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Alisa Meredith

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What is Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Filtration?

Reverse osmosis is a water filtration process that uses specialized membranes. Before reaching your faucet, water from a well or natural sources like the ground, river, or lake is transported to a treatment center. During transport to a treatment facility, water may pick up hard water minerals, which may be non-removable. However, a reverse osmosis system helps reduce contaminants present in water.
Before water flows out of the faucet, the reverse osmosis system pushes the water through specialized membranes using pressure. The system captures large molecules and contaminants during this stage while allowing water to flow through its membrane. Also, the system reduces contaminants, leaving you with fresh, clean water.

Benefits of Drinking Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

Unfiltered water has been linked to causing implications for the home, like scale buildup on appliances that use water and water that smells and tastes foul. Also, consuming unfiltered water can affect health negatively, including causing heart-related issues because it contains contaminants like excessive lead and arsenic
Contaminated water has several effects, including foul odors, unpleasant tastes, and health problems. Foul odors like rotten egg smell indicate the presence of sulfate in water. Unpleasant tastes in cooked food or beverages include metallic tastes, usually resulting from excess iron in the water. Furthermore, when contaminants like PFOS, lead, and arsenic go undetected in water, they pose health risks that may cause reproductive and cardiovascular issues
Utilizing a reverse osmosis system and drinking water from it can make a massive difference in the quality of your life. Some of the benefits of a reverse osmosis system include providing fresh, clean water that tastes and smells better and is suitable for drinking and cooking.
Reverse osmosis systems also reduce unwanted minerals like calcium and magnesium, especially in hard water. In addition, Lead has been known to increase blood pressure, lower fertility, and cause nerve damage. Fortunately, the RO system reduces lead in water, making it safe for you and your family.
Apart from its benefits for the home and human health, a reverse osmosis system helps in reducing the quantity of water bottles you purchase. The RO system also reduces sodium in water because the large particles are less likely to pass through the membrane filter; this helps save money while providing an eco-friendly solution.

Why Should You Get An RO System?

o-You-Need-An-RO-System

A Better Alternative to Bottled Water

Depending on the size of your family and the quantity of water you consume, you may pay several hundreds of dollars or more on bottled water. Apart from that, not all bottled water is healthy. Studies show that you may ingest water containing leached chemicals from plastic bottles.

Multistage Filtration

Reverse osmosis has four filtration stages for removing impurities. Usually, most filtration systems have just one or a maximum of two filters that sift toxins out of water. Every filter in a RO system can remove specific contaminants to leave you with fresh, clean drinking water.

Better Taste

Some unfiltered and filtered water have terrible tastes and smells. Although it is advised to take at least eight glasses daily, it is impossible if water leaves an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. The reverse osmosis system is suitable for removing impurities that give water an awful taste to provide fresh, clean tasting water that keeps you refreshed and wanting more.

What Are The Best RO Systems?

Waterdrop G3 Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

The Waterdrop G3 reverse osmosis water filter system is capable of preventing contaminant buildup. The system uses a cross filtration method in preventing bacteria and virus buildup. Also, the system saves space; it has a tankless design 5.68 inches wide, suitable for saving space on the counter or under a sink. The system also has a smart faucet, and a blue light indicates that the filter condition is 'perfect.' A yellow light indicates 'replace soon' while a red light means 'replace now.'
Furthermore, the Waterdrop G3 reverse osmosis system has an NSF 58 & 372 certification. The system is tested and certified against the NSF/ANSI standard by the NSF international.

Purlette Reverse Osmosis System

The Purlette reverse osmosis system is a water filter for sinks. It is excellent for use in the home and kitchen; it is suitable for removing tap water odor, stopping scaling, and eliminating suspended particles. The taste of chlorine and fluoride gives you fresh, clean drinking water. You can monitor filter usage and also receive custom reminders with this RO system. The smart system is Alexa enabled, and you can receive real-time water quality watch and alerts via an app. In addition, the RO system contains a 5-stage water filtration, including a carbon filter capable of getting rid of contaminants that shouldn’t be present in drinking water. Also, unlike water bottles, the Purlette RO system filters out harmful chemicals in the water.

iSpring RCS5T RO Water Filter System

The iSpring RO system is a multistage filtration system. The first to third system stages removes rust, sand, chlorine, odor, and disinfection byproducts. The fourth stage of the system is a dual flow membrane that removes heavy metals, pesticides, and residues. Also, the fifth stage can remove chlorine to improve the taste and quality of the drinking water. The system has an advanced dual flow 500GPD membrane that saves 60% of water. The system is efficient; it has a low waste 1:1 drain ratio to clean water ratio. The iSpring RO system is especially suitable for use in restaurants, salons, labs, and offices.

To Wrap Things Up

The quality of drinking water you consume has an impact on your overall health. Although several water purification methods exist, RO filtration is the most efficient in removing particles and contaminants to give you high-quality, fresh, and clean drinking water.
People use different techniques in water purification to prevent diseases. The most popular water purification techniques are boiling and filtering. However, which is the healthier and more beneficial option?
When looking at purification methods for tap water, it is essential to consider the pros and cons of each method. Although both water purification methods can kill bacteria and remove impurities, their effectiveness varies.

Boiled Water

Boiling has been a water purification technique for thousands of years; people boil water to filter out contaminants and remove impurities. However, does boiling water purify it? How effective is boiling?

Pros of Boiling Tap Water

Boiling water can kill harmful bacteria because of its high heat; it is a simple and effective way of purifying water at home or in the wilderness. Most microorganisms cannot survive more than 30 minutes in water whose temperature is above 160 degrees Fahrenheit; notably, water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Another benefit of boiling water is mineral retention; boiling retains the minerals present in tap water. Furthermore, drinking warm water offers health benefits like improving blood circulation and digestion.

Cons of Boiling Tap Water

Boiling does not require you to buy any new equipment; therefore, the method seems cost-effective. Contrarily, boiling water is quite expensive because of its impact on your energy bill. Another downside to boiling water is how time-consuming it is. Purifying your water through boiling requires you to wait several minutes to boil and wait for it to cook, except you want to drink your water hot.
In addition, boiling water only removes solids and bacteria; it cannot remove harmful substances like lead and chlorine from tap water. Boiling tap water that contains lead concentrates the contaminant rather than remove it. Furthermore, boiling doesn’t eliminate all bacteria or remove all chemicals present in tap water. You can only achieve this by using a water filter.

Filtered Water

You get filtered water by passing tap water through a water filtration system. There are various systems and ways of filtering water, and they are all working towards removing water contaminants in your home.
Compared-Boiled-Water-With-Filtered-Water

Pros of Filtering Tap Water

In comparison to boiling, water filtration is faster, and it enables people to enjoy clean, healthy water just by touching a button or lifting a faucet handle. In addition, filtered water has higher standards in water purification than boiled water. Also, groups like the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) rate water filters according to their removal effectiveness.
Furthermore, filtered water is healthier for drinking, better for your skin when showering, and suitable for keeping your clothes fresh during laundry. Several water filtration options, including under sink, whole house, and shower filters, allow you to choose where and how you want to use a water filtration system in your home.

Cons of Filtering Tap Water

Filtering tap water doesn’t have health complications. Nevertheless, you have to consider the type of system and the cost of future replacements.

Comparing Boiled and Filtered Water

There has been a lot of confusion regarding how to ensure drinking water is safe and healthy. Nevertheless, the overwhelming conclusion is that filtered water is better than boiled water.
When comparing boiled and filtered water, it is established that boiling water does not completely purify water because it doesn’t remove harmful contaminants like lead and chlorine. In addition, using a water filter is much more convenient in helping you enjoy healthy, great-tasting water by just touching a button or lifting a handle rather than waiting for water to boil and cool. Furthermore, from a health perspective, a water purifier helps remove microorganisms and eliminate physical impurities, chemicals, and contaminants to provide you with pure, clean drinking water continuously.
Generally, filtered water provides a host of benefits, including health-wise, than boiled water.

Shopping Guide for The Best Water Filter

Waterdrop D4 Reverse Osmosis System for Home

The Waterdrop D4 Reverse Osmosis System has innovative technology and design that integrates different filtration materials in a 5-in-1 composite filter. The reverse osmosis system achieves an optimized filtration effect by using the least space. The system also has a tankless design that makes it small to save space under the sink. The system’s integral waterway design eliminates connectors in the internal water tubing, thus lowering water leakage and bacterial growth risks. The reverse osmosis water filtration system requires replacement once a year, and you can open the front panel and remove the old filter during replacement.

KFLOW Countertop Reverse Osmosis System

The KFLOW reverse osmosis system has unmatched double RO filters with 0.0001-micron filtration accuracy, allowing water molecules to pass and ensuring pureness. The system also has a 4-stage filtration system that accelerates filtration and works with precision compared to the single RO water filter. In addition, the system has a smart indicator that allows checking water quality and working mode with a glance. The electronic indicators display also notifies you when the filters need replacement. Although the default volume is 1.7L, you can also press the water volume button to select water volume of 0.5L, 1L, and 1.5L.

Geekpure 5-Stage RO System

The Geekpure 5-stage RO system effectively reduces contaminants by about 90%, including arsenic, lead, fluoride, cadmium, heavy metals, and numerous pollutants. The system also filters down to 0.0001 microns to enable you to experience fresh, safe water for use in baby formulas, teas, coffee, better tasting foods, and crystal-clear ice cubes. In addition, the filtered water is refreshing and has a better taste than most bottled water.
The premium quality component of the RO system ensures high reliability and low maintenance for many years. The all-tube quick push fittings, storage tank, and RO membrane are NSF certified to provide healthy, pure water.

Conclusively

As much as water purification is necessary, the method of purification is much more important. Filtered water is safer, cleaner, and healthier than boiled water because most contaminants are filtered out. A reverse osmosis system is ideal for filtering water to give you refreshing, great-tasting water.
Most people don’t consider the quality of their drinking water. People turn on a tap, fill a glass, and drink the water. Well, what is the optimal quantity of water per day? Is your drinking water safe? Do you consider bottled water safer? What should you do when your tap water gets contaminated? Read on to find out what you know about the quality of drinking water in your home.

How Much Water Do You Need?

Over 50% water makes up your body weight. It will be difficult to maintain a normal body temperature, lubricate your joints, or even rid waste via urination, sweat, and bowel movements without water.
Lack of enough water leads to dehydration, causing muscle weakness and cramping, lack of coordination, and increasing heat exhaustion and heat stroke risk. Water is essential such that humans can’t last five days without it.
Therefore, how much water do you need? Frequently, we hear that eight 8-ounce glasses of water are required daily. However, according to the Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board, women require 11 8-ounce glasses (91 ounces) of water daily while men need 15 glasses (125 ounces) daily.

Water Quality: How Safe is Tap Water?

It is clear that hydration is essential but is the tap water in your home safe? Tap water from a public water system in the United States, especially one run and maintained by a municipality, is generally safe. Through its authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors all public water systems and sets enforceable health standards to monitor the contaminants in drinking water.
Drinking water must satisfy strict safety standards before leaving the treatment plant on its way to your home. However, this doesn’t mean tap water is contaminant-free.

Water Quality: What Contaminants Are Present in Water?

There are several ways water gets contaminated. Contaminants may be microorganisms like bacteria and parasites which contaminate water via human or animal fecal matter. Chemicals from industrial wastes or spraying crops also contaminate water. Runoffs from land may contain nitrates from fertilizers to contaminate water. In addition, underground natural deposits and improper disposal of pollutants contain minerals like lead and mercury, entering a water supply. Old lead pipes can also leach to contaminate water with lead.
What-You-Need-To-Know-About-Drinking-Water

Well Water

Private wells are the primary source of drinking water for about one out of seven Americans. The EPA does not regulate private wells. The safety of well water is dependent on several factors. The EPA recommends talking with local experts, testing your well water regularly, and attending to problems promptly.

Bottled Water

In 2018, Americans consumed 13.8 billion gallons of bottled water, a 5% increase from the previous year. One of the arguments about bottled water is its safety, even though bottled water does not have the same guaranteed safety as your tap water. The FDA cannot oversee a mandatory testing program like the EPA’s program with public water suppliers. Although the FDA can order a recall of bottled water if there’s a problem, it is not a guarantee that you are buying safe bottled water

Pipe Water

Occasionally, breaks in the water line contaminate tap water, and one of its major problems is lead leaching from the pipes into the water. Even “lead-free” pipes are not lead-free; they contain about 8% of lead. You can avoid consuming lead from tap water by using only water from the cold tap for drinking, cooking, making baby formula. It would be best if you also let the water run for about a minute before use.

Health Effects of Drinking Contaminated Water

Water pollution is an invisible danger, harmful to health. If harmful chemicals and substances pollute your water source, you won’t be able to notice it always visually. Water pollution has many adverse effects on human health, including fertility issues, developmental delays in children, gastrointestinal illnesses, and cancer

Water Quality and Water Filters

Some people use water filters at home to make their drinking water safer.

Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher

The Waterdrop chubby water filter pitcher is NSF 42 & 372 certified for reducing chlorine, taste, and odor. This water filter pitcher has a multi-stage water filter technology that effectively reduces arsenic, fluoride, lead, and other water contaminants. The water filter pitcher is from high-grade BPA-free plastic, and it has a simple but rigid natural wooden handle that makes it easy to handle the equipment.
Furthermore, on the lid of the Waterdrop water filter pitcher, there is a smart LED filter life indicator that monitors water quality. The indicator is an easily visible reminder for when the filter needs replacement. The water pitcher also allows easy refilling without needing to remove the cover. The Waterdrop filter pitcher is suitable for most fridge doors and keeps water cold for a long time.

Gravity Water Filter Purifier System 1384

The Gravity water filter purifier system effectively removes various water contaminants in drinking water to make tap water taste like fresh, spring-like water. The system filters water from the faucet, making it alkaline. You also get to enjoy safe drinking water all day with lower acidity and more trace minerals.
The chlorine-free water that this purifier system provides is best for soaking fruits and washing kitchen tools. Although the gravity filter can work without electricity, it requires a constant natural force of gravity for removing contaminants from your house’s water supply. The filter system is convenient, easy-to-use, and all you need is a water source for filling up the system. You can use the filter system during vacations, hunting, camping travel, or in your office. The system is also ideal for supplying water from sinks in camps, cottages, or RVs.

Opti Drop 3 Gallon Alkaline Water Filter Purification Machine

The 3 Gallon Countertop Unit filters can alkalize up to 200 gallons of water per filter and retain beneficial trace minerals. The filters are proudly made in the USA. The Opti water filter can filter about 1 gallon of water per hour. Although, compared to competitor filters, the Opti filter is slow. Nevertheless, it removes more contaminants than other filters.
In addition, this water filter provides pure, delicious, alkaline water for drinking while saving money on water and reducing wasteful plastic bottles. With its easy installation and use, the Opti drop only requires filling the top reservoir with water and allowing gravity to filter it through the ionic filter. The filter does not require electricity or plumbing in its operation.

Conclusively

It is necessary to drink water daily, especially for health purposes. Nevertheless, the quality of water is much more paramount. Contaminated water has adverse effects on human health. Using water filters can significantly improve drinking water quality to give you refreshing, uncontaminated water.
A UV water purifier is a great option for water sources prone to carrying live bacteria, cysts, viruses, and other organisms that pose dangers to human health. UV systems expose said living contaminants to a germicidal ultraviolet wavelength, capable of disrupting pathogenic microorganism DNA. In turn, this negates their ability to reproduce, and spreading throughout drinking water sources. This is great news for individuals living around dangerous sources of water, and don’t have another option for consumption. Let’s delve a little further into a UV water purification system, as well as the conditions in which it would be most beneficial.

Is it Safe to Use a UV Purifier?

Water treated through UV means is completely safe to consume. The composition of the water is by no means altered through the use of harsh chemicals. In fact, a UV-C light is all that is used to disinfect water through UV sterilization. Although a UV-C light is harmful for use on humans, one simply needs to avoid touching or looking directly at the UV bulb during use. Much like it disrupts the life cycle of living microorganisms, the UV-C light may harm humans and mammals alike. By reducing direct exposure, humans may us UV purifiers to provide their family with safe drinking water – regardless of the source.
Alternatively, water treatment facilities often utilize chlorine as a form of tap water treatment. Because UV light treatment is a far superior option to providing safe drinking water, many wastewater treatment plants have turned to using UV treatment means, instead. This is especially true in situations where chemical by-products must be eliminated from resulting water. UV systems are also easier to maintain, and work as a safe disinfectant as opposed to other chemical-based solutions, including chloramine or chlorine. The EPA has approved UV purification as a means of water disinfection, as an environmentally superior method. This simple process benefits millions of residential areas and businesses, without the risk of the creation of dangerous byproducts.
The Pros and Cons of UV Light Water Filters

The Pros and Cons of UV Light Water Filters

  1. Effectively destroys 99.99% of viruses and bacteria
  2. Purifies water sans chemicals
  3. Presents an eco-friendly alternative to chemical-based water disinfection methods
  4. Once installed, trouble-Free use only requires annual service
  5. Capable of running around the clock, for consistent water conditions
  6. Safe to use, and cost-effective.
  7. There are no dirty parts to throw away
  8. Water quickly flows through the system without a holding tank
  9. Low electrical needs
  10. Capable of conserving water
  11. Convenient upkeep only requires annual lamp change

Inherent Disadvantages of UV Water Purification

The method of water disinfection through UV poses many advantages. Regardless, there are still several disadvantages to any mode of water purification. Ultimately, UV light is only capable of elimination live microorganisms present in water. On the other hand, UV technology is not able to remove salt, chlorine, heavy metals, or other man-made substances, pharmaceuticals, and more. This is why UV light should be used in tandem with other types of water filtration, especially to get the most out of UV technology. With that in mind, utilizing UV water treatment is a good way to provide purified water, especially alongside other types of filtration. In short, UV light is an affordable, quick way to disinfect tap water, or even at the point of entry.

Top 3 UV Purifiers on The Market

Waterdrop N1 Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

Utilize the power of a UV light paired with RO technology, in the Waterdrop N1 countertop filtration system. This unit further enables homeowners to kill living organisms, like bacteria and viruses, each and every hour. Through the use of a 0.0001 micron RO membrane, the Waterdrop N1 eliminates various impurities commonly found in tap water. Homeowners may also monitor overall water quality in a close manner, through the use of the integrated smart display screen.
Enjoy anywhere between 6 to 18 months of water purification, thanks to the MRO filter and CF filter. Installation is also easy, requiring only the use of an electrical socket.

NU Aqua Platinum Series UV & Alkaline RO Water Filtration Unit

After rigorous development, the NU Aqua Platinum Series water filtration system provides clean, consistently pleasant tasting water. With professional grade, high-quality quick connect fittings, the lead-free designer faucet serves to accentuate your kitchen counter. With NSF 100% certifications, and a double o-ring filter housing, you are guaranteed to enjoy healthy water on demand, in addition to a leak-free experience. The lack of water pressure should not be a concern if it is an aspect of your home. Featuring a heavy duty booster pump, the NU Aqua Platinum Series unit can bring water pressure back up to optimal levels. Filter calcium, zinc, iron, copper, selenium, and magnesium out of your tap water, thanks to a 5-stage premium alkaline filter. Furthermore, this unit can add minerals back into your tap water, while it increases antioxidants, and overall oxygenation. The end result is a more balanced, alkaline water to hydrate your body.

Bluonics UV Light Purifier System (for Under Sink Filtration)

When eco-friendliness is at the top of your list, the Bluonics UV Light Purification System is a great option. Step away from the use of dangerous chemicals, chlorine, and chloramines, for pleasantly tasting and smelling water. It does not affect overall alkaline and acidity levels of your tap water, and also doesn’t impact the pH levels. For use in residential and commercial settings, the Bluonics UV system offers a 4-stage water filtration system. Furthermore, the UV light provides an effective mode of water treatment, for the removal of live microorganisms. In turn, your family will enjoy healthy, sparkling clean drinking water without the stress of dangerous contaminants. You will not notice a change of the color, odor, and taste of your water, nor an effect on pH levels, acidity, or alkalinity.
Usually, people first consider water treatment systems after noticing foul odors, taste, or scale buildup on water faucets. It can be pretty challenging to know the next step, especially with little knowledge about water treatment.

Why Is Water Treatment Certification Important?

A certification group is an independent organization that has the duty of performing series of designated tests on water treatment devices, ensuring the equipment performs as advertised.
The three major certification bodies for water treatment systems are the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Water Quality Association (WQA), and the International Association of Plumbing and Manufacturing Officials (IAPMO). These water bodies have their specific certification standards for various water products. Suppose you already have a water treatment system installed in your home or consider getting one; it is best to understand water certification standards to ensure the system meets your needs.

NSF/ANSI Standards

In the 1950s, the National Science Foundation (NSF), a united states federal agency, was created to follow the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) strict standards. Common water treatment standards include;

1. NSF/ANSI 42: Aesthetic Effects

This standard evaluates water qualities that are non-health related, especially factors that influence water’s taste, odor, and appearance.

2. NSF/ANSI 44: Water Softeners

This standard is specifically for water softeners. The standard creates baseline requirements for water hardness reduction, material safety, and capacity (amount of hardness to be removed before regeneration).

3. NSF/ANSI 53: Health Effects

This standard is for water filtration equipment claiming to remove over 50% of water contaminants linked to health-related issues.

4. NSF/ANSI 58: Reverse Osmosis (RO)

This standard ensures that certified reverse osmosis equipment follows its claims of reducing contaminants.

5. NSF/ANSI 401: Emerging Compounds or Incidental Contaminants

This standard is for reducing emerging contaminants that are likely to cause health problems

WQA Certification

Like the NSF, the Gold Seal Certification Program measures water standards through the Water Quality Association (WQA). The WQA ensures products in their Gold Seal Program meet standards even after their initial certification by providing regular audits for such products. Common WQA standards include;
  • WQA S-100: This standard applies to household, commercial, and potable cation exchange water softeners
  • WQA S-200: This standard is for both commercial and residential water filters
  • WQA S-300: This standard covers point-of-use reverse osmosis systems
  • WQA S-400: This standard is for point-of-use distillation drinking water systems

IAPMO Certification

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has a laboratory testing unit that handles examining water treatment system products against water standards, including NSF/ANSI and WQA. IAPMO also tests and validates water treatment systems against its standards. IAMPO certifications also require ongoing, regular audits, just like other certification bodies. These audits are required for submission every three years.
IAPMO Certification

Why Should You Buy Certified Products?

Third-party certification gives you peace of mind and confidence because it tests your chosen product to ensure it meets and exceeds its acclaimed standards.

Compare Water Treatment Options

There are several available water treatment solutions, including whole-house systems for treating all the water in your home, water filters for treating specific areas like a kitchen faucet, and potable solutions like water pitchers or countertop filters. Some water treatment solutions can reduce just one contaminant, while some are capable of removing many contaminants.
The reverse osmosis system is the only NSF-certified system capable of reducing fluoride, nitrate, lead, and copper.

1. Waterdrop G3 RO Reverse Osmosis System

This system has the NSF 58 certification for reducing TDS. The reverse osmosis filtration technology has a filtration accuracy of 0.0001μm, and it is capable of effectively removing various water contaminants, including fluoride, TDS, limescale, and heavy metals. This system also has the NSF 372 certification as a lead-free material.
This system is the first smart RO system in the U.S market; it has composite filters and a tankless design. The three composite filters provide seven stages of filtration. Also, the pre-sediment and carbon block filter is a 3-in-1 filter functioning as a combination of three filters. In addition, the activated carbon block filter improves water taste through its high-precision activated carbon granules, which are from natural coconut shells.
Using the new composite filter element technology can efficiently filter out harmful substances from water. Furthermore, the tankless design is suitable for avoiding secondary pollution and providing more storage space in your kitchen.

2. Aquaboon 20” × 4.5” 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter

Although the carbon sediment filter 20 system has three stages, it is only available in two cartridge styles. The two stages of the whole house sediment filters can eliminate the same contaminants. The filters have a 4 to 6 months guarantee of removing rust, clay particles, small pieces of organic matter, and sand grains.
In addition, the filters simplify the work for the next activated carbon cartridge, which then adsorbs volatile organic chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, and halogens.

3. AO Smith 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

This reverse osmosis system provides maximum filtration, reducing up to 99% of 88 harmful water contaminants, including lead, fluoride, asbestos, mercury, chromium, pesticides, chlorine, and pharmaceuticals. This RO system also helps with remineralization; it returns healthy minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium lost in the reverse osmosis process.
The carbon and claryum filters can last about six months or 365 gallons. In addition, the RO membrane and remineralizer can last up to 12 months. The annual replacement cost of the filter is about $220 or less. Also, the whole system is NSF certified for standards 42, 53, 58, and 401 + P473

Conclusively

Water system certifications test the systems to certify that they perform as the manufacturer advertises. There are various water system certifying bodies. Before purchasing a water treatment system, it is best to check their standards to meet your needs.
It is best to purchase certified water systems because they give you confidence and peace of mind.
According to the American Pet Products Association, most Americans (67%) own at least one pet, while about 85 million American families have at least a pet in their homes. Therefore, we cannot talk about the family unit without mentioning the pets, and that is why we must care for them just like we do for ourselves.
However, most pet owners and homeowners tend to focus only on the food, leaving out another equally important aspect of pets’ welfare – water. The benefits of filtered water are not limited to humans only; your pets deserve the same.
Read on to learn why you should never deprive your pets of filtered water and its benefits.

Your pets stay hydrated with filtered water.

Like humans, pets have a considerable amount of water in their bodies. Therefore, they need water to stay cool and hydrated. Great-tasting and fresh filtered water can encourage your pets to drink more water and avoid dehydration.
Staying hydrated protects your pets from multiple urinary infections, especially for dogs. In addition, your dog can easily shake off an illness by drinking more water. Therefore, the more filtered water your pets can get, the healthier they are and the better for everyone.

Filtered water protects your pet from toxins.

Drinking sufficient filtered water will keep your furry friends away from toxins. However, you cannot trust the safety and purity of tap water, no matter how many purifications it has undergone before it gets to your home. Contaminants can always find their way into the water during transportation.
For instance, copper, a major cause of kidney and liver ailments in humans and animals, is present in rusty pipes of old homes. But with a water filter, you can rest assured that the water coming out of your tap or sink is free of contaminants.

Your pets will be healthier and happier.

If the health of your pets is important to you, you should only feed them filtered water. Filtered water expels toxins in your pets’ systems, including all the harmful things they have consumed unknowingly.
With filtered water, your dog’s delicate system or weaker immune system, especially in older dogs and small breeds, will not be threatened. Pets drinking clean water enjoy high cell regrowth and functionality rates, thereby recovering from illnesses faster and living an overall healthier life.
happy dog

Your pets are better off with cold filtered water.

Contrary to popular opinion, your dog is not at any health risks by drinking cold water, provided it is clean and pure. Cold filtered water will not lead to harmful bloating in your furry friends. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see dogs drink water too quickly and aspirate or choke from it. Yes, it is a disturbing scenario, but it is unconnected because the water is cold.
Serving your dogs with cold water can help them drink properly without choking. All you have to do is collect some filtered water from the refrigerator and serve it to them.

Filtered water contains less chlorine.

The list of filtered water benefits is endless. One of these benefits is the reduction of the amount of chlorine present in the original tap water. If chlorine finds its way into your pet’s system through unfiltered tap water, it can damage the cells, leading to severe coughing and breathing difficulties.
It is important to note that the adverse effects of chlorine are more pronounced in pets. That is because their digestive systems are not sophisticated enough to process such chemicals. Fortunately, you can avoid putting your pets through these discomforting situations by getting a water filter to remove chlorine in their drinking water.

Help your dog’s tear staining with filtered water.

Another advantage of filtered water for your pets is the tear stains. Tear staining is a situation where your dog develops some dark marks under its eyes. It is common and more visible in dogs with light-colored fur. Poor diets are the leading cause of tear stains, alongside contaminated drinking water.
If your dogs drink water containing toxins, the tear stains will form and grow bigger with more toxins consumed. Avoiding unfiltered water will protect your dogs from the harm of tear stains. Replacing unfiltered water with clean, safe, and great-tasting filtered water will ensure your dog’s tear stains are minimally small or absent.
It is also an indicator of a healthy, well-fed, and happy pet.

Your Pets Deserve Filtered Water

So far, we have highlighted several benefits of filtered water for your pet. You will agree that these benefits justify the cost of these filters. With an efficient water filter, you can keep your pets and family healthy and safe.
The well-being of your family is non-negotiable. So, go ahead and shop for an excellent water filter that constantly provides your household with filtered water for both human and pet consumption.
We don’t want an important member of your family – your pet – to miss out on a healthy lifestyle. And that is why we recommend a water filter or even a water bottle for your furry friend.
There is nothing better than enjoying a refreshing, cold glass of water at the comfort of your home. But did you know that your in-home water filtration system might be putting your health at risk?
The market is saturated with a plethora of options when it comes to servicing the public with pure drinking water. Whether it’s by using tap water, buying potable water or installing a filtration system at-home, many people continue to invest in different alternatives in order to obtain crisp and clean water. One of the most popular alternatives for purifying water at-home are the water filter products. While many people believe water filters provide the cleanest form of water available, many more are unaware of the underlying issues that water filters cultivate as time goes by.

The Function of water Filters

To understand the popularity behind water filters, we must firstly analyze its primary function. One of the main reasons why these filters seem to do their job is because water filters use reverse-osmosis, which is known for being one of the most efficient techniques for filtering drinking water because of its benefits. The filter uses a two-tiered pitcher with a carbon and resin filter within where water is poured through to complete its filtration process. Through this function, water filters are able to reduce the taste and odor of chlorine. It’s also able to remove the following contaminants:
  • Copper
  • Cadmium
  • Mercury
  • Zinc
The performance of water filters seem to accommodate the public’s needs for in-home water filtration, if they’re only looking for pure-tasting water. If not, studies have shown that these filters are not necessarily the best alternative to having the purest form of drinking water.
In fact, water filters may actually be contaminating your water supply, meaning that it may not the best water filtration alternative for your home.

The Hidden Build-Up In water Filters

While water claims to purify water by removing dangerous chemicals and metals, there is a major flaw that contributes to the contamination of your water through their filtration system. As concluded by a study from the University of Berkeley on water vs. Tap Water, water filters do not actually kill the microorganisms that may be found in your in-home water supply. In fact, because the filter is not designed to kill bacteria, it becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms, especially if you fail to conduct proper maintenance. As the study states, “An old, unchanged water filter can be dangerous because its use may add bacteria, which had been killed in the tap by chlorine, back into [the filtered] water.”
While water filters provide the taste of moderately filtered water, you would have to accept the fact that an excessive amount of bacteria would be contaminating your water and could become a threat to your body once consumed.

Related Research

Deteriorating water quality from aging infrastructure, growing threat of pollution from industrialization and urbanization, and increasing awareness about waterborne diseases are among the factors driving the surge in worldwide use of point-of-entry (POE) and point-of-use (POU) filters. Any adverse influence of such consumer point-of-use systems on quality of water at the tap remains poorly understood, however. We determined the chemical and microbiological changes in municipal water from the point of entry into the household plumbing system until it leaves from the tap in houses equipped with filters. We show that POE/POU devices can induce significant deterioration of the quality of tap water by functioning as traps and reservoirs for sludge, scale, rust, algae or slime deposits which promote microbial growth and biofilm formation in the household water distribution system. With changes in water pressure and physical or chemical disturbance of the plumbing system, the microorganisms and contaminants may be flushed into the tap water. Such changes in quality of household water carry a potential health risk which calls for some introspection in widespread deployment of POE/POU filters in water distribution systems.
This study shows that POE/POU devices can induce a deterioration of the quality of tap water in Doha. The low bacteria count found in service line water, implies that microbial regrowth in finished desalinated water is insignificant presumably because of very low concentrations of organic matters, minerals, nutrients and the presence of residual disinfectants. By contrast, the CFUs of household and tap water samples were about 12-fold higher that the values for service line water. Equally important, this study documents significant differences in the chemical properties of the tap water compared to the service line water. These results suggest that the installed POE and POU filters and storage tanks have changed the chemical and biological characteristics of household water compared to treated municipal water. The filters also promote microbial growth and biofilm formation in the household water distribution system. The observation that the quality of the water is not exactly maintained from the treatment plant to the consumer’s tap because of the mechanical filters should be a matter of some concern.
Visible sediments in storage tanks and non-sanitary effects of the filters are frequently mentioned as a factor in rejection of tap water by city residents. Analysis of the residues trapped by the filters found no enrichment of toxic metals other than lead. Although the residues may not be a health hazard, they portray a visible esthetic property that can influence the drinking water behavior of many people in Doha. An unintended consequence of the POE/POU systems is the removal of some of the essential minerals and residual disinfecting chlorine used in post-treatment from the water.
It is common knowledge that we all should love water because of the various benefits it offers. How can we not love it, considering the critical role water plays in giving our bodies an optimal performance? Apart from its role in blood circulation, digestion, removal of toxins, water also keeps our skin healthy.

What Is The Importance of Drinking Water?

For good overall health, taking an adequate amount of water daily is essential. Water is beneficial in improving the digestive and circulatory system; it also helps absorb and eliminate toxins from the skin and body. Although some people disagree that consuming the right amount of water is beneficial for the skin, taking water doesn't hurt anyone. There have been reports from many people about their skin having a radiant glow after increasing water intake. People suffering from acne also experience similar results.
A 2007 study examined the effects of taking water for an extended period on skin health. The study showed that a water intake of 2.25 liters (9.5cups) daily for four weeks improved the skin's density and thickness. Another study also showed that there was increased blood flow to the skin for people who take 500 milliliters (approximately 2 cups) of water daily

How Does Water Impact The Skin?

The skin is made up of approximately 60% of water. Water intake hydrates the skin and helps with nutrients flow to the skin.
The skin is a major organ in the body consisting of cells that require water to function correctly. In addition, the skin acts as a protective barrier that prevents excessive fluid loss from the body.
Insufficient hydration shows in the skin's appearance. Dehydration also causes skin dryness. Chronic dehydration speeds up aging; dry skin is vulnerable to wrinkles because the skin loses its resilience and elasticity.
The benefits of water for the skin are countless. Some of the benefits of staying hydrated include;
  • Maintaining an optimal skin moisture
  • Distributing vital nutrients to skin cells
  • Increasing skin elasticity and delaying aging signs such as wrinkles and fine lines
  • Enhancing the skin's complexion by expelling toxins from the body
  • Preventing dry skin and reducing skin problems like eczema and psoriasis

How Can You Hydrate Your Skin Properly?

To keep your skin hydrated, you have to be proactive and intentional about it. Just drinking water only is not enough to keep your skin hydrated. For the best results, there should be a balance between water consumption and skincare products. The skin is porous and more vulnerable to skincare products immediately after showering; thus, applying a hydrating moisturizer after a shower allows better absorption. Also, for proper skin hydration and function, eight glasses of water daily are optimal.
It is important to note that changes don't happen overnight. The notable effects of increasing your water intake should be visible within a couple of weeks.
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Effect of Chlorine on The Hair and Skin

Consuming purified water is essential in keeping your hair and skin hydrated. The skin comprises about 70% of water; therefore, the quality and quantity of water you drink or bathe with reflect on your skin's health and appearance. 95% protein and 5% water constitute the hair makeup; harsh chemicals like chlorine break down hair proteins, thus damaging the hair and causing split ends. The body quickly absorbs chlorine through the skin and lungs. Therefore, In addition to drinking purified water, it is essential that you bather and shower in filtered water. The level of chlorine exposure from a single shower is much more than the level of chlorine intake from consuming unfiltered tap water.
Chlorine is a water treatment method suitable for killing germs and bacteria in public water supply; it is common in most city water homes. Adverse effects of chlorine can affect the hair and skin. Chlorine dries out the hair and causes frizz because it can strip the skin and hair of its natural protective oils. Dry hair is prone to tangling and breakage; it is also coarse and static. Dry skin, on the other hand, can develop wrinkles and blemishes. To prevent chlorine damage to your hair and skin's appearance, installing a whole house carbon water filter that removes chlorine from your home is best. Apart from chlorine, the water filter is ideal for effectively removing various chemicals and organic contaminants. The water filter provides healthy, spa-quality water for your homes to improve your skin, hair, and lungs.
About 60% of water constitutes the human body; therefore, we are what we drink. There is no natural source of clean water, but you need clean water to achieve beautiful hair and skin. You can get clean water and protect your overall health and appearance for a long time by installing a whole house water filter system.

Recommended Water Filters

Waterdrop D6 600GPD Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

The Waterdrop D6 RO water filter system has a 5-in-1 composite reverse osmosis filter and a DOW reverse osmosis membrane with a 0.0001μm pore size. This filtration system is ideal for purifying water and removing harmful contaminants, including TDS, chlorine, nitrates, salt, PFAS, lead, chromium, sodium, benzene, and so much more.
The water filter system has a flow rate of 600 GPD and a drain ratio of 1.5:1. The filter also has an innovative internal pump and a large filter surface that allows filling a cup of water within 8 seconds. Therefore, you can get filtered water which is ideal for cooking and drinking almost immediately. The drain ratio indicates that there is only one cup of wastewater for every 1.5 cups of dispensed filtered water. Thus, saving about 450 of water when compared to a conventional home water filtration system.

APPLIED MEMBRANES INC. 3-Stage Whole-House Water Filter

For homes that use a chlorinated water supply, The APPLIED whole-house water filtration system is ideal. The system has an advanced chemical removal filtration that removes up to 99 of chlorine and chloramine. The system can also remove a wide range of contaminants present in tap water. There is a sediment pre-filter capable of removing dirt, rust, sand, and suspended materials. The pre-filter also extends the lifespan of the carbon filters and protects the home's plumbing system, fixtures, and appliances.
Each filtration system has three stages; a stage 1, 5-micron sediment filter, a stage 2 100% coconut-shell carbon block filter, and a stage 3 high-performance carbon-block filter, including advanced chemical adsorption.

WINGSOL Under Sink Water Filter

The WINGSOL under-sink water filter is a multi-stage filter from high-quality materials. The filter can last up to 18 months or a maximum of 6000 gallons. The filter's water flow is 2.5 gallons/min, and you don't need to wait for a long time before getting filtered water. Another benefit of this filter is that you spend just 0.14 cents/day on pure, filtered water, which is a better alternative to bottled water.
In addition, the water filter is suitable for both municipal and well water. The lifespan of the filter cartridge depends on the quality of local water. It is best to get a replacement every 5 to 7 months for premium taste. However, it is essential to note that the WINGSOL under sink water filter is not a RO water filtration system.

Conclusively

As much as Water is essential in improving the quality of your hair and skin, water quality is paramount. Chemicals such as chlorine can dry out and damage the hair and skin. Nevertheless, you can filter out chlorine from your water by using the recommended water filters in this article.

Measuring the Minerals of Water

The TDS level, or Total Dissolved Solids, inform you of your waters overall mineralization. TDS refers to the contents, organic and inorganic, dissolved in your water. Unfortunately, this information doesn't reveal the specific mineral contained therein, however, it is a common unit measured in mg/l (milligrams per litre). These minerals are responsible for bestowing specific flavors of the water, as well as other various characteristics. Groundwater, as well as the atmosphere, are commonly filled with dissolved gas, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. These elements each contribute to the overall characteristics of bottled water in a significant way. TDS, on the other hand, is incapable of measuring dissolved gases – only pertaining to dissolved solids.

The Importance of Measuring TDS

Although it isn't well known, total dissolved solids are capable of affecting your health, home plumbing system, water quality, and more. These elements may impart unsavory flavors into your cooking, and even cleaning efforts. You can have a better understanding of your water quality, especially once you begin measuring your water's TDS. In this way, you can make informed decisions toward water quality improvements, as well as the installation of effective filtration solutions throughout your home.
  • Taste & Odor

    Tap water in possession of high amounts of TDS often possesses a bitter flavor, and unsavory scent. The bitter taste can be significantly higher, especially in situations where the overall level of total dissolved solids is much much higher than normal. The aid of a Reverse Osmosis system, and ceramic water filtration cartridges, go great lengths in improving overall taste and smell of tap water sources.
  • Maintaining Your Health

    While it isn't necessarily dangerous to drink water with higher levels of TDS, various substances can pose an assortment of health hazards. One of these substances, in particular, is lead. Exposure to lead can lead to nervous system damage, as well as brain damage. Exposure to high levels of copper can also lead to nausea. Furthermore, a Reverse Osmosis system, or even a water distiller, has been proven to filter out heavy metals, and improve your overall health.
  • Regular Filter Maintenance

    TDS may be further reduced through the use of a home water filtration system, but it isn't the end all be all. Considering the regular wear and tear presented by a household, it is crucial to adhere to regular maintenance to the unit, especially in terms of filter changes.
  • Appliances & Plumbing

    Calcium and magnesium are two of the most common minerals found in the TDS of hard water sources. As these elements dissolve, they tend to buildup and form scale within pipes, kitchen appliances, and more.
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Reducing TDS Levels of Your Tap Water

After you've measured your tap water's TDS, you can educate yourself in regard to the reduction or total removal. What do you do if there are high levels of TDS in your tap water? The following details will help you in your efforts to lowering the presence of TDS in your tap water.
  • Water Distillation

    Boiling the water to produce vapor plays a vital role in the distillation process. Once water reaches a boil, it naturally produces steam which rises to a cool surface, before condensing back to a liquid form. In this event, TDS do not vaporize, and therefore they remain in the resulting solution.
  • Reverse Osmosis

    Reverse Osmosis is fully capable of removing total dissolved solids, because the water is forced through a synthetic membrane under extreme pressure. The micro pores in this membrane prevent molecules of a certain size from passing through to the resulting water. While the water is able to squeeze through micro pores of the membrane, TDS, as well as other contaminants, are incapable.
  • Deionisation

    In terms of deionization, the water passes through positive and negative electrodes. Positive ions are enabled by ion-selective membranes in order to separate from the water, moving them toward negative electrodes. In turn, this produces deionized water, with a higher purity level overall. Before this, though, water passes through a Reverse Osmosis unit, in order to remove any organic contaminants of a non-ionic nature.

The Act of Measuring Total Dissolved Solids

It's important to keep close watch on your tap water's TDS for a variety of reasons. A water softener may improve various issues surrounding water hardness, as well as staying on track toward resolving the issue. When you have struggled with bitter tasting water, or are concerned with potential health issues, measuring the TDS of your tap water offers educational info. This is also true for those with a spa or pool, especially when homeowners want to reduce maintenance, or save money in the long run. You are faced with two viable options in this situation, such as an at-home test, or services through a laboratory. Going through a laboratory involves various equipment and materials your typically homeowner are not in possession of.

Waterdrop TDS Meter

Waterdrop's stainless steel sensor is capable of accurately measuring the TDS of your tap water without worry of magnetic field interference. This better enables you to view a readout on the easy-to-read screen in a matter of minutes. The Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) ensures water temperature will not impact the readout. Featuring a measurement range between 0 and 9999 PPM, you are better equipped to test your aquarium's, pool's, spa's, or tap water's overall TDS value. Featuring a power-saving mode, this Waterdrop meter automatically shuts off after 3 minutes of being idle. With a BPA-free, lead-free design you can rest assured your filtered water is not in danger of secondary pollution.

Water Hardness Test Kit

This method allows homeowners to dip a strip into the water in question, comparing it against the included color chart. This means you're no longer required to visit a store, while you wait for someone to test your water and translate the results. This test kit can provide reliable, accurate results in a matter of minutes. The bottle includes an oversized chart, for easier reading of effortless results. The colors range anywhere between red and green, referring to values between 0 to 25 GPG, and 0 to 425 PPM. Included are 50 strips in two separately sealed pouches. Once the strips are used up, simply order a refill, or a completely new bottle.
Treating well water is essentially different from the way city water is being treated. What characterize cities are pipes and drainages which allows for another method of disinfecting water from that of a well. Bacterial and other foreign matters are disinfected from their source and at the same time filtered to remove the common contaminants.
What makes the well different is that it's trapped deep down in a hole and can house dirt from the surface. A well is not treated from the source because it has a large opening. Other common materials found in well water are heavy metallic materials and even chemicals from industrial waste. Well also harbors a lot of viruses and bacteria. When it comes to disinfecting a well, below are some of the things you need to know:

What Does Well Water Filtration System Do?

Treating well water can vary based on your choice of filtration. There is a point of use water treatment and there is a point of entry treatment. If you'll prefer to remove the contamination from the well itself, you should use point of entry well filtration. And if you want it treated for every single-use, point-of-use water treatment can be adopted. Note that the point of use method may not be able to remove all of the contaminations like the former which will not only treat the water but will at the same time clean up the pipes that carry the water. A water heater as a point of use can still be used alongside the first treatment.
To best select a method, make sure you test your water.

What To Note About Well Water Filtration System

Electricity Consumed

Water treatment won't suck your electric energy, although it will require little energy if you decide to equip your treatment with a UV purifier (little, as in turning on your electric bulb).

Water Pressure

Water pressure can be controlled properly with the use of the right water pipes and filters for your water. In addition, the size of the house and pipes channeling around your house can reduce the pressure so it is advisable to get the recommended tank size for your home. And with well-equipped bathrooms, minimum gallons should be noted, usually around 200 liters of water.
Note the unit of pipes that will be needed for your filters, a pipe should generally be about one inch in diameter for the inflow and outflow but can be modified a little if more pressure is needed. Also, the choice of sediments filter can improve water flow even as water particles are also thoroughly removed.

Filter System Type

Water filters as said earlier comes in sizes and types depending on what you want to be removed most importantly in your water. Their rating is not based on its effectiveness rather it functions. So, you'll know the best to go for based on the kind of water available. In this case, well water may require more parasitic and bacterial intervention and sand particles. Check for the uniqueness of these micron filters like 5-micron, 1-micron filters, and the likes. Choose very good filtration units to safeguard water from microorganisms.

Capacity of Filter

Filter Sizes are usually noted to help get an idea of how long such filters can last and how many gallons of water they can filter at a time. But it is usually expected that the bigger the capacity, the longer the filter should last. The best decision based on the size of the family, a family of 5 to 6 may probably use up to 200,000 gallons in a year and 15,000 gallons in a month.

Lifespan of Filter

The lifespan of your filter will depend on the water being filtered. If the well water is quite dirty, you may likely change your filtration system early than usual. But take note that filters can still last that long once bought rightly. The size of the filter also affects its longevity, because it easily filters more water at a go and traps more water at once. Also, check for the parts of the filter that cannot be replaced and get yourself a quality filtration system to help the lifespan of the filter. Replace as soon as needed while you also consider the cost so you won't replace too early.

What Does A Filtration System Remove From Well Water?

Filter systems are designed to remove top priority bacterial and microorganisms. Although no filter system can remove all containment in its totality, you can be sure that your water will be cleared of important substances that could be of harm. Some of them are:
  • Offensive odors initiated by activities of bacteria, heavy metals, and organic compounds.
  • Bacteria and parasites like salmonella and Giardia.
  • Chemical compounds like herbicides, and pesticides.
  • Sand particles and heavy metals.

Recommendation

Waterdrop WHF21-PG 5 Micron 2-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System

Waterdrop 2-stage whole house water filtration system is the first line in protecting your household water.
The filtration system can provide very clean and purified water. The water purifier system for home features 2-stage filtration. The first 5-micron PP cotton filter separates any large particles such as metals, dirt, particles, grits, and silt. The second GAC filter adopts a natural coconut shell to make granular activated carbon, which removes other tastes, odor, and chlorine and improves water taste. The efficient filtration performance prolongs water-related appliances' service life.
The reinforced structure is durable and firm. The whole system has passed vigorous tests to stand 300 psi pressure without crack and burst. It also passes 100,000+ water hammer tests to ensure its resistance to sudden water pressure. The whole system has been already pre-installed on the bracket, which facilitates the DIY installation process.
What is important is that you get for yourself a very good filtration system.

Conclusion

Every house needs to use healthy water always which is why a filter system is needed. But more importantly, filters are not the same in that they are built with special features to address specific needs. If what you need is to just cleanse your water probably because you use a borehole, you will need a different filter than that of a well because the contaminate present is more packed than that of a borehole. And if peradventure you already got for yourself a slightly different filter, you can check for modification or upgrade.
Eventually, after you choose a filter system, make sure it is based on thorough investigation even as you dig some more to find out more about filtration. This way you and your household will enjoy healthy and clean water.