Home Water Filter Recomendations

[junk2222yard]

Can anyone recommend a good home tap water filter, that will get rid of lead and fluoride among other toxins?

I have read too many horror stories now -- and will spend up to $500 if the unit is sound.

[rollingthunder]

reverse osmosis is a very good water filtration method. (don't think that's available to hook up to your tap, though, if that's what you're looking for.) i have used it in the past and have been very pleased. most recently have been using a carbon filter because the water quality in our community is pretty decent. (carbon filter removes the chlorine but i don't think it removes fluoride.)

[powerlifterty16]

rolling is correct

[powerlifterty16]

you need reverse osmosis for fluoride removal..even bottled water has fluoride in it. There is a bottled water brand without though...but you';d gave to google it idk the name.

[oatmeal69]

I have a state water treatment certification. Not like I'm waving my big balls around, but I spent time studying this stuff.
Basically, you get what you pay for. If you aren't willing to shell out $500 + for reverse osmosis / real filter under your sink AND be diligent about maintaining it, the best thing to do is go buy it at "water stores." I don't know if you have them where you live, but once you get a few 5-gallon jugs it's really very economical. - WAY cheaper than buying purified water at the grocery store at .75 cents or more a gallon.
One thing is certain, those brita filter types, or gimmicks you attach to your faucet are WORTHLESS.

[Times Roman]

Can anyone recommend a good home tap water filter, that will get rid of lead and fluoride among other toxins?

I have read too many horror stories now -- and will spend up to $500 if the unit is sound.

reverse osmosis is a very good water filtration method. (don't think that's available to hook up to your tap, though, if that's what you're looking for.) i have used it in the past and have been very pleased. most recently have been using a carbon filter because the water quality in our community is pretty decent. (carbon filter removes the chlorine but i don't think it removes fluoride.)

Yeah, it's true. I was a Culligan rep for awhile, and went through their training programs. Fairly knowledgable about water filtration. So let me give you the 411.

1) An RO (reverse osmosis) water filtration system typically mounts under the sink in the kitchen, and will produce up to 10 gallons of water a day, depending on useage. You typically only get a 4 or 5 gallon tank to draw from, and you mount a special, secondary faucet in your sink for this purpose alone. An RO will eliminate most minerals and toxins, including lead and the flouride you mentioned. RO systems typically come with multiple filters, either two or three. One is typically a carbon filter to clean up the flavor of the water. Then there is some type of intermediary filter, and then finally, the RO membrane, that actually looks like plastic wrap as opposed to a filter you are thinking of. An RO will NOT get rid of biologics (bacteria and viruses). I've seen these at Costco in the $300 neighborhood a few years back.

2) An "in house" carbon filter will eliminate the smells/tastes fouund in water, along with chlorine and flouride. Will not eliminate toxins and minerals. These are relatively inexpensive, and can run between $50 and $100.

3) A water softener will only remove certain minerals such as calcium, manganese, magnesium, etc. These minerals are replaced with salt, via an "ionic exchange" process that utilizes cadmium pellets in the exchange tank. I have one from Sears, and ten years ago, ran me $350.

Let me know if any other questions

[oatmeal69]

Oh, if you do buy it at the grocery store, get the generic, least expensive "distilled" or "purified" water. It's usually distilled and then R/O. It is as pure as the stuff you will get at a water store.
Buying "drinking" water... well you may as well just drink it out of the tap, because that's what it is. ESPECIALLY brand name drinking water. Evian is NAIVE spelled backwards for a reason, LOL

[oatmeal69]

I worked in a salt-water Reverse Osmosis plant. We took unfiltered sea water (complete with chemicals and sewage) on the one end, and put out pure drinking water with nothing else in it on the other... If it is a true Reverse Osmosis, it will remove EVERYTHING but Prions (which you don't need to worry about). Meaning a quality high pressure R/O system is all you need for bacteria, viruses, odors, etc.

[steroid.com 1]

Here's a little tip for you; go to a good salt water fish store and buy an RO/DI filter system. It's a fraction of the cost to purchase one for home use yet does the exact same thing as all of those expensive consumer brands.

[38onTRT]

+ 5 on the RO system.. I just finished my installation last night and am purging my tank as we speak to start drinking.. Water softener plus RO is heaven in a bottle...

www.wattspremier.com

Get a GOOD one, like he said above, spend some cash to get the right product that will do you right forever, as long as you change the filters every 6 months..

[JimR]

For all practical purposes isn't a Brita just fine so it tastes better. My grandfather is 95 and drinks nothing but tap water.

[oatmeal69]

Here's a little tip for you; go to a good salt water fish store and buy an RO/DI filter system. It's a fraction of the cost to purchase one for home use yet does the exact same thing as all of those expensive consumer brands.

Probably not. If the RO filter is porous enough to retain the salt in the water, (salt-water fish store) it won't filter microbes, chemicals, etc. either. OTOH, many more expensive ones don't do much either. The key is the size of the particle the filter will allow to pass.

[oatmeal69]

For all practical purposes isn't a Brita just fine so it tastes better. My grandfather is 95 and drinks nothing but tap water.

Absolutely if taste is the only concern. Me, I hate tap water, so I mix it with crystal-lite.

[crashfirepm53]

I'm a big anti fluoride guy. It does serve it's purpose in young children but it is completely unneccesary beyond that. It is banned in most of Europe and is a main ingredient it rat poison.

[oatmeal69]

R/O with the right micron ability is the only way to remove fluoride.

[powerlifterty16]

i just bought some burt's bee's toothpaste. it is ati fluoride and anti sodium lauryl sulfate.

[junk2222yard]

Thanks for the replies. I do live in a big city -- Toronto -- and may try a water delivery company instead of a filter. R/O water and delivery actually is not as expensive as I expected. Also, I live downtown and am very pressed for space, and realize I don't have the room around my kitchen for a big filter and tank.

I do appreciate the information shared.

[Times Roman]

Probably not. If the RO filter is porous enough to retain the salt in the water, (salt-water fish store) it won't filter microbes, chemicals, etc. either. OTOH, many more expensive ones don't do much either. The key is the size of the particle the filter will allow to pass.

There are only two things that will eliminate the biologics in the water:

1) UV pipe - not nearly as good as...

2) A chlorinator

if you are having issues with biologics in your water, these are the only two that will eliminate the problem. If you go with option 2, then run a carbon filter after, to remove the chlorine.

[steroid.com 1]

I wasn't talking about purifying salt water...tap water. Marine tanks need to be topped off with pure water to make up for evaporation. Fish stores sell RO rigs for just this purpose. They do the job perfectly and much cheaper to boot.

[bridgebuilder]

I'm surprised noone's talking about a big berkey water filter. They cost like $250, have add-on fluoride filters, and last a long time before you have to replace the filters. I got one last year and think it's the best thing since sliced bread. RO removes the minerals from the water, so while RO is a good option, I would never recommend someone drink water devoid of minerals on a daily basis. just google "big berkey" cause I can't post a link yet.

[Times Roman]

I'm surprised noone's talking about a big berkey water filter. They cost like $250, have add-on fluoride filters, and last a long time before you have to replace the filters. I got one last year and think it's the best thing since sliced bread. RO removes the minerals from the water, so while RO is a good option, I would never recommend someone drink water devoid of minerals on a daily basis. just google "big berkey" cause I can't post a link yet.

It's a myth that drinking distilled water regularly is bad/harmful for you. You get your minerals in the food you eat. there is nothing wrong with drinking pure water.

[oatmeal69]

It's a myth that drinking distilled water regularly is bad/harmful for you.

100% correct! I hate the MYTH that one must have minerals in their water to somehow make it healthy.

[junk2222yard]

TimesRoman and Oatmeal, you guys are the water guys! I am interested in what you think about the Big Berkey "Poor Man's" water filtration, mentioned by bridgebuilder? With a flouride addon filter it is still only $300 or so?

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/

[rollingthunder]

gdevine-

NOT the most flattering picture of you in your current avi...just sayin'.

[Times Roman]

gdevine-

NOT the most flattering picture of you in your current avi...just sayin'.

I know, huh?

Looks like his eyes fell out his head?

[Times Roman]

TimesRoman and Oatmeal, you guys are the water guys! I am interested in what you think about the Big Berkey "Poor Man's" water filtration, mentioned by bridgebuilder? With a flouride addon filter it is still only $300 or so?

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/

never heard/used them. for the low price, it seems a reasonable investment.

now the million dollary question.

Why do you feel the need to add flouride to your water?

[oatmeal69]

What Times Roman said.

[junk2222yard]

Add fluroide? I want to get RID of fluroide! And lead! And all the other crap. I just want pure, unadulterated H20!

[Times Roman]

got it.

ok, there is a special carbon filter (not the usual type) that will get rid of most flouride. I've seen em sell for $150. it's carbon from animal bones instead of wood.

the best way to get rid of flouride is with an RO.

if you go here, you will see Costco has three RO's available all for around $170 ish

http://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?...everse+osmosis

[oatmeal69]

I like the idea of bottled water delivery too, hadn't thought of that.

[Times Roman]

I like the idea of bottled water delivery too, hadn't thought of that.

I don't like the idea of lugging around all the bottles, plus it gets expensivve after awhile.

Plus you have to keep the stand clean, and if you do not, you can be injecting biologics into the water supply without your knowledge

[RUDY 6]

Does boiling the water not work for this? My grandfather makes his own water and adds certain minerals and stuff... For what it's worth it taste very good. But I think he uses a water distiller...

[Times Roman]

Does boiling the water not work for this? My grandfather makes his own water and adds certain minerals and stuff... For what it's worth it taste very good. But I think he uses a water distiller...

the only thing "boiling" water does is kill the biologics.

if you add a condensor, you get distilled water.

....it's alot of work though

[oatmeal69]

Distilled water is great for dissolved minerals and microbes... Chemicals with a lower boiling point than water will remain though.

[steroid.com 1]

gdevine-

NOT the most flattering picture of you in your current avi...just sayin'.

Yea, it's changed. What was noted in the pick was that I was doing cable cross overs with both stacks fully loaded

[steroid.com 1]

RO/DI water is also void of Fluoride...ever read what this chemical can do to you?

It's poison in my book.

[rollingthunder]

I was doing cable cross overs with both stacks fully loaded

oh. sorry. missed that. congrats, big guy!

[RUDY 6]

RO/DI water is also void of Fluoride...ever read what this chemical can do to you?

It's poison in my book.

I was under the assumption that the fluoride was being put in the tap water for a reason... Something about tooth enamel... Gdevine do you make a conscious effort to void fluoride??

[oatmeal69]

Yes, it's there for tooth decay prevention. It works, and the science behind that isn't debatable. It won't hurt you if it's in the correct concentration. There are areas where it's higher than recommended, but even then, correlation between elevated levels and health risks is spurious at best. Even so, I'd probably want an alternative to tap water if I lived somewhere with high fluoride levels.
I'll bet there are plenty of places you can take or send a sample of your tap to see exactly what's in it. I'd just be careful about what they try to sell you afterwards!

[junk2222yard]

Yes, it's there for tooth decay prevention. It works, and the science behind that isn't debatable.

Er, I don't know if it works, but I do know pretty well everything is debatable. And certainly the pros and cons of flouridating water *is* being debated as public awareness grows, with the result that many governments are getting rid of it, not adding more of it.

But aside form the health pros and cons, on a purely ethical level, I do not want my government and my tax dollars supporting having "medicine" added to my tap water. I'll take the water only, please, and business can find another way to dispose of their industrial waste.

Getting rid of fluoride and lead are the two main issues that prompted me to start this thread in the first place.