OT: Water filters

My sister had a system that fitted onto her tap in Juneau, Alaska. She has that for years and really liked it. The water there doesn't taste too bad, but if you are raised on the soft water of Oregon, then there is a "taste" to the Juneau stuff. You might consider getting a Brita filter (or similar). That way you would only filter the water you are going to drink, and no doubt it is less expensive. There are filters which are designed to fit in the door of the fridge, so you can always have chilled water to hand. With this sort of system, you change the carbon filter every 4 weeks or so, and each refill is only a couple of pounds/dollars. This is the way I filter water at home.

-- Jo in Scotland

We have a Brita filter jug, but they also make a system that fits onto the kitchen (wherever) tap. I works, the jug filter, my only problem is changing the filter before the filter is worn out as the water does get a taste to it then.

We have had a reverse osmosis water filter for years but I live in NSW in Australia so not familiar with brands that you'd have access to. They definitively make the water taste a lot better.....but reverse osmosis filters can be expensive.

You don't have to go that far to filter the Gardia and Cryptosporidium out of the water and get a nice tasting water. Water filters can come with one, two, three or four filters. Under the sink, on the sink, hanging on the laundry wall (like ours)...all sorts. Both our daughters have filters in their houses in Townsville in Queensland....one has a 4 filter osmosis (wall in the laundry) and the other just a single filter, sink-top filter and both take G and C out and the water taste is very good. The trick is to buy a good brand with at least a .5 micron filter.

The Brita are ok for travelling but not for everyday usage in the house.....we go through a lot of water, especially in the summer and the Brita just isn't up for the task. We've got a 2 filter mobile one now for the caravan that we hook up to any tap to fill the bottles. Bore water isn't the best thing to drink, yuk.....tastes and smells like sulphur.

Google is a good place to research and the chap in Tasmania we buy ours from is very nice :o) NAYY

a look there will give you an idea of what you would be looking for. Our first osmosis one was manufactured in the US and called Natures Spring but we didn't replace it with the same brand only because we could buy cheaper in Australia, now. We had that one for years and would replace the filter when the water coming out would be just a trickle. Had to replace it because the company had updated the model and we couldn't get filters for the old one anymore.

One of my daughters' has one attached to their shower to filter out the chlorine. Makes the coffee taste better too Wendy

I use a Brita pitcher to filter water (rather than an in-faucet filter), and it works great. I have to change the carbon cartridge every other month -- I try to pick them up on sale, so they are only a couple of bucks each.

When we moved into this house 8 years ago we took one taste of the water and almost puked. We called Culligan and they sold us a filtration system which delivers absolutely wonderful tasting water to the a seperate kitchen faucet that we use for drinking and all cooking. I put a whole house filter on the incoming water line for all the other water outlets and it reduces the amount of "stuff" that used to show up in the bathwater and toilet bowls. I could not live here without the Culligan system so for me it was worth the price, about $800. It needs servicing once a year with replacement of filters and such that costs about $120. If you don't want to spend that much money up front you can rent that same system for less and pay each month, but it is not yours and will be taken out if you sell the house or. I say go for it. There may be other vendors but Culligan is the big name hereabouts,

John

I have a Culligan water softener which handles all water inside my house. (Outside water for the hose doesn't go through the water softener.) For water for tea and cooking I keep a Brita pitcher in the refrigerator, and it is wonderful!

Hi All:

I have been thru all the filter trials. I found out through extensive research that the best and cleanest water is distilled.

99.99% clean. About a year ago I bought a distiller on ebay for about $90.00 + shipping. It still works great but it takes about 5 and 1/2 hrs. to make a gallon. I have just purchased another (on Ebay) that takes about 3 hrs. ($159.00 including shipping) If you like coffee and tea or just plain water, this if for you. I don't sell these things. I am just venting my opinion. If you want to experiment, go to Walmart or any store that sells distilled water by the gal. and try it. Make some ice cubes. After they are frozen they look as clear as glass. I have attached the URL below from Ebay's auction. Check it out.

Hugs to all.. Jim Moore (a 75 year old wannabe quilter) :o)

Be careful of drinking too much distilled water. It isn't good for most people because your body needs many of the minerals found in regular/non-distilled water.

Pati, > Hi All:

Thank you for all your input. I bought a PUR water purifier yesterday, the bigger one that fits into the fridge and I have just tasted the water, it definitely tastes clean and much better than straight from the tap. I figured that this will safe us about $500,- a year because we won't buy bottled water anymore and it is also better for the environment. We are still waiting for the mortgage approval and I am on pins and needles. ;)

Hugs,

Maria

Maria Cherry remove the penguins

***** "In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats." (English Proverb)

To Pati in Phx.

I take vitamin & mineral supplements + I just use the water to drink and make tea and coffee. Most people don't drink enough water. Thanks for your concern.

Jim