yourself and your family a big favor. These units are designed to filter out contaminants that have escaped the city’s filters which means that the water you use in your home will be much safer than ever before.

Why don’t water treatment plants update their technology to represent the new capabilities that have been developed? The main answer is “money”. You can’t turn on the TV these days without seeing reports about someone somewhere who doesn’t have enough money to pay for the necessities of modern life, and water treatment centers are no exception. New filtering technology is cost-prohibitive for cities which are struggling to fund the services they already offer. As long as the water they produce meets minimum government standards, they aren’t going to pay to update anything. It’s up to you as a homeowner to ensure that the water coming into your home is as clean as you want it to be by installing additional water filters.

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Point-of-use water treatment with a quality Crystal Quest® water filtration system is by far the most economical, convenient and capable way of producing the healthiest and best tasting water. With Crystal Quest® home water filters, you can fill your own bottles at home for less than 10 cents per gallon rather than dollars per gallon. There is another great bonus to Crystal Quest® water filters over bottled water; to protect the environment. Every day millions of plastic bottles are being discarded, contaminating our natural resources. A single Crystal Quest® water filter system can prevent thousands of plastic bottles from ultimately polluting our environment.

The home water filtration market is large and constantly growing, no doubt due to the desire of many informed consumers to improve their everyday drinking water quality. Studies have shown that it’s easy to get sick from contaminated tap water, and that bottled water is not necessarily of any higher quality than what you get through your tap. So that leaves the average homeowner with a choice of installing a home water filter system to improve their drinking water.

But which filter system will work best for you? Let’s review the advantages and disadvantages of each major filter type to help you make your choice.

The easiest water filter to use also happens to be the most portable as well, the carafe or water pitcher filter. These are extremely simple in design, as you just pour in the water and let it filter out the impurities for you. These kind of simple water filters are especially good for folks who live in apartments where they can’t make any permanent installations of a water filter. They also are a good choice for homeowners who just don’t want to have to install anything, or change the look of their faucets. The disadvantages to these units are that the filters have to be replaced frequently, and they are the slowest filtration method available.

Faucet mounted filter systems attach to the end of your faucet, and allow you to choose whether you wish to use straight tap water or filtered water by simply turning a lever. They are also very good choices for apartment dwellers who are allowed to change their faucets, and homeowners who don’t want the hassle of installing filtration equipment. They are very inexpensive and work much faster than water pitcher filters. The average person can have one installed in no time with very little difficulty. These units also use cartridge filters that need to be replaced frequently, sometimes even every month or so.

Undersink water filters are among the more expensive options to take in this field, and they provide excellent water filtration results. They would not be good for most apartment dwellers because of the need for installation, and homeowners should consider the cost of installation by a qualified technician before making their final purchase. The filter cartridges that come with these units are very effective and long-lasting, many of them only needing to be replaced every six months or so.

Whole house water filter systems do pretty much what the name indicates, they provide water filtration for the entire house at once without having to be installed on each faucet. An obvious benefit is that you receive filtered water at every tap throughout the home simultaneously, and the filter cartridges that are used for these units also lasts a long time, up to six months or so. However, the installation for this kind of water filtration system is more involved than any of the other filter systems, usually requiring the services of a plumber for correct installation.

Reverse Osmosis water filter systems have been very popular with homeowners in the past as they do a superior job of filtering out even the smallest of pollutants including arsenic. However, in order to get 1 gal. of filtered water a reverse osmosis water filter has to use and waste 5 gal. of tap water. They can also be fairly bulky filters when installed, and so many consumers are opting for one of the first four water filtration systems mentioned instead.

There are several different ways to get filtered water these days, and which filtration system you choose is entirely up to you. One recommendation though is before you buy any water filtration system, check on the cost of replacement water filter cartridges. Sometimes the cost of the cartridges can add up significantly over a very short period of time.

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Concerns about contaminated drinking water stations or fountains are not unwarranted. Most of the manufacturers do not include appropriate filtration systems. So, you and your co-workers are consuming whatever contaminants are present in the local water supply.

Chlorine and THMs are chemical contaminants present in practically all publicly treated water supplies. Cysts may also be present at any time, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Lead is a problem in a number of cities, particularly those with older infrastructures. Herbicides and pesticides are big problems in Maryland and the “Corn Belt”. 
 
Benzene and other cancer-causing chemicals are present throughout the world. Perchlorate, a VOC and endocrine disruptor, has been found during independent testing in sites throughout the US. MTBE is a problem in many areas, due to seepage from underground gasoline storage tanks. MTBE is probably not a carcinogen, but it ruins the taste and smell of the water. 
 
You might believe that the five gallon jugs are a good alternative to contaminated drinking water stations, but testing by public safety groups found that most of those jugs leach BPA into the water stored in them. BPA is another endocrine disruptor. You might like to know what endocrine disruptors are.
 
They are chemicals that act like hormones within the human body; they interfere with the body’s natural production of hormones. Most of them have been proven to heighten a person’s risk of cancer. Recent studies indicate that they may be part of the the obesity epidemic. BPAs are prevalent in the environment, in processed foods, and in bottled water.
 
The best alternative to contaminated drinking water stations is an effective purification system found in bottle-less water coolers. But, to guarantee protection, check the product performance data before you buy. The information should include the type of contaminant that is reduced as well as the extent of reduction. The list should look something like this:
 

• THM reduction; 99% or more
• Chlorine reduction; 99.99% or more
• Cyst reduction; 99% or more
• Lead reduction; 99% or more

Benzene, MTB, and VOCs should also be on the list as should common herbicides and pesticides such as lindane, alachlor, and atrazine. Filters should be changed regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
 
There’s no need to worry about contaminated drinking water stations if you install a bottle-less water cooler with an effective purifier which is a healthier and far more affordable option than supplying bottled water to all the employees. According to estimates from the Environmental Working Group, a family of four can save over $1000 per year by installing a purifier and giving up bottled water.
 
If you have a large work staff, imagine how much you could save. You can avoid the risk of contaminated drinking water stations and save money too. What could be better? And, when buying a home water filtration system, remember it is an investment in your health; make sure you make it a good one.

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News headlines send people searching for drinking water filters. But, what do you expect your drinking water filter to do? Do you want to remove chlorine and its by-products, lead, disease causing microscopic organisms, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, TCE, MTBE or all of the above?

If you are like me, then you have chosen all of the above. There are high quality drinking water filters that remove all of these contaminants, but the price is not that high. Of course, the cheaper systems can not handle all of them, so you have to decide what fits your pocketbook, while protecting you family to the best of your ability.

Some people only drink bottled, because they think that is the safest choice, but benzene has been found in Perrier. BPA has been found in anything stored in polycarbonate. Phthalates are found in anything stored in any type of polymer. Both of those chemicals act like estrogen within the body and can cause some serious health problems, including cancer.

A pitcher drinking water filter is often chosen because it is the least expensive option, but the cost per gallon is actually higher. The filtration cartridges have a very short life span and that affects the cost of use. For a Brita pitcher, for example, the cost per gallon is 25 cents, as opposed to less than 10 for one of the best countertop drinking water filters on the market.

Pitchers are also slow. You fill up the top compartment from your tap and it trickles down through the system. In order to get a full pitcher, you have to repeat this process several times.

Then, there is a problem with what a pitcher-type drinking water filter can do. We’ll use Brita again as an example. Not to pick on them, but they are one of the most popular choices. They only remove about 75% of the chlorine and about 93% of the lead. Nothing else is removed.

Countertop drinking water filters can provide a lot more water in a lot less time. You just turn on the tap and get a drink right away. There is an option for switching it off, in case you want to prolong the drinking water filter life, but you should be aware that chlorine and its by-products can pollute the air quality within your home. So, if you are using hot water, you want the “on-position”.

An under the counter drinking water filter system costs more, but doesn’t do a lot more. It’s really just the aesthetics that come with having a unit stored underneath and out of sight.

Whole house drinking water filters cost the most, but will protect your laundry from damaging chlorine and you won’t have to worry about your dishwasher emitting toxic gas. The choice is yours of course. I just wanted to provide little helpful information to accompany you while you shop. Just don’t let the many choices keep you from taking action to provide pure and safe water for you and your family.

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There are two common types of water filtration used in top rated home water filters. Carbon filters and reverse osmosis filters use different techniques to remove such contaminants as bacteria, sediments, chemicals, metals and odor.

Simply stated, carbon filters work by passing water through one or more filtering compounds, whereas, reverse osmosis passes water through layers of filtering screens to remove contamination and impurities, then uses water to wash the screens.

Here is how a carbon filter works:

Water is passed through either granular activated carbon (GAC) or a carbon block which removes sediments, micro-organisms and organic compounds.

Some filters will use a micron membrane to remove sand and silt as an initial filtration stage.

Depending on the size and quality of the unit, water may pass through up to 7 or even 8 levels of filtration with each level removing more and more contamination.

Some filtration companies are now using KDF which is a patented medium for fluid filtration to enhance the capabilities of a carbon filtration system.

Studies have determined that GAC and KDF used in combination within a filter unit have a greater capacity to remove contamination than carbon filtration alone.

Carbon filters need to be replaced regularly based on the manufacturers instructions.

Reverse Osmosis water filtration works like this:

Water is first passed through a pre-filter screen to remove sediments and larger particles from the water.

Next water is passed through an even smaller screen to remove very small particles (bacteria, heavy metals, etc).

The third step is passing the water through a carbon filter to complete the filtration process.

As contaminants build up on the filtration screens, the reverse osmosis system uses water to wash the screens - called backwashing. This process can create a lot of waste water; as much as double the amount of water that was purified.

So which type of water filter should you choose?

That depends on your budget and you water usage. Generally, for home use a carbon filtration system provides adequate water purification at a lower cost that reverse osmosis water filtration systems. Reverse osmosis water filters require more water flow for the backwash process - potentially increasing your water bill. You will also need abundant water pressure for a reverse osmosis water purification to work properly.

Generally, it’s our thinking that the higher level of water purification provided by a reverse osmosis water filter may be worth the cost if you have a family member with a very severely compromised immune system and you have the water flow to sustain the system. Otherwise, the less expensive and less complicated carbon water filtration systems will provide the average household with plenty of safe, clean water.

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Let’s face it. We are living in an era where having a quality water filtration system is absolutely essential to our ongoing health. Did you know that water filtration systems in the home have become almost as commonplace as having a toaster or microwave? The reason is obvious…people have become painfully aware of the dangers that lurk in our water supplies.

The good news is that, as consumers, we can take measures to protect ourselves. However, before you invest in any type of water filtering system for your home, there’s a few things you should know.

If you are thinking of buying a water filtration system, the first place to start is finding out exactly what contaminants exist in your local water supply. This is fairly easy to do. Contact your local water company and request the “Annual Water Quality Report”. Once you know what contaminants are in your water, you will be in a better position to know what type of filter to look for.

Next, you need to know what the most dangerous chemicals are and which type of water filtration system removes them. The following is a list of the most dangerous chemicals, along with a brief explanation of why they are considered so:

Chlorine: is a “known” poison. It reacts to sediment, bark, leaves and organic matter, creating Trihalomethanes (THM’s) and other toxic substances. Trihalomethanes can have formalin and formaldehyde in it, which are carcinogenic, no matter how small the amount.

Lead: remains in the tissue forever, particularly brain tissue. This is a toxin that affects people in accordance with their body weight. Because of this, an adult can fend off the ill effects for quite awhile. For children, however, it is a different story because it can cause “permanent” brain and developmental effects.

Asbestos: another potential carcinogen that originates from either abestos-lined water pipes or in areas where serpentine rock is plentiful.

Cysts: includes parasites, protozoa and microscopic worms. Biggest offenders is cryptosporidia and giardia, known to cause death in people with weaker immune systems, and also causes major dehydration, intestinal disorders and diarrhea.

Now that you aware of the most dangerous contaminants, the following provides a quick overview of the most effective types of filtering methods used:

• Ultraviolet Light - removes bacteria and other micro-organisms, however, does not remove chloride or fluoride.
• Distillation - removes lead, mercury, fluoride and bacteria. Downside is that is also removes essential minerals that are good for the body, and is a bit pricey because it uses a lot of electricity.
• Reverse Osmosis - removes sodium, inorganic compounds, lead and copper. However, it does waste a lot of water and is high maintenance.
• Carbon Filters (Activated Charcoal) - removes chlorine and trihalomethanes (THMs). Filter needs to be changed on regular basis or water flow suffers.

So there you have it. There’s no doubt that water filtration is important, so a little research is in order. Do your homework by finding out what the contaminants exist in your local water supply. Once armed with this information you will know what type of water filtration system will best suit your needs and budget.

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Chances are if you’re reading this article you’re in the market for a water filtration system. You don’t need to be convinced that your tap water is not as safe as many people believe or for that matter neither is bottled water. In this article, we’re going to cover the 4 main tap water filtration systems, from the basic, less expensive system to the more expensive whole house system.

These systems can be purchased locally in most parts of the country as well as online for big savings if you shop smart. After having done extensive research, the following 4 systems appear to meet the needs of most everyone.

System #1 - Sports Bottle Filters - If you want something fast and easy a sport bottle filter is the way to go. This type of product takes the place of bottled water. This is basically a sporty-looking bottle that contains an internal filter cartridge that filters out chlorine, lead, and chemical pollutants. The average cost is $25-$45 and will filter about 40 gallons of water. Compare that to 40 gallons of bottled water and it’s a real deal.

System #2 -Countertop Water Filter Systems - These tap water filtration systems sit on your counter top and attach directly to your kitchen faucet. They are very easy to use, as you simply need to push a button to turn it on. You can spend under $100 on a quality unit, and at that price you are still getting the safest possible water for pennies a gallon.

System #3 - Under Sink Filtration Systems - These tap water filtration systems perform the same functions as the system mentioned above, however, you have the added convenience of it being installed under your kitchen sink. Some people prefer this system because it leaves them more room on their kitchen counter top. The units also run from just under $100 to approximately $300. Both systems #2 & #3 above can be easily installed by most people in a few minutes.

System #4 - Whole House Water Filtration Systems - These tap water filtration systems connect directly to where your water enters your home. They filter all the water that enters your home including all taps, faucets, showers, etc. They are out of sight and out of mind, however, you’ll notice the difference in the quality of the water you drink, cook, bathe, and wash your clothes in. The cost for this type of system runs from about $1,000 to $3,000, and you will need to hire a plumber to install this type of system.

Important Points - The absolute best tap water filtration systems use a dual filter system which is a combination of carbon filtration ion exchange and sub-micron filtration. Write that down or copy this article, and make sure the system you purchase uses that technology. Price is not necessarily an indication of performance. There are cheap filtration systems but they are cheap for a reason (they don’t use the technology mentioned).

By the same token, there are tap water filtration systems that are quite expensive but don’t get the job done for the very same reason mentioned above. Then, there are systems that use the right technology but cost you the high end of the price range due to dealer mark ups. It is relatively easy to buy a high quality water filtration system if you just do a little homework.

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