Point of use water purification products can remove all of those health hazards that public treatment facilities are unable to deal with. But, all water purification systems for home use are not completely effective.
Some of them reduce certain contaminants, while others pass right on through. It's always a good idea to get the facts before you buy. I've included the most important points here in this article.
Contaminant Removal
The most important point is contaminant removal. That's why you need water purification products, in the first place. The most common contaminants in publicly treated supplies include chlorine, THMs (chlorination byproducts), VOCs (volatile organic chemicals), lead and cysts.
Other carcinogens and health-hazards are present in certain areas. If you don't know what's in your water, it's always best to err on the side of caution and look for a product that removes everything possible.
In order to find water purification systems for home owners that remove all of these contaminants, you must look for a multi-phase device, with granular activated carbon, a multi-media block, ion exchange and a sub-micron filter. Each step removes different contaminants.
The company should provide product performance data that indicates which contaminants are removed and to what extent. For example, PUR and Brita filters reduce chlorine, lead and cysts, but they do not remove THMs or VOCs. These compounds are a real threat to your long term health.
Cost of Use
The cost of purchasing water purification systems for home use varies widely. The most expensive water purification products include a reverse osmosis step, which is unnecessary for most of us. The least expensive, which again includes PUR and Brita do not contain enough steps to protect your health, yet their "cost of use" is higher than more effective purifiers.
Because their replacement filters have a very short lifespan and the units themselves require frequent replacement, the cost of use is between 20 and 25 cents per gallon. A family of four would have to replace the filter every month at a cost of at least , which puts the annual cost at about 0.
That's less than buying bottled, but you can get water purification systems for home use that cost less than 0 annually and provide more effective contaminant removal. My favorite company offers a discount when you sign up for their automatic shipment program.
Maintenance & Other Concerns
Reverse osmosis water purification products are expensive and require extensive maintenance. You want purifiers that are easy to maintain, else you'll end up with ineffective contaminant removal. If the filters are easy to change, you are more likely to change them as directed.
You should also remember that water purification systems for home owners are not limited to the kitchen sink. Showering in chlorinated water causes dry itchy skin and scalp. Not to mention the other hazardous chemicals, those become airborne in the shower.
You can get a system for the whole house, but at the very least you need water purification products for the kitchen and bathroom. It's simply the safest choice.
