If you live in an apartment, you may think you have no choice but to drink the tap water from your faucet.
After all, installing a water filter system may seem like a hassle, especially if you're renting or have limited space.
But did you know tap water can contain various contaminants affecting your health and water quality?
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), tap water in the US can contain over 300 pollutants, including lead, chlorine, arsenic, fluoride, pesticides, bacteria, and more.
Some contaminants can cause unpleasant tastes, odors, and colors in your water, while others can pose serious health risks, like cancer, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems.
Fortunately, you don't have to settle for tap water or resort to buying bottled water, which can be expensive, wasteful, and not necessarily safer than tap water.
You can enjoy clean, healthy, and delicious water in your apartment by choosing the right water filter system for your needs.
But how do you pick the best apartment water filter system?
Don't worry; we are here to help.
We've created a quick and easy guide to help you choose an apartment water filter system that suits you.
Let's get started!
Step 1: Test Your Water Quality
The first step to picking an apartment water filter system is to test your water quality. This will help you identify the specific contaminants and issues you should address.
You can test your water quality in several ways.
Request a Water Quality Report from Your Local Water Utility
This report will show you the levels of regulated contaminants, such as chlorine, lead, and nitrates, in your water supply.
However, this report may not cover all the possible contaminants in your water, especially if your water travels through old or corroded pipes before reaching your faucet.
It's also important to note that the regulated contaminant levels and health levels are not the same. This means it's legal for a certain amount of, say, metals to be in your water, even if it's not good for your health.
Use a Home Water Test Kit
Simply buy a water test kit online or at a hardware store and follow the instructions to collect and analyze your water sample.
Depending on the type of kit, you can test for various contaminants, like bacteria, metals, pesticides, and hardness.
Send a Water Sample to a Certified Laboratory
This is the most accurate and comprehensive way to test your water quality, but also the most expensive and time-consuming.
Look for your state's certified labs on the EPA website and contact them to get a water sample kit.
You will then need to collect and send your water sample to the lab and wait for the results.
Once you have tested your water, you'll better understand the kind of water filter system you need.
Step 2: Choose Your Water Filter Type
Different water filter systems are available, each with different mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages.
Here are some of the most common types of water filter systems for apartments.
Pitcher Filters
If you're looking for the cheapest and simplest, pitcher filters are for you. The filter cartridge usually contains activated carbon or other media that reduce chlorine, bad taste, and odors in your water.
They consist of a plastic jug with a filter cartridge you fill with tap water and store in your fridge.
However, pitcher filters:
- Have a limited capacity.
- Need frequent filter replacements.
- May not remove other contaminants, like lead, fluoride, and bacteria.
Faucet Filters
These systems attach directly to your faucet and filter your water as it flows out.
They usually use activated carbon or other media to reduce chlorine, lead, and other contaminants in your water.
Faucet filters are easy to install and use. They also have a higher capacity and longer filter life than pitcher filters.
However, faucet filters may:
- Not fit all faucets.
- Reduce your water pressure.
- Not remove all contaminants, like fluoride, arsenic, and nitrates.
Under-Sink Filters
If you are looking for a more comprehensive system, you want an under-sink filter. As the name suggests, these are installed under your sink, and depending on the make and model you choose, they connect to a separate faucet.
They usually use multiple stages of filtration, like sediment, carbon, and reverse osmosis, to remove a wide variety of contaminants in your water, including chlorine, lead, fluoride, arsenic, bacteria, and more.
They are more effective and durable than pitcher and faucet filters and do not take up counter or fridge space.
However, under-sink filters:
- Are more expensive.
- Require more installation and maintenance.
- May produce wastewater, such as with Reverse Osmosis systems.
Step 3: Compare Your Options
The final step to picking an apartment water filter system is to compare your options.
There are many factors to consider, but these are a good starting point.
Performance
How well does the water filter system remove the contaminants that concern you?
Check the performance of a water filter system by looking at its certification, rating, or testing results from reputable organizations, such as NSF International, Water Quality Association, or Consumer Reports.
Also, read customer reviews and testimonials.
Cost
How much does the water filter system cost upfront AND in the long run?
Many people forget that all these systems come with extra costs, not just the initial price.
Think about the installation, maintenance, and filter replacement costs.
But, this is not all.
You also need to factor in the energy and water consumption of the water filter system, as these can affect your utility bills.
Convenience
How easy is the water filter system to install, use, and maintain?
Compare the filter to the space you have available. So, consider the water filter system's size, weight, design, and ease of access. For apartments, the ideal filtration system will be small, easy to install, and easy to uninstall if/when you move.
It's also important to review the availability and frequency of filter replacements.
Sustainability
Before you invest, research the environmental impact of the water filter system, like the:
- Amount of wastewater it produces.
- Materials it uses.
- Disposal of the filters.
- Sourcing of components.
- Labor practices of the seller and manufacturer.
- Charitable initiatives of the company.
What is the Ultimate Apartment Water Filter?
Now, it might surprise you that the best water filter for apartments is not a filter at all but a comprehensive water treatment system.
It's the Sentry H2O Under-Sink Wellness System.
This high-quality, affordable, under-sink water filter system will surpass your needs and expectations, and here’s why.
The Sentry Wellness System is a 5-stage, zero-waste, high-capacity water treatment system that works for all types of water.
It not only removes harmful toxins like ammonia, lead, fluoride, chlorine, arsenic, sulfates, pesticides, bacteria, and much more, but it also enriches the water with essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and increased pH for on-demand alkalinity.
Independently tested and scientifically proven effective, this system outperforms other products available on the market.
With an easy 15-minute installation (no plumber required), you can enjoy clean, healthy, and great-tasting water straight from your tap.
Sentry H2O's solutions are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than bottled water, richer in minerals than reverse osmosis systems, and the perfect compact size for apartments.
If you need a bigger system, Sentry H2O also has whole-house options, though they’re designed for residential homes rather than apartments.
Don't settle for water that may pose health risks or taste unappealing.
Upgrade your apartment faucet with the best under-sink water filter system on the market, Sentry Wellness System, and experience the difference of clean, great-tasting water.