Water Filters
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Water Filters
October 2004
I like the idea of the Pur Water Filter (a faucet-mounted
filter) but I have purchased two filters and each started
leaking to the point of being unusable within 3 months.
Due to the size, age, and layout of our kitchen, a below-
the-sink filter with a separate spout won't work for us.
Does anyone have positive experience with a faucet-mounted
water filter?
August
We have been using a countertop water filter for a few
years now, and it's been working great. The main body of
the filter sits on the counter as opposed to being attached
directly to the faucet, which means that you actually have
room in the sink under the faucet. You just attach a small
piece to the faucet, with a tube that allows water to get
into the filter. If you just do a search for ''countertop
water filters'' on Google, I'm sure you'll find one that
suits your needs. We purchased one with a carbon filter for
about $40, and it's been working great for over a year.
Corina
We've been very happy with the Brita faucet-mounted filter.
It is certified for LOTS of contaminents, the water tastes
good, and it is easy to use and change. The filters are
about $15 (in the 2-pack at Target) and last us 3-4 months each.
Only draw-back (probably true of any faucet-mount) - you
can't mount it on a swivel-head. It does, however, have its
own spray setting.
R.K.
I have no experience with the on-the-sink-faucet kind.
We have a cold water spigot on our freezer door,
and even with changing the filter (under the sink) myself
twice, we've never had leaks or problems with it.
Bob
this is not in he same price range as PUR but we LOVE our
Multi-PURE water filter. It comes in different counter-top
models, i.e. a hose attaches to faucet and you can divert
back to tap for dishes, etc. and the unit sits on the
countertop. It is expensive (200-300), but the quality is
exceptional- filters many, many pesticides and chemicals
such as MTBE that the standard commercial filters don't.
And filters replacement is every 500 gallons (or they make
a bigger, more expensive 750 gallon) which ends up being a
lot less frequent than PUR/ Britta/ etc. We have been
thrilled with the taste, quality, and the set-up was easy.
(and it's way cheaper and better quality than refilling
gallons at a store) They're based in Nevada, just google
it if you want more info.
Chris
May 2004
I would appreciate any recommendations regarding attach-to-the-
faucet water filters. In particular, any thoughts on ''Britta''
vs. ''Pur'' brands? I want to filter out the bad stuff and leave
the fluoride in (for my baby's teeth). The faucet attachment
filters seem easier than the pitchers, but if you prefer those
I'd love to hear why. Thanks.
Emily
After some initial research, I decided to go with the Aquasana water filter. It is
certified by the California Department of Health Services (California has stricter
requirements than other sates, BTW) and the price is right for me (9 cents per
gallon). I got the combination counter filter for the sink and their SHOWER
FILTER which I LOOOOVE. The great thing about these filters is, like BRITA and
Pur, they are selective, filtering out the bad stuff and leaving in the various
trace minerals that you do want. I don't think it's necessarily *easier* than a
pitcher though. Certainly the initial installation was more of a pain then just
buying a pitcher, but the savings made such a difference. for 1 year worth of
filters, the Aquasana will cost me $90, while the Pur would cost me $125 to
filter the same amount of water (that's just for the counter filter, not the
shower filter).
I got the shower filter because my husband has asthma, and there have been
some studies that suggest that the chlorine in showers (it steams just like the
water) isn't good for asthmatics. Also, the chlorine is very drying to skin and
hair. So, filtering out the chlorine has many advantages.
I bought my filters from an authorized seller who sells through eBay. After you
receive your filters, you can sign up for the Aquasana ''water for life'' program
where you get replacement filters automatically every 6 months and you get a
discount (that's what I've done).
Hope this helps.
love good water!
I recommend ECOQUEST. Donna McCaskey is a local rep. She's a really thoughtful
and kind woman.
She's great at answering questions and customer service. She's willing to let you try
out the water and air purification products to see if it's a good match for you.
Donna McCaskey's phone number is 510-521-0113
and the ECOQUEST webite is ecoquest.com
Good luck!
Rebecca
We have used the Brita on-faucet filter for about 2 years now,
and I like it. It is a bit expensive - each replacement
cartridge costs about $15 (in two-pack at Target) and lasts 3-4
months. It is very easy to mount, use and change (be sure to
let the water run as directed for about 5 minutes before first
use, to flush out packaging impurities).
One downside (probably true of any faucet-mount filter) is that
you cannot use it with a swivel-attachment on the faucet. It
does, however, have a ''spray'' setting, as well as ''filtered''
and ''regular flow''.
The package label claims that it ''keeps a healthy level of
fluoride'' in fluoridated municipal tap water. It has been
tested and certified to reduce over 25 different health-related
contaminants, and three ''Aesthetic effects''. We think the
filtered water tastes pretty good. It is not meant to be used
to PURIFY microbiologically unsafe water. See the label for
details.
R.K.
July 2003
Has anyone done research or have anecdotal information you'd
like to share regarding water filters that go under the sink?
I'm considering buying either a standard undersink filtration
device or a reverse-osmosis system. The advantages over faucet
mounted ones are that they don't weigh down and damage your
faucet over time, there are models w/ faster flow-rates than
what you get on faucet-mounted types, and they are better at
removing lead according to consumers reports. But the cost of
filters over time is about same as the faucet mounted ones.
I'm also considering installing a reverse-osmosis filter that
removes everything, including fluoride and chloride. There is
very little info on the ratings of what's available, with
Consumer Reports having rated only 2 reverse-osmosis units, the
Kenmore 38470 and GE SmartWater GXRV10ABL01 in Jan, '03. They
both have very slow flow rates (may be hard to get around
unless the filter becomes huge) but tested excellent in
filtration. These filters are hard to change and the Kenmore
one doesn't even claim to remove lead which is strange for
reverse-osmosis. They cost about $250 with about $40-$80/year
for filters. (Faucet mounted filters if you change them
according to instructions will cost $80-120 per year for the
Pur Ultimate Hor. probably using non-warehouse prices.) Has
anyone found more info? I've tried looking into the archives,
but it only addresses the carafes about not removing flouride.
Are there other resources that have tested and rated water
filters? How do you like yours? Thank you in advance.
Susan
We've lived with a ''bacteriostatic'' (NSA brand?) under-the-sink
water filter since we moved into a house where it was installed
almost two years ago. I don't know exactly what it does or how
it works, but we have had no problems with the water pressure.
According to the person who responded to our email for
information about the system, the whole thing needs to replaced
every three years (or when the water pressure starts droppping),
and a replacement costs $185+S&H. If you are interested in the
contact information, let me know. Good luck.
robin
We got a reverse-osmosis water filter about 10 years ago (when
they were relatively newly used for other than industrial
facilities and REALLY expensive). We have never regretted it.
The tank is under our house for the whole house system and
there is another filter under our sink for drinking water, so
our drinking water is double filtered. Our water tastes so good.
People comment on how great our water tastes.
I haven't done any other research...We have our filter changed
and maintained by the company(Micro Pure in Lafayette) about
once a year and we have to add salt to the big tank about every
3 or 4 months. If you're going to stay in your house for a while
I'd go for reverse osmosis (although you can take it with you if
you move).Good luck,
June K
i've had a multipure for many years - i love it. $55/ year for
new filter. haven't done research really, but their stats look
good, and as far as i know it takes out flouride and chlorine.
good luck.
peggyh
We have been very happy with our under-sink water filter, a reverse
osmosis type which also reduces chlorine. It was a bit of a pain to install -- we had to drill a hole in our older house's old sink with a big old drill bit we had to buy specially for that purpose. But once in, it was worth it. The filters last 6 months. Also, a fairly sizable space under the sink is devoted to the storage tank that the filtered water waits in until you drink it (it's not filtered immediately). We got it online from PurWater Systems:
http://www.h2opurwater.com/reverse_osmosis.html
Jocelyn
Nov 1999
Can anybody tell me if they know if the Brita Water Purifyers (you know, the
ones you pour tap water into and it trickles down into a clear pitcher) gets
rid of flouride? If so, can anybody recommend another (inexpensive)
purification system that does NOT get rid of flouride? Thank you.
I, too, was concerned about whether Brita filters out fluoride. I asked
by dentist and she says that they do not filter out fluoride and that
she uses Brita at her home.
The Brita water filter pitcher filtration system does NOT get rid of
fluoride. We checked that out 2 years ago, so it may bear checking again.
I'm sure they have a website.
I had the same question and called the Brita 800 number a few weeks ago. They
said the filter removes a very small amount of fluoride, but not enough to
make
a difference in the fluoride's effectiveness.
I called Brita about the fluoride issue, and I was told that it does get
rid of a minute amount of fluoride, that the filtered water is still
considered "fluoridated." I think there is an 1-800 number on the
package, so you could call to confirm this.
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