If you drink tap water, you need to read this.
What I am about to share is important for the health of you & your family. The water you’re drinking is likely contaminated.
But there are solutions. Consider this your basic introduction into residential drinking water filtration.
What I am about to share is important for the health of you & your family. The water you’re drinking is likely contaminated.
But there are solutions. Consider this your basic introduction into residential drinking water filtration.
Before we get into solutions, people must first understand what they’re up against.
Managing our nation’s water supply is no easy task.
To ensure safe drinking standards, municipalities across the country follow water treatment guidelines set forth by the EPA.
Managing our nation’s water supply is no easy task.
To ensure safe drinking standards, municipalities across the country follow water treatment guidelines set forth by the EPA.
They have set maximum contaminant levels & treatment guidelines for > 90 different substances.
These are known as National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR)
These regulations came from the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (amendments made twice in 1986 & 1996).
These are known as National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR)
These regulations came from the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (amendments made twice in 1986 & 1996).
They also have Secondary Drinking Water Regulations that are not enforceable by law.
They’re intended to help with issues “not related to health” such as taste, color, & smell.
Contaminants on the NSDWR list include aluminum, foaming agents, fluoride, silver, & more.
They’re intended to help with issues “not related to health” such as taste, color, & smell.
Contaminants on the NSDWR list include aluminum, foaming agents, fluoride, silver, & more.
Municipalities are not required to follow these guidelines because issues arising from these contaminants “do not pose a serious risk to health”
See below for a full list 👇
See below for a full list 👇
The 90+ contaminants where regulation is enforced can be put into the following categories:
• Microorganisms
• Disinfectants
• Disinfection Byproducts
• Inorganic Chemicals
• Organic Chemicals
• Radionuclides
You can read about them here:
epa.gov😘
• Microorganisms
• Disinfectants
• Disinfection Byproducts
• Inorganic Chemicals
• Organic Chemicals
• Radionuclides
You can read about them here:
epa.gov😘
As you can see, contaminants include various bacterias, heavy metals, & pesticides.
While it may seem like a long list, it is far from comprehensive.
There hasn’t been any new contaminants added since the year 2000.
(not to mention out of date “safe” exposure standards)
While it may seem like a long list, it is far from comprehensive.
There hasn’t been any new contaminants added since the year 2000.
(not to mention out of date “safe” exposure standards)
EWG estimates there are over 160 contaminants now circulating our water supply that are not covered by the SDWA.
Among these are PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” which are used in a wide variety of products as a specialized coating.
In short, they’re similar to Teflon.
Among these are PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” which are used in a wide variety of products as a specialized coating.
In short, they’re similar to Teflon.
Having said all this, even if the EPA regulated everything that they should, that still doesn’t mean your water is safe.
Municipalities make mistakes all the time, and many of them get swept under the rug.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to ensure your drinking water is safe.
Municipalities make mistakes all the time, and many of them get swept under the rug.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to ensure your drinking water is safe.
There are two ways to filter your homes water:
• Whole House Filters
• Drinking Water Filters
They both have their advantages & disadvantages, but remember whatever you choose is better than nothing at all.
We’ll start with a basic description of each.
• Whole House Filters
• Drinking Water Filters
They both have their advantages & disadvantages, but remember whatever you choose is better than nothing at all.
We’ll start with a basic description of each.
Whole House Filters:
As you may have guessed, these filter the entire water supply. There are two types: cartridge & reverse osmosis.
Cartridge systems usually include 1-3 replaceable filters that reduce or eliminate sediment, heavy metals, various chemicals, & more.
As you may have guessed, these filter the entire water supply. There are two types: cartridge & reverse osmosis.
Cartridge systems usually include 1-3 replaceable filters that reduce or eliminate sediment, heavy metals, various chemicals, & more.
Reverse Osmosis systems generally have cartridges as well (mainly for sediment)
However, they also possess a membrane where the reverse osmosis actually occurs.
While very effective, whole-house RO systems can be quite expensive. ($5k-$15k)
(more on Reverse Osmosis later)
However, they also possess a membrane where the reverse osmosis actually occurs.
While very effective, whole-house RO systems can be quite expensive. ($5k-$15k)
(more on Reverse Osmosis later)
Drinking Water Filters:
These are smaller units designed specifically for use on countertops or underneath sinks.
Some are as simple as an attachment for your faucet. However, those aren’t very effective.
It is the same concept as a whole house system, just on a smaller scale.
These are smaller units designed specifically for use on countertops or underneath sinks.
Some are as simple as an attachment for your faucet. However, those aren’t very effective.
It is the same concept as a whole house system, just on a smaller scale.
Deciding Between Systems:
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which route you go. If you’ve had your water quality tested, and have minimal issues, you may opt for only filtering drinking water.
However, if you can afford it I would recommend going the whole-house route.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which route you go. If you’ve had your water quality tested, and have minimal issues, you may opt for only filtering drinking water.
However, if you can afford it I would recommend going the whole-house route.
If you don’t want to spend money on a large RO system, simply do cartridges for the entire house and install RO for drinking.
If you’re on a well, you don’t have much choice. At bare minimum you need to be filtering sediment before it enters into your home.
If you’re on a well, you don’t have much choice. At bare minimum you need to be filtering sediment before it enters into your home.
Now that we’ve done a (very brief) overview of your options, let’s cover a few details about the filtration process specifically.
There are a wide range of filter types available, and what your system uses will depend on water quality/testing.
Filter types are as follows:
There are a wide range of filter types available, and what your system uses will depend on water quality/testing.
Filter types are as follows:
• Sand/Sediment
• Cartridge & Activated Carbon
• Reverse Osmosis
• Ultraviolet Light
• Alkaline/Ionizers
Most systems use a combination of these. Each one plays a vital role in ensuring water quality.
In general, filters are there to separate particles.
• Cartridge & Activated Carbon
• Reverse Osmosis
• Ultraviolet Light
• Alkaline/Ionizers
Most systems use a combination of these. Each one plays a vital role in ensuring water quality.
In general, filters are there to separate particles.
A filters ability to trap these particles depends on the mesh/micron size.
As water passes over a filters surface, particles that are larger than the filters pores get trapped.
The size of these pores are measured in microns.
A 5 micron filter has much smaller pores than a 50.
As water passes over a filters surface, particles that are larger than the filters pores get trapped.
The size of these pores are measured in microns.
A 5 micron filter has much smaller pores than a 50.
As the particles build in your filter, water pressure will reduce. Once this occurs, you know it’s time to replace/clean the filter.
Common micron sizes of various filters:
• Sediment (5-100 micron, can be larger)
• Carbon/Cartridge (0.5-20 micron)
• RO (0.0005 micron)
Common micron sizes of various filters:
• Sediment (5-100 micron, can be larger)
• Carbon/Cartridge (0.5-20 micron)
• RO (0.0005 micron)
Ultraviolet Light does not filter out particulates, however it does kill 99.99% of viruses & bacteria.
Water Ionizers change the pH of water, but they do not purify it like a standard filter.
As stated earlier, a good filtration system will use a combination of these filters.
Water Ionizers change the pH of water, but they do not purify it like a standard filter.
As stated earlier, a good filtration system will use a combination of these filters.
Ultimately, your systems design should be specific to your water, especially if drawing from a well or other natural/untreated source.
Having said this, in many cases city water can be even worse (but without the sediment).
Either way, drinking water should be filtered.
Having said this, in many cases city water can be even worse (but without the sediment).
Either way, drinking water should be filtered.
Wrapping Things Up:
Now that you’ve got a baseline level of knowledge in regards to water quality issues & filtration options, you’re welcome to DYOR on specific systems.
I will be doing more threads in the future on them myself, with a focus on Reverse Osmosis.
Now that you’ve got a baseline level of knowledge in regards to water quality issues & filtration options, you’re welcome to DYOR on specific systems.
I will be doing more threads in the future on them myself, with a focus on Reverse Osmosis.
I’m currently waiting on the delivery of a new system I ordered last week.
When it arrives, I will do a full review on my substack.
You can subscribe here so you don’t miss it once published 👇
bowtiedhandyman.substack.com
When it arrives, I will do a full review on my substack.
You can subscribe here so you don’t miss it once published 👇
bowtiedhandyman.substack.com
I hope this thread has been helpful.
The truth is you may not see acute effects from your contaminated water, but the chances of chronic issues are by no means low.
You must take the initiative to reduce this possibility.
Until next time,
-Handyman 🫡
The truth is you may not see acute effects from your contaminated water, but the chances of chronic issues are by no means low.
You must take the initiative to reduce this possibility.
Until next time,
-Handyman 🫡
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