Radioactive drinking water sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. But as the saying goes, truth is often stranger than fiction. Within the past two years, U.S. regulators identified 56 new contaminants in drinking water, including pesticides and radioactive materials. Many of these are directly linked to the onset of disease. People exposed to these newly found chemicals may be at risk for health problems, including cancer, reproductive disruption, liver disease and more.
Sadly, the headlines only reinforce this sentiment. High levels of PFAS chemicals in community water systems, E. coli-infected public drinking water, and limits placed on water usage throughout certain areas of the U.S. all reinforce just how precious – and essential – clean drinking water really is. And the danger of it becoming an increasingly scarce commodity.
Even as we face these challenges, there’s good news: there are more viable options for creating healthy drinking water with home water filtration systems than ever before – it just takes a bit of research and a clear understanding of your clients’ goals. Finding the right filtration system for your clients starts with understanding their priorities.
If you’ve begun your research, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of options. And in many ways, the notion of which one is the “best” is relative; water filtration systems do offer varying levels of effectiveness, and may filter out different types of contaminants, which can vary by geographic location. For instance, some clients feel strongly about filtering out allergens, which have a direct effect on their well-being. Others are primarily concerned with fluoride. There are also other factors, like how much water they need regularly, how much effort or maintenance they want to put into the filtration system, as well as considerations like water waste and budget.
Popular Water Filtration Systems
Pitcher Filter
Pitchers use a single-stage carbon filter with a lifespan of two months (standard filter). They reduce lead, chlorine, asbestos, benzene, particulates and other contaminants.
Perhaps the quickest and cheapest method of turning tap water into safe drinking water is with a water filter pitcher. They require no installation and are very user-friendly (even kids can use them easily).
Pitchers work by straining a very small amount of water through a filter, usually activated carbon, and storing it in the lower half of the pitcher. Many popular brands like Brita, Pur and ZeroWater claim benefits like lead reduction, heavy metal removal, even the elimination of all dissolved solids. It’s important to look for NSF or Water Quality Association certifications to confirm that such claims are valid, and ensure you aren’t buying an inferior product.
The upsides: They’re an inexpensive starter option and very easy to use.
The downsides: Pitcher filters don’t really produce enough water for more than one or two people at a time and take a while to refill. Because they rely on a single filter to do all the work of particulate extraction and odor elimination, the filters are likely not as effective as multistage filtration options.
Faucet-Mount Filter
Faucet-mounts use a two-stage carbon filter with a lifespan of four months or 100 gallons. They remove lead, chlorine and mercury.
If you’re looking for something a little more accessible that won’t take up room in the fridge or require time for a reservoir to refill, the faucet mount is a quick and easy DIY option. It installs easily and offers a continuous flow of filtered water that doesn’t depend on anyone remembering to fill the water pitcher after they use it. It can be very convenient for simple tasks like washing fruits and vegetables, filling a pot for cooking, or just grabbing a glass of filtered drinking water.
The upsides: Easy to install, unlimited water availability
The downsides: The filters on faucet mounts may not boost filtration or effectiveness much more than pitcher filters. As they collect sediment, they can also become heavy – weighed down by calcium, contaminant build-up, and residual water saturation. Since many are lightweight, plastic parts may quickly be compromised.
Countertop Filter
Countertop filters use three-stage carbon block filtration technology with a lifespan of six months. They reduce industrial chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, turbidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bad tastes and odors. They also reduce harmful chemicals like atrazine, chlorobenzene, trihalomethanes, methoxychlor, endrin, 2,4-D, benzine, DBCP and aesthetic chlorine.
If your clients don’t love the idea of installing a reverse osmosis tank, there are options that can provide more volume and ease of use on a day-to-day basis. Countertop water filters filter water right at the sink connection, using a T-valve and an adjoining hose. With a countertop reverse osmosis filter, the freestanding reservoir sits on the countertop. Depending on the model you select, countertop filters can use different filtration systems, ranging from single-cartridge carbon filters to three-stage sediment, carbon block, even nanotrap water filters.
The upsides: Easy to install, moderately priced and simple installation
The downsides: Requires countertop space
Under-Counter Filter
Under-counter filters are available as single, three- or four-stage units with a filter lifespan of 12 months. They reduce industrial chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, total dissolved solids (TDS), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), microorganisms, and bad tastes and odors. They also reduce harmful chemicals like fluoride, atrazine, hexavalent & trivalent chromium, chlorobenzene, trihalomethanes, methoxychlor, endrin, benzine, DBCP, pentavalent arsenic, barium, radium, cadmium, lead, and aesthetic chlorine.
Under-counter reverse osmosis systems are self-contained, customizable filtration systems that come with their own faucets and multistage filters (usually between one and four stages, depending on how advanced the filtration system is. The more filtration stages, the purer the water is that comes out of the tap).
We recommend going with at least a three-stage filter, which usually includes a sediment, pre-carbon, and carbon block water filtering system. Multiple layers of filtration is a simple, effective way to ensure purer, cleaner and better-tasting drinking water every day.
If you know that high-quality water – and an abundance of it – is a high priority for your clients, it’s likely worth investing in an under-counter water filtration system. They require professional installation and a larger investment than the simpler options listed above, but the vast majority of people say it’s entirely worth the effort. This is especially true for reverse osmosis systems that install under the sink.
Typically, a water filter system is installed under the sink, either attached to the cabinet wall or free-standing, and linked to a separate faucet on the washbasin. The installation process will vary based on the design of the sink, Many sinks come standard with soap dispensers that can be replaced with the dedicated filter faucet. Some sinks feature die-cast groves which can be drilled out to make room for the new faucet.
A Word on Reverse Osmosis
Commonly referred to as “RO” systems, reverse osmosis filtration systems are probably the most powerful filtration system engineered for the common home. RO systems completely strip water of all particulates, contaminants, chemicals, carcinogens and dissolved solids. They work by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane and effectively separating the water from all kinds of things that may be suspended in it: lead, arsenic and emerging contaminants like DEET are a few examples.
Since the RO membrane is so selective in what water passes through it, much of the water that doesn’t make the cut becomes contaminated wastewater. With some systems, this can cause a large amount of water waste — in many cases, a ratio of 20 gallons of wastewater to one gallon of filtered water. (Kind of shocking, right?) Look for RO systems that filter water at a much more efficient ratio; either 10x or 20x more efficient than traditional RO systems.
RO installation may vary depending on make and model, but these systems are predominantly under-counter designs with their own faucets just like the other aforementioned under counter systems. All RO systems require a wastewater outlet as well, either through the sink’s drainage system or into the lawn for compost.
Whatever water filtration system you recommend to clients, make sure the filter is Water Quality Association (WQA) certified. This organization assesses the effectiveness of water treatment filters through rigorous testing. So anytime you see its certification on a product, you’ll know that its performance claims are proven to be accurate and reliable.
—By The Brondell Team
