Drinking Water Filters - How They Compare in Effectiveness, Required Maintenance, Speed and Cost

!±8± Drinking Water Filters - How They Compare in Effectiveness, Required Maintenance, Speed and Cost

In this article, we will look at reverse osmosis, distillation and multi-media block filter systems. You will discover drinking water filters vary widely in effectiveness, required maintenance, speed of filtering, and cost per gallon of filtered water produced. You will also acquire the information you need to choose the best drinking water filter system for your family.

In my opinion, you can pick any of the drinking water filters, outside of your own body, and it is a good one. But some are much better than others.

First, let's look at the reverse osmosis (RO) system.

This system works by forcing water, under pressure, against a semi-permeable membrane which will remove any particles larger than a water molecule. At this stage the RO filter is really just an inefficient, costly pre-filter because:

1. RO systems won't remove chlorine, pesticides or many other toxic synthetic organic chemicals, whose molecular size is smaller than water's so they must be use in conjunction with carbon filters.
2. Even under the required water pressure, two-thirds or more of the water molecules cannot be forced through the membrane and go down the drain as wasted water.
3. RO systems are slow, yielding less than one gallon per hour of filtered water and, consequently, they require a storage tank to give an adequate supply of water.
4. The membrane in the filter will remove metals such as lead, but it also removes minerals our bodies need such as calcium, potassium and magnesium making the water acidic which some health officials consider "unhealthy" water.

The RO system requires considerable maintenance and produces comparatively expensive water at about 18 to 24 cents per gallon.

Next up is the distillation system (D)

Distillation is similar to nature's recycling system. In nature the sun heats the water; it evaporates and rises to the upper atmosphere, condenses in the cooler air and falls as rain.

In the D system, water is passed over a heated coil, the steam rises, goes into a cooling chamber (where the contaminants remain), and condenses back to a liquid.

This system is very effective against bacteria. Any bugs chlorine might have missed such as cysts like Cryptosporidium and Giardia (bad bugs), will be zapped by distillation.

And, yes, the D system will get the lead out, but, like the RO system, it removes the healthful trace minerals as well.

Again, like the RO system, chlorine and other toxic chemicals sneak by because they vaporize at a lower temperature than water, go up into the cooling chamber, condense and return with the water. Also, like the RO systems, D systems must be used in conjunction with a carbon filter.

Distillation, like reverse osmosis, is slow and wasteful, wasting up to 80 percent of the water used. Distillation produces filtered water at a cost of 20 to 26 cents per gallon.

Lastly, let's look at multi-media block filters.

In the earlier version of these filters, water was simply forced through a cylinder filled with granular activated charcoal (GAC), or carbon. Activated charcoal was used because it was recognized by the EPA as the best filtering media for removing chlorine, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs).

However, these first systems had a tendency to:

1. Allow some water to flow between the filter's walls and the carbon, so, not all the water was filtered and,
2. There was some concern about these filters not being capable of removing the tiny microbes such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, or the more difficult to remove chemical compounds.

Both of these issues were resolved with the introduction of multi-media block filter technology.

This technology utilized the advantages of the activated carbon by making it a part of a blended filter media with a sub-micron structure that is extruded or formed into a solid block.

This multi-media block filter system:

1. Removes VOCs and SOCs, which, by the way, make up most of our pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs, herbicides, pesticides, etc. that are increasingly appearing in our water systems, and,
2. Removes the tiny microbes and the more difficult to remove chemical compounds and,
3. The solid block construction prevents the water from channeling around the filter media.

Multi-media block filtration systems have now come to the forefront of drinking water filter technology.

These filters work simply, (no pumps or storage tanks are required). They are efficient, quick and very economical, producing a steady supply of good, safe water for less than 10 cents a gallon.

In my opinion, they are by far the best choice of the home drinking water filters.

Drinking Water Filters - How They Compare in Effectiveness, Required Maintenance, Speed and Cost

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Pentek RFFE20-BB Iron Reduction Water Filter

!±8± Pentek RFFE20-BB Iron Reduction Water Filter

Brand : Pentek | Rate : | Price :
Post Date : Dec 25, 2011 00:34:04 | Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Pentek RFFE20-BB Iron Reduction Filter Features: The Pentek RFFE20-BB filter is a Radial Flow Iron Reduction water filter cartridge. The Pentek RFFE20-BB water filters easily and effectively reduce up to 3 ppm of dissolved iron from water. The Pentek RFFE-20BB filter improves the flavor and reduces the metallic taste caused by iron. Using the Pentek RFFE20BB filter cartridge reduces the possibility of pipe and water heater damage. Pentek RFFE-20BB cartridges help to eliminate the orange and brown stains often found in sinks, toilets, tubs and other plumbing fixtures. The Pentek RFFE-20BB water filter adds no harmful chemicals to the water, making it completely safe for drinking water applications. The Pentek RFFE20-BB cartridge should be installed on the main cold water line after the pressure tank or water meter. For best results, pre-sediment and post-carbon treatment is recommended. For pre-sediment filtration, use the P5-20BB-WF sediment filter. For post-carbon filtration, use the RFC-20BB radial flow carbon filter. NOTE: Water conditions outside of the above specified limits may lead to a shortened filtration life. If your water contains Iron Bacteria, shock chlorination is recommended. NOTE: Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system. NOTE: The RFFE-20BB cartridges will contain a very small amount of fines (very fine powder) and new cartridges, after installation, should be flushed with sufficient water to remove all traces of fines from your water system before use. This is a compatible filter to the Everpure DEV910846 filter. Also branded under Pentek / Ametek / Culligan / Kleen Plus / Plymouth Products / Pentair / American Plumber / US Filter

• Pentek RFFE20-BB Iron Reduction Water Filter

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Water Dispenser Stand

!±8± Water Dispenser Stand

If you're one of the millions of people who have bad water, then most likely you're bringing home bottled water.

It's much more time and cost effective to bring home the larger 3 or 5 gallon bottles, but then you need a drink dispenser stand.

Which ones are the best?

Well, first of all you'll want to decide if you need a floor standing model or a table top model. Will you need to have hot water or cold water dispensed from the tap, or will you generally need room temperature water? And what's your budget for your water dispenser stand?

If you have a water provider company like Culligan bringing water bottles to your home, then most likely the company has provided a dispenser at little or no charge.

But if you've opted to go to the store as needed and bring home a bottle or two at a time, then you will need a dispenser stand. Otherwise you'll have to strong-arm the 5 gallon bottle each time you want something to drink!

Water dispenser stands are available today in a variety of styles and with a number of features. They can come with hot or cold water dispensed on demand, or you can get a model with room temperature water only. The dispensers that provide hot and cold water will need to be located near electricity, so plan accordingly if you choose this type.

Water dispenser stands that offer hot water on demand advertise that the water is nearly boiling, which is convenient for coffee, tea and instant soups. The cold water feature is enjoyed by many who cannot drink lukewarm or room temperature liquids.

Costs for water dispenser stands can range from 0 to0. Table top models are a little less, usually about . The hot and cold water features are available in both floor and table top models.

There is also a "pump" model available for those who don't want the typical dispenser. It runs approximately and is simply a push pump that attaches to the top of a 3 or 5 gallon
bottle. You just push your hand down on top of the pump and fill your glass or cooking pot.

Regardless of your bottled water needs, there are a large number of water dispensers to choose from that can fit your home or office requirements.

Water Dispenser Stand

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