Copyright Men's Journal
If you’ve had anxiety about your tap water, you aren’t alone. More than 64 percent of Americans surveyed report concerns about what’s actually dripping out of their faucets at home, according to LeafHome. Plus, one-third believe that their tap water has gotten worse since they were kids. So it’s no wonder that 91 percent of Americans use a water filter. But is your water filter doing what you need it to do? Before buying a replacement filter for your current system, you may want to investigate what’s actually in your water and what your filters are designed to remove. While water filters can get rid of a variety of contaminants that your local water utility may leave in, like lead, nitrate, perchlorate, and VOCs, not every water filter can remove every kind of harmful substance like microplastics and forever chemicals. “What filtration system is best for consumers will come down to what they need to filter out and what systems are able to address those contaminants,” says Kyle Postmus, Senior Manager at the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). “The efficacy of different filter types depend on the contaminants present in the drinking water. Take into account your utility’s water quality with our Tap Water Database, and pick a filter that works for your water’s contaminant mix and your budget,” says Sydney Evans, Senior Science Analyst at Environmental Working Group (EWG). In addition to the EWG’s report, consider checking out your local municipality’s annual Consumer Confidence Report that’s sent out every July 1 to uncover what they filter before investing in a new system. If you don’t want to wait for the report from your water supplier, you can also check your local report online at the EPA or test your water using an at-home water test kit like the Tap Score Kit. Here’s what you need to know to pick the best water filtration system for you. What Is the Best Drinking Water Filtration System? The best whole house water filtration system depends on many key factors. While aspects of some filtering systems might not be necessary for you, others may be exactly what you need. There are water filters that can improve the taste of water, and there are filters that remove harmful germs and chemicals. It’s hard to pick the best drinking water filtration system for you, but there are some really good options in the major categories of water filtration systems. Carbon-based filters Most home water filters use activated carbon. This comes in the form of a carbon block or as granulated activated carbon made of something like wood or coconut shells that have a more porous structure from heating. Carbon-based filters “have capabilities to treat both certain dissolved and suspended contaminants due to their composition,” says Postmus. Carbon block filters: Made under pressure, these dense carbon blocks tend to be pricier and the increased surface area makes them able to remove a larger variety of contaminants. The Epic Water carbon block water filter pitcher is a top pick from EWG and removes contaminants while keeping beneficial trace minerals of calcium and magnesium in the water. Granulated activated carbon filters: Grains of activated carbon make for a faster water filter but their small surface area doesn’t filter as much as the block variety. Brita Elite pitcher is made without BPA and is NSF Certified to remove 99 percent of lead, chlorine, cadmium, mercury, asbestos, benzene, and more. Reverse osmosis filters “Typically, reverse osmosis filters remove the widest variety of contaminants,” says Evans. “But the filter that removes the widest variety may not be the best for one person’s individual situation.” Under pressure, water is pushed through the reverse osmosis system to remove undesirable arsenic, nitrates, and more. Usually they also have sediment filters and activated carbon filters that remove chlorine, trihalomethanes, and VOCs. They tend to waste water, and remove minerals that humans need like magnesium and iron. Reverse osmosis systems “filter out dissolved ions and suspended particles in the water, including beneficial minerals,” says Postmus. “Some reverse osmosis systems include a remineralization cartridge to replace some of the minerals. Additionally, reverse osmosis systems have a reject stream that can create wastewater that is not used for drinking purposes.” If reverse osmosis sounds right for you, consider the undersink Cloud RO that is NSF Certified for total dissolved solids (TDS) reduction and has a remineralization filter. Water softeners If you see a white chalky buildup on your faucets, dishes, and pipes, you likely have hard water, which is water with a high concentration of minerals. A water softener can remove that excess and reduce the white residue through a process called ion exchange. Designed to remove calcium and magnesium, and maybe also remove barium and radium, water softeners usually replace those electrolytes with sodium. They “utilize a chemical process that replaces undesirable ions with more desirable ones using a resin,” says Postmus. “Water softeners utilize ion exchange filters to remove hard minerals.” The result is water that has a higher salt content than typical tap water, which may be harmful to plants and people who need a low-sodium diet. For those who don’t need to worry about salt, consider the Waterdrop FreshTaste water softener pitcher. An electric softener, it can be used for 20 days without needing a charge. Distillers Using heat to vaporize water and separate it from minerals and other contaminants before it condenses back into water, distillation can remove bacteria and viruses, in addition to minerals and chemicals. Distillation is just not effective at removing other kinds of contaminants, so be careful about choosing distillation as your sole water filter if your water report shows other concerns. A countertop distiller can be convenient, like this H2O Labs stainless steel 1-gallon carafe that has an auto shut-off and activated carbon pods that filter the water, too. Whole house water filters Convenient for those who want consistent and filtered water throughout the entire home, whole house water filters can use activated carbon, reverse osmosis, or ion exchange. Whole house water filters “typically handle specific contaminants through multi-stage systems,” says Postmus. As interest in water filters has grown, there’s also been enormous growth in whole-house systems. From 2021 to 2023, the usage of whole house systems increased 211 percent, according to Aquasana. However, there is some concern by the EWG that harmful bacteria could grow in plumbing since chlorine is removed during the filtration process. The Springwell CF whole-house water filter is a tank-based system that delivers 1,000,000 gallons while using a four-stage filter system including catalytic carbon and a copper-zinc granule alloy in a kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF) media to filter water. While DIY installation kits are available, many choose to hire a pro to set them up. What Do NSF Ratings Mean for Water Filters? NSF ratings are based on what is filtered out of the water, and it’s a helpful way to make sure the water filter you are buying can do what the marketing says it claims. “Regardless of the type of water filter system, consumers should make sure the filters are NSF Certified,” says Postmus. “This is imperative with counterfeit water filters on the market that make performance claims that they may not actually achieve.” NSF certification of water filters means they have been tested according to rigorous standards developed through a consensus process to assure that they are safe for contact with drinking water, that they are structurally sound to not leak, and that they reduce the contaminants they are certified to reduce. “Ultimately, checking the certification to confirm that a filter system is certified to filter the contaminants of concern, regardless of technology used, is the best way to assure that a filter system will meet a consumer’s specific needs.” says Postmus. “Consumers should check the NSF certification listings for all of the filters certified by NSF.” The NSF certification ratings on a water filter indicates what the NSF has verified that the filter removes. Here are the common ratings you’ll find on a household water filter: NSF Standard 42 is for aesthetics like taste and odor, which include reducing chlorine. NSF Standard 53 is for health effects and typically seen with carbon filters. NSF Standard 44 is for water softeners. NSF Standard 55 is for ultraviolet treatment that kills bacteria, cysts, and viruses. NSF Standard 58 is for reverse osmosis and reduces contaminants regulated by the EPA. NSF Standard 62 is for distillation systems that reduce heavy metals and VOCs. NSF Standard 177 is for shower filters that reduce chlorine. FAQs Should I get my water tested? Yes and no. You may need to test your water in order to know what’s in your water so you can buy the right water filter. While many can rely on the reports available about municipal water, if you use a well or a rainwater system, then testing once a year is smart. Why does a water filter’s pore size matter? Size does matter. The water filter’s pore size is the size of the holes in the filter, which allow matter to pass through. If a filter states that it has one micron pore size, it’s typically an average size. What water filter removes the most contaminants in the world? A reverse osmosis system removes the most contaminants. However, they tend to be more expensive than carbon-based systems, waste water, and filter beneficial minerals. What’s the best water filtration system for home use? The best home water filtration system is the one that filters the contaminants in your water, fits in your budget, and can be easily maintained by you. Does unhealthy water always smell or look bad? No, unhealthy water doesn’t always smell or look bad. According to the CDC: “Taste, smell, and appearance are not always good indicators of water safety. Harmful germs and chemicals often do not change the look, taste, or smell of water. Alternatively, substances that are not harmful, like some that contain sulfur, can make water taste or smell bad.”
