Before we begin, let me give you an update on my air filtration. I have now been living almost a month with FiltersFast.com Brand air filters. I have noticed several changes in my living condition since replacing the furnace filters.
The first night we installed the filters, I asked my girlfriend if she could tell the difference. Both of us noticed that the air felt easier to inhale, and I could tell the positive difference in smell. It seems as if my quality of sleep has gotten a bit better as well, perhaps also due to the ease of breathing.
All these beneficial changes have happened within the first couple of weeks of changing the air filters. Please look forward to more updates.
A New Perspective on Filtration Part II: Water Filtration 101
Water filtration is another aspect that gets overlooked. I believed I was safe by just turning on the faucet. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
One of the questions that popped into my head when trying to figure out the best way to filter my water was: how is water supplied to my home?
How is water supplied to our homes?
Drinking water goes through a couple of steps before it makes its way to our homes. It comes from lakes, rivers, and groundwater but the path it takes after is determined by your home’s location.
If you’re located in the city, you’ll likely receive your H20 from the municipal water supply. The city puts the water through treatment, adding chemicals such as chlorine, chloramine, and fluorosilicic acid to sanitize it. The water is then pushed through pipes and distributed to the surrounding residential areas.
If you’re located in a rural area, then you might have well water as your source. Well owners are responsible for their water treatment and can do so via point of entry or point of use. Point of entry systems treat water entering a residence and point of use systems treat water in batches and deliver it wherever needed.
Regardless of where your water is coming from, you can still improve the quality of your water.
Now that you understand how water is delivered, the first step to solving this issue is to test your supply. Doing so will help you better understand which filtration system is best for you.
Ways to fortify your water supply
I am living within a city district, so my water supply is provided by them. Subconsciously, perhaps I realized that city water needed to be filtered because I haven’t consumed tap water in years. I’ve been using bottled water, simply because it tastes better to me, not realizing that the chlorine is what was bothering my tastebuds.
I lead with that because the most obvious way to apply water filtration would be to start with your drinking water. There are several options to tackle this problem. Let’s go over some of them:
Countertop Water Filter System:
Great for kitchens that do not have the space to contain under the sink water systems. Standard countertop filters are fitted with a single carbon filter that negates odors and betters the taste by reducing contaminants.
Shop Countertop Water Filter Systems
Under the Counter Water Filter System:
The fastest and simplest solution for water filtration. Under the counter systems maintain pressure so that when the user opens the filter’s faucet at the sink, water flows through the filter and out the faucet. Drinking water delivered via a special faucet is filtered, and the sink’s regular cold and hot water are still accessible.
Shop Under The Counter Water Filter Systems
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System:
Reverse Osmosis Systems are the most powerful water filtration systems created for residential use. It removes contaminants from water by using pressure to push molecules through a quasi-absorbent layer. The result is the purest form of water available.
Shop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Systems
Water Pitcher:
While water filter pitchers are not the most effective solution, it is one of the best budget-friendly solutions available. Most water pitcher filters will remove chlorine and other aesthetic elements that will leave a bad taste, but few pitcher filters remove lead.
Fortunately, I don’t have a serious lead problem, so having a basic system to filter out chlorine and contaminants that cause bad taste will suffice for me. I’m going with the ZeroWater ZD-010 10-Cup Filtered Pitcher as my option. It is NSF Certified to reduce lead and chromium as well as other heavy metals, so even if I did have a lead issue it could minimize it. Here’s a photo of my new water pitcher!
ZeroWater ZD-010 10-Cup Filtered Pitcher
The next question I asked myself is: what else can be done? I began to think about all the ways that water is used in my home. Water isn’t just used for drinking; we also use it to bathe. The thought now is, what are my options to filter water in the bathroom?
The main areas of concern are the shower and bath faucet. There are filters available for both. According to USA TODAY article, when chlorine meets organic matter, it combines with other compounds to form free radicals which cause cell damage and even cancer! Shower and bath filters reduce chlorine, making you healthier and reducing the chances of getting sick. Although city water uses chlorine to reduce dangerous bacteria, it will also remove some of the bacteria that your body needs.
When chlorine-dense water rinses over your skin, it removes vital Vitamin E and fatty acids that keep your skin silky and smooth. This will lead to dry skin, itchy skin, aggravate eczema, and possibly acne! Chlorine also damages your hair, removing natural oils that keep your locks looking healthy. Exposure to too much chlorine can leave your hair dry, frizzy, and dandruff-ridden. When chlorine is eliminated, the water will be gentler on your skin and kinder to your hair.
I’m excited about getting all of those benefits, so I’m going to go with the AquaBliss SF500 Rejuvia Universal Multi-Stage Shower Head Filter.
AquaBliss SF500 Rejuvia Universal Multi-Stage Shower Head Filter
Installing the shower filter is easy. First, it’s recommended that you rinse the shower filter under warm water for 60 seconds to remove any dust. Then you remove the showerhead from the shower arm by turning it counterclockwise. You then attach a screened washer with the shower filter to the shower arm by turning it clockwise. Finally, you attach the showerhead to the filter by turning it clockwise.
There’s still room for improvement, but this is as far as I’m taking it for right now. Water filtration can be a huge benefit to your quality of life, and I look forward to giving you updates on how both water and air filtration are positively affecting my life soon!
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