Having clean, filtered water right from your faucet is a huge convenience. Water filtration systems attached to your sink provide on-demand purified water for drinking and cooking without having to buy bottled water or refill pitcher filters. There are a few main types of faucet water filters to consider.
Types of Faucet Water Filters
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are one of the most thorough filtration methods. They force water through a semipermeable membrane that traps contaminants and flushes them down the drain. What comes out the other end is purified H2O ready for drinking.
RO removes up to 99% of impurities like lead, arsenic, fluoride, radium, nitrates, and more. It also eliminates bacteria and microplastics. The main downside is the slow flow rate – only about 12 gallons per day. The initial investment is higher, but the operating costs are low.
Activated Carbon Filters
These are simpler and more affordable systems. Water passes through a carbon block filter that adsorbs contaminants. Activated carbon is exceptionally porous and attracts impurities through chemical bonds and microfiltration.
Carbon filters remove lead, mercury, chlorine, benzene, asbestos fibers, and many organic chemicals. They also improve taste, odor, and appearance. Flow rate is faster than RO, up to 100 gallons per day. However, they don’t eliminate dissolved solids, fluoride, nitrates, sodium, and microplastics.
Ultraviolet Systems
As an alternative to carbon filtration, UV systems disinfect water using light waves. Water passes through a chamber with a UV lamp that damages the DNA of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. This renders them unable to reproduce.
UV filtration provides microbiological purification without chemicals. It doesn’t remove any minerals or dissolved solids. It can be combined with other filters to provide both disinfection and chemical reduction.
What to Look for in a Faucet Filter
- Flow rate: Ensure it can keep up with your usage needs. Standard faucets run at 2 gallons per minute (gpm).
- Filtration method: As explained above, different types target different contaminants. Choose what matches your water quality concerns.
- Filter life: How long does each filter cartridge last before needing replacement? This affects operating costs.
- Installation: Most screw directly onto the faucet. Others may require minor plumbing work.
- Certifications: Look for ANSI, WaterSense, NSF, or WQA certification. This ensures contaminant reduction claims have been independently tested.
Benefits of Having Filtered Water at Your Faucet
- Improved taste – No more chlorine flavors.
- Eliminates lead, arsenic, mercury, asbestos, and more.
- Disinfects water of bacteria, viruses, cysts like giardia and cryptosporidium.
- Gets rid of sediment and cloudiness for clearer water.
- Removes bad odor and colors caused by organic compounds.
- Helps appliances like coffee makers last longer by reducing mineral scale buildup.
- More affordable than bottled water in the long run. Better for the environment too.
- Convenience of instant filtered water anytime you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult are they to install?
Most screw directly onto your existing kitchen or bathroom faucet. No plumbing work required. Some more complex systems may need professional installation.
Do they reduce water pressure?
There is a slight pressure drop, but it’s typically not noticeable. RO systems have more of an impact on flow rate.
Where does the filtered water come from?
Your normal water supply feeds into the filtration system first to remove contaminants. Then the purified water exists through the faucet.
Are they expensive?
Initial costs range from $40 on the low end for basic carbon filters to $300+ for under sink RO systems. Ongoing filter replacement is an added cost to factor in. Still, they can pay for themselves over time compared to bottled water.
Do they require maintenance?
Yes, the filter cartridges need changing every 3-6 months. Some systems have indicator lights to notify you when a replacement is due. Annual sanitization is also recommended.
Can they be used for cooking and drinking?
Absolutely. The filtered water is safe for any consumptive use. It improves the taste of foods and beverages too.
Conclusion
Adding an under-sink or faucet-mounted water filter provides clean, contaminant-free water instantly with the turn of a faucet. Reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and UV purification are leading filtration technologies. Each has its strengths and limitations. Consider your usage, water quality, and budget when selecting the best system for your home. Properly maintained faucet filtration systems offer safety, convenience, and cost savings over bottled water. Investing in one can pay dividends for years to come.