How to Make Your Drinking Water Safe
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We should all be drinking lots of water every day, meaning it's crucial that it is as clean and pure as possible. Here's information about how to make your tap water safe plus my choice for water filtration.
In yesterday's post, I gave you a lot of information showing that the drinking water coming out of your tap may not be as safe as you thought.
Today I am going to talk about water filtration choices and will share my Current Recommendation for purifying your drinking water and doing so on a budget.
Our history with water filtration is a long one. It started years ago when my husband and I first married.
Note: Read to the end of this post. I have tried a lot of methods, and I'm so happy with where I am now. There are pros and cons to all of these systems–what you choose is up to you.
I phoned the manufacturers of various pitcher-type and faucet-mount water filtration systems to determine what to buy. Since we were renting at the time, the cost of installing a unit didn't make sense at the time. We later ventured out to other installed options, which I'll cover here too.
Water Filters We Tried
Faucet Mount Water Filter
When we were living in IL, soon after marrying, my research eventually led me to purchase PUR brand's faucet mount filter. It brought with it a nice set of credentials as it apparently had been endorsed and was used at the time by the U.S. Navy if memory serves me correctly.
My husband was a part time youth minister at the time and one of the youth volunteers was married to a man who was a chemical engineer. When I shared with him the conclusion that I had come to about purchasing our PUR filter, he echoed with enthusiasm what a great filter it was, stating that he had seen the research and thought it was the best filter on the market.
PUR Counter Top
When my husband and I lived with his parents for a two-year period just before our oldest son was born, we recommended that they buy PUR's counter-top model instead of the faucet mount. The faucet-mount filter unit had proven itself to be heavy for some faucets, causing problems with leakage and other issues, and additionally the counter-top model was less expensive to use.
We bought the PUR Counter Top Model and loved it. Looks like they don't make it any longer….
Multi-Pure Carbon Filter
However, after moving to Oklahoma for my husband's first tenure-track job as a professor, I became aware of Multi-Pure carbon filters. They were more expensive initially, but the cost per gallon analysis showed that the Multi-Pure was a clear winner.
After again doing extensive research into the amount of and types of contaminants that various filters on the market, we made a change.
Multi-Pure had a great deal at the time wherein we pre-purchased 10 filters (10 years' worth) and the filter housing was then provided for free, resulting in significant savings. So we were locked in for 10 years, but I felt confident in our choice.
Three years later, our oldest son was diagnosed with autism and I was having some troubling health issues. I'd been reading on and off about reverse osmosis, distillation and alkaline water, but was really confused about what the best type of water was.
So I spoke with “experts” in field and perused the internet and researched more.
I already felt that I was a bit excessive in taking my “super-duper carbon-filtered water” with me everywhere in a stainless steel bottle, but I really wanted to the best filter I could find.
There are many articles and resources that I could point you to, but here's the “distilled version” (pun intended).
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis filters were the fourth step in our water filtration journey. However, there are a lot to choose from.
We looked at the pros and cons of the system that Pure Water Products sold versus some others, but we went with the Pure Water one due to feeling we could really trust them. In fact, I was considering a salt-free water softener as well, but Gene at Pure Water talked me out of it!
We purchased a reverse osmosis system that uses our multi-pure carbon filter as one of its filters (we had already pre-paid for these and Gene said that they were a great filter and we should save money and keep them) and then we put a remineralizing cartridge on the filter as well.
We additionally purchased a whole house filter to remove chlorine and sediment as the negative health effects of chlorine in water are something that I wanted to avoid.
Costco also carries some reverse osmosis units that Mr. Franks said were worth considering, but some of those have expensive replacement cartridges.
Anyhow, you would have thought that at this point we had reached the final conclusion in our “Search for the Best Water Filter”, however the journey wasn't over yet.
Concerns About Removing Minerals from Water
One of the factors to consider when choosing a water filter is, do you want to remove minerals or not?
It's a very complicated topic. I prefer to leave the minerals intact, but here are some opposing viewpoints on this issue.
1. One is here that mentions the dangers of drinking distilled water. In a nutshell, the article mentions that distillation removes all minerals from the water, and removing these minerals can lead to health concerns and imbalances.
2. The second article is written by Gene Franks, the owner of Pure Water Products. He discusses reverse osmosis technology and compares it with distilled water in a no-nonsense manner. His thinking is that removing minerals isn't such a big problem.
Berkey Filters
Berkey Filters are the top choice for a lot of frugal natural-minded people and for good reason. Their filters are inexpensive and retain minerals in the water. However, I have some concerns about these filters.
We moved to the Berkey after reading about reverse osmosis systems removing beneficial minerals from the water. We had a remineralizing cartridge on our RO system, which puts some minerals back into the water, but felt I wanted to go more in the natural direction and just not remove the minerals at all.
Berkey Concerns: Fluoride, Bacterial Contamination, and More
Do Berkey Filters Remove Fluoride?
Berkey became my choice for a portable water filtration system and can be great in-home if you have monitored the pH of your water. Unfortunately, Berkey's fluoride filtration system isn't dependable unless your pH is in the optimal range. The problem is that I have read varying reports about what that optimal range is, so I encourage you to do your own research.
Bacterial Growth in Berkey Filters?
Furthermore, you really need to clean the reservoir out regularly. This is the case with any filtration system that holds the filtered water.
Standing water grows bacteria and when it stands in your filter, that is no exception.
We did end up going with Berkey for awhile, and it's a great portable option for water filtration that apparently can even filter really dirty water (think emergency situations). I love that you can take this with you easily on a trip or camping and you can easily bring it with you if you move. This smaller unit is a great size for camping. And for a REALLY portable option, these Sport Berkeys filter right as you drink!
Heavy Metals in Berkey Filters?
In 2021, there was a report made by a consumer about heavy metals being detected in Berkey filtered water. The report seems to be legitimate, but of course anyone can report anything. It's important to keep an open mind and find out the real data as much as possible.
If you feel still would like a Berkey after reading this (and a lot of people do trust them), here's where you can likely get a great deal on Berkey filters.
You can also find Berkey here but for the better warranty, buying direct from this Berkey site is best.
Berkey Buying Tips
- If you still wish to use the Berkey, I highly recommend that you purchase at least 1 size larger than you think you need. The most common complaint I hear from people is that they wish they'd bought a larger unit.
- I also recommend the sight spigot and the Berkey primer. The sight spigot allows you to see the water level in the filter without removing the top. The primer allows you to prime the filters without using a water faucet. The priming can be pretty messy so the primer is definitely worth it.
My Favorite Water Filter
PureEffect Water Filters
PureEffect Water Filters are possibly the BEST filters out there. They raise alkalinity and remove: Radiation, Fluoride, Pharmaceuticals, Microorganisms, Heavy Metals - VOC's, Chloramine/Chlorine, THM's, HAA's, NDMA, PFAS, Pesticides/Herbicides, Sediment/Particulate, Nano and Micro Particles/Plastics, Bad Tastes/Odors
I LOVE PureEffect filters. We've been using them for quite a few years and the water tastes amazing and the owner is extremely detail oriented. He set out to make the best water filter possible, and he might have done just that.
What These Filters Remove
- Radiation
- Fluoride
- Pharmaceuticals (Drug Residues)
- Microorganisms (Bacteria, Viruses, etc.)
- Heavy Metals
- VOC's (petrochemical byproducts)
- Chloramine/Chlorine
- Disinfection Byproducts (THM's, HAA's, NDMA)
- PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, etc.)
- Pesticides/Herbicides
- Sediment/Particulate
- Nano and Micro Particles/Plastics
- Nitrates and Nitrites
- Bad Tastes/Odors & More!
For complete results you can see PureEffect Water Filter test results on their site.
You can get extra UV protection as well.
The owner can walk you through installation if needed, doesn't try to “upsell” you, and the filters are very reasonable.
We chose an under the counter model, but you can go with the countertop as well.
My husband isn't that handy (sorry, honey–well, he'd tell you that himself), but he and my son installed the PureEffect Filter by themselves.
No Minerals Removed
No minerals are removed using the PureEffect filters. You can read more about the potential health problems from removing minerals from your drinking water here.
Radiation Removal
You can even get a radiation filter with this unit–amazing and very helpful especially for people on the West Coast of the US (in the wake of Fukushima).
With PureEffect, you can get either an over or under the counter filter that removes just about everything, but it leaves the natural minerals intact.
Can You Filter Softened Water with PureEffect Filters?
The answer is yes. Sodium is naturally occurring so it bypasses the filter.
Do PureEffect Filters Remove Glyphosate?
According to the EPA, glyphosate is removed effectively using activated carbon. Since the PureEffect filters have a lot of this in their filters, one should expect that glyphosate is removed using their filters.
What PureEffect Filter Should You Buy?
We bought the Under the Counter Ultra UC Disinfect. We actually haven't used the UV light yet but wanted it in case we needed it. If you need to save money, I would go without that.
I really love this filter system and if we didn't have a whole house chlorine filter already, I would be purchasing one of those as well.
Do You Need a Shower Filter?
The answer is a resounding YES!
Who wants things like chlorine running all over your body?
I mean, you can use a Swim Spray after showering, but that doesn't take care of the problem of chlorine that you inhale while showering.
Thankfully, PureEffect has a great shower filter too.
It removes Chlorine, Chlorination Byproducts, VOCs, Hydrogen Sulfide, Radon and more, and it does all of this at a great price.
Where to Buy a Tub Filter
This Bath Ball Water Filter is great quality and pretty affordable per gallon. It filters out:
- chlorine / chloramine
- chlorine and chloramine byproducts
- odors
- perfluoroalkyl polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
- iron oxides / rust
- sediment and more
and filters up to 2500 gallons before needing to be replaced.
So while there are a lot of toxins that you really don't want in your water, there are a lot of great ways to remove the junk and enjoy truly clean water for your whole family!
How have you chosen to make your tap water safe?
If you haven't already, what do you think you will do?
My neighbor just had a reverse osmosis filter installed and they love it. My wife has complained about the water in the past. I agree about the variety of types and prices. I have been looking for some time now and can’t seem to decide on one. Thanks.
I’m looking at a whole new system now – hope to have something to share soon.
Would love to hear what you decide on a whole house filtration system!
I’ve actually been doing more work and am looking at a new filtration system – both for drinking water and whole house. I’ll make a change in the post, but here is the company: https://www.pureeffectfilters.com/#a_aid=WholeNewMom (affiliate link). I’m going to buy one of their under the counter systems on Monday. The service so far is great and they remove so many things including radiation. I’d love to hear what you think!
Awesome! I’ll be looking out for it!
I’m a chemical engineer in the drinking water industry and a major part of my focus is water quality. Before you make decisions on a water filtration system look at the water quality report, also called a consumer confidence report, for the previous year for your drinking water. Every utility or supplier must produce one and depending on the state some get extremely detailed in their secondary contaminants. This should give you a better idea of both your source and finished water and what problems both have. As far as the mineral debate goes, give me minerals in my water! Many are more easily absorbed when ingested in water. Some of the best natural water sources (before we polluted everything) came from being filtered through rocks which then deposited trace amounts of minerals into the water.
Thank you!
I’m investigating water filtration as well and RO seems to be coming up the winner, for a whole house solution. You mentioned you wanted something “more natural” than removing minerals and re-adding them, but is there anything really wrong with doing that? I really would love the luxury of just turning on my tap and drinking/bathing in safe water. I have zero desire to have some large apparatus in my living space, aside from whatever is going to be installed at the point of water entry into my home’s plumbing system.
The whole water filtration thing is hard. I guess you can’t really add in the minerals that are supposed to be there, right? The minerals argument is confusing. You are thinking of an RO at the point of water entry?
Can’t trust reviews when you become a dealer yourself and they install a unit into your home. It might be a great unit, but we can never know for sure because your making profits off of it and have stop comparing your unit to other units.
Hi Jake. I appreciate your comment. Are you saying you can’t trust that I like Berkey? No one installed a unit in my home. I paid for it myself. I do not recommend things that I don’t like. In fact, if you read this series, you will see that I dumped an essential oils company even though I was told I could make $8000 per month, and I went as a new affiliate with another company (they didn’t have a program when I chose them). And I just now replace another company that I was doing really well with b/c they weren’t giving me the safety information that I needed in a timely fashion. I hope that clarifies things.
I’m not clear what you mean by “have stop comparing your unit to other units.” Let me know and I am happy to address it.
Hi! Thanks for this article. The comments have been very informative too. We recently moved into a rental house with city well water that is in the 23-25 grain hardness. Our landlord has a water softener installed for all water in the house. Its a duplex and he lives in the other half and controls the softener. None of my family (kids or adults) want to drink the softened water as it really does not taste good. I was looking into purchasing a Birkey filter but saw somewhere on the company website that it is not recommended for softened water. Can you confirm if this is the case? I was also looking into RO but really don’t like how much water it wastes. We used to live in an area where we were on Lake Michigan water but now are on municipal well water. Certainly doesn’t taste as good!
Hi Lacy. You are welcome. That’s hard water!
I just did a little digging. The Berkey will not remove the mineral salts from the water so they recommend getting pre-softened water for use in the Berkey. I read that there is typically a bypass valve or other way to get the water before it goes to the softener. Would that work for you?
Happy to help more if I can.
Thanks for confirming that. I will have to talk to my landlord and see if that is a possibility!
I would love to hear what he says. Happy to help you figure something else out if I can.
This is a fascinating topic. I’ve been researching this for my own use for years. I did not want a water softener as I don’t like the idea of adding salts to the water although we do have hard water here. I do want whole house filtration so we can water our organic plants (will in time work out how to harvest enough rainwater – one thing at a time!), and shower in chlorine free water and of course have pure water in the kitchen and bathroom sinks. A year before I bought my system I joined Multipure as a distributor (not expensive) but I still wanted to find out more info. I discovered they have a filter for hard water than somehow makes calcium not stick to pipes and appliances (you can tell I’m not a scientist) and that I would also need an under-sink or on-counter extra filter for really pure drinking water. What impressed me is their reverse osmosis system which returns the back-washing water, which is usually wasted, to the system. However I did not order this as I’d like to preserve minerals in my water. So I chose the whole house filter and an under sink filter that’s a step down from the reverse osmosis. The price was good, the whole system is stainless steel and is over-engineered! Also it needs no electric power, as some of them do. It will outlast my home! I was a bit concerned about filter replacement costs, but they will last a long time and should work out favorably when compared with other units. So I have most of the nasties removed from my water in general and everything except minerals removed from the drinking water. This includes heavy metals, agricultural runoff, etc. I put back in to my drinking water extra microminerals in sole (pronounced solay I think) which is pink Himalayan salt in solution – but that’s for another time. I am just delighted with my system. I haven’t sold any yet but that’s because all my time has been spent preparing for a green home summit event I’m putting on in October. I think independent lab research is important for filtration systems. By the way Seychelle has excellent filter pitchers and bottles which I used to use, but I have found their sales department hard to deal with. Hope this helps.
Hi Adrienne,
I appreciate your honesty in this post & I know that the process of providing the best possible food, water & shelter to your family is always a changing work in progress. My husband has often commented on the fact that just when he thinks I’ve decided on a particular brand or way of doing things I change my mind because I find a better one! I have been agonizing over the best water system recently & have done a ton of online research. Berkey has definitely come up & we are currently renting, so we can’t put in a whole house filtration system right now. A countertop water filter seems like the way to go, but there are still a few concerns I have about Berkey. 1. I haven’t found recent independent lab tests on their black filters. 2. I have heard that the black filters fall apart, so I am concerned about what they are made out of. I’m sure there is glue involved & if so, is it toxic? I do know that they are not NSF certified, but if independent labs have tested their water against other filters, thats my main concern. However, I do know that they can’t be sold in California & I think it has something to do with lead. So, I’m not sure if that means that there is lead in the filters themselves or the container. Sorry for the brain dump, as you can tell I’ve been thinking about water filters for too long! But it’s an investment & I don’t want to spend the money until I’m sure it’s going to be the right choice for my family. Any answers would be great! Thank you for your research & blog post!
Hi there. I totally understand your situation. I have a huge document from Envirotek Labs on Berkey. I am copying and pasting some of it here. Here is a link to some of the info: https://berkeyfilterwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/enviroteklab-test-results.pdf
Drinking Water Contaminant
Aluminum 214 <2 99.0
Antimony 6.1 <0.5 99.9
Arsenic 312 <2 99.9
Beryllium 50.2 <0.5 99.9
Bismuth 50.2 <2 99.9
Cadmium 30.5 <0.5 99.7
Chromium 310 <2 99.9
Copper 3,150 <2 99.9
Iron 3,100 <2 99.9
Lead 152 <2 99.9
Manganese 1,040 <2 99.9
Mercury 6.1 <0.5 99.9
Nickel 102 <2 99.9
Selenium 106 <2 99.9
Zinc 3,000 <2 99.9
Aluminum 214 <2 99.1
Antimony 6.1 <0.5 99.9
Arsenic 312 <2 99.9
Beryllium 50.2 <0.5 99.9
Bismuth 50.2 <2 99.9
Cadmium 30.5 <0.5 99.7
Chromium 310 <2 99.9
Copper 3,150 <2 99.9
Iron 3,100 <2 99.9
Lead 152 <2 99.9
Manganese 1,040 <2 99.9
Mercury 6.1 <0.5 99.9
Nickel 102 <2 99.9
Selenium 106 <2 99.9
Zinc 3,000 <2 99.9
4,4’-DDD 50.1 <0.5 99.9
4,4’-DDE 50.2 <0.5 99.9
4,4’-DDT 50.0 <0.5 99.9
Alachlor 40.1 <0.5 99.9
Aldrin 50.1 <0.5 99.9
Alpha-BHC 50.3 <0.5 99.9
Ametryn 50.4 <0.5 99.9
Atraton 50.0 <0.5 99.9
Atrazine 9.0 <0.5 99.9
Beta-BHC 49.7 <0.5 99.9
Bromacil 50.2 <0.5 99.9
Carbofuran 80.2 <0.5 99.9
Chlordane 40.3 <0.5 99.9
Chlorneb 51.6 <0.5 99.9
Chlorobenzilate 50.1 <0.5 99.9
Chlorothalonil 50.2 <0.5 99.9
Chlorprophane 51.1 <0.5 99.9
Cyanizene 51.3 <0.5 99.9
Delta-BHC 50.2 <0.5 99.9
Dichlorvos 50.4 <0.5 99.9
Dieldrin 49.7 <0.5 99.9
Diphenamid 50.2 <0.5 99.9
Tested
Influent Water
Concentration in ?g/L
Heavy Metal Contaminants in ?g/L pH = 6.5
Black Berkey Purification Element Effluent
Concentration in ?g/L
Heavy Metal Contaminants in ?g/L pH = 8.5
Pesticide Contaminants in ?g/L
Report #14-260
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As for them falling apart, I have talked w/ the company at length about this kind of issue. It appears they have resolved any issues and they do have a warranty if you purchase through me - but not through Amazon. They are not an authorized dealer.
The CA legislation is about lead. They are putting the burden of proof on the manufacturer and I guess this is where the issue is. This paragraph might help:
"The law stipulates that any “end-use device intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking,” as well as each of their individual components, materials and “pipe, pipe or plumbing fittings, or fixtures,” or flux, must be “lead free” as defined by California law. Under SB 1334, certification MUST be performed by an “independent ANSI-approved third party testing organization.” It appears that even if a product and each component of that product has no metal alloys and if a purification system actually reduces lead, under Section 116875, it must be be certified. An example of this would be the Berkey sport water purification bottle.
"The Berkey sport bottle body utilizes LDPE, which must be certified, even though it is common knowledge that LDPE contains no lead, is very commonly used by food and water companies, and is monitored under federal regulations. Further, manufacturers are expected to reveal proprietary information regarding their systems, suppliers and manufacturers, without an absolute guarantee that such proprietary information will be kept confidential. This is of utmost concern due to the fact that if such proprietary information is conveyed to competitors, we would have no recourse. It also worth noting that if Berkey water filters desires to change any of their suppliers after certification, it appears that permission must be obtained by the certifying organization and that re-certification is mandatory, all at the expense of the company. Change of suppliers is a common occurrence as improvement of the Berkey product line is continually occurring."
I am still looking at other options, but most likely the only other thing I would consider is an RO under the sink. I do like the Berkey and think it does a great job. Hope that helps! Oh, you can get a Berkey Light in CA, if that helps.
Uh, how long till you flip flop and “decide to go with” another water filtration system that you’re peddling?
Hi James. I find your comment to be quite rude. Perhaps you don’t understand how bloggers work. Ethical ones find things that they like and figure out ways to get paid for recommending them. Not the other way around. I wasn’t making anything from the RO provider though we had talked about it. Then I was doing research on filters and felt having the minerals in the water was important so I went w/ Berkey. Now my research has become a bit equivocal so I am not sure what I am going to be doing going forward – I have to think about it. I assure you that I am not making much on Berkey as I haven’t put things together well on my site as I have been busy. Plus their profit margin got very slim for small distributors like me.
Maybe it would be best for you to assume the best of someone before making such an accusation. On the other hand, I understand your thinking. There are of course bloggers and sales people who are only after the profit. I am not that person. I don’t even know how much I make per Berkey system. I just recommended them b/c I wanted to and it’s what I have in my home currently. Thanks and hope that helps.
I have been drinking distilled water for over 40 years and I am 60 now with the best health ever. We get our minerals from our foods not from our water. RO water is the next closest to distilled. Your diet is the way to obtain your vitamins and minerals. So do not fear distilled water. That is what comes from the sky, but unfortunately with all the pollution in our world it is not recommended to drink the rain water. If you cannot afford a distillation system RO is the next best system. Let it be known as well that the tap water contains many contaminates and the biggest if fluoride. 80% of the municipalities put in a highly toxic form known as hydrofluorosilisic acid. Dangerous to your health and distillation or RO are the only two means of filtration that removes it. So do read up on it. fluoridealert.org is a great source to become well informed. To your health!!
Hi there. I have read in numerous places that since we take in so much water and we are made up of so much water that distilled and RO are not the way to go. I personally had a remineralization cartridge on my RO system but now we have switched to Berkey. Also I have heard that those systems make the water acidic which isn’t what you want either. I am glad you are doing better, however.
I will add that the Berkey does filter hydrofluorosilic acid. Thanks for bringing that up.
I am glad to hear you found the Berkey to fulfill your drinking water needs and thank you for your input. As an FYI: lemons are acidic but when consumed they create an alkaline environment in the body and that is how distilled water reacts as well.. Also distilled water removes all the inorganic minerals and does not disturb the valuable organic minerals in our body. Needless to say that is a very good thing .Distillation removes the water and leaves behind all the contaminants and when it goes through the final carbon filter stage it removes all the water soluable voc’s including pharmaceuticals that are in the water believe it or not. Continue to enjoy your Berkey.
Thanks again for your comment. So do you think there is a clear advantage to drinking distilled water over the Berkey or another filter that leaves the minerals? I for sure want the contaminants gone. The one clear benefit is cost. I think the Berkey costs only about 2 cents per gallon, including using the Fl / As filter. Thanks.
I’ve been reading that drinking distilled water is NOT good for the human body, long term! I read this article, but there are so many articles online, contradicting each other! https://www.mercola.com/article/water/distilled_water.htm
I agree. It’s hard.
Hi, In my research, I’m down to Multi-pure vs Berkey. Can you provide any info on that comparison? It’d be great to hear, since you’ve used both and obviously have done extensive research. Thanks!
I’m currently using Brita and need a replacement for that — so I dont’ need a whole house or extensive system. Just something that provides the same amount of water, but with better quality filtration. Just for myself at this time.
Hi there. I don’t believe that Multipure removes fluoride. I used to have the MP attached to my Reverse Osmosis. Thanks – let me know if you have more questions.
We discussed RO with our plumber to replace our current under-sink water filtration unit and he said he had a hard time installing it as it wastes 2 gallons of water for every one gallon it lets through–how can you reconcile that kind of water waste? Would love your feedback as I am feeling GUILTY about wanting it. Great site, btw! I came to read about dehydrating tomatoes and have mean digging in deeper for the past hour!
Hi there. I know. I’m torn about that too and the fact that the RO pulls minerals out. We are likely moving to the Berkey when our filters run out, which will be soon. I am a dealer for Berkey now. If you’re interested in them I am happy to tell you more. They don’t waste, they don’t remove minerals and the water costs about 6-7 cents per gallon. And they’re more portable than the RO units. Thanks!