As concerns about the quality of tap water continue to increase, companies are introducing alternative products dedicated to drinking water. Filters are among the most innovative solutions, but how to choose the best? By simply following the advice in this article.
Steps
Step 1. Assess your specific needs in this regard
Do you want a filter only for drinking water to be mounted on the sink or one also for the shower?
Step 2. Remember that if you want to filter all the water in the house, there is no product that performs this function
If you have two sources of water supply (from the aqueduct and from the well) you will have drinking water and service water available and you will have to manage them differently.
Step 3. First, the water must be pre-filtered before it reaches your home, to remove particles and sediments smaller than about 10 microns (and 80% of the chlorine)
You should also add a softener that gets rid of excess limescale to protect plumbing and appliances such as the washing machine (when there is a softener, a reverse osmosis filter for drinking water is recommended to remove the salts that the 'softener enters).
Step 4. For safe drinking water, you must install a filter that retains particles down to 0.5 microns (such as those with activated carbon) and that is certified by the Ministry of Health
This way you are sure that most of the contaminants are retained.
Step 5. Determine if you want a specific filter for certain contaminants
For example, if you receive water from the municipal water system, it is likely to be treated with chloramines (disinfectants) as well as with chlorine. In this case you need to make sure that the filter you buy is certified to retain chloramines, chlorine and trihalomethane (a chlorination carcinogen).
Step 6. Do some independent research on water filtration
Try to understand exactly what the product you are buying is capable of filtering out and what it cannot. In order to read the technical specifications you need to know how the water filtration process works. Some manufacturers and retailers provide useful information, but it is best to rely on the impartial judgment of external laboratories.
Step 7. Once you understand how filtration works, you can refine your search by keeping in mind the various techniques and materials available
However, instead of getting lots of specific filters for each contaminant, it is better if you rely (even from a cost-effective point of view) on a broad spectrum product.
Step 8. Narrow your search to those brands that are within your budget and search for those of the most in-depth searches
Check their certification, find the contaminants they are able to block and what is the guaranteed filtration percentage. Remember that the "definitive" guarantee is the certification by the Ministry of Health.
Step 9. Read the reviews of the consumer association and find the comments of people who have already purchased that particular product
However, remember that the analyzes that these groups / associations carry out are sometimes not complete; the standards that define water as drinkable are set by the Ministry of Health and you can also find them online. If the filter is not certified, don't even waste time informing yourself.
Step 10. Choose a model that removes as much contaminants as possible
This way you know you are protected from the main potentially polluting agents that can reach your pipes. Some companies offer a money back guarantee if the product is not what you expected.
Step 11. Opt for a filter that offers a very long warranty over time with regards to components
If you are considering the idea of buying a model that can be installed under the sink, choose one that has an external structure in stainless steel: it is more resistant and is designed to operate under the constant pressure of the water in the house without problems or leaks.
Step 12. Check the price of replacement cartridges
What may seem like a minimal starting price for a filter could turn into a very high maintenance cost! For example, jug filters can be cheap at first, but after a year of maintenance you will realize that you have spent as much as if you had bought the "top of the range" model from the start!
Step 13. Do some investigation on the manufacturer
How long has it been on the market? Will it still be present among some have and will it help you in the maintenance and repair of the product?
Advice
- If your home is powered from a well, a simple and inexpensive 15 micron pre-filter installed under the sink and before connections to the actual filter will protect the filter cartridge. In fact, it is able to capture larger sediments that could cause premature blockage of the main filter.
- No matter which brand of filter you choose, always make sure you change cartridges in accordance with the manufacturer's directions. A cartridge should generally be changed every 6-12 months.
- Most water filters must be operated a couple of times before operating at maximum efficiency, in order to eliminate any fine particle of carbon from the cartridge. Remember to express an opinion on the product you have purchased only after a couple of uses.
Warnings
- When researching the certification of a particular product, remember to consult an independent source and not the manufacturer's advertisement. Sometimes manufacturers exaggerate the efficiency and potential of their filter.
- Before spending any money on a filtration system, do some research on drinking water, the type of problem, the technologies available to solve it and what to look for in a filtration system.
- Most of the worst contaminants are tasteless, colorless and odorless (such as trihalomethane or polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, both of which are carcinogenic). Flavor alone is not an indicator of safety.
- Remember, a glass of water from time to time is not dangerous (unless it contains microscopic contaminants such as giardia, cryptosporidium, worms and other parasites). What becomes dangerous are the long-term effects of cumulative tap water consumption, which could affect the bladder, kidneys, heart and reproductive organs.
