When we talk about water, we talk about an essential element of life. After all, we humans are in fact, made up of 75% water. Hence, it is important that we drink enough of it to sustain optimal bodily functions. However, it is equally imperative to consider the quality of the water we are drinking. Relying on bottled waters sold commercially is not always practical and can cost a household hundreds of dollars a month; not to mention its additional contribution to pollution due to the plastic bottles they come in with. With this in consideration, one might think that drinking tap water directly from the faucet might be a good idea to save lots of money. Tap water in some areas may contain high levels of chlorine or some amount of lead or limescale that is not safe for ingestion.
So what is the best way to get access to safe, clean, and great tasting water for your kitchen without having to rely on commercialized bottled water? Water filters might be the practical solution you are looking for.
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Understanding Water Filters and How Do They Work?
Water filters remove water impurities like sediments, water hardness, chemicals, and even bacteria, depending on what type of filter you’re using, resulting in clean, better-tasting water.
There are 2 types of water filtration. One is physical, wherein water is strained, usually through a mesh-like membrane to remove particles in the water. The other type of filtration is chemical, which involves treating the water with the use of technology to remove impurities in the water, including pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal problems.
Most filters in the market utilize both physical and chemical filtration. Make sure you make an informed choice by reading product specifications provided by the manufacturer.
What Types of Kitchen Water Filters are there in the Market?
Water filters vary in shapes and sizes, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick look at the different types of kitchen water filters available in the market:
Whole House Water Filters
If you are looking to making any source of tap water in your house is safe to drink and good to use when working around the kitchen, and if you have money to spare, then whole house water filters might be a great option for you, albeit some experts say that unless your main source is well water, a whole house filtering system may not be necessary for your household.
Pros
- Filters water from different sources inside your home and kitchen
- Clear, better tasting water that is free of sediments, heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful elements
- Can filter up to 300,000 gallons per year and usually lasts up to 12 months
Cons
- Costs between $800- USD 4000, depending on the type of filtering system you choose
- May require plumbing modifications
- Require an expert plumber for installation
This is a good option for those who have the time and money to spare because it caters to all the areas in your house. Establishing a water filtration system in your kitchen alone will cost you money, but having one that covers more of your home’s spaces is definitely better. However, if you want to stick within a budget and spend less in making sure your kitchen water needs are safe, you can then consider the following water filters mentioned below.
Highly Recommended Kitchen Water Filters for You
If you are not the type to go all out by going for the whole house water filter and would like to focus on just some areas in your house, we recommend the following water filters that would be perfect for your kitchen where clean water is most needed for cooking, check these out. These types of water filters have been vouched for safe drinking water and for washing produce for consumption.
Faucet Filters
These types of water filters attach right to the faucet. The good thing about it is that it costs only a fraction of whole house water filter systems. These can be installed easily and can be used immediately after installation.
Pros
- Much cheaper than other kitchen and whole house filters
- Filters out sediments and chemicals from tap water
- Easier to set up
- Low annual filter cost
Cons
- May not look good on top of your sinks
- Usually decreases the water flow rate
- Filters may need to be replaced every 2-3 months
Under Sink Water Filters
Unlike faucet filters, these types of filters are installed under your kitchen sink and out of sight. These usually flow out on their own directly to your faucets. These are usually heavy-duty so in terms of reliability, you can count this one in.
Pros
- Installed hidden from sight
- Cleaner and more organized kitchen aesthetics
- Filters out sediments and chemicals from tap water
- May need a plumber for installation (depending on how sophisticated the filter brand is)
- Most under-sink filters come with water dispensers or bar faucets
Cons
- May take some space under your sink
- Costs a bit more than faucet filters
- Decreases water flow
Water Filter Pitcher
If you are not the type of person who is into installations or assembly instructions, this choice may be the best for you. If you want great tasting, clean, and safe, this handy and straightforward kitchen item might be a good match for your needs.
Pros
- Installation is not necessary
- Anyone can use it easily
- Quick and simple way to filter water and improve water taste and quality
- This is easy to carry and store. Simply put it in the fridge for water that is clean, refreshing, and chilled
- Convenient and can easily be brought anywhere
Cons
- More energy needed as refilling is necessary
- This requires a bit of time for the water to be filtered
- Trace minerals and chlorine may not be removed by any water filter pitcher
- This is not too effective in removing chemicals like trace minerals and chlorine
- It uses a filter that needs replacement from time to time
Things to Consider before Purchasing a Water Filter
It is important to remember that no single type of water filter eliminates all contaminants, so you need to know what type of contaminants you need to filter. It will help to first look at the water quality in your place. You will find this in your annual water quality report given by your local water utilities, either through your personal emails or posted online. Once you know what type of contaminants you want to filter out, determine your budget.
Apart from the one-time purchase cost, remember to include installation fees (if any), maintenance, and filter replacement costs. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on how often a filter must be changed to prevent clogs and to ensure that your filter performs its job optimally. It will also help to determine your household’s water consumption. Some water filters can filter large amounts of water at a time and have reservoirs that can keep liters to gallons of filtered water before releasing it to your water outlets or taps, while some filters work directly through a tap.
Conclusion
Ultimately, we all want access to clean, healthy drinking water. While it is convenient to get bottled water, we can say that it is not always the answer. Drinking water should be safe, affordable, and easily accessible. And while tap water in the United States is generally safe to drink and use for cooking, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), it doesn’t hurt to add an additional layer of protection to ensure that everyone in the household gets the best quality of water they deserve.
Rita C. Donnell (Jennifer) has spent the last 26 years studying and practicing nutrition science. She has used a larger part of this time in improving people’s livelihoods. She has done so by coming up with unquestionable ideas on how to tackle food problems in her community. Readmore
