What type of water filtration system should I install in my kitchen?   This is a question I am asked more and more frequently as people decide to ditch bottled water and get Back2Tap.    There are many choices.  First, you have to decide how much money you want to spend – you can improve the taste of your tap water for free or you can buy a filter system for $15 up to more than $500.

The cheapest method of improving tap water taste is simple and free:  fill a pitcher with tap water and let it sit uncovered for 24 hours.  The chlorine will dissipate and the water will taste better.   The next most economical option is a $15-25 filter pitcher.  There is an added cost of $8 for every 30 gallons for replacement filters.

Personally, I’m the $50 faucet-mounted filter type.  It’s easy to install, convenient to use, and not very expensive.  I use a PUR faucet-mounted filter for my kitchen sink because it has a three-stage filter that we were able to install ourselves within minutes – no plumber needed.  It improves taste by removing chlorine, which is our primary goal.  I’m not concerned about the quality of water coming from my water company, but I admit that it is nice to know that the filter also removes lead, microbes, some organics and other unwanted constituents.  In order for the system to be effective, the filter has to be changed regularly  ($20 to filter 100 gallons), about every two to three months.  Mine has an indicator light that alerts you when the filter should be changed. 

If you can afford to make a larger investment, a more thorough and reliable  filtration system would be an  under-the-sink system.  It could be a three-stage system or a reverse osmosis system.   These would cost between $150 and $500 and would require a plumber for installation.  I do not have first hand experience with either of these although I have read that reverse osmosis is the best choice if you want to remove pharmaceuticals and just about everything else.  One criticism I have read, is that reverse osmosis takes all the minerals out of the water, many of which are good for your health.  Remember, people originally sought out spring water precisely for its mineral content and associated health benefits. 

You can visit this helpful website that compares 10 of the leading water filter options and offers some cautionary advice for your filter search. I hope it will help you decide which model will meet your needs best: http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com/water_filter_comparison.php .

Happy filtering!