I’ve spent quite a bit of time researching how to filter drinking water effectively. Originally, I was interested in filtering the rainwater that falls on my roof. But I had to put that project on the back burner for now. During my research I noticed that there is little unbiased information available on water filters and filtration techniques. For the record, I don’t have any affiliation with any water filter manufacturers or dealers (we are an affiliate of Amazon).
I like clean tasting water, and pure water is quite important to one’s health. Filtering your own water at home is really the most effective way of ensuring good water quality. As you may know, bottled water is extremely inefficient, and tends to be of lower quality than municipal tap water. However, tap water often picks up contaminants on its way through the pipes to your house. But with proper filtering, it can be made quite pure.
There are six types of contaminants you want to remove from municipal tap water:
- Chlorine and chloramines
- Volatile Organic Compounds (pesticides, herbicides, etc.)
- Heavy metals (Lead, Mercury, Aluminum, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper)
- Bacterial and viruses (Giardia and Cryptosporidium)
- General Sediment
- Fluoride
In terms of personal health, chlorine and VOCs are the most toxic contaminants commonly present in municipally treated drinking water.
You can remove most of these contaminants using water filters (except for fluoride and MTBE, but more on that later). There’s really no need for elaborate filtration systems like reverse-osmosis or distillation. These systems are expensive, and they are not needed when filtering tap water, plus they also remove useful minerals from the water and give it a “flat” taste due to the lack of minerals and oxygen. Moreover, the distillation process does not remove VOCs in the water.
There are a lot of water filters out there, and most will do their job reasonable well, but only if they are replaced every six months, and this can be quite costly (I’ll let you know about less expensive filters below). The editors at ConsumerSearch.Com compiled water filter reviews from various magazines, and the consensus seems to be that Pur brand are the best faucet-mount filters and pitcher filters, and Whirlpool has the best whole-house filters.
NSF International certifies water filters — this certification ensures that the filters do their job, and do not recontaminate the water with bacteria. Most filter manufactures will advertise that their filters are NSF certified. However, many commonly available filters will let quite a few contaminants through. For example, granular filters do not utilize the chemical adsorption process, allowing several contaminants to pass through. Likewise, rapid water filters do not give the water adequate contact time with the filter media, limiting the number of contaminants that may be removed. For example, in-fridge or faucet-mount filters may not filter VOCs and chlorination by-products like Trihalomethanes (THMs). Generally, slow filtration tends to be best. Drip filters will remove a wider range chemicals, pesticides and MTBE (a gasoline additive).
In my home, I use a British Berkefeld drip filter, which is made by Doulton (pictured above). I like drip filters because they provide great quality filtration, and they are inexpensive to use, because they only need to be replace every six months. You can clean them with a stiff brush if they become dirty with sediment. To use a drip filter, you pour tap water in the top, and the water slowly drips through the filter to the bottom compartment. The process takes a couple of hours.
My Berkefeld drip filter contains two SuperSterasyl self-sterilizing ceramic elements. The elements are made with diatomaceous earth (a silica-like sediment originating from kiesel algae), silver and activated carbon. It’s important to have self-sterilizing elements because they can easily become contaminated with bacterial, especially while cleaning them. The sterilization is achieved by impregnating the filter with silver.
Berkefeld filters are available from Doulton and WaterBiz.
Another good ceramic drip filter is made by Stefani (pictured above). I like their French Provence inspired design. The filters are manufactured in Brazil, and the units are hand made by local clay potters. The clay cools the water, due to an evaporative cooling effect. These filter remove 95% of chlorine, pesticides, iron, aluminum and lead; and 99% of cryptosporidium, giardia and sediment. The filters lasts six months or 300 gallons. So the filtration is not as complete as the Doulton, but still quite good. Stefani filters are available at Amazon
Let’s address some the contaminants that can only be removed using specialties filters: fluoride, arsenic, and MTBE. These specialty filters are typically added in series to a standard water filter.
Fluoride is commonly added to municipal water in the U.S. The reason given is that it supposedly improves the health of children’s teeth. However, many people (including me) would rather not have fluoride in their drinking water, for a variety of health reasons. The Fluoride Action Network has a lot of relevant information on this topic. Fluoride is actually quite difficult to remove from water, almost all water filters will not remove it. It can be removed with an “activated alumina” filter. Doulton and other companies offer activated alumina filters.
MTBE (a gasoline additive) has contaminated much of the groundwater in the U.S. In drinking water, even trace amounts of MTBE can cause taste and odor problems. The potential long-term health effects of MTBE are not understood at this time, however, initial studies indicate MTBE may cause kidney and liver problems. You can remove MTBE using a specialty filter, for example this one.
Arsenic is another common contaminant that can only be removed at significant levels using a specialty filter. For more information about arsenic in drinking water see this page. Filtration through activated carbon (which many water filters use) will reduce the amount of arsenic in drinking water from 40 - 70%. Anion exchange filters can reduce it by 90 - 100%
20 responses so far ↓
1 Susan // Feb 19, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I found my filter at this site which compares some of the top brands by performance and price. http://www.WaterFilterComparisons.com
2 Anon // Feb 19, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Apparently constructive criticism isn’t regarded very highly here either…
3 cephoe // Feb 19, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Anon,
We appreciate constructive criticism. Unfortunately, this article was originally posted with a number of typos. They have hopefully all been corrected.
Justin
4 Anon // Feb 20, 2008 at 12:19 pm
My apologies to the author for being rude. I enjoy this site, and was trying to offer help. However, I should not have posted my second response.
I will watch it in the future
5 Jason // Feb 20, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Thanks so much for this review. A very nice write-up and much needed — you’ve done a great service. I now know which way to go in my search for a long-term water filter solution.
6 John // Feb 21, 2008 at 1:28 am
Thanks for the review. I just want to point out a few things about one of the contaminants you mention: chloramine.
I did some research into filters for drinking and shower water a few months back and found that most home filters do not remove chloramine. Chloramine is used increasingly instead of chlorine in municipal water systems because it is more stable. I think only the expensive reverse osmosis filters get rid of it, though you want to check on that. Some filters I came across claimed to remove it, but on closer examination, I could tell they were all borrowing from the same incorrect sales copy.
Should you try to remove chloramine? From what I gathered, it is neutralized in your digestive system, so it should be safe in drinking water. Chloramine is also less volatile than chlorine, so showering in water treated with it shouldn’t do whatever bad stuff chlorinated water does. However, in cases where it would enter the bloodstream directly (aquarium fish, kidney dialysis), it does have to be removed. I lost some fish not knowing that.
7 Justin // Feb 21, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Yes, even the Doulton filters don’t remove the chloramines just “some” of the chloramines. The fellow at Doulton also says reverse osmosis doesn’t remove chloramines.
You can add some vitamina c to the water to remove it though
8 David // Feb 26, 2008 at 2:41 pm
The British Berkefeld looks pretty impressive, but I have a question. You mentioned that the “filters need only to be replaced every 7 to 10 years.” However, the Doulton web site states, “The Supercarb element is capable of producing approximately 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of the highest quality drinking water - good for about nine months to a year for most families.” Additionally, the Model GSS Gravity Filter instruction sheet states, “Replace the candle once per year to ensure optimum quality drinking water.”
Am I looking at the wrong product, or do you have additional performance data that is not on the company’s web site? I think it’s a good filter either way, but it makes a difference to me whether I have to replace the filter elements every year instead of every 7-10 years.
Thanks. I have enjoyed reading the articles on your web site.
9 Jessica // Mar 4, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Thanks for the interesting article. I just came across this site (www.stefaniterracotta.com) which offers similar gravity fed ceramic water filter systems (water crocks). Hope it helps.
10 Sophia // Apr 12, 2008 at 6:21 pm
You say that you’re using a British Berkefeld unit and you give the actual website for British berkefeld/Doulton. However, the picture of your unit does not have the correct label . It even has the name “Big Berkey” which is not a British Berkefeld name. Big Berkey is a Chinese company that set up shop with a name meant to confuse people into thinking that it was a model made by British Berkefeld. People are selling these counterfeits all over the internet. If this is really the picture of your drip filter, then you may have been tricked. I encourage anyone reading this to call Doulton directly to ask questions, so that they’re sure to get the real, original thing:)
11 Matt // Apr 14, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Reasonable article but I disagree with the idea this kind of system is enough - and if you have problem contaminants like Fluoride, MTBE, or chloramines you need to add-on to what you have. This seems like a band-aid approach and does not ensure my family and I are drinking the purest water we can.
Sure, other systems are more expensive, but do you want to drink a lot, a little, or NO contaminants. I prefer NONE for myself and my kids. We used some cheaper models for years, then when we learned about the drugs in water issue as reported in the Associated Press in March we looked for a new system that would solve the problem once and for all.
We found the systems from Pure Water Systems, Inc. to offer the best solution. The water tastes really great. We also got a test meter and our tap water started with 337 parts per million Total Dissolved Solids. After the PWS BEV 300 system the water measured 1 part per million.
And while not specifically tested for pharmaceuticals, the systems pass the standard for “general laboratory grade water”, and use the same technology in the home units as the units they build for labs.
I recommend that if you are looking for a system you consider their products, they seem very robust and have a lifetime warranty too. Replacement parts are ~$110 per year.
12 Sharon // Apr 17, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Are you saying the Big Berkey is not a Berkefeld product even if it does say on the front by British Berkefeld? Mine looks like the one in the picture. Does this one filter fluride if it has ceramic filters or do I need to purchase something differnt?
13 Eric Grose // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:16 am
I am looking for a filter that filters out aluminum specifically, as this is the largest contaminant where I live. I’m not sure why it’s so hard to find the technical specifications on these water filters. All the sites seem focused more on a dazzling display of links and eye candy and not much on a sober presentation of facts.
This article is a step in the right direction, however.
14 Eric Grose // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:58 am
In fact, it would seem somewhere someone has performance tested the leading filters and compared the results for a thirsty public.
Does anyone here know of such a study?
15 jeanw // Aug 14, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Sophia
and others so glad I found this site before I ordered the Berkey
Talked to a guy at Daulton USA gonna order from them
Thanks all
16 Dion // Aug 25, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I need to remove the above 6 contaminants from river water. I need to do this on a fairly large scale. Are there any DIY solutions to remove all of the above 6 contaminants. I need this water for my broilers, but as pure as possible. I will also be using this water for the farm house.
Many thanks,
Dion
17 Junetta Gambia ltd // Aug 29, 2008 at 9:49 am
looking for Industrial filtering drinking water set
18 HIREN SHAH // Sep 8, 2008 at 4:28 am
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It has two large water tanks at the top and bottom that cool the sides in the same manner as clay pots, or ‘matkas’, keep water cool in summer. The upper portion of the refrigerator can store about 20 liters of water, while the bottom cabinet has separate space for storing fruits, vegetables and milk. The natural cooling process inside the refrigerator can keep vegetables and fruits fresh for around six to seven days, while milk can be preserved for three days. Apart from saving on electricity bill, the new device also preserves the original taste of fruits and vegetable. It gives higher cooling in a dry climate compare to humid climate. It will take about 12 hrs to get cooling effect when using first time. About 20 liters of water, 5 kg of vegetables / fruits and 5 litters milk or any liquid material can be kept inside the refrigerator.
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This Water filter made from special Mud(Clay).Its give cool water and protect our body .
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19 yonatan // Sep 23, 2008 at 11:08 am
i wanna know how to make my own filter cuz my teacher is taken asto the lake to make one kay sent how to kay bye my email is:rasa-david@hotmail.com
20 David Wei // Sep 24, 2008 at 2:39 am
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