Do I need an under sink water filter?
Do I need an under sink water filter?
Clean, safe drinking water is essential for our health, but not many people consider it, particularly when UK drinking water is generally very good quality. However, many houses still have lead pipes and other plumbing problems, including issues that can arise from nature such as arsenic in borehole water. Unpleasant odours and tastes can also concern us. Under sink water filters are a popular solution for households seeking clean, filtered water directly from the tap. Unlike jug filters or whole-house filtration systems, under sink filters fit directly to one tap inside your kitchen cupboard, thus providing a space-saving, discreet, and cost-effective answer.
What are the benefits of under sink water filters?
Compared to smaller systems such as jug filters, an under sink water filter system often have more advanced filtration equipment, some models also have multi-stage options that are designed for different contaminants. These can include sediment filters, activated carbon (AC), and sometimes reverse osmosis stages. This means they can remove a wide range of contaminants, such as chlorine, lead, mercury, pesticides, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), plus reduce bad tastes and odours.
With an under sink water filter, you don’t have to wait for water to be filtered before you can use it, they filter the water as soon as you open the tap. Jugs on the other hand can take some time to filter the water before it is stored in the reservoir. This steady flow of on-demand filtered water makes under sink systems far more convenient, not to mention that jugs have to be refilled every time you’ve emptied it completely.
While the initial investment of an under-sink filter may be higher than that of smaller systems, money can be saved in the long run. You would reduce or eliminate the need for bottled water if you don’t currently drink your tap water, and the filters in these systems typically have a longer life, meaning fewer replacements. Filter systems that are plumbed into the house water main often produce lots of wastewater as some water must be used to carry away the filtered contaminants. Under sink water filters can reduce this amount of waste by allowing you to only filter the water for that one tap, or just the water used for drinking, as it could be argued that for some uses the water would not need to be filtered, such as for washing and bathing.
How do under sink filters work?
Under sink water filters are installed beneath your kitchen sink and connect directly to your home’s cold water line before it reaches the tap. Most under sink systems employ a multi-stage filtration process to effectively remove a wide range of impurities. Each stage is designed to target particular contaminants or characteristics of the water.
Sediment Filter: This is often the first stage and removes larger particles like sand, debris, or soil, and prevents the later stages of the filter from clogging. It also makes any later stages more efficient if larger debris is removed beforehand to allow for filtration of smaller particles.
Activated Carbon Filter: In this stage, water passes through a carbon block or granular activated carbon (activation is achieved using high temperatures or chemicals), which can most commonly absorb chlorine, chloramine, and organic compounds. This can significantly improve the taste and smell of the water if it was previously an issue.
Reverse Osmosis: Higher-end systems can sometimes include a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, which forces water through a semipermeable membrane, allowing water through but blocking contaminant particles. This process can remove a large amount of dissolved solids such as heavy metals (lead), nitrates and fluoride.
Extras: Some filters can have stages beyond these already mentioned such as UV or remineralisation. UV light filters are designed to kill any microbial contaminants that haven’t already been removed through the other filter stages, this is particularly useful if your water supply is from a private source such as a stream. Remineralisation stages are designed to add healthy minerals back into the water after the filtration process, such as calcium and magnesium which can contribute to your daily intake.
Once filtered, the clean water is routed to your kitchen tap as normal. The flow rate would likely be slightly reduced compared to having no filter fitted, but if the filter is working correctly, it would be unlikely you noticed a large difference. A significantly reduced flow rate from the tap may indicate a filter that needs to be replaced or an issue with the setup of the system.
How often do I need to replace the filter?
Replacing the filter in your under sink water filtration system is an essential part of maintaining its performance and ensuring the water remains clean and safe. The frequency of replacements depends on the specific filter in question, the amount of water you use, and the quality of your water before it is filtered (i.e. how much the filter is required to filter out).
Filters should come with instructions from the manufacturer on suggested timelines for filter replacement. This usually ranges from around 6 months to once a year. Reverse osmosis membranes can last a few years, whereas a sediment filter may need to be replaced more often due to it becoming filled with larger particles.
If your home has hard water or high levels of contaminants, your filter may need replacing sooner than recommended. High water usage, such as in larger households, can also lead to faster filter saturation.
In addition to following the manufacturer’s guidance, a drop in water pressure, the return of unpleasant tastes or odours, or discolouration in the water can all indicate a filter needing to be replaced. A great way to check the overall effectiveness of your filter and whether a filter is reaching the end of its life is by testing the water. This can be done using a laboratory test kit which we offer at The Water Professor, where we analyse all the important contaminants using state-of-the-art equipment in our laboratory.
What should I look for when buying an under sink water filter?
Choosing the right under sink water filter for your home can feel overwhelming, particularly when you want to ensure that it will make your water safe to drink. Listed below are some key factors to look out for when doing your research.
Type of Filtration System
Under sink water filters come in various types, each suited to different water quality needs:
- Carbon Filters: Great for removing chlorine, improving taste, and eliminating odours.
- Reverse Osmosis: Ideal for tackling heavy metals, nitrates, fluoride, and dissolved solids.
- Multi-Stage Filters: Combine different technologies to address a wide range of contaminants, plus reintroduce healthy minerals.
- UV Filters: Designed to remove bacteria and other microbial contaminants.
Conducting a laboratory water test is a great way to properly identify your filtration needs before the expense of buying a system.
Contaminants That Are Removed
Not all filters are created equal! Look for systems that are certified to remove contaminants that concern you the most. Some common certifications include:
- NSF/ANSI Standard 42: Reduces chlorine and improves taste and odour.
- NSF/ANSI Standard 53: Removes health-related contaminants like lead and VOCs.
- NSF/ANSI Standard 58: Applies to reverse osmosis systems for a broader range of contaminants.
As well as these certifications, it is important to check exactly which contaminants a manufacturer claims to be able to remove before buying. This information should be accessible to you as a customer, if it is not displayed you should get in touch to ask if this information is available. Ideally the manufacturer would also have data on water before and after it has been filtered with their filter and give statistics on the amount that is removed. If the information mentioned above is not present, it may be worth looking at a different system.
Maintenance and Filter Replacement
Regular maintenance is a key part of keeping your filter system working optimally and filtering water as it should.
- Filter Lifespan: How often do filters need replacing?
- Cost of Replacements: Ensure that replacement filter cartridges fit the budget you want to keep to.
- Ease of Replacement: Some filters twist on and off, while other may be more complex.
Size and Design
Consider the size of the system and your available under sink space. Compact designs are ideal for small kitchens, while larger systems may provide more filtration capacity. You should also consider if you live in a tenanted property that installation wouldn’t require you to make changes to the property that aren’t already in your tenancy agreement.
Conclusion
Investing in an under sink water filter is a smart decision for anyone who values clean, great-tasting water conveniently from your tap. These systems offer a discreet, efficient, and cost-effective way to improve your home’s water quality while reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
Understanding your water and how these systems work will allow you to select the one that’s right for you, checking along the way that the options meet the relevant checks and standards.
