Water Filter Comparisons

Which Water Filters Remove Fluoride?

A standard carbon filtration system doesn’t remove fluoride. Some multi-media block filters provide a more complex filtration system, such as Aquasana, which employs an ion exchange technology, adding potassium ions to the water and removing 40-60% of the fluoride.

Some water filters which remove fluoride contain alumina as their filter media, which is not recommended because fluoride has a strong affinity for aluminum, forming aluminum fluoride. It ‘tricks’ the body into thinking it is a hydrogen atom, allowing it access across the blood-brain barrier. Research has shown a link between aluminum fluoride and kidney damage as well as brain cell damage, such as lesions in the brain similar to those found in Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

A water distiller will remove fluoride and produces ‘newborn’ water; that is pure, organic water that’s brand new, replicating the water found in raw fruits & vegetables. Due to the newness of the distilled water particle, it has the inherent ability to act like a magnet. As it travels through the body, it attaches to and draws out toxins, passing them out through the body, assisting in the detoxification process. Dr Norman Walker; a physician and world leader in natural health methods to heal disease was a great advocate of distilled water and a living testament of his beliefs; he lived to 109. Dr Walker considered distilled water to be essential for anyone undertaking a detoxifying or a raw food diet although other experts disagree, stating that long term consumption of distilled water can eventually result in multiple mineral deficiencies. In summary, one could conclude that distilled water is excellent to assist detoxification under the correct circumstances and it’s best to add a pure trace mineral product to the water before consumption to ensure protection from mineral deficiencies.

Which Water Filters Remove Chlorine?

Aside from all the health risks related to chlorine in our drinking water, it is the primary cause of bad taste and odour in drinking water. The good news is that chlorine is one of the easiest substances to remove from our water. Chlorine is a fairly large sized particle, so most drinking water filters adequately remove it so long as the replacement cartridges are replaced regularly, but not all water filters will remove the more complex contaminants like lead and synthetic chemicals. When chlorine is added to our water, it combines with other natural compounds to form trihalomethanes (chlorination byproducts), or THMs. These chlorine byproducts trigger the production of free radicals in the body, causing cell damage, and are highly carcinogenic. For more information on chlorine in our water, click here

Why Would I Need a Whole House Water Filter?

There are several reasons to consider whole house, ‘point of entry’ water filtration. With a whole house filter you get pure water throughout the home, look for a unit that’s easy to install with a high capacity. There are some great value whole house water filters which produce water that’s free of harmful contaminants for minimal ongoing costs and maintenance. To compare leading brands, click here

Chlorine Removal – A warm shower or bath opens up the pores of the skin and allows for accelerated absorption of chlorine and other chemicals in water. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 50 times the level of chemicals than tap water due to the fact that chlorine and most other contaminants vaporize much faster and at a lower temperature than water. Inhalation is a much more harmful means of exposure since the chlorine gas (chloroform) we inhale goes directly into our bloodstream. Chlorine in shower water robs the skin and hair of moisture and elasticity, resulting in a less vibrant and youthful appearance. Anyone who has ever swum in a chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh effects that chlorine has on skin and hair. What’s surprising is that we commonly find higher levels of chlorine in our tap water than is recommended safe for swimming pools.

Bore Water / Dam Water / Tank Water – Water naturally derived from the environment usually harbors potentially hazardous contaminants which pose very real and serious threats to our health. Point of entry water filters can remove large particles (sediment) which are generally present in naturally derived water. Some whole house filters have the option of adding a UV filter and/or a post iron filter if faecal bacteria or tannins are present in the water and need to be removed.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome – Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome is a disorder that is triggered by low-level exposure to multiple chemical substances commonly found in the environment and is more common among women than men. 40% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome and 16% of people with fibromyalgia have multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, so do children diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD & asthma. Some doctors believe the disorder may be a type of allergic reaction when various changes in the immune system occur.

If I Have a ‘Whole House’ Water Filter, Do I Still Need a Drinking Water Filter?

It’s usually recommended to install a drinking water filter with a whole house filter because it’s preferable for a drinking water filter to have a smaller micron. A ‘point of entry’ or ‘whole of house’ water filter requires a higher flow rate and therefore generally has a 5 micron filtration level, which will remove sediment 4 times smaller than is visible to the unaided human eye. It’s desirable for a drinking water filter to have a 0.5 micron filtration level, which will remove cysts which are 40 times smaller than can be seen by the human eye. Also, there is the potential risk of lead entering the drinking water from lead lined pipes, lead solder and brass plumbing fixtures inside the home. All chrome-plated brass and brass plumbing fixtures contain 8% to 15% lead. The EPA estimates that 98% of all homes have pipes, fixtures or solder joints in the household plumbing that can leach some level of lead into the tap water. For more information on lead in drinking water, click here