The Best Water Filter
...Among Carbon Block Countertops

Who Needs It?

This "best water filter" is for the person who wants peace of mind about the water they and their family drink. The carbon block filter and the ultraviolet light takes care of 99.98% of both health effect contaminants and microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, cysts). It's for the family which needs a steady supply of pure water for both drinking and cooking at the rate of about a gallon a minute. It gives good tasting water without removing the naturally good minerals from the water. In short, it's for the person with the philosophy, "Choose a brand of water filter that removes the most contaminants. In this way you know you are covered for anything that will come down the pipe."

Its Claim to Being "Best"

This "best water filter" is the only filter (along with its counterpart under sink water filter which is certified by NSF International for three standards: Standard 42 (for aesthetic affects), Standard 53 (for health effects), and Standard 58B (ultraviolet for microorganisms). It also rates well in the Consumer Report comparison of filters. Thirdly, from personal experience I can attest to the water's good taste and the durability of the filter itself. I like the fact that I only have to change the filter replacement once a year and it's easy to do. I like the fact too that I don't have to skimp on purified water. With 1320 gallons per filter cartridge, it supplies my family not only with quality water for drinking but also for cooking.

Its Features/Advantages

• It uses a multistage activated carbon block filter which removes 140 potential health effect contaminants.
• It uses ultraviolet light technology to destroy all bacteria, viruses and cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia)in the water.
• It has a monitor which tells you how much more filter time remains and when to replace the filter cartridge. You replace the filter after one year or 1,320 gallons, whichever comes first.
• The rate of flow at which it filters is .9 gallons a minute.
• This filter is available internationally and sold in 35 different countries.
• It allows naturally healthy minerals to pass through the filter, minerals like calcium, magnesium and fluoride.

Disadvantages

There is a higher initial cost for this purifier than many alternative filters. However, it has long life and low maintenance costs, reducing the overall cost of treated water. Because of the initial cost, the cost per gallon for the first year is 43¢ (half the price of bottled water), but each year after that it's 13¢ per gallon. This is not a lot to pay if this is indeed the "best water filter" in this category of filters.

What Contaminants Does It Remove?

It is certified by the NSF International for Standards 42 (taste, color, odor), 53 (health effect contaminants, and 58B (ultraviolet for microorganisms).

It is certified to reduce the following: chlorine,bad tastes and odors, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex),2,4-D, Alachlor, Asbestos, Atrazine, Benzene, Carbofuran, Carbon, Tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chlorobenzene, Dibromochloropropane, Endrin, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene Dibromide, Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Lead, Lindane, MTBE, Mercury, Methoxychlor, O-Dichlorobenzene, PCB, Radon, Simazine, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Trichloroethylene, Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Toxaphene, VOC.

It goes beyond the contaminants tested by NSF and removes over 140 organic contaminants, including many pesticides and industrial chemicals. It removes particules down to 0.2 microns (Most quality carbon filters go to 0.5).

Cost

Initial Cost: $569.99

Cost of replacement filters: $169.99

Cost per gallon: 13¢ a gallon

Where to Purchase?

For much more information on this water filter click Water Countertop Purifier Unit.

AT A GLANCE

For more information about other quality filters click Best Water Filter.