Why Filter Your Water and Types of Water Filters and Water Filter Systems

Do you filter your water? I do! First let me say that I try to never buy bottled water because I don't want to contribute any unnecessary waste and because I prefer to limit exposure to plastic. So to make sure I have nice pure water to drink, I filter.

You might be wondering why you should filter your water and what a filter gets out of tap water. Well, there are a lot of different filter systems available and you would need to read each one for specifics but here is an example of what one faucet mount filter removes:

* Pre and post one-micron filter pads are used to remove suspended particles from water - such as silt, sediment, cyst, sand, rust, dirt, and other undissolved matter
* Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC), reduces bad tastes and odors, pesticides and chemicals that are linked to cancer risks
* Ion Exchange Resin, reduces heavy metals such as lead, copper, aluminum, and water hardness (pH).
* Reduces cadmium, iron, mercury, copper, nickel, chromium, aluminum, lead, other dissolved metals and hydrogen sulfide, and prevents growth of bacteria, algae, fungi, scale, and other microorganisms.

I think that is a very impressive list and this is just a basic filter. I know I can taste a difference. The main thing I notice is that I can hardly drink water that is not filtered because of the strong chlorine taste.

Now the question is what type of water filter do you get? There are several types of water filters.
1. Faucet Mounted Water Filters. Faucet mounted Water Filters are a good starter's choice. Just attach a filter to a kitchen faucet, and enjoy filtered water directly from a tap. Installation is a breeze, no plumbing or tools required.
2. Counter Top Water Filters. These water filtration systems are commonly placed on a Counter Top near a kitchen sink, and are connected directly to a kitchen faucet to give you a great tasting filtered water.
3. Under Sink Water Filters. The systems are installed under counter and provide filtered water through a separate faucet.
4. Whole House Water Filter. A typical whole house water filtration system consists of a sediment pre-filter, and a large cylinder with water filtering media. These filters are obviously the mac daddies! I mean with these filters, all of the water in your house is filtered which means that all the water you will come into contact with, whether in the bathroom sink, shower, or kitchen sink, is filtered! Pretty nifty!

If you know you have a tap water quality or taste problem, or want to take extra precautions, you should purchase filters certified by NSF International. These filters designate which contaminants they remove, and you can look for one that removes any contaminants of special concern. Also remember that it is important that all filters be maintained and replaced at least as often as recommended by the manufacturer. Happy clean water drinking!

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