Home Water Filters

Introduction: If your home has water quality problems, a home water filter treatment system may solve them, if you choose the right type of filtering device. No single water filtering method will eliminate all types of water contaminants. Some treatment devices use more than one type of technology.

If you happen to live in an area where the water supply is pure you are fortunate. Most home water sources have some sort of contamination. You should test your water supply to determine the quality of water entering your home. It isn’t expensive and will give you peace of mind. You can locate a testing lab in your area by simply consulting the phone book. If you need a home water filtering system, shop around before making a purchase.

You will find distinct differences in price, installation methods, maintenance requirements, and warranties. Be wary if a salesperson claims a device has governmental or EPA approval. The EPA doesn’t test or approve products, it only registers them. For a listing of certified units and the contaminants they remove, contact the independent testing organization NSF International at 800-NSF-MARK or www.nsf.org. You can locate certified dealers by contacting the Water Quality Association at 630-505-0160 or www.wqa.org.

If the only problem with your water is grit, dirt, sediment, rust, or other such particles, a screening filter will most likely be sufficient. Made of fiber, fabric, ceramic, or other screening media, these simply catch particles. But don’t rely on them to filter bacteria.

If your water tastes, smells, or looks bad, an activated carbon filter containing activated carbon (AC) will probably solve the problem. If you want to remove chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, radon, and some inorganic chemicals, carbon may be effective. Not all carbon filters are effective at reducing lead content. Check the certification of the unit you’re interested in buying and, if claims are made regarding lead removal, ask for verification.

A conventional carbon filter is not effective for removing salts, nitrates, nitrites, and some metals. And you shouldn’t rely on one to remove organisms. Be aware that a carbon filter will accumulate the contaminants removed from water, and bacteria may even breed in it, so you must replace filter cartridges according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Effectiveness of a particular carbon unit is a factor of the amount of activated carbon it contains. Although you can buy under sink water filters, countertop water filter, faucet water filter, the $30 faucet water filter type are only marginally effective. Whole house water filters are available starting at about $3,000 or more.

If you want to remove inorganic chemicals, such as salts, metals (including lead), minerals, nitrates, asbestos, and some organic chemicals, consider a reverse osmosis water filter, (RO filter). Actually, most models include carbon pre-filters and post-filters, too, which will catch sediment, pesticides, herbicides, THMs, and radon. RO filters remove lead, but some don’t remove chlorine.

Most RO filters are under sink water filters and are connected directly to plumbing beneath the sink. A small tank stores clean water until needed and tainted water drains out through a line connected to the sink trap. Drinking water flows through a special, separate sink-top spout. Some models have an automatic valve that eliminates the waste typically associated with RO filters. Conventional models waste about 3 gallons for every gallon of pure water they produce. They generally cost upwards of $250.

Electric Tankless Hot Water Heaters

Installing or Replacing Sink Faucets

Saving Water

Toilet Replacement

Toilet Seal Replacement

Water Conditioners

Well Flow Rate