Know Before You Buy
Filtered Drinking Water
Point of Use

 
Recent concerns over the quality of drinking water have led many homeowners to install filtering systems for water used for drinking or cooking rather than buy bottled water.

According to the Water Quality Association, consumers can feel confident about the water quality provided by brand name home-filtration systems. These systems can improve the taste, appearance and quality of tap water at a minimal cost.

The first step is to find out the state of your present water. Once you know what is in your water, you can make an informed choice about which water filters are right for your health, and that of your family.

Your local municipality should keep records of water quality on hand for public knowledge - all you need to do is ask. Take advantage of the many filtration companies that offer free water analysis to their prospective clients.

How They Work
All faucet filters work pretty much the same way. Water flows from the cold water supply line, through a filter material , and comes out the spout with many of the impurities removed.

Depending on the model purchased, water filters can protect against dirt, rust, bad taste & odor, scale, hard water, iron, chemicals, lead, etc. The contaminants or other substances removed or reduced by each water treatment device are not necessarily in all users' water.

The higher the quality of water, the longer the water must stay in the filter in order to remove the intended contaminants. As a result, the water flow coming out of the filter will be low.

Drinking water filters must be connected to the cold water line only.

Water over 100°F/38°C. reduces the quality of filtered water.
Chilled water will also affect water quality.

For water conservation, all new faucets used in the U.S. are mandated to deliver no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Point-of-use water filters will reduce the amount of flow (pressure). A separate faucet for drinking and cooking needs is recommended if a filter is used for anything beyond a chlorine, taste, and odor filter.

For example, a filter designed to reduce chlorine, taste, and odor can typically flow at approximately 1.5 gpm (5.7 lpm). In this case, a dedicated faucet is not necessary. A filter designed to reduce cysts, lead, or chemicals can typically flow at only .5 gpm (1.9 lpm) so a dedicated faucet is desirable.

The life expectancy of the filter will depend on the particular model chosen. (see below) The performance of the filter may also vary based on local water conditions. When the filter cartridge exceeds filtering capacity, replacement is essential for the product to perform as represented. Proper maintenance is essential, because it is possible that bacteria or other contaminants can build up in the filters. Specific instructions for flushing and/or replacing the filter are usually included with the purchase of the product.

Premature clogging can occur where contaminant levels are high, extensive plumbing work has been carried out, in a new home, or where a new kitchen has been remodeled.
These conditions may necessitate the purchase of a replacement cartridge before the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

Replacement filters are generally available at most major retail stores, home improvement stores, discount stores, drug stores, hardware stores and grocery stores. Costs vary by the type of filter and the retail source.

Types of Point-of-Use Filters:
Point of use filters are designed to filter water at a faucet, water heater, or other appliance such as a clothes or dishwasher washer. Typically, they can be mounted on the faucet, built-in to the faucet, or installed under the sink.

  Faucet Mounted Filters
Faucet mounted filtration systems are designed to attach directly to a standard kitchen spout.

These units filter water as it flows from the faucet. Many models can divert water from the filter, to increase the flow when water (unfiltered) is used for washing, food preparation, etc.

Most faucet mounted filters use either Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) or Solid Block Activated Carbon (SBAC) for filtration. The Solid Block Activated Carbon (SBAC) is the better choice.
Learn more about Carbon filters

There are dozens of brands on the market. The most popular brand names include Pur, Brita, and Omni. They are available in most department, discount, drug, grocery and hardware stores.

The average faucet mount filter must be replaced after dispensing 100 gallons/378.5 liters of water ... usually every 2-3 months.

  Built-in Faucet Filters
Several manufacturers now make faucets with a built-in filter in the spout. One of the most popular models selling today is the Moen PureTouch Classic.

The Moen PureTouch Classic is a faucet and water filter all in one. It comes with a matching finish Protégé side spray

This series features a high style lever handle, push button filter operation, LCD filter life indicator, easy to change filter cartridge and 3-way push button water flow. The filter cartridge is housed in the spout handle.

The LCD indicator light tells you when to change the water filter and uses a standard Lithium 3V watch battery, which will last for several years.

Available in chrome, white or stainless.

The patented Solid Carbon Block (SACB) filter reduces poor taste & odor, 93.3% of chlorine, 97.7% of lead and 99.95% of cysts but does not remove beneficial fluoride.
Learn more about Carbon filters

Filtered water flows at 1/2 gallon (1.9 liters) per minute
Replace MicroTech cartridges every 4-6 months (200 gallons/ 757.08236 liters)

  Under the Sink Filters
These filter systems are attached to the cold water pipe under the sink. They are available with either a dedicated faucet, or a single integrated faucet and filter.

Most use flexible tubing to connect the filter to the faucet, so the filter unit can be placed anywhere that is convenient within the base cabinet.

One size does not fit all Currently, there is no industry standard for under the sink filtration systems, their faucets or how they connect to each other. Filter systems and faucets are not easily interchangeable between manufacturers. Make your decision based on the type of filter you need, not on how the faucet looks.

Dedicated Faucets
The most common type of water filter is one that has a filter cartridge beneath the sink (or counter) with its own faucet. These faucets can be mounted on the countertop deck, or if there are holes available in the sink the faucet is generally mounted to one side of the sink.


Moen Pure Touch Aqua Suite

Ideal for both kitchen and bath installation, the Moen Aqua Suite offers a dedicated, rapid flow rate, water faucet with 2 spout sizes included for varying height and reach needs.

An electronic filter "life indicator" signals when to change the water filter, and uses a standard 2032 watch battery.

Available in chrome, polished brass, white, ivory, sand, satine, copper & stainless

The Solid Carbon Block (SACB) filter reduces chlorine, taste & odor, lead, cysts, lindane, atrazine, mercury and turbidity
Learn more about Carbon filters

Filtered water flows at 1 gallon (3.8 liters) per minute
Replace Culligan Solid Carbon Block (SACB) filter cartridges every 6 months (750 gallons/ 2,839.05 liters)

 
Delta Simply PUR Collection

Delta's Simply PUR Single Handle Filtration System offers two stylish spout options in a variety of finishes to complement any Delta kitchen faucet.

The High-arc, traditional spout design (shown right) makes it easy to fill tall pitchers, wash fruits and vegetables, or even make coffee.

Side tap features an above-deck indicator light that signals when it is time to change the filter.

Available in chrome, matte chrome, stainless, white, biscuit

System Tested and Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for the reduction of 2,4,5-TP, 2,4-0, Asbestos, Alachlor, Atrazine, Benzene, Carbofuran, Carbon Tetrachloride, Chlordane, Cysts, Endrin, Ethylbenzene, Heptachlor Epoxide, Lead, Lindane, Monochlorobenzene, MTBE, Mercury, Methoxychlor, o-Dichlorobenzene, Tetrachloroethene, TTHMs, Toluene, Toxaphene, Trichloroethene, Turbidity, Simazine, and Styrene and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for Chlorine Taste and Odor, and Nominal Particulate Class I reduction
Learn more about Carbon filters

Filtered water flows at 0.66 gallon (2.5 liters) per minute
Replace Solid Carbon Block (SACB) filter cartridges every 3 months (100 gallons/378 liters)

Integrated Filtration

The Franke Triflow is the first of a new generation of appliances designed for today's modern kitchen ... a water filtration system that contains separate hot, cold and filtered water taps all in one faucet.

The unique feature of the Franke Triflow is the three operating valves - one each to control the flow of hot, cold and filtered water.

An independent waterway runs through the faucet body, continuing through the spout. It connects beneath the sink to a compact filtration unit containing a replaceable ceramic cartridge.

The hot and cold supplies are mixed and dispensed separately from the filtered channel which has its own separate channel that prevents any possibility of cross contamination with the hot and cold supplies.

The unique FRX filter is a four stage cartridge combining the highly efficient filtration properties of ceramic with the enhanced water treatment properties of activated carbon and the heavy metal reduction capabilities of ion exchange media. The incorporation of silver locked within the ceramic structure gives enhanced bacteriostatic and self sterilizing properties and removes microscopic impurities and pathogenic bacteria - down to 0.2 of a micron.

Pathogenic bacteria:
Cholera, Typhoid, Salmonella, Serratia, E. Coli, Fecal Coliform - >99.99% removal

Cysts:
Cryptosporidium Parvum, Giardia Lamblia 100% removal (based on tests by Arizona State University)

Sediment:
Down to 0.9 micron absolute; 0.5 - 0.8 micron with a filtration efficiency of >99.99% (based on tests by Spectrum Laboratories - MN - USA)

Organic Chemicals:Pesticides, herbicides and organic solvents

Metals: Lead, Iron, Aluminum

Taste & Color: Hydrogen Sulphide, Iron, etc.

Lead: The zeolite metal ion reduction medium in the Ultracarb element effectively reduces the lead content in drinking water.

Water flows at a flow rate 0.3 - 0.5 gpm.
Replace the FRX 02 4-stage filter cartridge every 6 months (usually every 600 gallons) , or whenever the flow rate/pressure is noticeably lower.

The triple lever, gooseneck faucet with side sprayer and built in filtration system is available in Traditional (shown above right), Corinthian and Contemporary styles. The Triflow Traditional is also available in a shorter version for use in the bath. Several finishes for each style are available

 

For those who prefer a pull-out sprayhead faucet, the Franke Triflow Excell faucet offers a fully functional filtration system with top-lever operation and pull-out sprayhead.

A dedicated lever operates the undersink filter with all Triflow benefits. (available in chrome only)

click here to see all Franke Triflow models

See Also:

All About Water Water Quality Filtered Drinking Water Common Water Problems Hard vs. Soft Water Common Water Contaminents Sewage & Septic Systems	Private Water Systems - All About Water Water Wells Well Pumps and Pressure Tanks Water Pressure Water Conservation Links to Tri-State Area Municipal Water Systems
Environmental Protection Agency Resources:     EPA Water     Ground Water & Drinking Water     Reports - U.S. Local Drinking Water Quality     List of Drinking Water Contaminants & MCLs

Additional Resources:

• Cisterns
  Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting  (PDF) - although this document was written for Texas, almost everything in it applies everywhere
  
  
• Water Wells
  Wellowner.org
  Nat'l Groundwater Association
  
  
• State of Kentucky
  Building a Cistern for Home Water Supply
  Cisterns for Kentucky
  Management of Wells for Drinking Water
  Assesing and Reducing the Risk of Groundwater Contamination from Drinking Well Water Condition
  
  
• State of Ohio
  State of Ohio Rules on Private Water Systems - These rules apply to both wells and cisterns.
  
  
• Graywater (for non-drinking use)
  Home Use of Graywater, Rainwater - from the State of Arizona
  
  

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