All Water Filters Are Not Created Equal

Tap water is “treated with a large number of chemicals in order to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. In addition, it may contain other undesirable contaminants like toxic metal salts, hormones and pesticides, or it may become contaminated by chemicals or microbes within pipes (e.g. lead, bacteria, protozoa).” So how’s about we skip the non filtered tap for a while? At least until the apocalypse? August is Water Quality Awareness month, and there’s something you need to know: not all water filters actually work. Most water filters that consumers are purchasing do not perform as expected. Brita, for example, leaves about half of the dissolved solids in the drinking water as compared to ZeroWater filter’s performance. We don’t want to start going for bottled water, seeping in plastics and destroying the environment either, so what is left to do if we don’t live by a mountain stream?

Here are a few tips for all water drinkers:

1. The most important thing consumers need to know is that not all water filters are created equal. When looking at multiple brand filter pitchers in the store, don’t assume they all remove the same contaminants and choose anyone—do your homework and choose the best filter available.
2. Know the difference in the filters. Most pour-through filter pitchers have a two-stage filter that use a layer of activated carbon to remove contaminants from your water. ZeroWater, however, uses a five-stage ion exchange filter that makes sure virtually all the dissolved solids are removed from your tap water. See full list of contaminants here or below.
3. Always look for a filter with certifications specific to what you are needing. Not all filters are NSF or WQA certified to reduce lead, but ZeroWater is certified to reduce both Lead and Chromium 6, the carcinogen that became infamous in the movie Erin Brockovich, which was recently found to be at levels higher than what is recommended in the tap water supplying two-thirds of Americans. Of course not every family has $300, plus installation fees to install an under sink filtration system, or $10,000 (or more!) to filtrate the entire house, so our recommendation is ZeroWater who offer a top of the line 23 cup for filter for $33.

From pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to children, athletes, and the elderly, we all rely on water to sustain our daily lives. Unfortunately, we can’t assume that our home water filtration system is doing its job. Rather, we must take action by buying the best water filter possible to remove any contaminants, as the world contaminates us enough!