| Water filtration systems have become a standard | | | | that long-term intake of de-mineralized water can be |
| fixture in most kitchens today, especially as more | | | | unhealthy and can lead to mineral deficiency and/or |
| and more scientists and health professionals report | | | | an unhealthy level of acidity in the body. Additionally, |
| that most if not all of our drinking water supplies are | | | | reverse osmosis generally requires between two to |
| contaminated with human-made pollutants, including | | | | three gallons of water to produce one gallon of |
| not just municipal systems, but wells, lakes, rives, and | | | | purified water, which some experts consider |
| glaciers. Unfortunately, bottled water has been shown | | | | wasteful. |
| to have its own host of problems, including serious | | | | Other Popular Water Filters |
| health and environmental effects. However, while a | | | | Other popular filters include water filter pitchers, |
| good water filtration system is the best way to | | | | which are very easy to use and have a low initial |
| ensure healthy and safe drinking water, it's not | | | | cost. Water pitcher filters typically can reduce lead, |
| enough to install just any filter in your home. Though | | | | copper, chlorine, and chlorine by-products. However, |
| the purpose of any water filtration system is to | | | | while any filter is better than no filter, pitcher filters |
| improve the quality and taste of drinking water, | | | | are probably the least effective filters for their cost, |
| there is a wide range of filters available, each with | | | | especially considering that filters will need to be |
| varying costs and effectiveness. The process of | | | | replaced every few months. Some pitcher filters may |
| planning a kitchen renovation is a perfect time to | | | | also be slow and prone to clog. Because pitcher filters |
| consider the different water filter options. Some of | | | | have such a short life, they may not be practical for |
| the most popular filters are explained below to help | | | | a family of four or more who might consume a |
| you choose the best water filter for your home. | | | | couple of gallons of water a day. |
| Reverse Osmosis | | | | Filter faucets or filters installed directly on the faucets |
| Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective | | | | are also popular because, like pitcher filters, they are |
| filtration methods available today. Even though the | | | | very easy to use. Filter faucets are usually easily |
| process has been known for over 100 years, it | | | | placed onto the head of a faucet, and they |
| wasn't until the 1950s that the U.S. government | | | | conveniently allow a person to switch from filtered to |
| developed it as a way for the Marines to desalinate | | | | unfiltered water. Most filter faucets effectively |
| water to make it drinkable. By way of brief | | | | remove lead, pesticides, sediments, and chlorine. |
| explanation, "regular" osmosis occurs when molecules | | | | However, because they typically use a similar type of |
| pass through a permeable membrane to equalize the | | | | filter as a water pitcher, the filter needs replacing |
| concentration of molecules on both sides. As its | | | | often and filtering can be slow. |
| name implies, reverse osmosis is when the opposite | | | | Another popular type of filter are counter-top water |
| occurs. Instead of equalizing the concentration of | | | | filters, which hook directly to the faucet after the |
| substances on both sides of the membrane, water | | | | aerator is removed. Counter-top filters provide a level |
| pressure pushes pure water on one side of a | | | | of filtration higher than a water pitcher or filter |
| membrane, leaving a concentration of pollutants on | | | | faucet because it uses a combination of carbon filters |
| the other. | | | | and other filters. Counter-top filters are also less likely |
| Reverse osmosis typically also employs two carbon | | | | to clog than a pitcher filter or a filter faucet. They |
| filters and/or other pre-filters, which work to remove | | | | also allow a large amount of water to be filtered |
| a wide range of dangerous contaminants, including | | | | without having to alter any plumbing. |
| lead, mercury, and arsenic. Reverse osmosis is also | | | | Similar to counter-top water filter, under sink filters |
| effective at removing virtually all pharmaceutical | | | | can filter large amounts of water. However, unlike |
| drugs, coliform bacteria, E. coli, percolate, VOCs, | | | | counter top filters, they don't take up valuable |
| viruses, fluoride, chlorine, chloramines, herbicides, | | | | counter space and instead attach to pipes under the |
| pesticides, cryptosporidium, THMs, and MTBEs. In | | | | sink. They are also typically more effective than |
| fact, while typical faucet or counter top filters are 1 | | | | pitcher types of water filters because under sink |
| stage filters, meaning they have only 1 basic carbon | | | | filters offer a two-step filtering process. However, |
| filter, reverse osmosis systems typically offer a 5 | | | | under sink filters require modification to the plumbing |
| stage filtration system. Furthermore, while countertop | | | | (sometimes by a professional) and drilling a hole |
| filters have a 1-5 micron rating, which means | | | | through the sink or countertop for the dispenser, |
| contaminates smaller than 1 micron (such as | | | | which may mean longer installation time than other |
| asbestos, insecticides, may not be filter out), a | | | | filters. They also take up room under the sink. |
| reverse osmosis filter typically holds a micron rating | | | | Kitchen renovation can be an exciting and creative |
| of.0001. While reverse osmosis systems can cost | | | | time. As you consider which type of water filtration |
| more upfront, their filters only need to be replaced | | | | system would work best in your kitchen keep in the |
| once a year, whereas counter top filters need | | | | mind the following tips. First, you may want to either |
| replacing every couple of months. | | | | have your water tested or you may want to refer |
| Although reverse osmosis effectively removes an | | | | to your local annual quality report to ensure your |
| impressive array of unhealthy contaminants, it can | | | | water filter is removing contaminants specific to your |
| also remove important minerals that contribute to | | | | drinking water supply. Second, your water filter |
| taste and health of water, including magnesium, | | | | should be certified by the National Sanitation |
| calcium, and potassium. Some researchers suggest | | | | Foundation (NSF), and, third, to ensure the life and |
| these important minerals are also found in common | | | | quality of your filter, your filter needs to be |
| foods and are therefore not needed in drinking | | | | maintained according to manufacture |
| water. Other health professionals, however, report | | | | recommendations. |