Only a health conscious person like you would have found the way to my website about the best water filters. You are well informed concerning the risks of using tap water for drinking and cooking, as well as for showering. I share your concerns; as a health researcher, I have done extensive research on tap water. Since we agree that a tap water purifier is a necessity, I’d like to share what I learned during my research concerning alternatives to tap water.
Bottled water safety has me very worried. Chemical contaminant testing is required only one-fourth (1/4) as often for bottled water vs. tap water. In addition, bottled water companies are only required to test for harmful microbiological content once a week; public water is required to test for these microbes several times a day. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "Companies that market bottled water as being safer than tap water are defrauding the American public."
Water Filter Comparison for Residental Water Filters
Pitcher Water Filters
A pitcher water filter is a low (up front) cost alternative to tap water, but paradoxically, it is the most expensive type of drinking water purifier. Most pitcher and carafe water filters include one 30 gallon cartridge; the very small cartridge size means it must be replaced constantly. Pitcher water filters equal lower quality and inconvenience at a higher price.
Home Water Distillers
A home water distiller destroys bacteria; it also removes lead, calcium, magnesium, and other inorganic compounds. There are 4 major drawbacks to steam distilled water:
- Organic chemicals, which are transferred in the steam, are not removed.
- Minerals, which are needed for metabolism and the proper functioning of the immune system, are removed.
- Water is produced very slowly.
- The per gallon cost of steam distilled water is 20 to 26 cents a gallon.
Reverse Osmosis Water Systems
A reverse osmosis filtration system removes some contaminants based on molecular size. Minerals and a lot of water are also removed. There are 5 major problems with reverse osmosis water systems:
- Pesticides, herbicides, and many other synthetic chemicals are not removed because they are smaller molecularly than water.
- Demineralized water is an acid with a ph lower than 7. In order to neutralize the acid, minerals are stripped from our bones and teeth. Free radical production also increases when body fluids are more acid than alkaline; the end result is increased cancer risk.
- Water is slowly produced–less than one gallon per hour–requiring a diaphragmed storage tank.
- For every gallon of water produced, 2 to 3 gallons are wasted.
- The cost of water production is 18 to 24 cents per gallon.
Carbon Water Filters
Carbon water filters are the best water filters. Contaminants are removed by absorption in both carbon block and granular carbon filters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States recognizes activated carbon water filters as the best means for removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and trihalomethanes (THMs). VOCs are organic chemical compounds; THMs are chemicals formed during chlorination of water. The filter medium bonds (removes) contaminants either physically or chemically.
After much research and analysis, I installed a multi-media carbon block filter with activated carbon for my water purification device. In addition to being the best contaminant remover, it is also a water sediment filter and cyst remover (for parasitic cysts such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.) I insisted on the safest home water filter system to ensure my family’s health .
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