Practical Guide to Purchasing the Best Water Filter

Jan 5
16:00

2010

Blanca  Somers

Blanca Somers

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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.

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Many people are dissatisfied with the quality of their water,Practical Guide to Purchasing the Best Water Filter Articles 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.

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.

Naturally, the more a filter system promises, the more it will cost. But cost should not necessarily be the bottom line. Microbes can affect the taste, odor, and appearance of the water, as well as its safety. The best water filters provide the safest water. So to choose what is the right system, it is best that all sources of water used for drinking or cooking be tested. City water must meet a minimum standard for particulates. But well water also needs to be checked.

For some, cost is no object and only the best filter system will give them peace of mind. For others, simply running water through a filter pitcher is adequate for them to feel safe. Even water run through a filtering system should be tested. This is true because some water is so dangerous that even expensive systems cannot clean it sufficiently.

Odor in drinking water, often caused by excessive iron in the water, may or may not be a health threat. Simply filtering that water often will not remove that odor. Whether or not odor is a problem, an adequate filter will remove contaminants of .4 microns or more. However, the best water filters treat both sediment and bacterial threats.

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.