Cost-Effective Alternatives to Bottled Water
Purchasing bottled water while you’re on the go might be convenient but, from a spending-smart standpoint, this might not be the best solution. In fact, bottled water is the most expensive way to get water not to mention all that plastic waste you’re creating by purchasing bottle after bottle. Many people think tap water is less safe and tastes differently but it’s actually just a matter of habit. It’s probably just a chlorine taste tap water can have that bothers you but even that can be solved. There are plenty of cost-effective alternative to bottled water so here are some of the best ones.
Water filter pitchers
The simplest yet pretty effective solution, water filter pitchers are perfect for every household. They have replaceable charcoal filters that are filled with activated carbon granules which are porous and have a large surface area. It’s the simplest way of filtering water – through the process called adsorption. It will remove chlorine (so no bad aftertaste) and some other impurities and chemicals, such as zinc, lead, mercury, and much more. There are limitations, of course, since pitchers can only filter one to two liters at a time.
Tap water filters
Water filters that can be mounted on your kitchen tap are somewhat better than pitchers since they can filter more contaminants and make your water even safer to drink. They’re pretty inexpensive, too, and quite easy to install, with no tools needed. Most of them have a valve that allows you to switch from filtered to unfiltered tap water, so you don’t have to use filtered for cooking, washing hands, etc if you don’t want to. Filters need to be changed every three months but they’re pretty affordable so it’s not an issue. The biggest disadvantage of tap water filters is that they can slow the water flow but that can be solved by picking the right one.
Reverse osmosis filters
Based on the process where water is forced through specialized, semi-permeable membranes to remove contaminants and impurities, reverse osmosis water filters are broadly used and very effective. They can remove solid substances, minerals, and many more contaminants that are bigger than water molecules. This will make your tap water healthier and free of toxic substances such as arsenic, nitrates, sodium, copper, lead, etc. However, it will also make your water demineralized and acidic which can be bad for your health.
Under-sink water filters
If you want to save some space in your kitchen and keep it pretty-looking, then an affordable under-sink water filter is just the thing for you. This water filtration system is easy to install since it requires minimal plumbing skills and they’re pretty cost-effective. Maintenance is easy as well. As for the contaminants they remove, you can find many options on the market and the best way to find a suitable one for yourself is to have your tap water tested first, and then see what contaminants are your biggest problem. But, most under-sink filters are based on carbon filters so you can’t really make a mistake.
Whole-house filters
If there’s a disadvantage of under-sink water filters, it’s the fact that they only work on one sink and you need more than one to supply your whole house with filtered water. That’s where whole-house filters come to the rescue. They’re easy to install and maintain while filters need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months, depending on the model. By installing whole-house filters, you will have filtered water not only for drinking but for showering, laundry, and cooking. When it comes to contaminants, it will remove the most common ones such as fluoride, lead, chlorine, etc. It can be a great protection from breakdowns in municipal water and sanitation systems as well.
As you can see, there are fantastic alternatives to bottled water and they’re all less expensive, especially in the long run. Besides, filtrating water is good for your health and for the environment, so there’s no reason not to try at least some of the options.
Author: Jillian Connors
