Crystal Quest Water Filters
...A Pitcher Filter With A Difference

Who Needs It?

Crystal Quest water filters are for those who are looking for an inexpensive and convenient water filter to improve the taste and color of your water. It does a good job of removing chlorine from your water. If you don't mind the slowness of the filtering process of a pitcher filter and if you don't intend using filtered water for cooking, this pitcher may be for you. It provides a ready source of cold drinking water for two or three people and the convenience of taking good tasting water on a picnic or camping trip.

Its Claim to Excellence

Consumer Digest gave it's "Best Buy" label to Crystal Quest water filters in 2006 and 2007. Colin Ingram, author of The Drinking Water Book says it "has the highest degree of filtration for a pitcher filter." This is because it has microfilters, a carbon filter and an ion-exchange filter for reducing lead. In spite of all this, he only gives it an "acceptable" rating which is the lowest of his four ratings going from "acceptable" to "good" to "very good" to "excellent". His definition of "acceptable" is that it "improves tap water". All pitcher filters are rated "acceptable" by Colin Ingram because of their limited ability to remove contaminants from water.

Consumer reviews for Crystal Quest water filters range from extremely high to extremely low. One consumer says, "This is the best tasting water! I drink more water then usual because the taste is so pure. I bought this after moving to a new office and the water was horrible tasting. The water now tastes pure and clean." Another says, "Definitely a 5-star pitcher. Yes slightly older design, but excellent water quality. PUR and Brita are not even close. Did a water test as well, I am amazed."

On the other hand, another consumer says, "I used this pitcher for about 6 weeks and it was 6 weeks too many. ...Even worse than the design of the pitcher, the filters only lasted for a few weeks! I went through three filters in six weeks I used this piece of junk! Yes, you read that right. The first day, your water will flow through quickly. The second day, it slows noticeably. By the end of two weeks, it could no longer pass a full reservoir of water through the filter within 12 hours! Seriously!!! ...I was not even close to using the filter's claimed capacity of 2,000 gallons! I went through three filters!! I thought maybe the first one was defective, but after the same performance from all three, that was it. Completely unacceptable."

Its Features/Advantages

• It has four stages or levels of filtration whereas most other pitcher filters have one or maybe two.
• It can hold 10 cups of water (2.5 gal.)
• It removes microorganisms. This includes Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
• It removes 99% of lead in water.

Disadvantages

Crystal Quest Water Filters filter water slowly which is characteristic of pitcher filters in general. The speed depends somewhat on the use of the filter. The longer it's used the slower it gets. Because of this, it is not adequate for a large family or for cooking needs. Furthermore, because of the very nature of pitcher filters, they cannot begin to compare with much larger and more expensive filters when it comes to removing contaminants that can effect your health. However, Crystal Quest water filters do better than most, if their claims are true. Unfortunately, they are not NSF certified.

What Contaminants Does It Remove?

Crystal Quest water filters claim to substantially remove chlorine, lead, iron, mercury, copper, nickel, chromium, aluminum, pesticides and chemicals such as benzene, ThMs and toxaphene. They remove bad odor and taste as well as reduce water hardness.

Cost?

1. Initial cost: $25.00 to $35.00

2. Cost for replacement filters: $13.50 (every 6 months)

3. Capacity: 2,000 gallons

4. Cost per gallon: 0.68 ¢

Where to Purchase?

Amazon.com

At A Glance

For Further Information

For information on other pitcher filters go to Crystal Quest Water Filters.