| What's are the best drinking water filters? There are | | | | #2) Per gallon cost |
| so out there that it's hard to know which to go with. | | | | Do NOT worry too much about the original cost-per |
| So how do you make the decision? | | | | gallon price is the ONLY one that matters. |
| There are a number of things you have to think | | | | Quite simply, this is how much you will be spending |
| about. Here are the 3 most critical, in order of | | | | on replacement cartridges. For every model this is a |
| importance: | | | | different amount. |
| #1) Effectiveness | | | | For instance, many pitcher models have to be |
| Quite simply, what does it remove from the water | | | | replaced once every 40 gallons used. For bigger |
| supply? It doesn't matter how cheap or stylish a filter | | | | purifiers like countertop or undersink models, this |
| is... if it doesn't improve your health, it is worthless. | | | | number is usually closer to 100 gallons. However, the |
| Look for filters that improve your health-NOT just | | | | replacement cartridge is also pricier. |
| taste. | | | | How do you figure out the cost per gallon? |
| Some filters just improve the taste without doing | | | | Simply divide the cost of the replacement cartridge |
| much for your health. These should be avoided. | | | | by the amount of gallons it can handle. For instance, |
| What contaminants should be removed? | | | | if a new cartridge is $15, and it must be replaced |
| It's well documented that there are more than 2000 | | | | every 100 gallons, your cost per gallon is $.15. |
| different contaminants in water. However, some are | | | | What's a good price? |
| more harmful than others. | | | | Look for models that are close to $.10. If it's |
| In general, chlorine, lead, fluoride, and THMs are some | | | | significantly more than this, forget it. |
| of the more important things that MUST be | | | | #3) Size |
| removed. However, there could be more. | | | | Quite simply, some purifiers take up more room than |
| Ideally you should first find out the main hazards in | | | | others, like countertop models. If your room is |
| your cities' water supply (it's different from city to | | | | limited, consider getting either an undersink or faucet |
| city) and then look for a filter that eliminates those. | | | | purifier. |
| And make sure it's NSF tested. | | | | The bottom line--these are 3 of the most important |
| This means a 3rd party organization has tested it and | | | | things you MUST think about when evaluating drinking |
| verified it lives up to the companies' claims. If it | | | | water filters. Keep these guidelines in mind and you |
| doesn't have this rating somewhere on the box, look | | | | will find the right model shortly. |
| for another model. | | | | |