We all know that water is essential for us. But sipping on plain water can be a bit bland and boring, unless you are stranded in the middle of a desert. Luckily, carbonated water has various health benefits and choosing it over soda pop is always a great idea.

Best Overall

• SodaStream Fizzi One Touch Water Carbonator

• 
  1,723 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Fully automatic, turns plain water into carbonated water in seconds with the touch of a button
  
  Energy efficient, powered by Co2 cylinder. Each cylinder carbonates up to 60 liters of water
  
  Offers unbelieable amount of flavor choices, from mocktails to cocktails to SodaStream's wide range of flavors
  
  Easy to maintain and clean
  
• 
  Slightly expensive but quality build makes up for it plus all the money you will save not buying bottled carbonated water
  

 Check Price Now

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Learn more about our team of water experts

Luckily, we do have several options to quench our thirst with, not all of them are suitable for our health.

It took a long while for the world to realize that sweet fizzy drinks are not good for us. The high sugar content in combination with acidity from carbonation can harm your body in more ways than you know. But is it also true for carbonated water without sugar?

A quick internet search and you will find countless websites warning you that carbonated water can rob the calcium from your bones. Some people even claim that it can cause tooth decay and irritate your stomach. So, we feel it’s time to sort facts from myths. Read on to find out how valid are these claims and are there any sparkling water benefits.

Make Sure Your Water is Purified First

Before we get into all the great health benefits of carbonated water, it is important to make sure that the starting water source has been purified of any potentially harmful contaminants. Check out our review of the best water purifier to learn more about protecting you and your family’s health.

What is Carbonated Water?

Water that is infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure produces bubbly water or carbonated water. Carbon dioxide and water react chemically to form a weak acid, known as carbonic acid. It stimulates the same nerve receptors in your mouth as mustard, which gives you an idea of the acidity of carbonated water. Carbonated water goes by many other names like sparkling water, soda water, seltzer water, etc.

Some amount of salt is added to the water to improve its taste. Often some minerals are also added to it if it’s deficient of those minerals. Sparkling water gives a tickling sensation when you drink it, which is adequately sharp and enjoyable. The pH of the carbonated water ranges between 3 to 4, which shows that it is only slightly acidic.

Since our kidneys and lungs expel the excess carbon dioxide from our body. This keeps our blood within the pH range of 7.35 to 7.45, no matter what we drink or eat. These facts leave no room for the doubt that the acidity of carbonated water can harm your body.

What is Seltzer Water?

Carbonated water has so many varieties that it can be often confusing to differentiate the types. You have lightly fizzy bitter tonic water, which is used for gin. Then you have sparkling mineral water with subtle differences in flavor, from salty to metallic. Apart from these, you also have soda water and seltzer water. All of this variety makes one wonder are not all of these the same?

All of these types of bubbly water appear to be the same. But each one differs in flavor and is made using different processes. What basically sets apart seltzer water from other types is that it is plain carbonated water with no added minerals. It is the simplest of all types and it is made by the carbonation of plain water. Due to its neutral profile natural fruit essence and oils are added to create flavored sparkling water.

Health Benefits of Carbonated Water

Carbonated water has various health benefits. Choosing it over soda and fizzy drinks is always a sound choice. Here are some significant health benefits of carbonated water:

Keeps You Hydrated

A common myth about carbonated water is that it can cause dehydration. Health experts have debunked this belief and they claim that it has the same benefits as that of plain water. In fact, the health benefits can be even greater if the sparkling water is filtered.

 Filteration removes organic compounds and toxic chemicals from the water and provides you with clean and healthy water. Carbonated water has a subtle flavor and a bubbly kick which makes the water a true treat to gulp down. As a result, you drink more sparkling water and keep yourself hydrated. So, try sparkling water from a carbonation machine instead of regular water and feel the difference yourself.

Gives a Feeling of Fullness

Many fitness bloggers suggest taking a glass of water right before a meal to prevent overeating. While we cannot be certain about that, what we do know is that sparkling water makes you feel full for longer than regular water. A research shows that carbonated water makes the proximal stomach (the first three parts) contain food longer, which gives you a feeling of fullness for a long time.

Aids Digestion

Carbonated water is also great in keeping stomach issues at bay. Anyone who suffers from dyspepsia, constipation, or an upset stomach frequently can benefit a great deal from drinking sparkling water. The European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology conducted a study that showed that patients of all these problems showed improvement after drinking sparkling water for two weeks. So, that old home remedy of taking lemon-lime soda for stomach bug is not wrong after all.

Supports Bone Health

Another common myth about carbonated water is that it is bad for bone due to its acidic nature. A large observational study showed that only cola can be associated with lower bone mineral density. Carbonated water showed no effect on bone health.

 Another controlled study showed that drinking sparkling water for 8 weeks led to better calcium retention in postmenopausal women. Moreover, supplementing hens’ diet with carbonated water for 6 weeks strengthened their leg bones more as compared to tap water.

Best Overall

• SodaStream Fizzi One Touch Water Carbonator

• 
  1,723 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Fully automatic, turns plain water into carbonated water in seconds with the touch of a button
  
  Energy efficient, powered by Co2 cylinder. Each cylinder carbonates up to 60 liters of water
  
  Offers unbelieable amount of flavor choices, from mocktails to cocktails to SodaStream's wide range of flavors
  
  Easy to maintain and clean
  
• 
  Slightly expensive but quality build makes up for it plus all the money you will save not buying bottled carbonated water
  

 Check Price Now

Conclusion

Many people avoid drinking carbonated water thinking that it might be bad for health. The good news for them is there is no valid evidence to prove all the myths about carbonated water. In fact, a lot of research says the opposite. So, you can sip sparkling water from a carbonation machine or a can with zero guilt. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it also has a handful of health benefits for your body.

Mineral water is obtained from natural underground mineral springs and underground reservoirs. Minerals are minute elements contained in rocks. These elements enter and dissolve into the water as they pass through the rocks. A majority of the minerals vital to our health that we seek through our food choices are found in mineral water.

#1 Overall

• Waterdrop Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

• 
  380 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Removes up to 98-percent of chemicals, heavy metals, sediment, and other contaminants then adds good minerals
  
  Modular all-in-one filter design for easy maintenance
  
  Comes with a complete DIY-friendly installation kit
  
  EPA approved
  
• 
  More expensive than most systems
  
  Requires basic plumbing tools like wrenches and teflon tape
  

 Check Price Now

Runner Up

• Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis Filter

• 
  249 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Removes solids smaller than 1 micron to purify drinking water
  
  Introduces calcium, potassium and magnesium into purified water to remineralise it
  
  Reduces over 74 contaminants, metals, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals
  
  Targets chlorine and ammonia via carbon filtration
  
• 
  Bulky system requires space
  
  Tank needs to be maintained and kept clean
  

 Check Price Now

Budget Pick

• Whirlpool WHER25 Reverse Osmosis Filtration System

• 
  172 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Cheapest option in the recommended list
  
  Eradicates traces of chlorine, sediments and other impurities from tap water
  
  Small filtration system saves space
  
  Ultra-Ease Filtration Replacement features for hassle-free changes
  
• 
  Durability complaints by some users
  
  Lower filtration capacity compared to other systems
  

 Check Price Now

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Our water scientists and engineers spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers .

Learn more about our team of water experts

Bottled mineral water is typically regarded as a healthy source of minerals as it can provide your body with minerals that it can’t produce on its own. Unfortunately bottled water is loosely regulated and studies show it may contain harmful contaminants. Luckily there are products available to turn your tap water into the purest mineral water in the world.

There are numerous mineral water health benefits. Before discussing them in detail, let us look at the different minerals that water contains.

Here are a few minerals that mineral water contains.

Calcium

One of the most important minerals that water contains is calcium. The role of calcium in maintaining healthy and strong bones is unparalleled. Hence, the calcium content in vitamin water is essential for the healthy development of your bones and teeth.

Magnesium

Water also contains another essential mineral called magnesium. Magnesium plays an incredibly important role in transforming food into energy.

Potassium

Water also entails high contents of potassium. This uber-important mineral not only helps balance the fluid within the human body but also helps the heart function normally. Moreover, it helps in water retention and protects your body against a stroke and kidney stones.

Sodium

Water also contains a sufficient amount of sodium. Sodium is another extremely vital element for the smooth functioning of the human body.This essential electrolyte helps maintain the balance of water around your cells and your blood pressure. Moreover, it helps in the efficient functioning of your nerves and muscles.

Copper

Copper is another mineral found in water that is important for the growth and development of red blood cells. Moreover, not only does this vital element maintain healthy bones, blood vessels and nerves, but it also helps your immune system function properly.

Zinc

Water also contains huge amounts of zinc. This is an incredibly important element and is generally found in cells throughout the body. Not only does it encourage cell development, but it also helps the immune system fight off bacteria and other viruses. Moreover, your body requires zinc to make protein and DNA.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an important mineral that is essential in the formation of bones and teeth. It also plays an integral role in how your body utilizes carbohydrates and fat. Moreover, phosphorus is required by the body to repair, maintain and grow cells and tissues.

Iron

Iron is a pivotal mineral that helps in the production of hemoglobin; a protein that helps transport oxygen within the blood. Mineral water contains a high content of iron, giving your body the means to transport as much oxygen as possible.

Bicarbonate

Another essential mineral contained in mineral water is bicarbonate. This important element helps buffer lactic acid while reducing the acidity of many dietary items. Moreover, bicarbonate also greatly helps in the smooth functioning of your digestive system.

Mineral Water Health Benefits

Mineral water contains an abundance of different minerals and organic elements; hence, it has a lot of benefits. Here are a few mineral water health benefits you need to know.

Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Consistently high blood pressure levels can lead to hypertension, which let’s face it, can be pretty dangerous. Lack of calcium and magnesium can cause your blood pressure levels to rise, increasing the chances of heart disease. Since mineral water is a great source of both calcium and magnesium, it can help lower your blood pressure levels.

Lowers Cholesterol

Mineral water contains high amounts of magnesium and potassium. It’s important to know that both these elements are incredibly important in the smooth functioning of the human body. Hence, mineral water can help bring cholesterol levels under control.

Promotes Digestion

Do you ever feel the need to gulp when you overeat? That is because mineral water helps in digestion. The bicarbonate content of mineral water increases the secretion of amylase from the pancreas, making your digestive system work more efficiently.

Promotes Healthy Bones

Calcium is extremely essential to maintain healthy bone development through all stages of life. Since mineral water is considered to have high contents of calcium, it helps keep your bones strong and healthy. Moreover, it is easier for your body to absorb calcium from mineral water as compared to other sources such as dairy products.

Apart from calcium, the bicarbonate and magnesium content of mineral water help increase your bone density and support strong bones.

Benefits the Heart

Another astonishing benefit of drinking mineral water is protection against heart disease. The magnesium content of the water can benefit the heart in more than one way and reduce the risk of heart diseases. However, further research is required to understand the full benefits of mineral water for your heart.

Helps Constipation

Mineral water is rich in magnesium. This helps in preventing and treating constipation. By drawing water into the intestines, magnesium helps the intestinal muscles relax; hence, making your stool softer and easier to pass. However, this is only possible if you maintain an ample amount of water intake.

Helps Clear Your Skin

Most of the minerals found in mineral water are incredibly vital for maintaining healthy and clear skin. Moreover, mineral water also helps keep your skin moisturized and wrinkle-free for longer!

Good for Arthritis

As mineral water contains calcium, it makes your bones stronger. Hence, it’s not a surprise that it also helps combat issues related to arthritis and rheumatism.

In short, mineral water contains a majority of the minerals that your body needs. Hence, it plays a vital role in delivering some much-needed minerals to your body, keeping it fit and healthy!

Water filters have become essential items in many homes. For people who live in areas with hard water, water filters are necessary to prevent their water from tasting chalky and dull. These filters use ion exchange to filter out undesirable minerals that alter the taste of freshwater.

Best Overall

• Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 7.0

• 
  285 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  4 ionized alkaline continuously variable; 1 non-ionized purified; 2 ionized acidic presets.
  
  7 platinum coated titanium, long-life, durable, energy-efficient plates
  
  Long-life, hi-tech filter purifies over 1,585 gal. of water and last up to a year
  
  Unit cleans itself by reversing polarity after each use and auto-plate washing itself every 10.5 gal
  
• 
  Requires additional filter for chlorine
  

 Check Price Now

Runner Up

• bawell Platinum Alkaline Water Ionizer Machine

• 
  205 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Easiest to install on the market
  
  High capactiy with forever manufacturer warranty
  
  The Internal 2 Stage Water Filter System gives you cleaner more purified drinking water
  
• 
  Reduces flow slightly but still acceptable
  

  
  Requires minimum water pressure of 20lbs Per Square Inch of Constant water pressure (20psi) supplied by tap or well water pressure
  

 Check Price Now

Budget Pick

• Level Up Way Ionizer Bottle

• 
  59 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Infuses additional hydrogen molecules into your drinking water, for spectacular effects.
  
  Getting rid of chlorine and ozone residue, you’ll be left only with hydrogen rich water.
  
  10 minutes of hydrogen inhalation is equal to drinking 2 liters of hydrogen rich water
  
  30 days Money Back Guarantee, One Year Hassle Free Warranty, and a friendly customer service
  
• 
  Does not remove as many contaminants as more expensive units
  

 Check Price Now

Why Trust Waterful.org?

Our water scientists and engineers spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers .

Learn more about our team of water experts

Humans have used various water filtration methods throughout history, many of which relied on sieve-like designs that removed particles from water. Some of these were devised using cylinders filled with coarse gravel and fine sand, while others used cloth to filter out physical impurities.

These filtration methods were considered revolutionary for their time, but are mostly obsolete compared to the ion exchange filtration methods we have access to in the 21st century.

The modern ion exchange water filters we see today were first introduced in the early 1900s. They were created to help comply with the water quality standards that had been adopted by a number of countries at the time.

Ion exchange filters have made the water purification process incredibly easy, and can improve the taste of water immensely. Let’s look at how the ion exchange process works.

Minerals in water

Most freshwater found around the planet contains some minerals. Some of these minerals may not necessarily be harmful to consume, however, they can alter the taste of water if their concentration is high enough.

Freshwater found in areas with lots of limestone tends to be “hard”. This means it has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. Hard water tastes chalky and “chemically”, and isn’t well suited for cooking or being used in beverages.

Other kinds of freshwater may have high concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, and arsenic. These can be hazardous to your health, and should definitely be removed before consuming such water.

What hard water filters do

A hard water filter removes calcium and magnesium ions from water that is filtered through it. This reduces the hardness of the water and gives it a more neutral taste.

Such filters contain ion exchange resins that the water passes through the during the filtration process. These resins are made from polymers that bind to positively charged ions such as calcium and magnesium and remove them from water.

However, removing positively charged ions from water can give it a net negative charge. So these ions need to be replaced with other positively charged ions from minerals that don’t alter the taste of water.

The resin water filter system on a calcium water filter is usually coated in sodium ions which are positively charged. These sodium ions replace the calcium and magnesium ions that were removed, in order to balance the concentration of positive and negative ions in the water.

This is considered a desirable exchange as the sodium ions replacing the calcium and magnesium ions do not alter the taste of water noticeably. This reduction in water “hardness” has led to some of these filters being referred to as “ionic water softeners”

What anion filters do

Anion filters are similar to hard water filters in that they replace certain ions in water with other less-harmful or less taste-altering ones. However, the key difference between the two is that anion filters filter out the negatively charged ions from water, while hard filters filter out positively charged ions.

These negatively charged ions include sulfates, nitrates, and arsenic which are hazardous to your health. Anion exchange has been used to make drinking water safe in many countries. Access to quality filtration can be a life and death matter for many people across the globe, so it’s great that affordable anion filters are widely available.

Ionizer water machines

Ion exchange filters are far more popular than their alternative – ionizer water machines or water ionizers. Water ionizers can be prohibitively expensive compared to ion exchange filters, and they may not be of use to most people.

The goal of water ionizers isn’t to purify water, but to split it into acidic and alkaline components. It does this through the process of electrolysis.

A typical water ionizer contains a water filter that is connected to your household’s water tap. This filter removes physical particles from the water before it is sent through the ionizer. This water then passes over “plates” in the ionizer that are electrically charged.

The positively charged plate attracts the negatively charged alkaline ions such as hydroxide (OH-), while the negatively charged plate attracts the positively charged acidic ions such as hydrogen (H+).

This process separates the water into an acidic stream and an alkaline stream that can be collected individually. It is believed that drinking the alkaline water provides health benefits, while the acidic water can be used for a variety of external applications.

However, the benefits of this alkaline water have been disputed, and are not backed up by scientific studies.

Acidic water can be used as an antibacterial cleaner, hand-sanitizer, make-up remover, cleanser and exfoliator.

Filters vs ionizers

Filters are better at accomplishing the task of removing particular ions from your drinking water. They are cheap, widely available, and can be replaced easily. Industrial anion exchange resins last between 4 and 8 years, while cation exchange resins last between 10 and 15 years.

Water ionizers don’t have a given lifespan, however, they may be more expensive to repair compared to ion filters which are relatively cheap.

Which is right for me?

If you live in an area where the groundwater is in contact with limestone, your water is likely to be hard. You can easily soften this water using a hard water or a calcium filter.

If you live in an area where the groundwater contains a lot of negatively charged ions such as sulphates and nitrates, you should opt to use an anion filter.

Everyone should have access to quality drinking water in the modern era, and ion exchange filters have helped provide this access to billions of people across the globe.

We can have all the cold fizzy drinks we want, but nothing quenches thirst quite like a glass of clean, cold water.  Conversely, our desire to consume water can be knocked out of kilter because very few things in life are as gross as a mouthful of water that smells of rotten eggs.

#1 Undersink

• Waterdrop Undersink Tankless Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

• 
  295 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Removes up to 99-percent of chemicals, heavy metals, sediment, and other contaminants then adds healthy minerals back
  
  Modular all-in-one filter design for easy maintenance
  
  Comes with a complete DIY-friendly installation kit
  
  NSF-Certified, EPA approved
  
• 
  Requires basic plumbing tools like wrenches and teflon tape
  

 Check Price Now

#1 Countertop

• Berkey Countertop Water Filter

• 
  1,083 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Light-weight, portable, and easily moved around the counter top
  
  Removes viruses, protozoa, TMHs, drugs and other chemicals
  
  Safe to use, durable and long lasting
  
  The system has been tested countless times to produce brilliant results
  
• 
  Needs to be broken in properly to ensure filtering correctly
  

 Check Price Now

#1 Whole House

• Aquasana Whole House Filter System

• 
  719 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Filters an astounding one million gallon of water and is expected to last a decade
  
  The UV filter protects against viruses and bacteria from festering and growing
  
  Multiple filtration systems provide your whole house with clean water for all needs
  
  Easy to install and easy to function
  
• 
  More expensive than smaller systems but lasts much longer
  
  May need professional assistance depending on current plumbing system
  

 Check Price Now

#1 for Fridge

• Culligan Inline Fridge Filter

• 
  455 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Long lasting and durable, this system can pump around 3,000 gallons of water
  
  No cumbersome maintenance required
  
  Filters out heavy chemicals, metals and chlorine compounds with its 4-filtration systems
  
  One of the cheapest water filtration systems for homes and offices
  
• 
  May run into minor leaking issues
  
  Easy installation unless your fridge is over 20 years old
  

 Check Price Now

Why Trust Waterful.org?

Our water scientists and engineers spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers .

Learn more about our team of water experts

If you are interested in ensuring the purity of your residential water supply, you will have to do a bit of research. Once you find out that you need a well water filtration system, you can look around and find the most effective filters for the intended purpose.

Best of all, you will be able to find the ideal filter without making too massive a dent in your wallet.

However, it very important to find out precisely what needs filtering before you purchase a well water filter.  For this purpose, you will need a well water testing kit to determine the nature of the impurities in your water supply. 

Duly armed with the right knowledge, you can get the desired filter of your choice. One that will help keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy all year long.

How Would You Know If the Water Is Clean Enough?

It is imperative that you should test the water as thoroughly and as soon as possible. This holds true if you are one of the millions of people who routinely use water from a private well. You should also get your water checked in case you are just plain unsure about the quality of your drinking and cooking water supply.  There are many different ways of testing your water supply to determine if it is safe for human consumption.

Some of them include the following:

Visual Confirmation

This is the quickest, easiest and by far the single most affordable way to check your water supply. If you see large brown clouds or tiny particles in the water, it is almost certainly not safe to drink or for any other use as well. Similarly, any unusual smell or taste suggests a high level of contamination due to particle based pollutants and chemicals such as iron, chloramine and also highly dangerous bacteria.

Well Water Testing Kit

There exist many contaminants that are odorless and colorless but nonetheless very dangerous. In order to find out if they exist in your well water supply, you will have to use home water quality test kits. They are easily available both online or at local hardware stores. These kits usually contain strips that change color whenever they are exposed to certain contaminants in your water.  This will give you a rough idea of the presence of certain water contaminants. However, such kits can only help you to find out about certain substances, not all of them. For example, there may be coliform in well water and you won’t even know about it.

If you want a more comprehensive report you are better off sending samples of your drinking water supply to your local state-certified water testing lab. Once you have the lab results in hand, you can go about finding the ideal well water treatment systems for your home.  This is very important because different filtration systems work only with specific types of contaminants. Conversely, they may not work as well for other ones. Let us check out some of the best well water filtration systems  for your home:

1.      Activated Carbon Filters

They are also known as pre-filters or carbon filters. They are a great way of removing large particles such as sediments and silt from your well water supply. They are able to work by first attracting and subsequently absorbing these contaminants into the filter, so as to remove their harmful presence from the drinking and cooking water gushing from your faucet.

An activated carbon filter can also help to remove the bitter taste of chlorine along with many residual odors from your drinking water supply.  Always remember, the lesser the contamination, the purer and healthier the water. Finally, an activated carbon filter is also widely considered to be the cheapest way to remove iron from well water.

2.      Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis is the very best whole house water filter for well water. It is very popular because it can effectively remove all the different types of contaminants that can prove to be harmful to your health as well as the health of your loved ones. This is one of the most effective treatments against any sort of pollution in your water supply.  The end result of the RO process results in crystal clean, clear and odor-free water

3.      Alkaline and Water Ionizers

This type of filter normally uses a process known as electrolysis.  Here, the water is repeatedly passed over plates that are electrically charged and it is separated into two separate streams. One alkaline and the other acidic.

This is the best treatment for hard water. In fact, properly ionized water is always much softer than untreated hard water. It will foam easily and make it much easier to wash your clothes. It is also much better for your skin too.

4.      Ultra Violet (UV) Filters

These are state of the art filters and are considered to be the newest technologies in the water filtration system market. Strong ultraviolet radiation can easily help treat water by destroying the various bacteria that can prove injurious to your health.

If you are interested in a really environmentally friendly way of purifying all of your water supply, this great filter can actually be the perfect answer to all your concerns.  This is because it does not need any chemicals or heat energy to be effective.

5.      Infrared Filters

IR filters work like their alkaline filter counterparts by helping to soften your water supply. Filters equipped with IR technology will be of great help If the well water in your home is particularly hard. This type of filter uses both heat and light to negatively charge your water supply and give it a much softer feel.

6.      Gravity Fed Filters

These filtration systems are often equipped with fluoride and arsenic filters. When combined together, both of these elements can easily remove more than 99.99% of pathogenic bacteria such as E.coli, from your water supply. Once installed, you can be sure that you will get fresh and pure water for both drinking and cooking purposes.

Conclusion

If you are not sure about the quality of your well water, you should get it professionally tested and get the best filter based on the contamination present in the water. Your family’s health depends upon it!

While it is certainly true that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally regulates public water supplies, this certainly does not mean that your water is completely clean.

#1 Undersink

• Waterdrop Undersink Tankless Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

• 
  295 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Removes up to 99-percent of chemicals, heavy metals, sediment, and other contaminants then adds healthy minerals back
  
  Modular all-in-one filter design for easy maintenance
  
  Comes with a complete DIY-friendly installation kit
  
  NSF-Certified, EPA approved
  
• 
  Requires basic plumbing tools like wrenches and teflon tape
  

 Check Price Now

#1 Countertop

• Berkey Countertop Water Filter

• 
  1,083 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Light-weight, portable, and easily moved around the counter top
  
  Removes viruses, protozoa, TMHs, drugs and other chemicals
  
  Safe to use, durable and long lasting
  
  The system has been tested countless times to produce brilliant results
  
• 
  Needs to be broken in properly to ensure filtering correctly
  

 Check Price Now

#1 Whole House

• Aquasana Whole House Filter System

• 
  719 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Filters an astounding one million gallon of water and is expected to last a decade
  
  The UV filter protects against viruses and bacteria from festering and growing
  
  Multiple filtration systems provide your whole house with clean water for all needs
  
  Easy to install and easy to function
  
• 
  More expensive than smaller systems but lasts much longer
  
  May need professional assistance depending on current plumbing system
  

 Check Price Now

#1 for Fridge

• Culligan Inline Fridge Filter

• 
  455 Reviews
  
  
  
• 
  Long lasting and durable, this system can pump around 3,000 gallons of water
  
  No cumbersome maintenance required
  
  Filters out heavy chemicals, metals and chlorine compounds with its 4-filtration systems
  
  One of the cheapest water filtration systems for homes and offices
  
• 
  May run into minor leaking issues
  
  Easy installation unless your fridge is over 20 years old
  

 Check Price Now

Why Trust Waterful.org?

Our water scientists and engineers spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers .

Learn more about our team of water experts

In other words, various contaminants such as asbestos, chlorine, copper, cadmium, fluoride, and many more similar chemicals can find their way into your drinking water supply. Here, in order to thoroughly assess whether or not you should actually get a water purifier or filter, you will need to understand your water source as well as its potential contamination points.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that if you are getting your water supply from a private well, you should get it properly tested by a state-certified lab[1]. Ideally this should be done at least once per annum.

In case you get your drinking water from a municipal power utility, you will regularly get a report from the Environmental Protection Agency. This report will be attached to your monthly water bill and will describe the quality of your water supply as well as any contaminants found in it.

You might decide to get a tap water filter just to improve the overall taste of your tap water. This holds true even if the poor taste is not really due to anything harmful or detrimental to your health. It is pertinent to note that the CDC regularly warns that many water-based contaminants cannot be tasted, seen, or smelled.

If you get your drinking water tested from an authorized source and the report states that there dangerous amounts of microbes in it, you will need a water purifier. This also holds true if there is a lot of lead for instance. Apart from that, there might be nitrates, arsenic, chlorine or other contaminants in the water.  In all such cases, you will need a water filtration system, that can safely and specifically address all of these concerns.

Do Water Filters Really Work?

In a nutshell yes, they really do work as advertised. In fact, you can always test your water in different ways and see just what kind of difference a filter will make to your life. The best way to tell if a filter is actually working is to just simply measure the contamination levels in your unfiltered tap water with the water from your filter.  

If there is no clear difference between the two, the odds are that the filter is too old, or it has not been installed properly. In either case, it will look like the filter is not working the way it should.

What to Look for in a Good Quality Water Filter?

Before looking for a water filter it is very important that you look at your water.  Exactly, what sort of contaminants are present in it? If it is the usual standard stuff such as mercury, chlorine, and pesticides, you can use a simple tap water filtration system.

On the other hand, if your water supply is severely contaminated, and contains heavy concentrations of bacteria and lead (Plumbum), you might need to purchase a reverse osmosis water filtration system.  If not that, you will need at least the best faucet filter money can buy.  

However, with lead contamination, it will be a good idea to make sure that you purchase a filter that has been duly certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). This is the only way to ensure that your filtration system can safely remove the harmful lead content in your water supply.

Since there are so many different types of contaminants around, it will be a very good idea to check them all, with the help of the official water report from your water supply utility. It will help you to find out just what kind of filer you need for a regular supply of safe and healthy drinking water.

What Type of Filtering do You Need for Your Drinking Water Supply?

No single filter will be able to remove all of the contaminants in the water. This is why it is much more important to select the best tap water filter around, for your water source.

Let us take a quick look at the different kinds of filters available today.

• Under-Sink Water Filters

Some of the best under-sink filters tend to be on the expensive side. However, these premium options are permanently installed under the kitchen sink and they will easily filter all of your drinking and cooking water through multiple stages. They are worth the cost because they can remove more contaminants than most other types of filters around. Apart from that, they can also filter large amounts of water at the same time.

•  Pour-Through or Carafe Filters 

They are by far and large, some of the simplest water filters available today. The filter fits snugly inside a  pitcher so that you would be able to keep it in your refrigerator.  This will ensure that you have a drink of cold and refreshing water whenever you feel thirsty. They are pretty inexpensive and easy to use. However, the main filtration unit of these filters has a very short lifespan and it can only filter a small amount of water at one time.

• Faucet Water Filter

Some of the best faucet water filters offer plenty of value for money. It is exactly what it sounds like. I.e., a water filter that is screwed directly onto the water faucet in your kitchen.  It will filter most of the common contaminants in your water and make sure it is safe for both cooking and drinking purposes. It requires minimal installation and can get the job done, even on a tight budget.

• Countertop Filters 

They are ideal for filtering large quantities of water and you won’t even need to modify the plumbing in your home. Countertop filters rarely ever clog up and they can last a long time.

Conclusion

In light of the above, we can safely state that water filters are absolutely critical for the health and wellbeing of your whole family. You should get one today!

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/home-water-treatment/water-filters/step1.html

We can have all the cold fizzy drinks we want, but nothing quenches thirst quite like a glass of clean, cold water.  Conversely, our desire to consume water can be knocked out of kilter because very few things in life are as gross as a mouthful of water that smells of rotten eggs.

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If you have to hold your nose with your finger and thumb when you drink tap water, you have a lot of company. In fact, many Americans who drink tap or well water complain of some sort of odor emanating from their freshwater supply.

The good news is that most of the common odors and flavors that you find in tap water are not really harmful to your health at all. On the contrary, the sulfur and other trace minerals present in your water supply can do a really good job of keeping you safe and healthy from many common illnesses.

Different Types of Water Odors and Their Sources

Ultimately, how your water will smell, and taste usually has a lot to do with the overall quality of the water source. As a general rule, most utilities typically focus on the active prevention of the transmission of various water-borne diseases. This is by far the most important part of their job.

While they may try their level best to control odor and taste-related issues, they don’t always succeed in doing so, to the complete satisfaction of the end consumer.

o   Chlorine

For example, chlorine is now widely considered to be one of the single most common offenders when it comes to smelly water. This holds particularly true for water sources that are based on a municipal water system. This widely used chemical is generally used in various water-treatment facilities in order to get rid of all kinds of disease-causing viruses, bacteria as well as parasites.

Usually, the water utilities are told to use just enough chlorine to get the job done right. But sometimes, it so happens that they overdo it. The excess chlorine in water can certainly make it smell and taste different.

o   Dimethyl Disulfide

Other common causes of odor in the water include naturally occurring compounds that may be located close to the source of the water supply.  These include various algae and other microorganisms and all of them combined can make your drinking water taste and smell markedly different.

 If your water smells like stale vegetables, the odds are that the culprit is a chemical known as sulfur. It occurs naturally in soil and is produced by various microorganisms that survive in oxygen-poor environments. It is possible to both taste and smell it, even if it is present in very minute quantities.

o   Geosmin

Geosmin compounds are released by certain species of algae that prefer to live in or near various freshwater sources such as rivers and lakes.  They create a certain musty and earthy aroma in drinking water. And again, even a very small amount can easily cause the water to smell.  Geosmin is seasonal in nature and you might notice various seasonal fluctuations in many of these odors as well.  Usually, late summer is the time when most algae bloom and die, and this is reflected in the pungency of your water supply.

The Sulfur Smell in the Water

Sulfur water may not smell very good, but it certainly does not mean that it is bad for your body. While, everything in excess can be harmful, a little bit of sulfur can prove to be very beneficial for you.

o   What Exactly Is Sulfur Water?

 Sulfur water is typically caused by minute quantities of hydrogen sulfur gas in your water supply. It can enter your water supply in the following ways:

• Soil, stones, and rocks that contain sulfur can seep into the water supply

• Sulfate-reducing bacteria can convert various compounds into a form of hydrogen sulfide gas
• The water heater in your home produces the gas

The Core Benefits of Sulfur

Sulfur is a very common compound and it is found in many popular food items that you may consume on a daily basis.  It is actually quite beneficial for your everyday nutritional needs because it improves the overall quality of your skin, hair, and connective tissues. And this is irrespective of the sulfur smell in water.

 However, in case your hot water smells like rotten eggs, you might have excessive sulfur in your water supply. In the long run, it can lead to various stomach disorders and decrease the quality of your life. Apart from that, excessivesulfate in your water can also lead to slime that will eventually clog your water pipes and stain clothing.

 It can also reduce the power of bleach and make it much more difficult to clean and wash your clothes adequately. This holds particularly true if your well water smells like rotten eggs. This means the sulfur content in the subsoil has permeated your water supply. If you feel you have excess sulfur in your water supply, you might consider removing it.

o   Iron Removal Filter Method

One of the easiest ways of removing sulfur is via an iron removal filter that can remove low to medium amounts of hydrogen sulfide. Apart from that, such filters can also remove excess quantities of manganese and iron. The filter can oxidize the hydrogen sulfide, by easily converting it into insoluble sulfur. Once that happens, it will remove it via the filtering process.

The filtration system will need to be regularly recharged with potassium permanganate equipped filters. This recharging process that ensures that the filter system works perfectly fine all year long. The installation and the operating instructions of the manufacturer have to be followed very precisely.  The filter will need to be replaced very regularly if you want your water’s sulfur content reduced to acceptable limits.

Conclusion

In light of the above, we can safely conclude that sulfur is good for health and can help in the nourishment of your hair and your skin. However, excessive sulfur in your water will lead to a bad smell and you will have to filter it out.