Drink With Confidence: The Power of Water Filters

People can live for weeks without food, but only for around three days without clean water. While the tap water in most areas of the US is at least clean enough to drink without getting sick, that’s not the case everywhere. Whether families are traveling abroad, camping off-grid, or just worried about the potential for contaminants coming from the tap, buying endless bottles of water isn’t a sustainable solution. Instead, learn how to drink with confidence by taking advantage of the power of water filters.

How Do Water Filters Work?

High-quality products like the Berkey water filter work by passing untreated water through a filter medium. In most cases, it’s some mix of activated charcoal and proprietary ingredients designed to trap different types of contaminants. With countertop filters, users simply pour the water in through the top chamber, wait for it to pass through the filtration media, then get fresh, clean water out of the bottom chamber as it collects there.

What They Remove

Every water filter is a little different. Some contain filtration media that is fine enough to catch contaminants of all sizes, from large particles of dirt or rust to tiny waterborne viruses. Others can only be trusted to remove larger particles, leaving behind water that looks clear but still contains dangerous substances like pesticides and other chemicals, microbes, or even radiological contaminants like uranium. That’s why it’s important to purchase a water filter from a well-known brand that laboratory tests its products.

How to Choose the Right Water Filter

Choosing the right water filter isn’t just a matter of buying from a known brand. There are other factors to consider, as well, and every application is different. Some people own their homes, plan on staying in them, and can afford to invest in expensive under-sink or whole-home water filtration systems, for example, but that makes little sense for a family that rents units or moves frequently. In that case, a countertop filter is a better option.

When purchasing a travel water filter or countertop model, be sure to prioritize quality construction. The filtration device’s chambers should be made from stainless steel that won’t rust or leach chemicals into the clean water chamber, and it should be light enough when empty to move easily.

Size is another important issue. The filter will need to be large enough to produce enough clean water for the entire family. In most cases, that’s a half gallon to one gallon per person per day, but water needs vary based on body weight, life stage, and other factors. Larger families need bigger water filters if they want to avoid the hassle of having to refill them frequently throughout the day.

Finally, look into the filters, themselves, and how they are made. Carbon filters are effective and quite common, but some companies go a step further and include additional filtration media that can improve the process further. The filters should be long-lasting and capable of filtering at least several thousand gallons of water so that users can get their money’s worth.

Get Clean Drinking Water Anywhere

Purchasing a high-quality countertop water filter will make it easy to ensure access to clean drinking water for the whole family no matter the situation. From filtering hard tap water to providing clean water on camping trips, travel filters are effective at removing all kinds of contaminants. Just be sure to buy from a trusted brand.