Published by Green by Design

A Green by Design Buying Guide – Water Filter Guide (PDF format)

Introduction

The goal of this Green by Design buying guide is to assist consumers in selecting the right water filtration system. Each year, billions of dollars are spent on water filter in an attempt to remove contaminants in drinking water supplies. The US and Canadian governments have established standards for tap water supplied by municipalities, ensuring that the public has safe drinking water, free of contaminants.

History of Water Filters

Water filters are not a recent invention. The earliest attempts to filter water date as far back as 2000 BC and included such methods as boiling water, placing hot metal instruments in water, and filtering water through sand and charcoal. These ancient methods predate any concept of bacteria and harmful chemicals.

After microscopes were invented, scientists proved that infectious contaminants could be found in water and that water filtered by sand could reduce disease. In 1804, the first citywide, sand filter-based, municipal water treatment plant was established in Scotland and then throughout England. In later years, England advanced to further improve its water treatment process by adding chlorine to the processed water. Chlorination then spread to the US, and it continues to be used in about 98% of all municipal water treatment facilities. However, despite its value as a disinfectant, chlorine has since been shown to have adverse side effects on the human body.

The Need to Filter Water

With the growth of population, industry, waste, and pollution, natural water supplies have become more contaminated with pathogens, pesticides, industrial sludge and other foreign and dangerous matter. Ironically, water filters are now often used to eliminate chemicals used to improve water quality and added to treated water during its transport from treatment facilities to home plumbing systems. Many homes now incorporate either point-of-entry (also termed “whole house”) filters and/or point-of-use filters inline their plumbing systems.

Point-of-entry systems may include adding absorptive materials, aerators or water softeners to trap or remove certain contaminants at the main water input to a home. Point-of-use filters are designed to filter specific contaminants at certain locations, such as sinks, refrigerators, showers, pitchers, distillers and reverse osmosis units. Many households use a combination of point-of-entry and point-of-use filters. While no one water filter has been shown to rid drinking water of all known contaminants, most have been shown to be effective in removing certain contaminants.

Water Filtration Methods

The most common water filters are carbon-based filters, distillers, ceramic water filters, reverse osmosis systems, and ultraviolet radiation (UV); each method operates and removes contaminants as outlined below.

The Cycle of Contamination

While filtration systems can be effective in removing contaminants from water, the trapped toxins build up inside of the filters and may even cause bacteria to form. Used filter cartridges and trapped materials are then disposed of in landfills, creating a cycle of contamination where the used filter cartridge breaks down and leaks contaminate back into soil and water.

Ending the Cycle of Contamination

Brita, a major German manufacturer of water filters, has implemented a program to recycle water filter cartridges in Europe, but Clorox, the North American owner of Brita, has no such program. The German program separates, recycles, and/or reuses every part if its filter cartridges. A campaign has been initiated to encourage the Clorox Company to either redesign the filter cartridges sold in North America so that they may be refilled or to create a take-back recycling program that mimics the European counterpart. Clorox announced that it plans to implement such a take-back recycling program in North America beginning in January 2009. Green by Design will publish details when they are available.

Pur Water Filters, another major manufacturer, also has research and development efforts underway to produce a reusable module. ZEROWATER and TerraFlo are two retailers committed to their own to take-back and recycling programs.

Water Filter Location

In addition to filtering specific pollutants, devices are configured to meet various configurations of space, temperature, durability and environmental conditions. This table lists some of the most common locations and uses for water filters.

The evolution of water filters is still ongoing. Many new and emerging water filtration technologies are designed, tested and used outside of the US. In most cases, claims by the manufacturers are the only validation for such systems. Some of these new technologies are outlined below.

No matter which water filtration method you choose, there are costs associated with the installation and maintenance of the system. The cost may be less for low-tech solutions, such as a carbon based faucet filters that require relatively inexpensive installation.

However, you will always need to purchase replacement filter cartridges at predetermined intervals. Replacement cartridges are absolutely necessary to keep your chosen system functioning properly. Most water filers will eventually become clogged, and thus, ineffective once their useful life has been reached. The manufacturer specifies the life of a water filter cartridge in its packaging. More complex solutions, such as reverse osmosis, may require hundreds of dollars for installation and more expensive replacement filter cartridges.

How to Shop

Selecting the Right System

First, research the contaminants that may be in your water supply, then select the system that solves the particular problem you may have.

In the US, local water suppliers are required to disclose an annual water quality report that identifies contaminants and compares the detected levels of contaminates against those established as safe by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards for drinking water. Don’t simply choose a water filtration system based on price or availability. The water filter unit on sale at your local department store is of no use to you if it does not filter the contaminants that are present in your water supply.

Some contaminants are present at the same level throughout the year, while others may occur during certain periods or under specific conditions. Consumers who use well water should check with their local health department or water systems department for information on contaminants or possible contaminates in the surrounding area. If you suspect that the level of contamination varies in your water supply, if you are using well water or if you are considering investing in an expensive water filtration system, you should to have your water tested by a certified laboratory before making a purchase.

Bottled Water

Many bottled water companies claim to offer purified and clean drinking water, but bottled water is even less regulated than tap water. Many bottled water companies use advertising that suggests that water is taken from springs and wells, when in fact, many brands of bottled water are selling tap water purchased from water treatment facilities. Bottled water also contributes to pollution when manufacturers use plastic bottles that are not recyclable. The manufacture, production and transportation of bottles contribute to pollution when tap water would be just as effective as bottled water for many applications.

Summary

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has accredited three organizations to certify water filters. This certification should be visible on the packaging of products. If your chosen product does not have such certification, you should contact the manufacturer for proof of their claims.

These three accredited organizations will assist you in choosing the product to meet your needs. They certify products to meet ANSI/NSF standards as well as the EPA drinking water standards. The certification process includes:

• Verifying contamination reduction
• Verifying performance claims
• Evaluating the unit for structural integrity and its material composition
• Reviewing product labels and sales literature

The EPA also registers purifiers. The criteria for registered purifiers are that the product must remove, kill or inactivate all disease causing contaminants from water, including viruses. Most purifiers are not able to meet the standards without the addition of a disinfectant.

Sources

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/index-eng.php

http://www.greenrightnow.com/kvue/2008/10/10/push-to-make-water-filters-recyclable/

http://www.historyofwaterfilters.com/early-water-treatment.html

http://heartspring.net/water_filters_guide.html