Why filter your water?

If you don't like the taste of your tap water, or you're concerned about drinking contaminants, a home water filter can help. Water filters for the kitchen fall into three general categories: containers like pitchers and larger dispensers that store filtered water in the refrigerator or on a counter, faucet-mounted models that have the option of switching between filtered and unfiltered water, and under-sink models that offer a greater filtering capability while staying out of view. Pitchers and containers don't require installation and can be a quick fix for households looking to improve the taste and odor of their drinking water. Households that want to purify water for cooking and other tasks may prefer installing a filter on the faucet or under the sink to avoid the inconvenience of constantly refilling a container.

The vast majority of these devices use a carbon filter that absorbs impurities and odor as the water passes through the porous material. Some filters mostly eliminate bad taste and odor, while multistage filters can remove contaminants like lead, chlorine, parasites, pharmaceuticals, bacteria and harmful chemicals. To ensure that a water filter meets manufacturer's claims, consumers should look for products that are certified by an independent testing organization, such as NSF International. In addition to the filtering capabilities, two other important considerations are how long the filter lasts and how much it costs to replace it.

Experts agree that an important first step in choosing a water filter is to analyze your water supply to identify what your needs are, such as improving taste or smell or filtering out contaminants. If your main concern is taste, a pitcher or faucet-mounted filter probably is enough. If you suspect your water might be harboring harmful chemicals or bacteria, you'll need to do more research. Larger public water suppliers are required by law to publish an annual consumer confidence report, although additional contaminants like lead and copper can leach into the water as it travels through aging municipal water pipes or your home's plumbing system. Private water testing may be necessary for a true picture of what your water contains. Once you have pinpointed your specific water concerns, you can identify the best water filters for your needs. Experts and owners also offer this advice before buying a water filter:

  • Double-check filtering capability. See a claim on the front of a product's box? Don't take their word for it. Instead, try to substantiate this with an expert at the NSF, the Water Quality Association or another independent lab.
  • Consider the cost and selection of replacement filters. Water-filtering pitchers and faucet-mounted filters aren't that expensive, but the cost of replacement filters will quickly outpace the initial purchase price. You can compare how frequently the manufacturer recommends replacing the filter when estimating the maintenance cost of water filters. Also consider availability -- ordering replacement water filters online may mean extra delivery costs.
  • Accuracy of the filter replacement indicator. A light that indicates when a filter needs replacement may be practical only in theory. The indicator light on Brita pitchers, for example, is really a timer that counts down two months. Other pitchers track usage based on how many times the lid is removed. Users say they often wait until there's a noticeable decline in the flow rate before they change the filter.
  • Investigate installation. Consider your circumstances prior to a purchase. For instance, pitcher or faucet-mounted water filters are likely the best option for renters who can't make permanent modifications to their living spaces, and under-sink water filters may require a certain level of expertise to install.
  • Know your needs. Installed filters are a more convenient option than pitchers for households that drink a lot of water. That's because a water filter pitcher or dispenser has to be continually filled, and the flow rate through the filter can be quite slow.
  • The size and capacity of a water pitcher or dispenser can be key. Although larger water filter pitchers and dispensers take up more refrigerator space, the extra capacity may be necessary to meet your household's drinking water needs.
  • Recyclable filters for pitchers and dispensers. Consumers who are driven to reduce their consumption of bottled water because of the environmental impact may be interested in buying a brand of water filter that offers a recycling program, considering that filters have to be replaced as often as every month. For example, Brita filters can be dropped off at Whole Foods Market locations or mailed to Preserve, the company handling Brita's filter recycling.

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