Fluoride is a mineral commonly added to tap water to improve dental health. However, while it has many benefits, too much fluoride can harm the body. This article will explore the best ways to remove fluoride from tap water.
Why You Should Remove Fluoride from Tap Water
There are several reasons why one should consider removing fluoride from their tap water:
- To Prevent Health Risks – Excessive fluoride intake can lead to various health problems, as discussed above. Removing it from your tap water can help reduce the risk of these health issues.
- To Ensure Safe Drinking Water – Fluoride levels in tap water can vary, and sometimes they may exceed the recommended levels, making the water unsafe to drink. Removing fluoride from your tap water can ensure that you have safe and clean drinking water.
- To Improve The Taste Of Water – Fluoride can alter the taste of water, making it unpleasant to drink. Removing it can improve the taste of your tap water.
- To Protect The Environment – Fluoride is a toxic chemical that can harm the environment if it is not properly disposed of. By removing it from your tap water, you can help reduce its impact on the environment.
Easiest Ways To Remove Flouride From Tap Water
So, removing fluoride from tap water is a wise decision that can improve your health, ensure safe drinking water, enhance water taste, and protect the environment. There are several methods to remove fluoride from tap water, including reverse osmosis, activated alumina, and ion exchange resin which I’ll discuss in detail below.
Reverse Osmosis
One of the most effective ways to remove fluoride from tap water is by using a reverse osmosis (RO) system. This system works by using a semi-permeable membrane to filter out contaminants, including fluoride, from your water. Reverse osmosis systems are highly effective at removing fluoride, and can also remove other contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and bacteria.
Activated Alumina
Another option for removing fluoride from tap water is to use an activated alumina filter. This type of filter uses a special type of alumina, which is a type of aluminum oxide, to absorb the fluoride from your water. Activated alumina filters are highly effective at removing fluoride, and can also remove other contaminants such as arsenic and lead.
Distillation
Distillation is another method for removing fluoride from tap water. This process works by boiling the water and then collecting the steam, which is then condensed back into a clean and pure water source. The distillation process leaves behind any contaminants, including fluoride, that were present in the original water source.
Deionization
Deionization is a process that removes ions, including fluoride ions, from water using ion exchange resins. It is a more advanced method of removing fluoride from water, but it can be more expensive and complex to install.
Water Pitchers with Fluoride Filters
Another option for removing fluoride from your tap water is to use a water pitcher with a fluoride filter. These pitchers work by using a filter to remove the fluoride from your tap water before it is dispensed into your cup or glass. There are several different types of fluoride filters available for water pitchers, including activated carbon filters, ceramic filters, and reverse osmosis filters.
We did extensive research on the best types of water filters and the best brands to bring you a comprehensive list of the best fluoride water filters for your home.
They range vastly in the type of filtration provided and cost to ensure that you receive a broad-spectrum look to decide what type of water system you want in your home.
Our buying guide breaks down the decision-making process to help reduce stress and get you clean water as fast as you need. All of the filters listed will remove fluoride from your water.
Best Fluoride Water Filter Review
1. APEC Water Systems RO-90 Reverse Osmosis (Remove Fluoride)
APEC is known for making high-quality products, and the RO-90 Ultimate Series is no different. The system impressed me, as did the user manual and customer service.
This RO filter significantly decreases the contaminants in water by utilizing five different stages of filters. Before the water comes through the faucet, it will first go through a sediment filter.
Then it will flow through two carbon blocks, a reverse osmosis membrane and a coconut carbon filter. These five filters work together to ensure that your water is safe to drink.
Five-Step Filtration System
First, the sediment filter removes the water’s dirt or other small particles. The first of the two carbon blocks take out volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chlorine, cloudiness, discoloration, and other chemicals in the water.
The second carbon block will catch anything that was not removed in the sediment filter or the first carbon block. It also continues to purify the water’s taste, color, and odor.
The RO membrane is where a lot of the magic happens. It removes thousands of small contaminants, including arsenic and lead. The RO membrane is essential to the success of the filter.
The refining coconut carbon filter is fairly unique to this filtration system and is a “catch-all” for anything the previous four filtration stages might have missed.
Faucet Included
The chrome-finished faucet that you need is included with this system. This is great for those with chrome finishes in their house but might not match those with other finishes on the rest of their appliances or cabinets.
The faucet is quite specific to the system, so you may need to drill a hole in your countertop to install it.
At-Home Installation
Though the faucet might be a challenge depending on the type of faucet you currently have, overall, this entire system is fairly easy to install. It is one of the biggest assets I found other than the significantly cleaner water.
If you have a basic understanding of tools and how to use them, you can install this filter. The instruction manual was also easy to follow, which made the installation even smoother.
To learn more about APEC Reverse Osmosis, Click here.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Under The Sink
- Weight: 25 Pounds
- Purification: Reverse Osmosis, Carbon Block
- Warranty: 2 Year Manufacturer
- Components: RO-90
Why We Love It
This fluoride water filter lasts for up to a year and is easy to maintain. It is designed and manufactured in the USA. It has high-quality customer service and comes with a great user manual.
Keep In Mind
It is on the larger side for an under-sink RO system. You have to use the faucet given. It can be challenging to install if you are unfamiliar with basic plumbing or tools.
2. Clearly Filtered – Best Fluoride Water Filter Pitcher
This is an imposing pitcher. It is made well and has a lifetime guarantee, which offsets any issues that might come up with the pitcher itself. The pitcher is perfect for college students, couples, or even families, depending on your need, and can fit in a refrigerator.
Filtering Out Contaminants
This is a filter that truly does its job. It removes, with up to 98% efficiency, everything from fluoride, lead, microplastics, and bacteria to chlorine, pharmaceutical, BPA, VOCs, mercury, and arsenic.
It covers all of the most common contaminants in tap water. There are over 230 contaminants that are filtered out in this pitcher. It truly does its job across the board.
The Components
The pitcher has four main components, all made without BPA, BPS, or phthalates. The four components are the pitcher, reservoir, pitcher filter, and filter flushing disk.
The reservoir holds the water while it is being filtered. The pitcher filter will need to be replaced over time, depending on how much you use the filter. It is a simple but effective design.
The Efficiency
If you are a renter and cannot install or change anything in your home, or if installing an entire filtering system is out of your reach, then this is the perfect solution.
It can be refilled and popped in the refrigerator while you are gone, so you have fresh, clean water when you get home. It also has a fairly high capacity compared to other filtration pitchers.
To learn more about the top 10 Water Pitchers, click here.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Families
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
- Manufacturer: Clearly Filtered
- Color: Clear
- Capacity: 10 Cups
Why We Love It
This small pitcher filter is perfect for use in an apartment or home. It is a good value and removes large amounts of contaminants without installation or electricity.
Keep In Mind
It might not be the most efficient for families as it does not have a large capacity. You will constantly need to be filling the pitcher and letting the water filter through.
3. Woder 10K-FRM-DC Fluoride Filter
This filter is quite specific to filtering out fluoride, but in doing so, it removes other contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals, and lead. It is a simple but effective filtration system that meets particular needs.
Why Fluoride?
Most municipalities add fluoride into the water during the sanitation process. If you receive municipal water, there is a high likelihood of fluoride in your water.
Most municipalities do not actively market this. Whether you have an allergy or just don’t want your water to have fluoride, this is a great solution for removing fluoride from your water.
Installation and Usage
I found this water filter extremely simple to install. The filter comes assembled; all you need to do is hook it into your existing cold water line.
The fittings are high-quality and work very well. It shouldn’t take more than half an hour and might take as little as 10 minutes to install.
It doesn’t take up much space under your sink, so you don’t lose much storage. Additionally, the filters last up to two years without needing to be replaced.
Zero Waste
Suppose you have municipal water that is of decent quality. In that case, this is a great option because it removes most additives in the water and further filters out already-processed water.
The filter itself has no water waste than an RO system, which can waste up to 5 gallons per gallon of water produced. Any water that goes into the system comes out the other end.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Leak free Install
- Weight: 5.4 Pounds
- Purification: Reverse Osmosis
- Flow Rate: 1.32 Gallons Per Minute
- Components: Built-In Water Filter
Why We Love It
This is a simple system that is quite specific and specialized. It wasted no water in the filtration process and took under half an hour to install.
Keep In Mind
The system only works with cold water already filtered through a municipality. It is quite restrictive in what it filters, which can only be used for particular purposes.
4. Home Master TMAFC – Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
This filter is made for long-term usage. It has been proven to decrease the most common contaminants in water significantly.
Internal systems are in place to aid the entire system’s longevity, and the company specializes in home filtration systems.
7-Step Filtration Process with Modular Design
Seven different filters comprise the overall filter system. The system is designed to be highly efficient and move water through as quickly as possible.
Besides having some of the best filters on the market, the system is modular, so changing the filters is simple and takes very little time.
In some RO filters, mineral buildup can cause filter change to be a pain, but these are attached and detached easily and efficiently. The filters are also designed to last about a year or 2,000 gallons.
No Need to Replace Faucet
This system does not require a full faucet replacement but comes with a small spigot installed into your countertop.
The spigot isn’t as large as your faucet, so that it won’t push water out as quickly. However, it has a decent flow and outputs clean, delicious water.
You may need to drill a hole into your counter to install the spigot, but it looks nice and should work well with your faucet.
Reduces Wasted Water
RO systems are notorious for wasting water. They are amazing at getting water clean as a system, but sometimes the amount of water wasted is fairly large.
This specific pump has a permeate pump that doesn’t use electricity, reducing the wasted water. The system was designed to reduce as much wasted water as possible and can reduce wasted water up to 80% compared with other brands.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Highly Pure Water
- Weight: 14.1 pounds
- Purification: Reverse Osmosis, Alkaline
- Color: White
- Capacity: 2000 Gallons
Why We Love It
This water filtration system is one of the most water-efficient RO systems on the market. It has a seven-step filtration process and can be installed at home.
Keep In Mind
The faucet fixture is not as high-quality as the rest of the system. The instructions for installation can be complex if you aren’t handy with tools.
5. Megahome Countertop Water Distiller
This is a comprehensive distilling system that is made of very high-quality materials. It is a great alternative to purchasing distilled water and is very sanitary.
The Composition
To distill water, there are a lot of moving parts. The water is boiled in a stainless steel boiling chamber with coils on both the top and bottom.
The system also includes a condensing unit and activated charcoal. A one-gallon glass bottle attaches to the unit and holds the distilled water.
Electrical Use
Many people are concerned about their electrical usage when purchasing water distillation, and with good reason. The distillation system is plugged in and runs for 5.5 hours at a time, boiling water.
If you currently purchase and drink bottled distilled water, calculations have shown a year’s return on investment for the system.
Removing Contaminants
There is no complex filter system when distilling water. The simple act of boiling the water into steam and releasing it back into liquid thoroughly cleans the water and removes the contaminants.
The water can also be run through an activated carbon filter to help taste and ensure no contaminants are left in the water.
Using the activated carbon sachets is not necessary to use the distillation system, but it can remove VOCs such as chlorine, which might be present in your water depending on where you live.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Durable & Attractive
- Weight: 3.2 Kilograms
- Purification: Reverse Osmosis, Alkaline
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Power Source: Corded Electric 120volt
Why We Love It
Distilled water is expensive, and while there is the initial cost of the system and the cost of electricity to boil the water, you will have a return on your investment in about a year.
Keep In Mind
It takes a long time to get a single gallon of water. Additionally, it takes up quite a bit of precious space on the countertop.
6. Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
A gravity-fed filtration system is one of the simplest ways to clean your water. It doesn’t need electricity like a distillation system and won’t take up all of the space under your sink like an RO system. It is a great alternative to the larger systems on the market.
How It Works
This will purify 2.25 gallons of water at a time. Two stainless steel containers connect vertically with the purification elements inside.
The water pressure in the top container pushes the water down through the filter and is clean when it reaches the bottom container.
There is a spigot at the bottom container base from which you can fill cups, water bottles, or other things with clean water.
Mobility is Key
What makes this system unique is its mobility. As long as you have some space, you can take it anywhere. It does not need a lot of setups or even electricity.
You could keep it in your house, take it camping, use it at a cabin, or use it anywhere you can. It is not overly large and could be placed on a counter, side table, or kitchen table without too much intrusion into your usable space. It can withstand the outdoors and still produce the highest-quality water.
Long-Lasting Filters
The two filters can last for 6,000 gallons, equating to several years, depending on how often you use the filter. This system is designed and built for the long haul and proves to do so.
You can read the complete review by clicking here to find out more about the Big Berkey Water Filter.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Reducing viruses
- Weight: 3.1 Kilograms
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Color: Big Berkey
- Capacity: 2.25 Gallons
Why We Love It
This is a low-maintenance gravity-fed water filter. It does not need electricity or a lot of work on the installation. It purifies the water very effectively.
Keep In Mind
There was a strong rubber smell for a while, which was quite off-putting. Additionally, while the filters last a long time, the system does need to be cleaned.
7. ISpring RCS5T 500 GPD High Flow Residential Water Filter
This high-capacity RO filter can work for anything from a single-family home to a small restaurant or office building. It works into your current water system and does not take up a lot of space under your sink.
The Components
I would like to point out the lack of a common component in RO systems: a tank. This is a tankless system, which is great for saving space.
Another unique aspect of this RO filter is its dual-flow membrane, which means water can be filtered on either side of the membrane and produce up to 500 gallons per day.
A small spigot comes with a system that dispenses the water, so you will not need to replace your entire faucet; merely add in the spigot to your countertop.
If you want a storage tank, you can purchase one of several sizes the company offers that is compatible with this RO system.
The Filtration Process
This RO system has five stages of filters, which are very similar to other RO systems. The first filter is a sediment filter, which will eliminate any physical particles in the water like dust, dirt, or rust.
The second filter uses activated carbon to remove odors or colors from the water and some contaminants, such as chlorine. Then the water moves to a carbon block, purifying it and removing as much as possible from the water before sending it to the RO membrane.
The carbon block is essential to ease the stress on the RO membrane. The fourth step is the membrane itself, and the fifth is a coconut carbon to ensure the water smells, looks and tastes good.
Maintenance
‘This is a fairly low-maintenance system, though the RO membrane will need to be replaced every few years and the remaining four filters need to be replaced about every six to eight months.
Additional Specification
- Best For: High Capacity
- Weight: 32.6 pounds
- Manufacturer: iSpring
- Purification Method: Reverse Osmosis
- Capacity: 500 Gallons
Why We Love It
This system can fit under your sink and does a great job of filtering out many contaminants. It is strong enough to handle a commercial load.
Keep In Mind
It is an added cost if you want a storage tank. Additionally, the water waste ratio is fairly high, though not horrible for RO systems as a whole.
8. Home Master TMJRF2E Jr F2 Elite Sinktop Water Filtration
This is an entire water filtration system that sits right on your countertop. It is fairly small, yet it is effective in removing contaminants. This small, travel-friendly filter can take out 93% of certain contaminants, which is impressive.
Small But Powerful
Don’t underestimate this filter. It may be small, easy to install, and low-maintenance, but its filtration abilities pack quite the punch.
There are five stages of filtration in this compact filter that include two types of carbon, KDF, compression disks, and activated alumina granules.
System Components
The system sits right on your countertop and hooks into your existing faucet. It will only work with faucets that have a removable aerator tip.
A tube connects the filter to the faucet and allows the water to flow. There is a spigot that comes off of the filter to dispense the freshly filtered water.
Removing Contaminants
This filter covers a lot of bases. Each filtration step helps remove up to 93% of certain types of waste.
The contaminants treated in this system include fluoride, arsenic, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, VOCs, aluminum, chlorine, iron, lead, mercury, and hydrogen sulfide, and sediment. Other chemicals and metals are also reduced through this filtration process.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Exceptional Water Purity
- Weight: 4.55 pounds
- Manufacturer: Home Master
- Color: White
- Flow Rate: 0.5 Gallons Per Minute
Why We Love It
This is a mobile system that can be moved anywhere at any time. It significantly reduces contaminants in water and is extremely simple to install.
Keep In Mind
The filter only works with removable aerator faucets and is not universal to all faucets. While compact, it is not the most aesthetically pleasing system.
9. Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher
Pitcher filters will never be as effective as a full filtration system, but they filter out specific contaminants. This is a well-designed pitcher that filters water well, albeit slowly.
Contaminants Removed
This pitcher filter has a solid lineup of contaminants removed during filtration. It covers most major contaminants that would be present in your well or municipal water, including fluoride, chlorine, lead, mercury, arsenic, and some VOCs.
The percentage of removal depends on the contaminant. For example, there is up to 99.9% removal for lead, whereas, for fluoride, there is only up to 90.6% removal.
How It Works
The water is put into a reservoir at the pitcher’s top, which then uses gravity to run the water through the filter and into the pitcher itself.
While the water takes a while to filter through the filtration system, it is completely normal and expected for a system like this.
Fill up the reservoir before you go to school or work or even before bed, and the water will be clean when you want it.
Sustainability and Philanthropy
Aquagear does a lot with sustainability and community support. It provides bio-sand filters for communities in need. Additionally, it has a recycling system in place for when you are done using your pitcher.
The company will pay you to send back your pitcher so it can recycle the components properly. Additionally, it has a lifetime guarantee, so you can get a replacement if the pitcher breaks.
Materials Used
A lot of thought went into making sure the pitcher itself was safe. Every component is made from food-grade plastic, so nothing from the pitcher’s materials will ever leach into your water.
There is no BPA in the plastic, and the pitcher is recyclable.
This is a well-designed filter pitcher that does its job well. It fits right into your refrigerator, and the clean water tastes great.
Additional Specification
- Best For: High-capacity
- Weight: 3.02 pounds
- Brand: Aquagear
- Color: Clear
- Certification: NSF
Why We Love It
This efficient pitcher filter removes a decent amount of contaminants and is perfect for a college student, couple, or small family.
Keep In Mind
It is not efficient for larger families and is slow to filter. Also, it is geared toward specific contaminants that may not apply to certain households.
10. Santevia Gravity Water System – Countertop Model
I really enjoy how aesthetically pleasing this filtration system is. It can sit on your countertop and not draw too much attention. The filter also does its job with minimal assembly or maintenance and no need for electricity.
The Filtration Process
Despite such a simple and efficient design, a fairly complex filtration system inside your water will go through before you drink it.
First, the water will go through a ceramic pre-filter, removing sediment and stopping bacteria or parasites from entering the filtration system. The second stage includes activated carbon and charcoal, which helps with color, taste, chlorine, and certain chemicals.
The water will then flow through silica sand, which helps decrease the acidity of the water. The fourth stage the water goes through is zeolite granules, another way to stop bacteria and remove lead, mercury, detergents, chemicals, and other contaminants.
Step five is a mineral infusion, which adds healthy minerals, such as calcium, back into the water. The final step is for the water to flow through a bioceramic brae before it is ready to drink.
Using the Filter
This is a gravity-fed system, so once you fill the reservoir at the top of the system, the water’s weight will push itself through the filter, acting as its own power throughout the filtration process.
I like that you can fill it up and leave it to filter and that it has a higher capacity than a filtering pitcher does. Minimal assembly is needed and does not require any form of power source. The filter itself should be replaced annually to be most effective.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Countertop
- Weight: 8.6 Pounds
- Brand: Santevia
- Color: White
- Purification: Activated Carbon, Alkaline
Why We Love It
I liked that the filter is aesthetically pleasing and has a simple design. It purifies a good quantity of water without taking up much space or needing electricity.
Keep In Mind
There is little information about what the system is made of. Additionally, there is no way to keep the water cold as the system is fairly large and could not easily fit in a fridge.
What To Look For When Buying A Fluoride Water Filter
When looking for a water filtration system, many factors could play into which system you buy. Even the most basic systems can cost quite a bit of money, so there can be a lot riding on making the right choice.
Luckily, there are many ways to narrow down your fluoride water filtration needs. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you determine which type of filter is best for you.
Know Your Water
Before you can begin researching and purchasing a water filter, you need to know your water. There are several ways to find information.
If your municipality provides water, you can find information online or call the public works department. This can give you a good idea of what is added to your water. Fluorine is a ubiquitous additive in water.
While finding base information on your water from your municipality is a great jumping-off point, the water is tested when it leaves the facility, not when it comes out of your tap.
The water travels through miles of pipes before coming to your home, which gives avenues for contamination. Older pipes were made out of lead, and residue from the pipes might get into your water.
If you have groundwater, there can be natural contaminants or bacteria in the water. Each state provides information on the quality of water. Many tools from local and national organizations can give you even more in-depth information on your groundwater.
The best way to know your water is to get it tested. There are several ways you can do this. You could have a professional come to your house to test the water. This will likely be the most in-depth option.
A home test kit should give you all the necessary information for filtration purposes. Once you know your water, specifically its pH, whether there are heavy metals such as the lead or any chemicals, you can start to look into water filtration options.
Know Your Needs
If you are a young adult living in an urban apartment with a roommate, your needs are significantly different from those of a family of five who live in a house. You need to take a step back and determine what your needs are.
If you are renting, you are much more restricted, as you likely can’t install anything under the sink. A water filtration pitcher or gravity-fed system is probably appropriate in a rental situation.
Suppose you own a house and have a family. In that case, a filtering pitcher probably does not filter enough water for your family to drink, so a gravity-fed or reverse osmosis system is a better option.
Additionally, certain types of filters are better for different water needs. Each type of filter is most efficient when used in specific ways. Having thought about your needs and analyzed your water, let’s break down the types of filters and where they thrive.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis, or RO, can be an extremely effective way to clean your water; however, it is quite expensive and produces a lot of wastewater. Reverse osmosis will remove nearly any contaminant possible and is best used for water with many issues.
If you live in an area with contaminated water across different areas of contamination, such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and bacteria, an RO system may be the right choice for you.
Gravity-Fed
A gravity-fed system usually has a high capacity and doesn’t need any power or installation. It also usually has a straightforward assembly process.
These systems can be moved around or just left in one place. They are great for camping, staying in a cabin, or for your home. Gravity-fed systems generally have a reasonably comprehensive filtration process, especially for the most common contaminants.
Filtration Pitcher
This is the perfect solution if you live alone or have a small family and your water is decent. A filtration pitcher will clean the water and significantly reduce most major contaminants, including lead, fluoride, and chlorine.
They have a small capacity and take a bit longer to filter the water, but they can be put in the refrigerator.
Generally, filtration pitchers are a more cost-effective solution if your water is not seriously contaminated and you just want to remove major contaminants and additives such as fluoride from your water.
Fluoride Filter
Most municipalities add fluoride to their water. If you drink municipal water and do not want fluoride in your water, this type filter is exactly what you need.
It also does purify the water more and will reduce other contaminants, but its main focus is on fluoride. You cannot use this filter with hot water or if you have well water.
Distilled Water System
Possibly the purest form of water is distilled water. It has increased in popularity in the past few years; however, you typically can only get distilled water in plastic bottles.
If you drink a lot of distilled water, a system will pay for itself in about a year and save the earth a lot of plastic waste.
Why Fluoride?
While removing contaminants that already exist in water seems logical, why should you be concerned about a mineral that is purposely added into the water you drink?
Fluoride is likely in the toothpaste you use and is great for dental health; however, studies have shown that adding fluoride into water does not significantly decrease the occurrence of cavities.
Additionally, fluoride goes directly into your bloodstream and all your organs when drinking fluoridated water. While preliminary data suggest fluoride might cause health issues, it is not fully developed or conclusive.
Either way, you deserve to have a say in what you are drinking, yet most people do not even realize fluoride is added to their water.
The Harmful Effects of Excessive Fluoride
But first a little primer on consuming fluoride.
Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally present in various water sources. To improve oral health and prevent tooth decay, most developed countries add fluoride to their tap water, either in the form of sodium fluoride or fluorosilicic acid. While the recommended levels of fluoride in tap water vary globally, the World Health Organization recommends a range of 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L.
However, excessive fluoride levels can adversely impact the human body. Dental fluorosis, characterized by white or brown spots on the teeth, is a common result of excessive fluoride intake. Skeletal fluorosis, which affects bones and causes joint pain and stiffness, is also a concern. In extreme cases, fluoride toxicity can damage the nervous system and internal organs.
Other Major Factors To Consider When Buying A Filtration System
Besides choosing the type of water filtration system, other considerations could further help you narrow down your choices. Installation and maintenance are huge factors for some systems, like reverse osmosis.
Though you can install most at home, it can be complex, and you might need to solve problems on your feet if anything goes wrong, such as leaking. Installation of a filtration system could take several hours and could be a full-day project.
Maintenance of the system should also be considered. Some systems need filters replaced as often as every three or six months. Each time the filters need to be replaced is an added cost.
Without changing the filters on time, the system will lose efficiency and not remove the desired amount of contaminants. I recommend a rough cost estimate for a year of use to determine if the system will be sustainable in your household.
An RO system could have five or more filters that need to be replaced, whereas a gravity-fed system might only have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fluoride home water filtration systems worth it?
Yes! If you have contaminated water or don’t want to drink fluoridated water, a home water filtration system will keep you and your family healthy and safe!
How much are home water filtration systems?
Prices vary vastly depending on the type of filtration system, how much water needs to be filtered, and what contaminants need to be removed.
How do home water filtration systems work?
Again, this is specific to the type of filter, but they will bring water into the system, run the water through the filter, and output clean water. They also are all present and accessible in your home.
When do I change the filters in my system?
Each system will come with a manufacturer-recommended timeline for changing the filters based on the amount of time used and water volume going through the system. It will likely be phrased as “three months of use or 500 gallons.”
Conclusion
Having the right water filter for your needs is essential for your health and peace of mind. You should never have to worry about the quality of the water you are drinking, and with a good water filter, you won’t have to.
Removing fluoride from your water could have positive long-term effects on your family. As long as you make an educated decision on the water filter you use and maintain it, you will have clean water to drink for a very long time.
My top pick for the best fluoride water filter is the Home Master RO system, as it is efficient, cost-effective, and removes nearly all possible contaminants.
Finding the right water filter is a bit of a juggling act as you must consider both short-term and long-term costs, what contaminants need to be removed, and what type of system is best for your household. No matter your needs, there is a good fit for you.
