Home Water Filter Systems Can Add Years To Your Life By Removing Cancer-Causing Chemicals & Toxins

Although choices abound in home water filter systems, there are definite characteristics of the best that every consumer should look for. First of all, the most modern system uses a multi-stage process based on activated carbon filtration.

When activated carbon filters are used in water filter home systems, they filter out the dangerous chemicals that are humanly introduced into the water supply while enhancing the healthful mineral balance of the water.

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The first stage of filtration is mechanical filtration, which removes sediments, tiny microscopic particles which cloud water and lessen its taste, as well as chlorine. Chlorine is by far the most prevalent chemical in our water, and it is the main culprit in water's distastefulness and unhealthiness. Even so, it cannot be avoided entirely, at least not initially, because it is chlorine that removes the disease causing bacteria at the treatment plant. So the use of chlorine for purification is very necessary, but there is no reason for it to remain in the water, and that is where your home water filter systems get to do their part and remove it.

The processes of adsorption and ion exchange continue the cleansing of water by taking away other humanly introduced chemicals such as those that enter the water through agricultural runoff and improperly disposed of household cleansers. Pesticides, fertilizers, and cleansers are tasteless, odorless, but far from harmless, and yet treatment plants are not required to remove them.

That's why the best water filter home systems will not only remove the obvious things like chlorine and sediments but will focus on making our water free from these other insidious chemicals. All of these chemicals, chlorine included, have been shown to be major contributors to the rise in cancer and degenerative nervous disorders over the last hundred years.

So now that you've chosen a multi-stage process, how many different home water filter systems are there to choose from? Quite a few, but the best have certain characteristics that you want to look for. First of all, the best systems are certified to do what they say they do. They are also accompanied by money back guarantees, lifetime warranties, and excellent customer service.

Their water filter home systems are easy to install, easy to maintain, and cost less than ten cents per gallon of water. You can choose a whole house system or you can choose to protect certain taps in your home, like the ones you use the most. If you choose to install filters on certain taps, remember to include shower water filters, because recent data indicates that 60-70 percent of the chlorine and other chemicals that enter our bodies do so through skin absorption through daily showering.

Also, the EPA has studied household air and found that most of it is contaminated with measurable amounts of chloroform, the gaseous form of chlorine. When you think about it, chlorine is just bleach, and it's bad enough to think about drinking bleach, but breathing it is even worse.

Check out what Consumer Reports has to say about home water filter systems, too. They've done their own independent research on which brand is the best, delivering the best product for the best price and services.

Home Water Filter Systems Can Add Years To Your Life By Removing Cancer-Causing Chemicals & Toxins

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Aqua Pure Water Filter Review - Should You Buy Or Avoid?

Aqua Pure Water Filters are among the more widely known and used ones in the water purifier industry, but are they really the best? If you've read my review of, you know that the popular filters aren't always the best.

Is this true for Aqua Pure too? The company themselves state that you need to find out the potential hazards in your particular water supply prior to buying any purification system.

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This is because the dangers for one house may be different for another, and before you know the right one to buy, you have to know what you need taken out of your water.

All you have to do to test the water is get a small portion of it, and put a test strip inside it. Then you see what color the strip has turned. The color is what will inform you what things are inside your water, and therefore what needs to be eliminated.

This is why one particular water purifier model will not work for every house, simply due to the act that different harmful substances exist in different areas. If you live in an area where the water is not pretreated, for example, your purification needs will be far different than if you were in a place where it was.

There are many basic contaminants you should be looking for. For a full list, you just look online. The Aqua Pure Water Filters receive their ratings because of how many microns they are capable of eliminating, and most filters are somewhere from five to one-half.

The smaller that micron number is, the better the filter is, because the more microns it is capable of. Most basic filters can at least get rid of most chlorine and lead, the more basic things, but often times aren't able to get rid of the micro bacteria often found in water.

The micron number for Aqua Pure Water Filter models is different for each variety. I'm not saying you need to get the lowest number one there is, as this will also be the most expensive, but don't cut corners on your health either.

Aqua Pure Water Filter Review - Should You Buy Or Avoid?

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Best Refrigerator Water Filter - Your Search is Over

A lot of homemakers no longer use pitchers to dispense water. Several refrigerators already come packaged with built-in water dispensers for convenient water dispensing in the home. But just as there are pitcher filters that filter out the water dispensed by pitchers, there are also refrigerator filters that can be attached to your fridge to make sure you still get pure and clean drinking water.

Here are the top three brands and offers in the refrigerator filter market.

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Maytag: Puriclean II for Pure Drinking Water

With 4.8 stars on Amazon, Maytag's UKF8001 Puriclean II refrigerator water filter is a top-of-the-line fridge water filter from Maytag, a leading manufacturer of drinking filters. The Puriclean II line is an NSF-certified filter that can effectively reduce harmful contaminants in water and keep it from from unwanted taste and odor.

The Puriclean II effectively removes cysts, particulates, lead, mercury, and asbestos. The fridge filter also reduces the taste and smell of chlorine. However, it retains beneficial fluoride in the water to make sure you still harvest the benefits of pure and clean drinking water that your refrigerator dispenses.

The Maytag Puriclean II can be used with most Maytag and Jenn-Air refrigerators with special filter access inside. It fits into side by side, cabinet depth and French door refrigerator types. The filter needs to be replaced every 12 months to ensure maximum protection against most contaminants that threaten your drinking water dispensed from the refrigerator.

Whirlpool: KitchenAid Side-by-Side Quarter Turn Refrigerator Filter

Whirlpool is a trusted name among homeowners. Aside from the kitchen and cooking appliances it has become known for, Whirlpool also offers KitchenAid water filters that can work with Whirlpool and KitchenAid side-by-side refrigerators that come with built in water dispenser. The KitchenAid Quarter Turn Water Filter 4396508P is rated with 4.6 stars for effectiveness and reliability.

The KitchenAid waterfilter can remove the taste and odor of chlorine in water, and can also remove most contaminants such as mercury, lead, and particulates. The filter is easy to install and replace with its quarter turn feature. And without any drop in filtration quality, the water filter is able to retain beneficial fluoride found in water.

This model comes in a pack of two so you get more value for what you pay. The filter needs to be replaced every six months, which means the pack of two filters is enough to last you for an entire year. This is an extremely popular refrigerator water filter choice.

PUR: Push-Button Refrigerator Ice and Filter

Another leading band of refrigerator filter is PUR, which offers several different filtration systems in the market. To cater to those who dispense water from their refrigerators, PUR offers the Push-Button Refrigerator Ice and Water Filter, which gets 4.7 stars on Amazon. The affordable refrigerator waterfilter can purify the drinking water dispensed by your refrigerator as well as the water used in making ice.

The PUR Push-Button ice and water filter can easily fit into refrigerators with push-button in-grille filter provision from a variety of brands such as Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, and Jenn-Air. The PUR waterfilter can produce clean and fresh-tasting water and pure and clean ice. It effectively filters out contaminants including lead, cysts, and benzene, among many others, without removing beneficial fluoride. It also reduces the taste and odor of chlorine.

The PUR Push-Button Refrigerator Ice and Water Filter needs to be replaced every six months to maintain its high level of water filtration quality.

Best Refrigerator Water Filter - Your Search is Over

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Whole House Water Filter Softener - Why Invest in One?

Hard water can pose various kinds of problems. It can deposit lime scale in your pipe limes and your general plumbing, dishwashers, heating systems; and the result can get these clogged up. Hard water does not also allow good lathers so it can be difficult to rinse off pots and pans as well as hair and body during showering. Because of hard water, hair can become rough and tangled and also appliances can breakdown because of the deposits that accumulate. All these can cause headaches, discomfort and even health issues. If you want to solve your hard water supply situation, then the best solution is to get a whole house water filter softener.

A water softener device for the whole house is wise because you would not need to install and spend for different purification devices for each part of the house. In a single machine, all your water supply will be softened, thus, eliminating you hard water problem. Using a whole house water filter softener can give you a lot of benefits. It can reduce the lime scales on pots, kettles, pipe lines and tubs. In the end, you would also use less detergent and soap when you wash clothes and dishes. You will also definitely feel cleaner and softer after taking showers.

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Now, it is quite easy to shop for a whole house water filter softener but it is important that you first read reviews as well as product ratings. Reading product reviews can lead you to products that have been tried and tested by many. Reading ratings on the other hand can give you the needed information whether a certain filtration system has been certified or not.

Whole House Water Filter Softener - Why Invest in One?

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How to Choose the Best Water Filter

Many people are dissatisfied with the quality of their water, whether from city supplies or from wells. More and more people are turning to water filtration systems of one type or another. Which is the best water filter system for a homeowner depends on what problems the present water supply presents, and on the price one is willing to pay for a quality water supply.

Though cost is usually a factor, it is not the only factor in choosing the best water filter. Some inexpensive units filter out heavier particles suspended in the water. More expensive units claim to remove microbes as small as .01 microns (.00001 mm) in diameter. The most common technique used for such fine filtration is reverse osmosis technology.

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Hidden in a water supply are often found more than mere sediment. Water could also contain harmful bacteria. The best water filter systems will not only remove sediment but also this invisible enemy.

Do not assume that just because water comes from a deep well, it is automatically safe. All water should be tested. This is a regular requirement for city water systems but it should also be done for other sources of cooking or drinking water. Microbial materials can affect, not just the safety of the water, but also the appearance, taste, and odor. The best systems will deal with all these problems.

Peace of mind is often a factor in choosing the best water filter for a particular location. Some just feel better drinking filtered water no matter what. Others want the purest water possible for the least cost. It is even possible that a water source is so contaminated with bacteria that no filter system can make it safe. If this is true of a well, some have been able to clean it by pouring bleach into it, then pumping it out. For others, a new well will probably have to be sunk.

The best water filters use a combination of filtering and bacteria removing technology. An adequate filter removes contaminants of .4 microns or more. Units that also kill bacteria usually use electricity as well. Water containing excessive iron may also have a sulfur smell. Filtering alone may not remove this odor from the water.

Some have opted for a duel attack on their water problems by using both a water softener and filter system. When the minerals are removed first, the life of the filter cartridge can often be extended. What is the best water filter system? The answer to that can only be determined when the water is evaluated, and the minimum acceptable levels of contaminants is established.

How to Choose the Best Water Filter

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Well Water Filter Systems

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 15% of Americans get their drinking water from a private drinking well, and none on these wells are the responsibility of the EPA to upkeep or maintain. The EPA has strict standards for things like water turbidity, levels of coliform bacteria, pesticides, radon and other harmful chemicals that can seep into our drinking water supply. It's important that owners of private wells invest in great well water filter systems and test the purity levels of their drinking water at least yearly to avoid well water contamination.

Building Wells with Filter Systems

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If you are considering building a well for your home or land, you should know that contractors and well drillers are all stringently licensed by the state and have to follow strict guidelines as far as how wells are built. They must be built so that no rain water drains into them, as rain water can catch bacteria and other harmful particles on land, bringing them with it into your drinking supply. Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured and that your well is built far enough away from harmful materials, livestock or other things that could potentially contaminate your drinking supply.

Installing and Maintaining Filter Systems

Well water filter systems are a key component to your installation and will ensure an EPA approved degree of purity among your drinking water supply. Well water filter systems look a lot like water softeners or small water heaters, and commonly can be installed directly under your sink.

Well Water Filter Systems

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Outdoor Faucet Water Filter

What is the importance of an outdoor faucet liquid filter? If you raise vegetables, consider what is in the water coming from the hose. These impurities are being absorbed by the plants, and then eaten by your family. What isn't absorbed by the plants ends up back in the water table to start the process all over again.

Birds and other animals also drink the water, and bathe in it when they find enough, passing along whatever isn't absorbed into the ground water. Washing your pets and vehicles in untreated liquid can also cause harm, especially in the case of hard water. If you have a whole house water softener, there could be salt in the water coming from the outdoor faucet, and therefore getting in your yard, garden and on your car.

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Depending on the water source, you could be watering your lawn with chlorinated liquid, which is unhealthy for grass and most landscaping. You wouldn't wash your garden produce with bleach, so why would you water the plants with chlorinated water? You may have a filter for your own drinking liquid but this will not work for the outdoor faucet, and whatever you water the ground with ends up back in the drinking water, so why not stop it at the source where and when you can?

Trapping as many impurities from getting through will help the entire water table, since the impurities will not be allowed to get back into the system when they are filtered out. An outdoor water faucet filter is one step to cleaning the water supply you can take.

Outdoor Faucet Water Filter

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What is a Good Drinking Water Filter System?

Any local water filtration dealer will always try to sell you on the most expensive and largest marked up priced drinking water filter; but you don't have to break the piggy bank to have safe great tasting drinking water. The problem with buying water purification systems is that you need to find out what is in the water in order to make the right purchase that suits you and your needs. Every water sources contains different contaminants - even your neighbor's water may show different results than your own.

The best solution is to do at least a basic water test for Iron, Nitrogen, Hardness, Copper, Nitrates, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Bacteria. These kinds of kits can be purchased for about -30 are very accurate and just as good as sending your water to labs which can cost 0 or more. Test kits like these are very easy to find online and could save you time and money. If you have any contaminants that are showing up positive and above the water quality recommended levels then it's best to consider home reverse osmosis water systems; otherwise a good carbon filter can do wonders. People who live in the city usually have very well regulated water so the harmful contaminants are at a level lower than the federal/state water quality requirements. In cases like this where harmful contaminants are better than the water quality requirements, a good carbon filter will be not only be cost effective but usually more than enough to give you great tasting water. Carbon filtration is capable of removing many different types of contaminants. The most common contaminant removed by carbon block filters is Chlorine, bad taste and bad odors. For more intense removal of contaminants or bottled quality water, you may want to consider a reverse osmosis system.

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Reverse osmosis water treatment systems are capable of removing up to 99.9% of contaminants; although certain contaminants like high iron or hardness may require some special pre-treatment. Reverse osmosis systems have been used for decades and is a technology that was developed by the navy to filter sea water into high quality drinking water. A very good majority of bottled water companies like Nestle, Kirkland, Dasani and Aquafina use reverse osmosis as one of their stages of filtration. Home reverse osmosis water systems are now much more affordable and can easily fit under most kitchen sinks to readily give you great tasting drinking water straight from your tap. The actual cost of reverse osmosis systems could range anywhere from 9-0 depending on the accessories added and any certifications but entry level systems are actually extremely well priced for the quality of water produced.

In the long run, any kind of drinking water filter system that you choose will save you hundreds a year just from buying bottled water. So do yourself a favor, join the hundreds of thousands and get a drinking water filter to save yourself some money.

What is a Good Drinking Water Filter System?

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Water Filter Testing by Independent Third Parties

There are many thousands water related products on the market that claim to provide the consumer with the purest water and cleanest water available, everything from several kinds of water filtration systems to bottled water. That makes it difficult to evaluate the products, which often make competing or even contradictory statements. To find out which advertisements are nothing more than creative writing and which claims are accurate, the need for drinking water testing and water filter testing becomes apparent.

The testing and certifying of a product's performance as well as its advertising accuracy can be done by reputable independent third parties. In doing so the consumer can be assured that the water company's ads are not misleading and the product will perform as specified.

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Testing a Water Purifier's Performance

The major organization that provides independent certification for water purification is NSF International. NSF International is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that helps protect the consumer by certifying products and creating standards. NSF has been committed to public health, safety, and protection of the environment for nearly six decades and is widely recognized for its scientific and technical expertise in the health and environmental sciences.

NSF employs engineers, toxicologists, chemists and environmental technicians. The organization has earned the Collaborating Center designations by the World Health Organization (WHO) for Food and Water Safety. It develops national standards (focus on food, water, indoor air and environment) and provides third-party conformity assessment services while representing the interests of industry, consumers, and the public at large. The NSF Mark is recognized for its value around the world and is respected by regulatory agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.

Independent Third Party NSF International

Regarding water related certification, NSF certifies water treatment systems, water filtration systems, distillation units, bottled water, and water softeners (deionizer). NSF certification means that the products are tested on an ongoing basis to make certain that they perform as tested and that the product advertisements are truthful and accurate.

For example, there is the NSF Bottled Water Certification Program, which is a voluntary, annual certification process that includes extensive product evaluations as well as on-site audits of bottling facilities. The NSF testing program includes unannounced plant inspections covering every aspect of the bottling, from the source of the water, through the treatment and disinfection process, including the container closure process.

Whole House Water Filter Successfully Certified

NSF is the worlds most reputable Institute for Water Analysis and performs extensive product testing for over 150 inorganic, chemical, radiological and microbiological contaminants. The SimplyPure water filter system by InnerLight has also been certified by the Institute; it is a Whole Home, Point-of-Entry Water Filter System, which combines two filtration technologies: Granular Activated Carbon and KDF process media, where water runs through several layers of GAC and KDF media for maximum purification and contaminant removal).

NSF is testing, documenting and monitoring the entire production and manufacturing process of Simply Pure to guarantee consumer safety through several laboratory tests regarding the reduction of contaminants like lead, chlorine, mercury, PCB, asbestos, cysts/giardia, benzene, pesticides, chloroform etc. Generally, should the purchasing of a Home Water Filtration System be considered, always make sure to check for the NSF certificate!

Water Filter Testing by Independent Third Parties

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How to Find the Best Faucet Water Filter

What's the best faucet water filter on the market, today? Let me tell you what to look for. You'll find that the "names you know and trust" often don't make the grade.

If you want to protect your health, you should choose a faucet filter that removes the widest range of contaminants. Let's look at some of the most common ones, how they are removed and which products don't do the job.

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Chlorine & THMs

These two go hand in hand. Wherever you find chlorinated water, you'll find THMs. The best faucet water filter removes both of them, because THMs are known carcinogens. If you get a water quality report from your local facility, you'll see them listed as TTHMs or total trihalomethanes. The levels can be pretty high and no one really knows how much is safe.

They do know that exposure can occur through drinking or showering. So, not only do you need an effective faucet filter. You also need one for your showerhead.

Brita and PUR reduce chlorine, but not THMs. Only the 0 Ever-pure system reduces both, but there are far less expensive purifiers on the market that do the same job. Ever-Pure chooses to use reverse osmosis in all of there models. Reverse osmosis, like the old distillation devices, do nothing to remove chemicals like chlorine and THMs. Why pay for "dinosaur" devices?

Lead

A toxic heavy metal that cause learning disorders and behavioral problems. The metal builds up in our systems over time and causes nutritional deficiencies in the elderly, as well as high blood pressure and heart disease.

In order for a faucet filter to remove all traces of the common contaminant, it must contain an ion exchange step. Reverse osmosis will only reduce the lead content. Distillation will remove lead, but that's simply not the best choice for today's homes. The reason is that distilled water has had much needed minerals removed. Do not waste your money on a water distiller.

Cysts

Reverse osmosis was often recommended for cyst removal. But, the best faucet water filter on the market today removes cysts without including an expensive reverse osmosis step. The manufacturer has designed a carbon block with a tiny channel that filters anything larger than .5 micron. That will trap a cyst and any other particles floating in your water-line.

A faucet filter can combine a variety of steps to remove all of these contaminants, as well as pesticides, herbicides and known carcinogenic pollutants. But, the ones that include all of the necessary steps are often quite expensive.

The best faucet water filter on the market today can be purchased for 5, but you have to purchase it direct from the manufacturer, if you want the best price. (See resource box). Remember that no matter how much they advertise, the Brita faucet filter and many other similiar brands are very ineffective.

Also, you don't need to pay 0 for reverse osmosis. There are drawbacks to GE and Kenmore; both have been given bad reviews by a number of consumers. Amway's products are simply overpriced.

The best faucet water filter has been highly rated by Consumer's Digest for the last five years and I've never seen a negative customer comment. It works. It doesn't leak and for less than a dime a gallon, my family gets "all they can drink". When you make the choice that I did, you will have the best faucet water filter.

How to Find the Best Faucet Water Filter

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Whole House Water Filter Versus Kitchen Tap Systems

Whole house water filters may be just as important for your family's health as the one that you use on your kitchen tap. Plus, with a whole house water filter system, kitchen tap and shower filters are no longer necessary.

New studies have shown that fumes from chlorinated water can trigger asthma attacks. Swimming pool experts have known for years. That's one reason that they limit the amount of chlorine used to disinfect indoor pools.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

The surprising thing is that the chlorine content in your tap water may at times be higher than what they use in the pools. No one needs to be able to drink the pool water, but treatment facilities need to kill pretty much everything that can live in the water and get in the pipes.

With a whole house water filter changes will be seen in the number of asthma attacks that you or your loved one suffers from. Conditions like dry skin will improve. You will not run the risk of chloroform gas build up, which has been found in many houses and is caused by showering in chlorinated water.

Actually with a whole house water filter whole lots of changes will be seen. Even your clothes will smell better and last longer. Whether you add bleach or not, you are still bleaching your clothes, as long as you use unfiltered tap water in the laundry.

Chlorine is not the only dangerous chemical in tap water. Lead, a toxic metal, has been found in the tap water of some major cities around the country. Whole house water filters can protect you from lead, but if you live in an older home, you may want to test your water after you install the system.

You see, the reason there is lead in some tap water is because lead was used at one time to line copper pipes. It was also used to solder joints. There are a number of reputable labs around the country that can test your water before and/or after you install whole house water filters.

There are more than 2000 cancer causing agents in public water supplies, according to consumer activists like Ralph Nader. A high quality whole house water filter will prevent and trap these chemical agents, thereby protecting you and your family from their harmful effects.

While whole house water filters may at first seem expensive, compare it to the money that you'll save by not having to purchase tap filters or bottled water. If you frequently use bottled water for outdoor activities, you can bottle your own for pennies per day. Just about every department store sells plastic water bottles, and many of the companies that provide whole house water filters also provide glass water bottles. You can even get travel bottles which contain their own activated carbon filters.

You won't need shower head filters and won't have the expense of replacing cartridges for those units. A good quality whole house water filter only needs to be replaced every 3 years or so, unless your water is highly contaminated.

With a whole house water filter blocks of time can be saved, as well. Instead of running around buying filters and bottled water, you can sit in the comfort of your own home and enjoy the cleanest tasting water that you've ever had.

Your shower will begin to feel more like a spa. Your skin and hair and even the clothes you wear will be softer. The best whole house water filters contain multiple stages to remove up to 99.99% of the contaminants in your water, while balancing the mineral content and the pH levels. Once you have one, you won't be able to live without it.

Whole House Water Filter Versus Kitchen Tap Systems

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Characteristics of an Effective Undercounter Water Filter

An effective under counter water filter can cost as much as 0. But, you can buy under counter water filters that are just as effective for less than 0. You just have to look for a product that does not include a reverse osmosis step.

Reverse osmosis or RO was originally designed for large industries and public treatment facilities. Eventually, it found its way into homes having brackish wells, as it was the only method to reduce the sodium content.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Today, companies like GE are producing less expensive "trimmed down" versions of the original designs for use in homes with publicly treated supplies. Now, some companies have gotten the bright idea that RO is a good idea for an under counter water filter. At one time, it was the only effective way to insure cyst removal, but that is no longer the case.

Under counter water filters with a submicron particle-filter can remove more than 99% of all cysts, for a fraction of the cost. Ion exchange can be used to reduce sodium content for brackish wells. In under counter water filters, it is used to remove lead, copper and other metallic traces.

Lead, even at low levels, is bad for your long-term health. Copper simply spoils the taste. Minerals and electrolytes, on the other hand are good for your health.

If an under counter water filter includes a reverse osmosis step, it will spoil any naturally occurring mineral-content. Ion exchange "balances" the mineral content to get rid of hard-water problems, but will not affect a naturally occurring mineral content.

The 0 under counter water filters requires extensive maintenance, regular cleaning and replacement of three different cartridges at various times throughout the year. The brand that sells for less than 0 requires no maintenance other than replacing the dual cartridges every six months.

It comes with an installation kit and is relatively easy to install. The faucet can simply replace your sprayer or you can drill an additional hole in your sink. There are good, bad and mediocre products on the market. I would not buy from a company that does not provide complete product performance data.

I would suggest that you look for an under counter water filter that is certified by the California State Department of Health. To get that certification, a company must provide complete testing data from an independent laboratory, such as Underwriter's.

The National Sanitation Foundation will also provide certifications for companies that apply. Consumer Reports rates products annually and some under counter water filters receive the highest ratings.

Not too many companies make an under-the-counter system. So, that makes shopping a little easier. Now, that you know that you do not have to spend 0, you might also want to consider a showerhead system. Cancer-causing chemicals become airborne in the shower and chlorine vapors trigger asthma attacks. It's also bad for your skin and hair.

Hopefully, this information will help you find an effective under counter water filter and save money, too!

Characteristics of an Effective Undercounter Water Filter

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Reverse Osmosis Vs Pure Water Filter - Which is Better?

It has been established that a water purification system is imperative in keeping our drinking water safe for consumption. But which one is the best system? Is it reverse osmosis or water filters?

It is best to know how they individually work.

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Reverse Osmosis
This follows much the same process as a membrane filtration system. However, there are a few differences you have to take into consideration. In membrane filtration system, visible particles are separated from clean water. In this type of filtration system, however, it involves a lot of factors such as the pressure in water, solute concentration and the rate of flux of water source. These factors will help separate the particles from the clean water.

It is called by such a name because the process is the opposite of the usual osmosis system. In the natural osmosis system, a natural movement of solvent is coupled with low solute concentration wherein in this one, solvents are forced in the membrane to effectively separate the particles.

Pure Water Filter
In this type of purification system, it uses a barrier to separate the sediments and the contaminants from clean water so the clean water can pass through the other side. There are various types of this filtration system including point-of-filters, screen filters, disk and slow sand filters to name a few.

So which is better? In many ways, water filters are better. This is because they are easier to install in your household and they are more accessible. You also have various options to choose from so you are not only getting rid of visible particles in H20, you are also getting rid of other contaminants such as pesticides, chemicals, chloramines and cycts.

Also, if you use one with a carbon filter, it can get rid of chlorine better. This is known to be effective in reducing chlorine smell and taste. But that also depends on the brand of filtration system you are using. One brand is not one and the same with the others. You also have to carefully ponder on your choices so you can find the most reliable one.

This is not to undermine the benefits of using reverse osmosis. Although they are not commonly used, they also help a lot in making your water safer to drink. So start searching now for the right type of purification system for your house. For sure you can find one that will really work for you.

Reverse Osmosis Vs Pure Water Filter - Which is Better?

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Ground Water Filter Systems - How To

Ground water contamination nowadays is prevalent as a result of unhealthy practices in both the industrial and agricultural sectors that resulted to rampant waste disposal to the ground of various forms of harmful chemical contaminants like herbicides and pesticides that eventually leak to ground water reservoirs; that is why use of ground water filter systems is important for the protection of everyone in the household when it comes to the use of tap water for drinking and other usage.

Ground water filter systems work by purifying the water using one of the numerous methods of eliminating water contaminants up to a certain projected level of elimination. There are ordinary conventional filters that sort out contaminants in the water under normal condition; while there are also highly specialized filters where water contaminants are eradicated under a highly pressurized condition. Sometimes you have to combine systems together.

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Hence, it is best to choose the perfect type of ground water filtration system according to the level of contamination in the water; as well as based on the types of contaminants that are present in the polluted water. Consequently, one of the first steps of water purification is to conduct a quality check on the contaminated water in order to accurately identify each contaminant; so that the proper type of water purification, or the best type of filtration system, is used in order to make the purification of the water highly effective.

Take note that contaminants also come in various forms; such as harmful microorganisms, sediments, and chemicals. Some types of filters are only very effective as far as microorganisms are concerned. But when it comes to chemicals; its effectiveness is doubtful.

Hence, having a water filter or purifier alone does not guarantee that you already have clean potable water that is safe; you still need to ensure that you are using the right filtration system that is well suited to the level of contamination and the type of contaminants in the water. For this reason, a quality check must first be done. You can do it by taking a sample of the water to the laboratory for testing; or you may also purchase one of the several water testing kits that are now available in the market today.

Either way, you need to first check the water quality to find out more details about the contamination, so that your water purification equipment is performing the task it is supposed to be doing, and if not you might have to add pre-filters or maybe an Ultra Violet Light system with a Water Softener to do the job. 

Ground Water Filter Systems - How To

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Best Whole House Water Filter

If you have a whole house water filtration system you can take advantage of the benefits of bottled water by bottling your own! Many companies saw the selling of bottled water as a way to provide so called clean and healthy drinking water. It even became kind of popular to walk around with a bottle water in hand, just like celebrities do. It still is.

Unfortunately, a popular study showed that 25% of bottled water is slightly cleaner or no cleaner than tap water. And even worse, unlike your tap water, the bottled water industry is not as strictly unregulated; which could leave you the consumer, totally at risk. A huge number of people drink bottled water without having clue what is in it. There is very little regulation of bottled water and there are some big scams associated with bottled water.

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Home filtration is necessary because regardless of municipal water treatment, some level of bacteria, chemicals or drugs still remains in your water supply. These contaminants have been linked to a host of health problems including cancers and learning disorders. When you want to ensure the holistic well being of all the members in your family, your best bet would be to invest in the Best Whole House Filtration system that the markets can provide. A house filtration system can be pretty costly. But this is a small price you can pay for the health of your most loved ones. The replacement cartridges have to be replaced after every 3 years.

A whole house filter connects to the main water line entering your house so that all of the water dispensers in your house - faucets, toilets, showers, baths, kitchen, laundry. Typically the whole house filter is connected to the main water line before it splits into the hot water heater. Customers wishing to purify the water to their garden and sprinkler systems may find this to be a bit more challenging as the main water line coming off the city system often splits off into a "house" line and a "yard" line in the house's foundation slab or at the street level before the house. Consult your home's blueprint or city water utility for further details.

There are several different whole house water filters available these days, and which filtration system you choose is entirely up to you. For general all around filtration, we recommend using our PURA UVBB-3 whole house water filter. It offers not only sediment and carbon filtration but UV sterilization lamp for that overall protection.

Best Whole House Water Filter

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Wading Through the Flood of Water Filter Hyperbole

I've been in the water filter business since May of 2001. Since then I've seen a great number of dealers on the internet come and go. I'm always keeping an eye on the competition and I've seen a lot of ridiculous, sometimes unscientific and often illegal performance claims. Unfortunately, many of these same dealers spend an inordinate amount of their resources on marketing and are therefore the companies that a shopper is likely to encounter first while beginning research.

Fortunately, there are ways to check the validity of claims made by dealers and manufacturers. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is the preeminent source in the water filter industry for verifying the performance of water filters. In fact, they set the standards for protocols that are used by other labs to test a filter's ability to reduce contaminants in water - for example, the California Department of Health. The NSF has many types of certifications so it is important to check for certification for the reduction of the contaminant of interest.

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In California, it is illegal to sell any water filtration device that make claims for the reduction of anything other than chlorine, taste and odor unless that device has been tested by the state of California to reduce said contaminant. (At some point California has stated that they will accept NSF certified systems but as of this writing that has not been done). This doesn't seem to stop most internet water filter dealers. Even though the state of California actively seeks violators and often fines them, illegal claims for water filter devices sold into California continue unabated. There are some water filters that have opted for expending the capital to obtain California certification in lieu of NSF certification (for example Aquasana). This makes perfect sense for many manufacturers as the state of California uses NSF protocols to test water filters! Some manufacturers have spent the money to have both the NSF and California certifications (for example Multi-pure). Other states have laws similar to California but don't have the reputation for aggressive prosecution that California does.

So as a consumer how do you ensure that you get what you think you are paying for? First, look for certification from NSF or California for the reduction of the contaminant that you are interested in reducing. Second, check with the dealer and ask for certification for the claims that they make. If they hem haw or make excuses for not having any certifications or cannot provide offsite documentation, caveat emptor!

Wading Through the Flood of Water Filter Hyperbole

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How to Find a Pure Water Filter That Really Purifies

Before you buy pure water filters, read this information, it could be very important to your family's health. There are things that a pure water filter should do, but might not. Here are some facts.

Through advertising and labeling, the consumer can become very confused. There are different degrees of "purity". Just because a company claims to provide pure water filters does not mean that the result will be what you need.

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People have different needs, but let's assume for the purposes of this article that you are looking for a pure water filter and your source is a public supply. What flows through your tap has been through many processes. Disinfection, filtration, flocculation, sand beds and others are used to try to protect the public's safety.

All of these are good and necessary, but there are some problems caused by disinfection methods and some problems that just cannot be addressed by the facilities. Nearly all treatment facilities chlorinate. It doesn't taste good and causes digestive problems, so you want pure water filters that will remove it.

Disinfection Method Problems

Chlorination and other methods of disinfection create byproducts. Trihalomethanes or THMs are the most dangerous of them. They include a number of compounds that can vaporize along with water and other chemicals.

They are known carcinogens. The levels are monitored and supposedly safe, but no one knows for sure. They do know that a large number of new bladder and colorectal cancers are caused each year by exposure to THMs. So, you need a pure water filter that removes THMs.

People can debate it all they want, but I found this fact very convincing. Several countries that offer public healthcare are doing studies about how much these new cancer cases caused by THM exposure cost the government. If they didn't know for a certainty that THM exposure causes cancer, they wouldn't be studying the healthcare costs associated with treating the patients.

Truth in Label?

There are at least three different companies that bear the words pure water filters on their labels or something very similar. They all remove chlorine, but only one of them removes THMs.

The PUR pure water filter does not remove THMs or VOCs, which are chemical compounds that are known to contaminate the waters around the world. Many of them cause cancer, too.

The Ever- pure water filters do not remove THMS, VOCs or lindane. It's a banned substance throughout the world, but at one time it was widely used in agriculture to kill insects. So, it is still in the groundwater.

The Aqua- pure water filter does not remove MTBE (a gasoline additive that seeped into groundwater from leaking tanks and spills) and it only certified to remove 95% of the toxic metal lead, only 97% of chlorine and only 92% of THMs.

There are other truly pure water filters that stand on their performance data and their reputation among customers, rather than advertising on television and in print. They remove all of the things mentioned here and more, providing a higher degree of purity than any of the others.

How to Find a Pure Water Filter That Really Purifies

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Why You Need to Change Your Water Filter Cartridge - 3 Facts You Need to Know

Fact #1 - Any Type Water Filter Cartridge Work

The need to filter water for home use is well known and most people are concerned about the local water supply. There are many filtering systems on the market. They remove viruses, chemicals, bacteria, chlorine, microorganisms, and other impurities. Home water filters come in standard sizes and when you check the size of your filter cartridge then you can use any brand that has the correct size. The exact cartridge that your home water filter used when you got it isn't necessary, as long as it is the correct size. But if you feel safer using the exact filter then that is your best choice.

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Fact #2 - The Best Kind Of Cartridge

The systems use these types of water filter cartridge(s): surface filters and depth filters. Ceramic filters are considered one of the best to filter bacteria, cysts, and pathogenic agents. Sediment water filter cartridges only remove sediment.

Fact #3 - Replacement Is Very Important

Whichever water treatment system you are using in your home, in order to always insure that you are cleaning your water adequately, replacing the water filter cartridge is very important. Check the manufacturer's instructions and change the cartridge as recommended.

The Bottom Line

Even the #1 rated home water filter will not do you any good if you don't replace the cartridge after the recommended period of time.

When you are ready to buy your replacement water filter cartridge it is a good idea to compare prices of various sellers on the Internet. Even if you are sticking with the name brand of the system you have. You may still find a more economical price for it by researching it. The most important point: is to change the cartridges as often as is recommended in order to get the best performance out of your system.

If you really want to be safe consider an auto ship program where you are mailed a replacement water filter cartridge every few months automatically as recommended by the manufacturer of your water filter.

Why You Need to Change Your Water Filter Cartridge - 3 Facts You Need to Know

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Common Water Filter Systems - A Comparison

A lot of different companies associated with water claim to offer or produce the purest and cleanest water. But how do we find out whether their claims are true, or just marketing and advertising? This article compares the most popular water filter systems and water treatment methods, and provides an overview how effective these water purification systems work.

Activated Carbon Filters

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Granular Activated Carbon Filters are efficient and cost-effective water treatment devices, but the consumer has to consider its limitations. Activated carbon filters are able to remove concentrated chemicals (chlorine, trihalomethanes, fluoride), organic material (humus, algae), and microscopic contaminants (herbicides, pesticides, fungicides). Yet when used too long, activated carbon water filters can easily breed bacteria, so one has to ensure to change the filter cartridge regularly.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse Osmosis is able to remove fluoride from the water, as well as most mineral constituents, such as salts, lead, calcium and iron. This water treatment process is ineffective in taking out a variety of contaminants found in municipal water, such as chlorine and volatile organic chemicals. Water treated with reverse osmosis produces unhealthy drinking water as most healthy trace minerals and salts are also removed during the purification process.

KDF Filters

KDF Filters (i.e. KDF process media) are characterized through a "Redox" reaction (Oxidation-Reduction). During this oxidation reduction reaction, harmful contaminants are changed into harmless components. Zinc and copper are the preferred metals used in the KDF alloy since both are relatively good reducing agents regarding common inorganic contaminants.

KDF process media change, for instance, free chlorine into benign, water-soluble chloride, which is harmless and carried through the water supply. Moreover, there is no need for electricity, no water waste, and the filter is not likely to breed any bacteria. The downside is, however, that KDF filters do not remove fluoride (fluorosis damages bones and teethes) and organic contaminants. A good alternative is to use KDF filter in conjunction with other water filter media.

Water Softeners (Deionizers)

Water Softeners or Deionizers are able to remove the hardness of the water, i.e. calcium and magnesium. Benefits are less pipe scaling, softer feeling clothes, and a longer life of household appliances such as dish washers and washing machines. However, as deionized or softened water contains high amounts of sodium, it isn't good for people's health. That is why softened water or deionized water shouldn't be used for drinking and cooking (the watering of plants and lawns isn't recommended as well).

Distillation

The process of Distillation is relatively slow and must be repeated several times to ensure significantly pure water. It is a good way to produce pure water removed of salt, nitrate, and pathogens. However, synthetic chemicals common in municipal water such as herbicides, pesticides, and chlorine solutions can't be removed through distillation, because their boiling point is lower than the one of water. In addition, distillation removes natural trace elements, thus turning it acidic (hydrogen composition becomes greater in proportion). Long-term consumption of water that is demineralized in that way, can be harmful to the body system and may result in mineral deficiencies inside the body.

Point of Entry Systems

A Point-of-Use System only affects the water at exactly that faucet where the unit is installed. A Point-of-Entry System, installed at the main in-line water feed to your home, is the better choice, as it provides pure and safe water throughout the entire home, including every faucet and shower head inside and outside the house.

Activated Carbon Combined With KDF Process Media

A Point-of-Entry Water Purification System that combines activated carbon with kdf filters is a product that purifies all the water coming into your home or business and removes up to 99% of all contamination, including biologicals, chemicals, and metals, but leaves the trace minerals which are important for health. It provides an unlimited supply of clean, pure, and pH neutral water for the whole family at every faucet in the house.

So it is by far the best choice when considering purchasing an effective and reliable Whole House Water Filter to combine the filtration technologies of Activated Carbon and KDF process media. In this way heavy metals, chlorine, volatile organic chemicals, and other toxins are effectively removed at the highest levels of any home water filter system on the market today. All components should be NSF certified.

Common Water Filter Systems - A Comparison

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