Aquasana Water Filter:
Model Aquasana AQ-4000

Who Needs It?

A quality carbon block countertop filter is for those who want not only better tasting water but a high quality of purity as well. Being a countertop means that it is much bigger than a faucet mount filter and hence there is more carbon block material filtering the water increasing the removal of pollutants. It's not as high a level of remove of pollutants as a water distiller or a reverse osmosis filter can give you, but being carbon block it filters much faster than these slower methods. The countertop model as opposed to the under sink model is great for those who have adequate countertop room.

It's Claim to "Excellence"

Out of the hundreds of carbon water filters, what recommends the Aquasana water filter, model Aquasana AQ-4000? First, it was voted "Best Buy" for countertop water filters by Consumer's Digest for 5 consecutive years (2003-2008). Secondly, it is certified under the NSF standard 42 and 53 by Underwriters Laboratories not by NSF. Thirdly, Colin Ingram, author of The Drinking Water Book, says about this model that it is "one of the best small countertop filters"

It's Features/Advantages

• It has a first-stage sediment/carbon filter and a 2nd stage redox/cyst filter.
• It filters at a speed of half a gallon per minute.
• It provides filtration of particles larger than 0.5 microns.
• It leaves all the healthy, natural minerals in the water.
• It's dimensions are 7" wide, 9" tall and 4" deep.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of the Aquasana water filter, model Aquasana AQ-4000 are the same as the disadvantages of any carbon filter. There are four elements that affect the quality of filtration: 1) The amount of time that the water is in contact with the carbon, 2) The density of the activated carbon, 3) The quantity of the carbon, and 4) The amount of water that has gone through the filter which becomes increasingly ineffective the longer it is used until it needs to be replaced. In short, there is a relative element to the filtration. It is relative to these four factors. As opposed to a purification system such as distillation which removes all impurities completely, except for VOCs which are usually remove by other filters.

The second disadvantage of carbon filters is that they cannot remove many micro organisms such as bacteria and viruses. They cannot remove toxic minerals, nitrates, fluoride or soluble salts.

What Contaminants Does It Remove?

The Aquasana Water Filter, model Aquasana AQ-4000, removes a wide variety of contaminants including Herbicides, Pesticides, Chlorine, Lead, THM's, Lindane, Atrazine, Alachlor, Benzine, MTBE's, VOC's, industrial solvents and sulfur odor in most places with the exception of places like South Florida. It is also effective in removing Cryptosporidium and Giardia Cysts.

Cost

1. Initial cost: $120.00

2. Cost of replacement filter cartridges: $48.00 a set (every 6 months)

3. Capacity: 500 gallons

4. Cost per gallon: 9¢

Where to Purchase?

bestfilters.com

At A Glance

For Further Information

To learn more about this kind of filter and other faucet mount filters go to Aquasana water filter.