Forever chemicals. Microplastics. Chlorine. Fluoride. Nitrates. Arsenic. Lead. Microbes. The list of drinking water concerns for today’s population is long and getting longer. More than ever before, people are turning to water filtration systems to give them protection against these concerns and take control of their water quality. These concerns have helped the water filtration products market grow into a $37B per year industry.
Given the size of the industry, that means that buyers have a lot of product choices and the myriad options available make it difficult to choose the right system. As the water treatment experts in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Aquarius Home Services is here to demystify your options and help you make the right choice for your household.
Gravity Filters
A gravity filter is a familiar item to most people. It relies on filling a prefilter reservoir and using the force of gravity to pull water through a filter cartridge and into a storage chamber.
The most recognizable gravity filter is a filter pitcher that one would keep in their refrigerator although there are other systems that operate under the same mechanical principles that are larger and sit on the counter top.
Filters are usually activated carbon filters although other types do exist.
Pros:
- Non-electric
- Easy to use
- Low cost
Cons:
- Take up space in fridge or on countertop
- Constant refilling required
- Only effective for certain contaminants
Faucet-Mounted Systems
Faucet mounted filters screw directly onto the faucet opening and put the water through two stages of filtration- a sediment filter to remove macro particles, and activated carbon. Activated carbon is great for improving smell and taste, by removing chlorine, VOCs, and also does reduce PFAS, but they cannot remove heavy metals, minerals, or microbial contaminants.
Pros:
- Saves space
- Easy to install
- Affordable
Cons:
- Makes faucet harder to use
- Frequent filter replacement
- Only treats for limited contaminants
Under Sink Filters
Under sink filters is a loose name for a category of water filters that are most commonly installed underneath the sink, but don’t always need to be. Most of these systems have multi-stage filtration, a separate faucet just for the filtered water, and a pressure tank that stores filtered water to be dispensed from the faucet on demand. These systems are certainly more robust than a gravity or faucet mounted filter, and can treat for numerous contaminants at once. While it is not a defining feature, many of these systems feature a reverse osmosis filter stage.
Pros:
- Highly effective
- Doesn’t affect usage of main faucet
- Durable and long lasting
Cons:
- Takes up space under the sink
- Installation challenges, potentially a second faucet
- Higher upfront cost
The Gold Standard
The Kinetico K5 is the top tier of drinking water systems for many reasons. The K5 features a 5 stage filtration process, including reverse osmosis filtration. The completely customizable filter configuration means you can treat for the exact contaminants found in your home’s water, as well as remineralize, balance pH, and disinfect. No other under sink filtration system can treat water as quickly as the K5 boasting a 2 gallons/hour flow rate. The K5 features a water on water pressure tank that does not lose pressure as the amount of stored, treated water in the pressure tank decreases, as is common in air on water pressure tanks. Because of this improved flow rate and pressure, the K5 can supply more than just a single faucet at the sink. The K5 can supply filtered water to a refrigerator, coffee maker, ice machine, wet bar, and more. In some cases, the K5 can even be installed in the home’s utility room, freeing up space under the sink.
Finally, and most importantly, the K5 is NSF/ ANSI certified to achieve greater than 90% reduction in 12 contaminants. You’ll also get the benefit of a five year parts and labor warranty.
Making a Decision
When you’re ready to take control of your drinking water and want to add a filtration system to your home, there are a few things to look for.
1. Certifications – find out what the filter is certified to reduce, and how much reduction it can achieve. There’s no use in buying something that isn’t certified to remove what you’re concerned about.
2. Flow Rate – how much water can the filter treat? Will that be enough to keep up with the drinking and cooking needs of your household?
3. Warranties – any product that comes without a warranty is certainly not built to last. Buy cheap and you will likely buy more than once.
If you have any questions about how to treat the water in your home, turn to the experts at Aquarius. If you have never had your water tested, you should start there. All of our water tests are free and no obligation. You will learn what you’re up against and also how a Kinetico water system can fix it. We believe that you deserve better water because clean, safe water can make a huge impact on your life. Find out how you can get the best water possible with Aquarius and Kinetico.
