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?
Thanks for the great article. I am considering switching from RO to Berkey because of the lack of minerals issue and found your article. Now I am interested in the PureEffect under the counter system. With my RO I only replaced the filter between every 6 mos and a year and it was about $60. The PE filters are quite a bit more and need replacing more often (or at least it seems that way). Do you find the cost to be much more than your RO system? Are you still pleased with the PE system if there was a cost increase? Thanks!
Thank you! So we did the same thing, but I ended up reading about how the Berkey doesn’t really remove enough fluoride unless the pH is right, and the water in the reservoir tends to get contaminated. We also had clogged filters pretty often and I don’t know why. So I do like the pricing of the Berkey, but the convenience (once it’s in) of the PureEffect is wonderful and I feel really good about the water that we are drinking. We decided how often to replace based on the amount of fluoride in our water. I figure since water is the thing we consume the most of, it’s pretty important. What do you think?
Well, we don’t have city water so flouride isn’t my biggest concern. I am more interested in how well it filters glyphosate (from Round Up) but there haven’t been tests for that in particular. I think RO removes it and I am wondering if I should use the RO I have and just remineralize the water either with a solution made from quality celtic sea salt or from the Concentrace drops (less sodium). Did you consider that as an option? What are your thoughts?
Hi Theresa
So I ended up emailing the owner last night and we figured out that you were talking w/ both of us. That’s fine, but just wanted you to know that I don’t think I have any other info than he does about glyphosate removal. It seems to me that RO might not completely remove it either from what I am reading. Did you happen to see the info about Purium’s Biome Medic at the bottom of this post? It removes glyphosate from the gut: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/probiotics-and-adhd/
I personally think that it’s better to have the original minerals but that’s just my thinking for right now. Did you happen to ask the owner about that? I used to have a remineralization cartridge on our RO but I was concerned about water waste and the interior of the RO reservoir not being clean. Did you happen to see the comparison chart on his site? It had some very interesting points.
Thank you for all your help. Yes, the owner was very helpful. I just like to also hear from people who are using the product and your progression was very similar to mine so I am interested in your opinion. Thanks for the link to the Biome Medic. We are dealing with those issues in our family and I had never heard of that before. And thanks for more of your reasons for choosing the Pure Effect system. It does seem ideal. Just a bit nervous about the maintenance costs and was hoping something cheaper would work 🙂 I’ll have to weigh it out some more. Do you know your monthly cost for replacement filters?
Sure! Yes, he’s very smart. I plan to do more posts w/ him in the future. The Biome Medic is a very interesting supplement and they just came out w/ a very reasonable CBD oil that we love.
I know about wanting cheaper. I can just say that I really like the convenience and the knowledge that I think I have the best. Cost all depends on how much fluoride you have, etc. We change ours out every 500 gallons so it’s about 25 cents a gallon.
Thanks again for all your help 🙂
Sure! Hope to see you around again!
I have been thinking about it further and I don’t think RO is a good choice because of bacterial growth and such. What are your thoughts on using the Berkey if flouride isn’t an issue? And do you think flouride is an issue for those on well water and not city water? Thanks!
Hi again. So the Berkey has the same issue, just not as much if you are cleaning it. I have read that some wells can have fluoride levels above municipal water so it would be best to test your water regularly. As for the Berkey’s other issues, as I mentioned we had clogging of the filters often. It made no sense to me and was very very frustrating. I also prefer the smaller footprint of the Pure Effect, the fact that you can put a pitcher under the PureEffect filter and let it fill up, whereas w/ the Berkey you have to stand there the whole time while it’s refilling, and you have to fill up the Berkey yourself.
Thank you for this! Saves me a lot of work. :o)
You’re so welcome!
I love healthy recipes
Adrienne,
Thanks for the story line. It helps to see how you progressed from RO to Berkey to PureEffect now. My questions would be is, how do you know it removes contaminants and keep the beneficial minerals? Have you had your water sent in for tests? It would be even more beneficial to see/read your experience with testing as well.
Thanks!
Hi there.
I will be doing more posts on these filters–working on it now. I can share w/ you 2 sets of testing from their site. Yes, I could do my own, but I haven’t looked into how expensive that is. Are you aware of a reputable lab? I have thought about doing all kinds of testing–on essential oils and personal care products (many of the latter I think are not labeled accurately). I know that testing the personal care and EOs are about $250 a test. I don’t know how to proceed b/c it would soon become totally exorbitant. Thoughts?
Here are the mineral tests: https://www.pureeffectfilters.com/Output_Water_ULTRA.pdf
and here are the fluoride: https://www.pureeffectfilters.com/Fluoride_Test_Results_ULTRA%28FSM%29.pdf
Happy to keep talking about this.
I said a prayer. Googled “research based essential oils” and your blog came up as an option. My son has Alopecia Arreata, The Hubby has Asperger’s and I am a Nurse. You have provided me with information I have been looking for. Thank you. Here’s my question…..I thought it was “bad” not to have flouride in the water because it can weaken teeth. Is this not a true statment? I know I was originally looking for oil information, but I was also looking for a water purification system, and you happened to write about that as well. 🙂
Hi Carmen and welcome! I can tell you that this filter is amazing – there is a LOT of information on Fl in water not doing ANYTHING to help and possibly even causing harm. Fluoride is a toxin and is very bad for the thyroid!
Any updates on if your still using the Pure effects? I’m hunting for a drinking water system. Just decided on a whole house filter but also looking for a separate drinking water system and caught wind of your journey/article. I had not heard of Pure effects and am so glad I say this. So i was wondering if you still are happy with your PE filtering system and prefer it to your RO. Since that’s what I’m deciding between…
thanks
Julie
Hi Julie – YES I love it. I definitely prefer it to RO b/c of the cleanliness and retaining of minerals, amongst other things. 🙂
Hello I love your website and the vast amount of information especially about the water. I am licensed cosmetologist for the past 20 years in San Diego, California. Which happens to be one of the top ten cities and states for worst water. I found that there were tons of “filtering” showerheads made for the home but none for the salon. One of the best ways to purify your water is with Vitamin C. Our atomizer infuses your tap water with Marine Collagen and Vitamin C and has double filtration system to catch things like lead, rust, arsenic, sand, and debris. Since I started not only filtering my water but also Purifying my water at the salon my clients scalp issues have declined drastically. Their hair is softer, shiner, less frizzy, and their color is no longer destroyed by the chlorine and chloramine that is used to treat our water. The great thing about our atomizer is that it saves us so much money on product because we no longer have to combat what is in our water, not only that it gives you 400% more pressure and we use less water because it only uses 1 to 1.5 gallons a minute instead 4-6. When I researched water filtration and water softening systems is most of them were ok to drink but would kill your plants, this atomizer can be used on plants and your animals. I would love to send you a sample of the water. If you are interested please contact me.
Hi there – thanks for your comment. I’m not sure about getting a sample of the water, but you are welcome to email me with information about the filter – wholenewmom {at} gmail {dot} com. Thanks for reading and sorry for the delay in responding–I got behind on comments and then we had a glitch on the blog where I lost a bunch but we got them back finally :).
Also, does the shower filter change the water pressure in the shower? Or the under sink change the sink water pressure? Same question for the whole house… if you are using that.
There has been no change in our water pressure using the under sink filter. I would not think that the whole house would do that either since we have had one for years and haven’t noticed anything.
However, this is the official response from the company:
Hi Adrienne! Are you still using the Pure Effect? Have you gotten the whole house system yet or just doing the under the sink? Do you use their shower filters as well?
Hi Cindi!
YES and I LOVE it. I got one of their new digital water gauges too and love it. I had a whole house system prior to getting the Pure Effect so I’m not sure if we’ll be changing over any time soon. I have to do a lot of calculations to see if the changeover would be worth it. Ours only removes Cl and sediment so that’s another thing I need to consider. Hope that helps!
I live in a small house with very old pipes, I was using an Omnifilter-type whole house filter that was carbon and plastic mesh. After a while my water turned rusty and icky. The plumber told me that the filter was taking out the chemicals that protect the pipes so that the pipes were disintegrating into the water – yechh. Total fail. So I only use an undersink and shower filter now. I guess I ma doing the best I can do.
Hi Jules.
I have never heard of anything like that…so we are supposed to drink water that has chemicals in it that protect the pipes? Please ask him what they are.
Thanks.