Crystal Quest Water Filter
...The Five Stage Faucet Filter

Who Needs It?

The faucet mount Crystal Quest water filter is best suited for someone who needs a steady supply of drinking water and water for cooking. Perhaps you have a family you are supplying. The pitcher filter just can't supply you fast enough. You want something that is easy to install and easy to replace. You want something with little up front cost. Your water is already safe but you want the added protection. Or you want better tasting water. You realize the limitations of a small filter for removing contaminants, but you are okay with that. The faucet Crystal Quest water filter may be what you are looking for.

It's Claim to Excellence

Colin Ingram, author of The Drinking Water Book says about faucet filters in general, "There are dozens of different faucet filters available that are minimally effective and just a few that are slightly larger and more effective." The faucet Crystal Quest water filter is among those that are "slightly larger and more effective," since it uses a five stage filter process. Nevertheless, he only gives it an "acceptable" rating which is the lowest of his four ratings which progress from "acceptable" to "good" to "very good" to "excellent". His definition of "acceptable" is that it "improves tap water". All carbon faucet filters are rated "acceptable" by Colin Ingram because of their limited ability to remove contaminants from water.

Its Features/Advantages

• It filters water much faster than pitcher filters.
• It's easy to install and easy to replace filters when needed.
• It is small and unobtrusive
• It has a carbon filter, a redox filter for reducing lead, a cyst-blocking filter, an ion-exchange filter for reducing lead further.
• It removes bad tastes and odors as well as chlorine.
• It even removes Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts which is rare for a faucet filter to be able to do.

Its Disadvantages

The faucet Crystal Quest water filter suffers certain fundamental weaknesses along with all other carbon faucet filters. The smallness of the filter limits the quality of filtering. They are good for improving the taste of tap water, but somewhat limited in insuring quality purifying of the water from many health affect contaminants.

The following two consumer reviews will give you an idea of some of the strengths and weaknesses of the faucet Crystal Quest water filter:

I used this faucet mount before. I said it did a decent job if you have OK city water, and just want some extra protection. If you're in old homes with old iron pipes or very bad water sources, forget it. Faucet mount or pitcher filters are mostly made of granulated activated carbon, it's OK to remove cysts, but it doesn't do much in removing salts and metals.

I had to give it a try. My water was bitter even after filtered (Brita or Pur). I am located near Cambridge, MA. Plenty of old homes with "God only knows" what types of water pipes. Good News is: My water taste has improved with this filter. It is easy to put on and use. Bad News: unfortunately, it will not last 6 months. More like 2 months and then needs to be replaced.

What Contaminants Does It Remove?

Besides removing bad taste and odor, the Crystal Quest water filter will remove sediment bigger than 1 micron. It also removes pesticides and chemicals. It effectively reduces Lead, Copper, Aluminum, Iron, Mercury, Nickel, Chromium, Cadmium, Hydrogen Sulfide and water hardness. It removes Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts as well as preventing the growth of bacteria, algae fungi and microbes.

Cost

1. Initial cost: $25-$40

2. Cost of replacement filter cartridges: $10-$13 (every 6 months)

3. Capacity: 2000 gallons

4. Cost per gallon: 0.005¢

Where to Purchase?

Amazon.com

AT A GLANCE

For Further Information

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