Undersink Water Filtration Systems

We're considering purchasing an undersink mounted water filtration system. There're so many factors to consider that choosing a unit has become a daunting task.

Considerations:

Reverse Osmosis v Gravity Filters
Filter Replacement Costs (annually)
Water pressure/volume output (instant water flow)
Is it PH balanced
Does it support natural electrolytes and minerals
Does it work without electricity
Does it remove chemicals as well as particulates and heavy metals
Is it American made

Would appreciate your personal experience and or feedback and recommendations.

 

We installed a 3-stage under counter filter for all drinking/cooking water when we were still in our Broadlands townhouse. Our primary focus was removing chlorine and fluoride. I recommend checking out Friends of Water. Initially they seem a little more expensive but their products do filter quite a bit more than the products you'll find at Home Depot/Lowes and you won't find a fluoride filter in most stores. Their customer support is great too. If you email them with what your goal is they are good at recommending the right filter. When we moved to our current house on well water, I kept the 3-stage filter but purchased different media. Essentially we are no longer concerned about chlorine/fluoride but now we want to make sure the nitrites/nitrates (from fertilizer runoff) are filtered so we purchased the respective media. I'd also recommend the shower head in-line KDF filters to remove chlorine if you are on city water. Your skin absorbs the chlorine no differently than if you are drinking it. You can get those fairly cheap ($20) at Home Depot/Lowes.

http://www.friendsofwater.com/

This is the filter/media we used in the Broadlands house.

http://shop.friendsofwater.com/Fluo...637E025DB95E0FAB6615C84CCD550497.qscstrfrnt03

 

What affect do the nitrates/nitrites have on our systems?

 

I forget exactly but I think it is something like damage to the blood's ability to carry oxygen . I don't think nitrates are much of a concern for public water as those will be filtered out but well water can contain them. The primary source is from fertilizer runoff.

 

Thanks Geaux. I am concerned about Pharmaceuticals too, which are a new class of water pollutants (last 20 years) and I don't know if any system can contain the myriad drugs detected other than reverse osmosis, if that.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/drugs-in-our-drinking-water

Looking at Apec filtering http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/, and

Pure Water Systems http://www.purewatersystems.com/bev300.php

It's too easy to flush medications and dump poisons like Draino down our toilets and sinks, and our landfills are full of toxins seeping into the ground water. I think we can all learn what's happening by looking at our fresh water fish with internal tumors and cancers, and amphibians developing both male and female sex organs.

It would be ideal to limit contaminants altogether. We need water more than food for our survival.

 

The filter I posted does claim to filter pharmaceuticals. That was one of the concerns we had as well.

WHAT IS FILTERED?

* fluoride
* chloramine
* chlorine
* chlorination by-products like trihalomethane
* perchlorate
* mtbe
* heavy metal
* chromium
* lead
* sediment
* algae
* molds
* scale
* bad taste
* pesticides
* hormones
* pharmaceuticals
* odors

 

Yes thank you, and it appears RO removes electrolytes and minerals - not what we want. Back to the drawing board!

 

I installed a Filtrete under the kitchen sink filter. Attached it to the cold water line. They are available from Lowe's. Very reasonable and can be installed relatively easy by a homeowner. I change the filter about once everyone 4 months.

In addition we have been buying bulk reverse osmosis filtered water from Mom's Organic in Herndon. I get six gallons of water for about $2.50. We purchased a large glass water dispenser from Pier One and use that for storage and dispensing the water. Works great and looks cool on the counter.

I became very concerned about our tap water when I noticed our white dog was getting a red stain around her mouth when drinking tap water. I was told by the water company that was normal and represented a non-threatening mold. Ah OK, that didn't sound right to me. (Since installing the Filtrete we have no issues with red stains around her mouth.)