While we would all like to pretend that the water we use is clean and fresh, a simple review of the facts suggests that this is not always the case. American cities and water districts issue more than 600 boil water alerts per day to help their customers protect themselves from contaminated water and/or ruptured pipes. If you use water from a private well rather than a public municipality, you should know that studies suggest up to 40 percent of all such wells contain microbes such as E.coli at any given time. Yikes! Thankfully, a water filtration system can help you feel good about the water your family uses even if it isn’t the cleanest.
If you don’t know that much about water filtration, you’re not alone. Many Americans aren’t familiar enough with it to identify the best system for their needs. We asked qualitywaterlab.com to share three important considerations to help you make an informed decision about your home’s needs. Without further ado, let’s get started:
1. Where Do You Need Water Filtration?
The first step in choosing a water filtration system is identifying where you want your water filtered. If you choose a POU (or Point of Use) system, you will have a little device attached to your kitchen sink to filter the water you use for drinking and cooking. These systems tend to be cheaper to run since only a limited amount of water is filtered, but the water you use for bathing and cleaning remains in its unfiltered state. Alternatively, a POE (or Point of Entry) system automatically filters all of the water entering your home, regardless of the purpose it’s ultimately used for.
The science behind the two systems can vary as well. For example, many POU options utilize reverse osmosis, meaning that your water is treated by using pressure to force a solvent (water) to pass through a barricade that contaminants cannot penetrate, filtering your water. In contrast, many POE systems leverage ultraviolet (UV) light to exterminate harmful microorganisms before they have an opportunity to enter your home through your water supply.
Notably, it is possible to have a POE system that uses reverse osmosis or a single faucet equipped with a UV filter. In fact, many homeowners combine both POE and POU technologies for even more thorough filtration. You can always check out a Tyent water ionizer also for a positive health impact.
2. What Are You Trying to Eliminate?
The best water filtration system for you depends on what contaminants you’re most concerned about getting rid of. If bacteria such as E.coli are a problem in your neighborhood, you’ll want to make sure that your system excels at microbe elimination. If you’re more concerned about contaminants that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t specifically regulate, you can buy a system that specifically addresses them.
One of the most common water contaminants is lead, for instance. If you want to eliminate lead from your water supply, we recommend purchasing a lead & cyst treatment system that has been certified specifically for lead removal with NSF/ANSI standards. You should also avoid using your hot water tap if you have lead, as the heat can loosen the metal and mix it into your water: making it more challenging to eliminate.
Of course, you should never feel limited to a single area of concern. If you care equally about microbe and lead removal, there are systems out there that can accommodate both needs.
3. How Big of a System Do You Need?
Many water treatment systems are sized according to the maximum water flow in your home. For example, if you use up to 10 gallons of water in one minute, your system has to be able to meet that demand without compromising performance.
You probably don’t know what your peak water usage is, and that’s okay. Water treatment system manufacturers can use one of two easy ways to help homeowners estimate their needs without getting bogged down by the details. Some products ask you how many bathrooms are in your household, as bathrooms are often the site of peak water consumption. If your home has three bathrooms that could all be running a shower at the same time, you’ll need a bigger system than a home that only has one full bath.
Alternatively, you could be asked how many people live in your household. A family of four needs a system that can handle the water needs of up to four people simultaneously, while somebody who lives alone may not need that much capacity. Just remember to apply common sense, such as including frequent guests into the equation. If you know how much water pressure your shower faucets provide, that can also be a key indicator of how much capacity you require.
4. How Much Will It Cost to Professionally Install a Water Filtration System?
The cost to install a water filtration system will come down to what type of system you need. A whole house water filter system that will need to be connected at the main water inlet will run between $650.00 – $1,200 according to RemodelingExpense.com. This price normally includes the direct connection and system checks to properly insure the system is working properly.
However, there are other options that are less costly and more DIY friendly, such as: Under sink water filtration system – this will normally cost you $300 to have professionally installed. However, it’s such a simple task that almost anyone handy could have set up in less than 30 mins.
Another cost effective option would be a faucet filter. Faucet filters can cost anywhere between $35 and $100 to purchase are really simple to install and can provide you with fresh clean tasting water. Setting this up is a breeze and should take you less than 20 mins to setup — filter changes are even quicker.
However, the only downsides to installing either a under sink or faucet filter, is that you will need to do this at every drinking water source. Whereas a whole house water filter handles all water sources.
Parting Thoughts
Water purification can feel daunting, but the benefits of getting the right system for your needs are worth the hassle. If you have any further questions about the importance of water filtration or how to identify a great system for your home, please visit the EPA.GOV and read their water filtration fact sheet.
