Water, a human’s most basic need, is often taken for granted. Unfortunately, the water we drink from our taps isn’t always pure or safe. Rising pollution levels have resulted in our tap water containing a multitude of contaminants – ranging from bacteria and viruses to heavy metals and industrial pollutants – that can harm our health. This is why having a water filtration system for home use is now a necessity rather than a luxury. Let’s have a look at the best water filtration systems for home use currently available, their pros and cons, and some perspectives from health professionals.
Common Types of Water Purification Systems
A filtration system’s efficiency depends on the type of pollutants it can eliminate, and different filtration systems have varying capabilities.
- Activated Carbon Filters eliminate pollutants by adsorption, a chemical reaction where certain substances are attracted to activated carbon and bond with it.
- Reverse Osmosis Filters use pressure to push water through a membrane, eliminating a wide range of pollutants, including heavy metals and chemicals.
- Alkaline/Water Ionizers use electrolysis to separate the water into alkaline and acidic parts. The alkaline part is consumed.
- UV Filters kill bacteria and other microorganisms by exposing them to UV radiation.
- Infrared Filters soften hard water by negatively charging it, making it more alkaline.
Each of these filtration systems has its benefits and challenges. However, some have proven to be more effective and trustworthy for home use based on reliability, efficiency, cost, and the type of pollutants common in household water.
Comparison of Top Water Filification Systems
When choosing a water purification system, you should consider factors such as the water quality in your area, cost, ease of installation, maintenance requirements, and the system’s environmental impact. Accordingly, we will consider these factors while comparing three top-ranked purification systems, namely the APEC Top Tier 5-Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System (ROES-50), iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System, and Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter.
APEC ROES-50
The ROES-50 is a reverse osmosis system that eliminates up to 99% of contaminants, including chlorine, taste and odor, VOCs, and other common pollutants in tap water. Each filter is long-lasting and easy to change, making maintenance a breeze. This system’s downside is that it wastes quite a significant amount of water for every gallon it purifies[^1^].
iSpring RCC7AK
This is also a reverse osmosis system, but with an added sixth stage – an Alkaline Remineralization filter – that restores healthy minerals and produces a balanced alkalinity. The remineralization stage also improves the taste of the water. Like the APEC, the system is easy to install and maintain. However, it also shares the same weakness: it wastes about three gallons of water for every gallon filtered[^2^].
Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
The Big Berkey is a gravity-fed system that can filter up to 3,000 gallons of water without needing a filter change. It removes a high percentage of various contaminants, doesn’t require electricity, and doesn’t waste water. However, it’s not adept at filtering out heavy metals or balancing water alkalinity, and it has a slow filtration rate[^3^].
Perspectives from Health Professionals
Most health professionals agree that while the quality of tap water may meet local standards, it can still contain pollutants dangerous to health. Dr. Babi Chana, a London-based nutritionist, believes that investing in a good quality water filter system can help prevent many health issues by guaranteeing that the water you drink is pure[^4^].
Similarly, Dr. Isaac Eliaz, based in California, backs up this belief, adding that “not all water filters are the same, nor do they remove the same types of contaminants”^[5^]. This confirms the importance of choosing the right water filtration system for your home based on the water quality in your area.
Conclusion
Water is a crucial part of our daily lives. Ensuring that the water we consume is pure and healthy should be a top priority. The APEC ROES-50, iSpring RCC7AK, and Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter are, according to industry standards and customer reviews, some of the best water filtration systems available for home use. Understand the nature of your drinking water and choose a filtration system that best eliminates its specific contaminants.
References
[^1^]: APEC Top Tier 5-Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
[^2^]: iSpring 6-Stage Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
[^3^]: Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
[^4^]: Interview with Dr. Babi Chana.
[^5^]: Interview with Dr. Isaac Eliaz.