Compare Home Water Purifiers by Considering Four Key Options

When you compare home water purifiers, or "point-of-use" systems, as they are sometimes referred to, you will see that you have many options. Distillation, reverse osmosis, pitcher types, carbon filters, multi-media blocks, ion exchange, sub-micron filtration or a combination of any or all of these systems is available. Choosing the right option is important, both to your family's health and to your pocketbook. Let's look at the pros and cons of each.

Distillation

Pros: This method destroys harmful bacteria. Inorganic compounds that have a higher boiling point than water will be removed.

Cons: Chemical contaminants that have a lower boiling point will travel along with the steam and be returned to liquid form in the final chamber. Electricity is required, so electric bills will increase. The cost to filter a gallon exceeds 20 cents. Additional steps are required for complete safety. When you compare home water purifiers, you will find that there are less expensive systems that cost less to use and filter some common contaminants more effectively.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Pros: This is a process used by treatment facilities and desalination plants. It removes contaminants larger than water's molecules, so most things like lead, arsenic and other groundwater contaminants will be removed.

Cons: Removes trace minerals necessary for good health. Water cleaned in this manner tastes stale. Chemical contaminants, such as pesticides and herbicides are too small to be removed by the semi-permeable membrane. Gallons of wastewater are created. The system is slow, so a large storage tank is needed. The cost to purchase, maintain and use is excessive. Electricity is needed to pressurize and power the pumps. Cost per gallon exceeds 18 cents. Additional steps are required for complete safety. When you compare home water purifiers, you will see that RO has more disadvantages than any other.

Pitchers and Carafe-Style Filters

Pros: These are inexpensive to purchase. They remove some chlorine and odor. Most also remove lead. Water can be filtered and stored in the same container. No electricity is required. This is a low cost alternative to bottled.

Cons: Filters have a short life span. Cost of use is about 25 cents per gallon. They work slowly and are prone to leak. They only offer a slight improvement over tap-water. Additional steps are required for complete safety. If you compare home water purifiers, you will find better options.

Carbon Filtration and Multi-Stage Systems

Before I get to the pros and cons, I should say that when you compare home water purifiers on the market today, you should view the product performance data sheets before you buy. All activated carbon and multi-stage systems do not have the same effectiveness. The system that I am evaluating here is the most effective on the market, assuming you are serviced by a treatment facility or have a well.

Pros: Removes a wide range of contaminants including chlorine, THMs, VOCs, cryptosporidium and giardia cysts, pesticides, herbicides, MTBE and lead. No electricity is required. They operate with any water-pressure. Countertop units are easy to install without the help of a plumber. It costs less than $125 to purchase. It costs less than a dime per gallon.

Cons: This is not really a drawback to the product but a warning about bacterial contamination. Following a heavy storm or when your source has been contaminated with E coli bacteria, you should filter first and then boil before use.

Hopefully, the information here will help you compare home water purifiers and make the right choice.