# Water filters that conect to the sink; are they worth it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2003, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325 "2003-06-30T11:25:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/1 "2003-06-30T11:25:25Z")
I’m thinking about getting one but I don’t want to waste my cash if it isn’t worth it. Thanks in advance for any feedback. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/2 "2003-06-30T11:56:01Z")
The water in Miami isn’t the greatest, and we have one on our kitchen faucet. We like it and use it for any water that goes into us (cooking, drinking). In other places I have lived, the water was fine (no smells, tastes, colors, odors, or stains) so I would not have used it, myself. I used a pitcher filter in Savannah (water was worse than Miami) and I like the faucet filter better. ---
**Author:** ![Sionach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Sionach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sionach)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/3 "2003-06-30T17:14:16Z")
I’ve been using Pur’s Ultimate filter for about a year (one of the ones that attaches to the faucet with a switch to turn for the filtered water). The difference in taste is amasing - the water actually tastes clean to me. Regular tap water and even Brita water have a decidedly chemical taste (particularly chlorine-y). Some areas have particularly bad water, and even well water can be full of pesticides due to seepage. If you’re concerned about it, your local water company can probably provide you with a report on your tap water’s chemical content. If it has a high content of chemicals or if you yourself notice chemical flavour/odour in your tap water, then yes, a faucet filter could be worthwhile for you. ---
**Author:** ![lesa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/34f0e0/32.png) [@lesa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lesa)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/4 "2003-06-30T17:26:55Z")
I use a Pur filter, and it makes a huge difference in taste. Our water is safe, but it tastes NASTY. The filter helps a lot. Do you want a filter to improve the taste of water, or do you have specific concerns? ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/5 "2003-06-30T17:35:38Z")
Yes! My boyfriend lives in an area with truly horrible well water. With a softener and a manganese treatment system at the wellhead, the stuff still isn’t fit to drink when it gets to the house. I mean, not even remotely! He’s got an undersink system (sorry, don’t know which brand) that has its own faucet at the kitchen sink and is also plumbed through the dispenser in the fridge. It’s the only way to make the water palatable, and everything that will be consumed goes through it. The one time I stumbled out early and made coffe with the wrong water made certain that no one will do **that** again! So, yes, not only is it worth it, we couldn’t live without it. YMMV if you can drink your water without yakking. ---
**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/6 "2003-06-30T17:58:23Z")
Another vote for the Pur water filter. Makes a big differnce. ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/7 "2003-06-30T23:28:48Z")
Whoa, I thought the thread was called "Water filters that connect to the _skin_… Weird, to say the least. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/8 "2003-07-01T00:35:36Z")
We have [this](http://www.omni-water-filters.com/ot32_filter.htm) filter installed under our sink. Easy to replace cartridges. There are two cartridges, one (the cheaper one) you replace twice a year. The more expensive cartridge is replaced once a year. We actually got [this](http://www.omni-water-filters.com/uc2_filter.htm) discontinued model on clearance (it uses the same filter). IIRC, we paid less than $50. I don’t know that I would pay the $150 that is retail on the newer model. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/9 "2003-07-01T01:13:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lesa \* > \*\*I Do you want a filter to improve the taste of water, or do you have specific concerns? \*\* Yeah, I just want better taasting water. The health benifit is just gravy. Thanks for the input guys looks like Pur filter is the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/10 "2003-07-01T03:57:35Z")
It’s very important to change the filter regularly. When it filters out all the stuff that makes the water smell funny, taste bad, turn strange colors, etc., it traps it in the filter media inside the cartridge. If the filter isn’t changed, it’ll eventually begin to release the trapped contaminants with the water that passes through it. ---
**Author:** ![Geoduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@Geoduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geoduck)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/11 "2003-07-01T04:29:57Z")
I recommend the Culligan faucet-mounted model over a similar Pur. Over the past 12 years we have gone through three versions of the Pur filters that Costco sells (quite reasonably) but each time the attachment–not the filter itself–has broken or cracked due to everyday use. The Culligan models have served us better, yes the attachment does also break over time, but the Culligan has taken maybe 3 years to die rather than half of that for the Pur. The Costco deal, along with hope that Pur has improved quality, keeps us trying each new model, but I am not a happy customer. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/12 "2003-07-01T04:30:04Z")
Buy two Pur water filters. After the first one has ceased to function, compare the weight of it with the new unused one. You will be astounded at how much that filter keeps out. And the water tastes heavenly! ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/13 "2003-07-01T06:52:31Z")
It’s better to get an under-sink high capacity model. That said, buying a filter is much more economical than purchasing bottled water. The flavor of your coffee and tea will improve significantly as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/14 "2003-07-01T14:27:25Z")
Depends on your water and on the filter. Anybody who gives a blanket endorsement of the practice only shows off ignorance of the simple fact that “tap water” is NOT a single kind of water. As a homebrewer, I can tell you that “tap water” samples from different parts of the same city can differ significantly from each other. As a biologist who is just beginning a study involving certain obscure physiological functions of tap water constituents, I can say that it’s even more different than that. That being said, there is very little law that guarantees the purity or even basic safety of “bottled water”. Your ordinary tap water is probably far more highly regulated than any “bottled water”. Thus, if your local water really is unacceptable, then a good filter system is a far safer bet than “bottled water”. Consider “Poland Spring”, for example. The real Poland Spring dried up years ago. The current stuff is pumped out of shallow wells that are of highly questionable safety and purity. Cite: [http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/news/wabc\_061903\_springwater.html](http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/news/wabc_061903_springwater.html) among others ---
**Author:** ![DaToad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/15 "2003-07-01T20:41:10Z")
I have a system similar to this one. They are available at Home Depot, Lowes, and I’ve also seen them at Costco. I think they cost between $200.00-$300.00 now. I have an Ametek system and I paid about $150.00 five years ago. It was very easy to install and it is easy to maintain. Water from the tap here is safe enough, it just tastes like someone soaked their old gym shoes in it. The difference in taste is amazing. It has a 10 gallon per day capacity, has a two gallon holding tank, and I also plumbed it to the cold water dispenser and ice make in my fridge. [ewateronline.net/images/undersinkro.jpg](http://ewateronline.net/images/undersinkro.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Kiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiki)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/16 "2003-07-01T20:42:11Z")
We have one of those PUR water filters on our kitchen sink and we love it. Our city water is downright nasty!! Stuff is actually _floating_ in it!! If you make coffee or tea with it there’s a thick scum that floats on the top… it’s really gross! I used to have a couple of those big 5 gallon water bottles that sat on a dispenser but it was such a hassle to have to fill them up and carry them from the car into the house and everything. The PUR filter is much more convenient, costs the same as what I was spending on bottled water but without the hassle, and it tastes so good! I even have one of those PUR water pitchers in the fridge so we always have cold drinking water. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/17 "2003-07-01T21:01:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\*Buy two Pur water filters. After the first one has ceased to function, compare the weight of it with the new unused one. You will be astounded at how much that filter keeps out. And the water tastes heavenly! \*\* Did you account for the water that was not saturating the new filter? Interesting though. I may dry the used filter and compare it to the weight when new. I’ve been perfectly happy with pur filters for the past several years. ---
**Author:** ![akrako1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@akrako1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akrako1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/18 "2003-07-01T21:09:44Z")
I hardily recommend any filter by MultiPur. Their filters claim to take out higher percentages than the others. They also have different filters or models for various types of contamination. They also have systems for your whole house. A good fact to keep in mind - we absorb a high % of our water thru our skin! If you’re not using a filter on your shower, you may not be as safe as you think. Here’s a good test. Take some filtered water, and let it warm up to room temperature. Then taste it. Then compare. One of perils of the fridge filters is that the water always comes out very cold, and you can’t taste the contaminants as easy. ---
**Author:** ![jessondair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@jessondair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessondair)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-filters-that-conect-to-the-sink-are-they-worth-it/185325/19 "2003-07-02T14:54:21Z")
It really depends on your water. When we lived in Texas, the faucet mounts worked great. We used Pur and only gave it up for Culligan because Pur used a plastic mount to attach to the faucet, which stripped if we had to take it off… Culligan’s was metal. But both worked fine. When we got to Kansas, though, the water is so awful that the faucet mounted filter didn’t do _anything_ to improve the taste. We were going to get bottled water and instead opted for the reverse osmosis filters from Culligan that go under the sink and the water goes through 3 different filters and comes out its own tap. We also got the water softener for the whole house. A bit more expensive (OK a LOT more expensive) than we’d originally planned for, but after a year and half I can say it is SO worth it. Jess