Reverse Osmosis Filter

Are Everpure water filters the best quality or the best price? If effective contaminant removal fits your definition of quality, then some of their models are of good quality, but not the best.

It is easy to see that the company does not offer the best prices. Their least expensive model costs $359.99, does not remove THMs, VOCs or other cancer-causing chemicals and replacement cartridges cost over $100. Other systems remove all of those things and more, with models costing $124.99 and replacement cartridges costing $48. It's kind of a "no-brainer".

The Everpure water filters that do provide effective contaminant removal (those that reduce THMs and other cancer-causers) cost nearly $800. Why so much? One reason is the inclusion of a reverse osmosis step. Technological advancements have made this step an unnecessary expense, but some manufacturers still include it.

At one time, reverse osmosis was the best way to remove cysts and lead. It was used in areas where the mineral content was high, arsenic was present or salt was a problem. But, Everpure water filters were not designed for use in rural areas that might have these kinds of problems. They were designed for use by people that are serviced by a public treatment facility.

Reverse osmosis does not remove the cancer-causing chemical contaminants mentioned above, so Ever-pure and companies like them added additional steps to address those issues. They still don't use the most advanced technologies, though, so their prices are high.

Today, even the least expensive systems on the market will remove cysts. You only need to shop for a system that is certified to filter down to one micron. The best systems filter down to a half a micron. Cysts, as you may know, cause waterborne illnesses that can be deadly to those with poorly functioning immune systems. They are tiny parasitic creatures that are resistant chlorine and other disinfection methods.

Inexpensive systems will also remove lead, using ion exchange. If you compare product performance data, you will see that some systems remove more than 99% of all traces of the hazardous heavy metal. Ion exchange also improves the taste of your water, by exchanging metallic ions for sodium and potassium ions. It makes your water taste like it came from a spring. Many bottling companies add these minerals to improve the taste.

Water from systems that include a reverse osmosis step is relatively tasteless. To most people, it makes them think of old or stale waters. Our taste-buds recognize freshness by recognizing the taste of minerals. We prefer cold water, because it is less likely to contain bacteria.

Everpure water filters only reduce lead by about 98%. The company documents state that lead is reduced to the "federal action level". That level is not considered safe for regular long-term consumption. No amount of lead, regardless of how tiny, is safe for consumption.