Still buying bottled water? Switching to a home water filtration system is the more sustainable choice. And it may be healthier, too.
Municipal water, despite rigorous treatment processes, can often contain contaminants such as lead, chlorine, pesticides, and microorganisms. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates more than 90 potential contaminants in drinking water, including lead and arsenic, which can pose serious health risks even at low levels. Home filtration systems, particularly those utilizing activated carbon filters, can significantly reduce these impurities, delivering safer and better-tasting water.
Recent studies have raised alarms about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” due to their persistence in the environment and human body. The U.S. Geological Survey found that PFAS levels exceeded EPA advisories in approximately 75 percent of urban water samples and 25 percent of rural samples. Tainted tap water rose to public attention following contamination in Flint, Michigan, several years ago. But according to recent data, between 1982 and 2015, drinking water for as many as 45 million Americans came from a source that was in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Certain home filtration systems, such as those employing reverse osmosis or activated carbon, have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing PFAS concentrations, thereby mitigating associated health risks.
Investing in a home water filtration system can lead to substantial financial savings by reducing the need for bottled water purchases. This shift not only cuts household expenses but also addresses environmental concerns. The reduction in single-use plastic bottles aligns with sustainability goals, contributing to decreased plastic waste and environmental pollution.
Why filter your water?
In this day and age, it is hard to tell just how clean your water is. There only needs to be a tiny problem with the main pipe or poor maintenance of the source for your water to become contaminated and possibly harmful.
Another reason to filter is hard water, characterized by high mineral content, which can cause scale buildup in plumbing systems and appliances, leading to decreased efficiency and increased maintenance costs. Home filtration systems designed to soften water can prevent these issues, thereby extending the lifespan of household infrastructure and reducing the need for repairs.
Filtering water at home can help reduce the reliance on plastic bottled water. Plastic is a leading contributor to ocean pollution. Recent data found that more than eight million tons of plastic bottles wind up in our oceans every year.
Plastic contains chemicals that can be harmful to your health, too. Some of these chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, have been linked to endocrine disruption, among other issues. It’s not just drinking water that you can filter either to reduce these risks. The best shower filter will also make a major difference to the purity of your water, so keep that in mind.
Type of filters
There are eight different types of filtration methods, all ranging in efficacy, price, and ease of use. Choosing the right water filtration system for your home can be difficult. The quantity of water you want to filter and how often you want it filtered will determine the type of filter you should get.
Activated Alumina
If your water is high in fluoride or arsenic, then activated alumina is for you. AA is a compound that, when activated, not only filters out these harmful chemicals but also bonds them to itself.
AA is also one of the most cost-effective filtration methods and is particularly useful for filtering water in industrial environments.
Alkaline Ionizers
Alkaline water filtration systems are designed to separate the acids of your water, making the water less harsh and “smoother” to drink. Alkaline water is touted to have some health benefits, but it is also good for your skin and hair.
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon filters are some of the most common you can find and are often found in faucet and countertop filters. The carbon removes toxins and pollutants from your water and is also one of the cheapest filters out there.
Ceramic Filters
Ceramic filters, often coated in silver, can trap pollutants in their tiny pores. The silver effectively kills bacteria and keeps your water algae and mold-free. While cost-effective, ceramic filters are slower and filtering and can often miss some water-borne viruses.
Distillation
Distillation is the process of boiling untreated water, creating steam, and then cooling the steam to create clean water. The boiling process removes bacteria and harmful chemicals from the water; the plus side is that you can do this with a few small pieces of countertop equipment.
Reverse Osmosis
On the more expensive side, a reverse osmosis filter forces water through a semipermeable membrane and extracts bacteria, metals, and other pollutants. It is a highly-effective system, but it is often more expensive than other methods on this list.
Sand & Sediment Mesh
A sand and sediment mesh filter is one of the most common and well-known filters. These filters don’t clean your water or take bacteria out of it; instead, they eliminate sand and sediment build-up in your pipes.
UV Light
A UV light filter is one of the most effective ways to kill microorganisms in your water. Used after the water has been filtered already, the UV light uses high-frequency radiation to destroy bacteria and viruses in the water.
Filter Systems
There are three main and most common water filtration systems that you would use for your home. They differ in efficacy, but the main difference is how much water they can filter at any one time.
Countertop
A countertop filter would be something like a BRITA. It is a jug or bottle with a filtration system that you pour the water into the clean water and slowly drains into the pitcher. These systems are some of the cheapest around and do a decent job of separating toxins, sediment, and bacteria from your water.
Faucet
A faucet filtration system is more expensive than a countertop one, but it works with the same principles. The water is filtered as it comes out of your tap and is clean and ready to use and drink immediately.
One of the biggest benefits of a faucet filtration system is that it can be self-installed and ready to use in a matter of minutes. They are also many attachment options, meaning you can install them in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else you may want them.
Under-Sink
The next step up in systems would be an under-sink filtration system. These are some of the most advanced systems you can get for your home and allows you to change what does and doesn’t get filtered, depending on your needs.
You are often able to add different filters to an under-sink system, and they are very efficient at filtering watering. Under-sink systems are more expensive, but if the water you are exposed to is high in fluoride, sediment, or other toxins, it is one of, if not the best, ways to clean your home water.
Top water filter brands
Brio
Brio Filtration Systems can work in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. The powerful filtration systems feature user-friendly set-up or installation for under-sink and tankless reverse osmosis options.
Brita
The classic tabletop filter pitcher, Brita is an easy way to filter water without the installation or prices of under-sink systems. The BPA-free pitchers filter out chlorine, copper, mercury, and cadmium and each replaceable filter, which lasts about two months, replaces up to 300 16.9-ounce plastic bottles.
ZeroWater
Like Brita, ZeroWater water filters are easy to use and require no plumbing tweaks. The pitchers remove 99.6 percent of total dissolved solids while reducing your dependence on plastic water bottles. The 5-stage filters are the only pour-throughs certified by IAPMO to reduce PFOA/PFOS, lead, and chromium. Bonus peace of mind: Every 5-stage filtration system comes with a TDS meter so you can check the level of dissolved solids.
Brondell
With a range of options for under-sink, faucet, and countertop Brondell makes clean water easy. Brondell says all of its filtration systems are easy to install. Integrated filter-change indicator lights make knowing when to replace filters easy, too.
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