Tips to Choosing the Best Water Filter | Food and Drink

By SamuelS.Peters
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Considering a water filtration system for a home can be a daunting task. One needs first to determine what is wrong with the present water supply. With contaminents being such a ubiquitous problem, it is not uncommon to be dissatisfied with water supplies, whether from wells or city systems. Then, following this assessment, the homeowner should investigate what the various systems promise in treating these problems.

There are different options when it comes to water filters. Some inexpensive ones simply remove some of the heavier particles that are suspended in the water. This is important but may be inadequate. The best water filters (and often the more expensive units) are designed to remove the smallest microbes. Using reverse osmosis technology, filtering out bacteria as small as .01 microns is not uncommon.

Bacteria is another and often a more serious problem in water supplies. The best water filter systems deal with this, usually through ultra-violet light. If bacteria is a problem, a homeowner should not settle for a cheap filter system that only deals with sediment.

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.

For many people simply having a water filter through which water is run before drinking can provide comfort in believing their water is free of contaminants. For others getting the best water filter money can buy will be a necessity. In cases where the well or water supply is heavily contaminated with bacteria, even the best water filter may not be able to handle the dangerous microbes in the drinking water.

Water filtering systems are available as individual faucet units as well as whole house filters. Some use electricity to help remove all contaminants from the water and others only filter to about .4 microns, which is effective to remove most sediment. However, if the water has a high iron count, it may also have a sulfur smell. While the best water filter may remove some of the odor, it may take more than filtering to get rid of the smell.

Water softeners remove minerals in water that make it work poorly in cleaning. But softened water passing through a water filter may extend the life of the filter cartridge itself. 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.

About the Author

One water filter system has proven itself repeatedly. Being gravity fed, the Berkey Water Filter is able to cleanse a greater amount of impurities than filters that use water pressure. Find out about the Berkey Filter.

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