Water Filter Guide [2023]

Step 1: Learn your water source

Your demands for water filtration may vary depending on the quality of the water source you use, the preferences you have about the smell and taste of water, and any unique medical conditions that members of your family may have. The water filter guide will help guide you in your decision.

It is vital to have a better understanding of the source of your water before making a decision on the kind of water filter that you will use in your house. When considering whether or not you want or need a filtration system and, if so, which kind would best fulfill your requirements, the first crucial step is to get an understanding of the potential toxins that may already be present in your water supply.

Do you get your water from a private well or cistern?

If you draw your water from a private well, you should get the water tested at least once a year by a lab that is accredited by the state. Make sure the individual you want to employ to test your water is certified first. You should also confirm that they will test for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, pH levels, and any other pollutants that are typical in your region before you hire them.

Get in touch with the health department in your community to get details on the pollutants that are prevalent in the region as well as recommendations about the kind of water tests that you need to order. In the event that someone in your household gets pregnant or if you welcome a new kid into the family, you should also have the water in your home tested. Consider having your water tested as well if you find that it has changed in color, flavor, or smell.

You may get information on the concentrations of various pollutants in your water by having it tested on a regular basis at a laboratory that is accredited. After determining whether or not any pollutants identified in your water surpass the suggested levels, you will be able to take the necessary steps to choose a filter that will lower the presence of those contaminants.

Do you get your water from a public system?

In such case, you will get an annual report on the quality of your water supply. People whose drinking water originates from public sources are required by the EPA to receive an annual report regarding the quality of the drinking water as well as the levels of contaminants. This report must be sent by all public water systems. This report, which is known as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), will be included in your water bill, and is sent out by the first of July of each calendar year.

Step 2: Consider the reasons for your interest in purchasing a filter.

These are some of the most typical explanations for why individuals decide to make use of water filters. The first and most crucial step in selecting the water treatment system that is most suited to your needs is to determine what you need and desire from your system.

“The flavor of my water isn’t to my liking.”

It may come as a surprise to hear that the primary purpose of common water filters found in refrigerators and pitchers is to enhance the flavor of the water, and that the majority of these filters do not provide complete protection against bacteria and other toxins.

There are some individuals who do not like the flavor of the water that comes out of their taps. This is sometimes the result of the disinfectant, such as chlorine, that is added to the water in order to help maintain it free of bacteria. There are a few naturally occurring pollutants, such as sulfur-containing chemicals and minerals, that may sometimes alter the flavor of the water.

These contaminants are not hazardous. Filters made of activated carbon, the kind of filter that is used in refrigerators and pitcher filters, are one way to lessen the impact of disagreeable tastes and smells. Systems that use reverse osmosis may also enhance the flavor of the water while simultaneously lowering the amounts of common contaminants like lead.

You should look at the label of the filter you are thinking about purchasing to make sure that it satisfies the requirements of NSF 42 for both taste and odor removal. It is important to keep in mind that installing a whole-house filter that removes chlorine might result in an increase in the number of germs that develop in your plumbing system.

The majority of dangerous pollutants cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste. The presence of some dangerous pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may occasionally pollute private wells, can impart an unpleasant taste to water and cause it to smell like gasoline or other chemicals.

There are many distinct forms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), each of which has a unique impact on one’s health: Some of them are known to cause cancer, while others may irritate the skin, disrupt mucous membranes, or cause harm to the neurological system, liver, or kidneys. It is possible that specialized testing may be required to discover which VOCs are present in your water before you can choose the most effective filter.

It is best to use a point-of-entry filter system (where your water pipe enters your house) or a whole-house filter system for VOCs because these systems provide safe water for bathing and cleaning, in addition to safe water for cooking and drinking. The point-of-entry filter system is located where your water pipe enters your house. Some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be absorbed by activated carbon filters.

If you have a private well and you’ve noticed a difference in the way your water tastes, you may want to think about getting the water in your well analyzed. If you have access to a public water system and have noticed a change in the way that your water tastes, you should contact the corporation that provides your water. Just bear in mind that the taste and smell of water, or the absence thereof, are not always indications of how clean from germs and chemicals the water is.

“I have concerns that I might have lead in my water.”

Homes that have lead service lines, which are the pipes that link the house to the main water supply, may be a source of lead in drinking water. Even if a home does not contain lead service lines, it is possible for it to have brass or chrome-plated brass faucets, galvanized iron pipes, or other plumbing that has lead solder.

A chemical reaction that takes place in plumbing materials that contain lead might result in lead being released into the drinking water. This is what is known as corrosion, and it is the process of metal dissolving or wearing away from pipelines and fixtures.

The easiest technique to determine whether or not you are at danger of being exposed to lead in your drinking water is to determine whether or not your plumbing and service line contain any possible lead sources. Due to the fact that there is no known blood level that is safe for young children, it is imperative that any and all sources of lead exposure for children be regulated or removed.

Because lead may be detrimental to human health even at low exposure levels, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided that the maximum contaminant level objective for lead in drinking water will be zero.

You may take steps to lower the quantity of lead in your drinking water and lessen the likelihood that you will be exposed to it if you are worried about the presence of lead in water or if you are aware that the plumbing in your home includes lead.

If you drink or use only tap water that has been filtered through a “point-of-use” filter that has been certified by an independent testing organization to reduce or eliminate lead (NSF/ANSI standard 53 for lead removal and NSF/ANSI standard 42 for particulate removal), then you can reduce or eliminate your exposure to lead in tap water. This can be done by using only tap water that has been filtered through a “point-of-use” filter. If your home has a lead service line, you should filter any water that you use for cooking or drinking before using it.
You may flush your water to lessen the risk of lead exposure that might be caused by the lead piping in your home. This is of the utmost significance once the water has been turned off and allowed to remain in the pipes for longer than six hours. Before you consume anything, you should flush the pipes in your house by turning on the faucet, having a shower, doing a load of laundry, or washing a load of dishes. The period of time that must pass before the water may be used will be determined by two factors: the presence or absence of a lead service line in your house, as well as the length of the lead service line. external icon Only use the cold water that comes directly from the tap for drinking or cooking. Higher amounts of lead may be present in the water that is warm or hot when it is drawn from the tap. There will be no significant decrease in the quantity of lead in your water even after boiling the water.

“There is arsenic in my water.”

Arsenic is a heavy element that may often be discovered in ground water sources. These sources include certain private wells as well as some public water systems that utilize groundwater as their supply of water. Arsenic has been linked to a number of health issues and has been shown to be carcinogenic.

There are two different oxidation states that may be found in arsenic: trivalent and pentavalent. In order to choose the most effective filter for your water supply, it is essential to have an accurate understanding of the “species” of arsenic that are currently present. It is more probable that you will have pentavalent arsenic in your water supply if it has been treated with chlorine.

However, filters that adhere to the NSF standard 53 or 58 will be able to remove this substance. In the event that your water has not been treated, extra treatment, known as a “pre-oxidation phase,” may be required before the water can be filtered in order to convert the trivalent arsenic to the more dangerous pentavalent form.

Distillation is one of the most efficient methods available for extracting arsenic from water; nevertheless, domestic applications of this technology are limited due to the fact that it consumes more energy and requires more time than other methods.

“I have nitrates in my well water.”

Nitrates are substances that may be found in groundwater as a result of the pollution of fertilizer, manure, or septic systems, as well as sewage, or the erosion of natural deposits. Nitrates make it more difficult for your red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout your body. Infants and even some adults might be put in harm’s way by this.

Nitrate concentrations are tracked and managed in public water supplies, so you may be certain that the water you drink is safe. If you have access to a private well for your water supply, you should get the water tested to see whether or not nitrates provide a health risk for you. In the event that testing reveals that your water has excessive concentrations of nitrates, you have the option of using either distillation (NSF 62) or reverse osmosis (NSF 58). Nitrates are resistant to removal by both boiling and filtering processes.

It is possible that other pollutants are present in your water supply if it has a high nitrate concentration. Get in touch with the health agency in your area to find out what they suggest for testing for additional toxins.

“My immune system is not as strong as it once was.”

People who are immunocompromised, or who have immune systems that have been weakened as a result of chemotherapy, AIDS, or organ transplants, should consult with their health care provider to determine whether or not they should consider installing a water treatment system to ensure that their water has a low concentration of germs, particularly the germ Cryptosporidium.

Filters that provide protection against Cryptosporidium include those whose labels include the phrase “reverse osmosis,” as well as those whose pore sizes are specified as “absolute 1 micron.” On the product label, you should also search for the standards NSF 53 or NSF 58.

People whose immune systems are already impaired are at an increased risk of contracting Cryptosporidium.

Filters that are purpose-built to eliminate crypto (the presence of any one of the following four messages on a filter’s product label indicates that it should be able to eliminate crypto):

Reverse osmosis (with or without NSF testing)
Absolute pore size of one micron or less (with or without NSF testing)
Tested and approved for the elimination of cysts by either the NSF Standard 53 or the NSF Standard 58.
Tested and approved to reduce the number of cysts by either the NSF Standard 53 or the NSF Standard 58.

It’s likely that filters labeled with just these terms aren’t meant to eliminate crypto:

Nominal pore size of 1 micron or smaller
One micron filter
Effective against Giardia
Effective against parasites
Carbon filter
Water purifier
EPA approved Caution: EPA does not approve or test filters
EPA registered Caution: EPA does not register filters based on their ability to remove Cryptosporidium
Activated carbon
Removes chlorine
Ultraviolet light
Pentiodide resins
Water softener
Chlorinated

In addition, immunocompromised persons shouldn’t replace their own water filters since doing so might expose them to the toxins that the filter has gathered and could possibly raise the risk of infection for these individuals.

When used correctly, some filters have the ability to eliminate parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia from the water. On the other hand, they may not eliminate germs and viruses. It’s possible that the water you filtered still has bacteria in it.

“I’m making preparations for a camping vacation, and I want to disinfect the water that I drink from a lake, stream, or spring.”

Campers and other visitors who anticipate having access to mostly untreated or badly treated water sources have a number of water treatment methods to choose from, including those that are described in the following paragraphs. To eradicate any and all types of bacteria that may be present in water, boiling the water is the most efficient method.

The usage of a filter with pores no larger than one micron, often known as an absolute 1-micron filter, or a filter that bears a label indicating that it is certified by NSF Standards 53 or 58 will eliminate parasites if the filter is used correctly, but it will not remove viruses or all germs. Make sure you read the label on the filter product you purchased.

“I want to utilize my water for nasal rinsing, as with a neti pot or as part of a religious ritual.”

Use safe water when you are preparing a solution for irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses (for example, by using a neti pot, sinus rinse bottle, or other irrigation device), or when you are putting water into the nose as part of a religious practice.

This will reduce the likelihood that you will contract an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. This microscopic ameba is responsible for a very unusual infection that ultimately results in death by migrating from the nose to the brain.

To reduce the likelihood of being infected, you should engage in at least one of the following behaviors:

Use water that has already been boiled for one minute and allowed to cool down after it has been boiled.
- At altitudes higher than 6,500 feet, allow the water to boil for a total of three minutes.
Filter: Use a filter designed to eliminate certain water-loving bacteria.
- On the label, you could see the numbers “NSF 53” or “NSF 58.”
- Also effective are filter labels that state, “absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller.”
Purchase and make use of water with a label indicating that it is either distilled or sterile in nature.
Learn how to disinfect your water to keep Naegleria at bay by familiarizing yourself with the process.
- In order for chlorine bleach to be effective as a disinfectant against this pathogen, it must be applied at the appropriate concentration and timing.

“My water is hard.”

Hard water, which is defined as water that includes an excessive quantity of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, is known to produce a scaly residue and inhibit the lathering ability of soaps. In order to remedy this issue, water softeners might be used.

Ion exchange technology is used in water softeners, however this does not make them filters, and so they do not protect you from any bacteria that may be present in the water. Beneficial minerals are removed from the water-by-water softeners in the process.