Your Basic Guide For Selecting A Water Filter
Posted on: 31 July 2015
Although city tap water is routinely treated at a processing plant for the most common contaminants, it still contains impurities. Moreover, if your home uses well water, then it is entirely your responsibility to purify the water before consumption. Arsenic, lead, radon and other elements are naturally present in water if the surrounding soil contains them. Use this guide to choose the best water filter for home use.
Identify Your Water's Contaminants
Call or visit your local water department to obtain a copy of a document known as the Consumer Confidence Report, or CCR. Some cities post it on their water department website. It identifies the level of various contaminants in your local water supply.
The CCR report will give you an idea of which elements you want to remove, such as agricultural pesticides that run off into rivers or seep below the surface to underground aquifers. Additionally, the water coming out of your tap might have higher levels than what is printed in the report. Water can absorb chemicals as it travels through the pipes from the street to your home.
Do You Need a Simple or Complicated Filter?
If your water supply is mostly safe but you want to remove dirt particles and chlorine, then a simple filter is all that you need. If you have well water or are sensitive to ingredients in your local tap water, then you will most likely need a more complicated filter that can remove less common contaminants. Read the list printed on each model's box to select the best fit for your situation.
Just the Kitchen or the Entire House?
An above-counter or under-sink water filter is a good choice when your main concern is having pure water for cooking and drinking. The above-counter model is less expensive and easy to install. Its downside is the permanent loss of precious counter space. An under-sink model requires installation by someone knowledgeable in plumbing, but it is out of sight and with no loss of counter space.
A whole-house water filter is installed against the outside wall of your home. It filters all water entering the premises. The water in your shower will be as pure as the water in the kitchen. It's a good choice for people who wish to avoid chlorine.
Maintenance Costs
Filters become clogged with residue and need replacement. There is no standard among the filters regarding how many gallons of water they will filter nor how many months they will perform adequately. Research the frequency and cost of replacement filters before making your initial purchase. The price varies widely among different models.
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