How To Choose The Right Drinking Water Purification System

A Guide To Aid Consumers In Choosing An Effective, Cost Efficient, Drinking Water Filtration Unit.

Purchasing a water filter in today's marketplace can be confusing even for the most savvy of consumers.  Hopefully this guide will assist you in making the right choice in purchasing any water filtration system.

There are over 400 companies that sell drinking water systems for the treatment of various contaminants. Water filters vary widely in quality, price, and performance. Although hundreds of companies make water filtration devices that can reduce chlorine from water, only a few companies offer drinking water treatment units that are certified to reduce a wide array of contaminants of health concern.

A few companies or their representatives claim their products produce PURE drinking water. I have yet to meet such an animal. No water filter produces PURE water, but some do reduce numerous contaminants to a high degree. Avoid any brand that makes such false claims.

Water filters are like everything else, quality costs money. Quality drinking water purification systems usually cost a few hundred dollars to purchase, but save money in the long run because they produce drinking water for a fraction of the cost as compared to cheap filters.

Cheap filters do little or nothing as far as purifying drinking water. One thing they are good for is costing the consumer a lot of money in purchasing replacement filters. A quality filter will give you years of service and save you money. As a rule of thumb - If it costs less than - Let's say $200.00 - Put it back on the shelf. Do not worry, I am going to show you how you will save more than the $200.00....

Here are a few simple steps to purchasing a quality water filter that will be highly effective, cost efficient, and last for years.

Step 1 - Type Of System

Which application would be best for you - Counter Top - Undersink - Inline - or a Convertable type that can be used as a countertop or be installed undersink?

Counter Top Systems usually install by the use of a valve and rubber hose attached to your existing sink faucet. They do take up some space on the counter. Many people find this to be inconvenient.

Undersink Water Filters install conveniently under the sink and have their own faucet which should be installed at the corner of the sink. They save counter space. Sure beats having a monster sitting on your counter or a hose hanging off your sink faucet. This is the preferred type as it is not only the most convenient but can also be hooked up to an icemaker.

Inline Filters install directly in the line to any appliance that uses water such as an icemaking machine, coffee pots, water coolers, beverage machines, etc.

Convertible - Undersink/Countertop can be used as a countertop or installed as an undersink water filter.

Step 2 - Technology

Determine what you are trying to accomplish by using a water filter. Chlorine reduction only? Bacteria?

Or, do you want to effectively reduce bacterial cysts, chlorine and a wide range of chemical and organic contaminants at the same time. This is what a quality water filter can do.

Another thing to consider is - Do you want to remove the "Healthy Minerals" from your water? Minerals are good for your teeth and bones.

There are a number of different technologies when it comes to water purification. Here are some examples -

Loose Carbon - This is a bacteria factory. Loose carbon allows oxygen to exist within the filter itself which encourages, infact, enhances the growth of bacteria. These filters are very cheap to purchase, but expensive in the long run because the filters have to be replaced frequently.

Distillation - Can be effective on bacteria, sediments, solids, and any organic or chemical contaminant that will not evaporate. There are some chemical contaminants found in water today will evaporate, MTBE is a good example.

Ultraviolet lighting is sometimes used in conjunction with a filter to kill bacteria and has been found to be effective.

Reverse Osmosis - A membrane which reduces radium, fluoride, and numberous other contaminants to a high degree, but it does have it's limitations. There are many contaminants found in water today that will pass through an RO membrane. Reverse Osmosis used in conjunction with a high quality filter can be very effective. Reverse Osmosis does remove the "Healthy Minerals".

Reverse Osmosis alone is capable of reducing a number of contaminants found in drinking water today.  Arsenic, barium, radium, giardia, cryptosporidium, entamoeba, fluoride, lead, nitrates, nitrites,
selenium and a few others...

Solid Carbon Block - This type of filtration reduces the widest range of chemical contaminants to a very high degree. Some are higher quality than others. The density and high quality of the carbon determine the effectiveness. Water passes through a high quality solid carbon block as a molecule instead of a drop. This means all the water touches the carbon. Therefore all the water is subject to proper filtration. Look for a carbon block which will reduce contaminants to at least 1 micron, preferably 0.5 micron. The smaller the number the better.

Any high quality solid carbon block will reduce a wide range of contaminants.  Contaminants such as
lead, bacterial cysts, mercury, asbestos, mtbe, and many others. 

Step 3 - Performance

Performance is the key factor. Actually the most important thing to look for in any water filter. Don't waste your money on an ineffective water purification system that simply does not work.

****Carefully read the packaging. Determine which contaminants the manufacturer states the filter will reduce. The label on the product package should state exactly which contaminants it is capable of reducing based on standards set by NSF International.

**** So how do you know if the claims made on the label are correct? If the filters is not certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, put it back on the shelf. Quality water filter manufacturers put their filters through rigorous testing by NSF and are proud to advertise their certification.

**** NSF International tests and certifies drinking water treatment devices to the standard appropriate for the technology of the product. For filtration devices, NSF International may certify the product to improve the aesthetics of the water to Standard 42, the health effect of the water to Standard 53 or both. In addition, NSF has developed an additional testing standard for Reverse Osmosis units, Standard 58.

One other thing I want to mention, be sure the packaging states NSF Certified To Standard 53 for example. If it says "tested to NSF Standards" - This does Not Mean Certified.

If you want to see the actual certification, go to the NSF website: www.nsf.org - Click the consumer block and put in the make and model of the filter. If the filter is actually NSF Certified, you will be able to view the contaminants tested for and certified to remove. This way you can compare different certified filter's performance.

Step 4 - Cost Efficiency

Quality water filters have a long filter life capacity. This is what Saves You Money. Look for a water filter that has a capacity rating of at least 6 months. Understand, this is an estimate. The actual life of the filter depends a lot upon the qualities of your water. If your water has a lot of solids the filter will clog sooner than it is rated. If your water has a high level of contaminants, it will become ineffective sooner. In most cases though, the filter life rating is conservative, meaning the filter will actually outlast the capacity rating. Always keep the filter changed at the recommended intervals, even sooner if possible.

Cheap ineffective filters actually cost more to operate. Having to frequently change the filter cost a lot of money in the long run.

The Questions To Ask When Shopping For A Water Filter

        MultiPure Comparison                                      MultiPure’s Solid Carbon Block
 
    Is the system certified by NSF or UL to reduce contaminants ?   Yes

                         According to Standard 42 – Aesthetic Effects ?       Yes
                         Chlorine and Chloramines ?                                        Yes
                         Particulate Matter ?                                                       Yes
                         According to Standard 52 – Health Effects ?             Yes
                         Arsenic V ?                                                                     Yes – MP880
                         PCBs ?                                                                            Yes
                         Chemicals Found In Pesticides ?                                 Yes 
                         Chemicals Found In Herbicides ?                                 Yes
                         Cysts (Cyrptosporidium & Giardia) ?                       Yes
                         Lead?                                                                                Yes
                         Disinfection By-products (THMs) ?                                Yes
                         MTBE?                                                                              Yes
                         VOCs (Numerous Toxic Chemicals) ?                           Yes 

           Is the system certified or registered by the states of California, 
           Iowa, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin ?                                           Yes

           Is there a warranty on the housing ?                                                 Yes
 
           Is there a Customer Satisfaction Guarantee ?                                Yes
 
         Can the filter be replaced ?                                                                Yes

           If so, is it easily changed ?                                                                 Yes
 
           Filter Life Capacity - How often should the filter be changed ?  
                                                                                     Once A Year Or Capacity Limit

           What is the Cost of a replacement filter ?                           $59.95 (MP750)

           How long has the company been in business?                 Since 1970

           Does the system remove the natural, healthful trace minerals        
           such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium ?                No     

           Does it use electricity ?                                                         No

           Does it waste water ?                                                            No
 
           Is the system easy to use ?                                                   Yes

           Is there a delay time to treat the water ?                               No
 
           Is water storage required ?                                                     No

           Does the system reduce a wide range of contaminants?   Yes 



Water Filter Performance Can Be Misleading

Many water filter manufacturers and salespeople are misleading the consumer by making false performance claims. Claiming to produce chemical free or contaminant free drinking water is nothing short of false advertising.

Many manufacturers are making these claims when the truth is very few water filters do anything more than improve the aesthetic value - taste, smell, and appearance of the water produced. Many claim to remove contamination from drinking water. The fact is NO water filter removes any contaminant.

High quality water filters reduce contaminants to safer levels. Cheaper systems such as most faucet mount or pitcher type filters reduce chlorine and possibly reduce some small degree of chemical contaminants but allow the vast majority of contamination to flow right thru the filter, including bacterial cysts depending upon the micron rating of the filter.
 
Performance is one of the key factors in comparing any water filter. The effectiveness of any drinking water treatment device is measured by the performance of its filter. Most consumers, at no fault of their own, have no idea as far as how to compare filter performance. Hopefully the following information will help.

NSF International sets the standards - Industry standards for drinking water systems that can reduce harmful contaminants were first established in 1982 by NSF International. NSF tests water filters at the manufacturer’s request. NSF tests and certifies drinking water treatment devices to the standard appropriate for the technology of the product. For water filtration devices, NSF may certify the product to improve the aesthetics of the water (Standard 42), the health effects of the water ( Standard 53) or both. In addition NSF has developed testing standards for Reverse Osmosis and Distillation systems.

NSF certifies that the product meets the contaminant reduction claims of the manufacturer or adding anything harmful to the water. NSF also certifies the advertising, literature, and labeling of the product by the manufacturer is not misleading in any way. Reputable manufacturers pay thousands of dollars to have the rigorous NSF testing performed. NSF proves all claims made by the manufacturer to be true including filter life expectancy.

Manufacturer’s are proud to announce and advertise their products are NSF Certified. If they are certified, it will be displayed on the packaging or any literature concerning the product. One thing to look out for when it comes to claims of manufacturers, products that are certified will state certified – not meets the standards of NSF or meets NSF certification standards. It will be clearly stated – NSF Certified.
 
So, how can the average consumer compare performance? It is easy to compare the performance of any water purification product. Simply go to the NSF website, www.nsf.org and request the certification of the product. The certification will show exactly what the product in question is tested and certified to do. The certification will show in detail, which contaminants are reduced and to what degree. They will also verify claims of filter life expectancy.

NSF Certification is important. Never purchase any water filter that is not NSF Certified. By carefully reviewing NSF Listings, consumers can determine the specific contaminants that the drinking water system is certified to reduce. Some systems are certified to reduce only one or two contaminants , and some are certified to reduce just a few, while others have been NSF tested and certified to reduce many contaminants of aesthetic and health concern under Standards 42, 53, and 58. Filters certified to conform to material requirements only are those that have been tested to confirm that the filter does not add any harmful substances to the water.
 
Quality filters save money - Another key factor to look at is filter life expectancy, as replacement filters can be expensive. Amazing as it may seem, the high quality and more costly water purification products are usually less expensive in the long run because of the fact the filters last longer requiring fewer filter replacements. Also look at the micron rating of the filter. Bacterial Cysts, which can cause illness when consumed, can be as small as 1 micron. To be safe, always look for a filter which is rated to less than 1 micron. 



I hope this helps you in your quest for a drinking water filter. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to call me at 904 522 0524 or email: patti@supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com

Patti Wilson
Multi-Pure Independent Distributor #414220


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