Water Filters (Again)

 Hi folk,

I have been using a Pur dispenser for a while - but now since I broke
it have decided that rather invest in a new one, it was time to
install a "real" carbon based faucet filter.

I am not interested in the ones that mount on the faucet and are in
the way - and likely will constantly get things splashed up on them.

I want a high quality carbon based filter (under-sink) that will
remove traditional contaminants (chlorine and lead), but also the more
uncomon ones that while they may not be detectable today...  They
could still be in the water.  (Mercury, Aresenic, MTBE, etc...)
Before anyone asks - I have reviewed my city water report.   While
those ND contaminants are not reported - it still concerns me that
they are there at very low levels, or can be leached from pipes
(mercury perhaps?) or might slowly creep up to detectable levels over
the next few years.  

I am concerned that moving from a Pur dispenser - which does filter
out arsenic (most likely due to long contact time with the water) to a
higher water pressure carbon based system, which would let those
contaminants pass through easily.  (I do not want to go RO because it
does remove some important things - Magnesium and Calcium, as well as
Fluoride...  But let's not even start a fluoridation debate :)  )

Multi-Pure filters claim to filter out contaminants that no other
filter seems to.  And NSF.org seems to back them up.
(<http://www.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?Company2730&Standard 3>)

I do not mind spending a little more money on a Multi-Pure product
over a competitor like Omni or Aqua Pure....  If I was 100% certain
that it was a real quality product.  The fact they are an MLM concerns
me greatly.

Can I get some unbiased comments?

Thanks,

Dirk

 

I've been using an Insta-Pure by WaterPik for about 12 years or so.  I use
the carbon filter that sells for about $11. The Omni cartridge will not fit
this housing as the intake is not deep enough.

It has been trouble free and our water is now great to drink compared tot he
swampy taste it used to have from the town reservoir.  No matter what brand
you get, be sure it has a clear housing.  There should be a way of shutting
the water and relieving the pressure before removing the canister.  It can
be part of the filter or a valve installed nearby.
Ed

 
I suggest you get a model that uses the standard size filters (11.5" I
think). This way you can buy filters from different sources. You want
two cartridges so you can have a prefilter and a final that does
something specific for your water source, such as heavy metal or bio.

 

The wound type filters are universal. The problems is only between the
GAC1-ss and the Insta Pure housing. they are the same length.  Most filters
are hollow core. These are not and the outlet in the top of the housing is
longer than the depth of the recess in top of the Omni cartridge.  The
Insta-Pure IR-10 does not need a pre filter as it is part of the cartridge.
Ed

 

filters

housing is

cartridge.

Those makes are proprietary equipment, not industry standard. Any
independent water treatment dealer has equal or higher quality
cartridges at less cost that in many installations last longer due to
them being larger capacity wise.

Combination cartridges, such as 'taste and odor' with sediment outside
the carbon are not near the filtration of two separate cartridges.
Cartridges come in two types. Nominal and absolute. Nominal uses the
build up of 'sediment' (progressive) to reach it's rating and when the
surface and just below becomes blocked the filter has to be replaced.
Absolute cartridges filter through all but to the core.

Gary
Quality Water Associates