Filtering tap water

[crunchy_mommy]

So I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this, mods please move if it's the wrong place...

We have city water & I want to get a filter to remove the fluoride. I guess I'm not sure if there are other things I should look for in a filter -- other things that we should remove? And I don't want to go too far in the other direction & remove beneficial things... i.e. RO would make me a little nervous but maybe it's the best option?

We can't attach a filter to our faucet because it's a faucet/sprayer in one... so I think we need an under-counter filter, or we could hook up our fridge to dispense water if that's easier for filtering, or maybe a glass pitcher with a filter???

Digging a well is out of our price-range right now. Soooo... thoughts?

[Suzmama]

I need to know this too!! What is the best filter to buy to attach to the kitchen faucet?

[AllyRae]

There's nothing I found that had a proven track record (there are a lot of companies that *say* they remove fluoride, but then I did further research and would find lots of negative reviews.

The only thing I found that has even remotely positive reviews is a Berkey system, which is what we're getting for our house in a few weeks...just the Big Berkey water dispenser.

[crunchy_mommy]

Oh man.

[ELTAZ]

Originally Posted by AllyRae 

The only thing I found that has even remotely positive reviews is a Berkey system, which is what we're getting for our house in a few weeks...just the Big Berkey water dispenser.

 Did you end up getting it?  How do you like it?

I really want to buy a Berkey, but I just don't know where I'd put it.  Do you have a stand for it?

[elus0814]

I have a berky, it's wonderful. The water tastes great and the only plastic is the spigot. I don't have the stand because our counter has a higher section so we just put it up there. I do, however, miss having cold water without having to get ice out.

[mercy589]

We have a Berkey and love it!  I did a ton of research on water filtration and compared different systems, etc.  I posted a lot of the research on my blog when I was in the midst of it - http://onelittlewordsheknew.blogspot.com/2009/08/whats-in-my-water-part-1.html

[treeoflife3]

someone recently posted about the 'Zero water filter' which is a pitcher that filters water.  I looked at the website briefly and it costs around 35-40 dollars depending on which size you get and they send a water testing thing that tells you how much of dissolved solids are in your water.  The website says that although they haven't done specific testing for flouride, a rating of 000 should mean there isn't any but I didn't look too closely into it.

It is certainly a lot cheaper than the berkey and worth looking into, but the pitchers are plastic (however they say BPA free and junk) and I can't say if they actually measure up to the proven effectiveness of berkey.  Especially considering the price, I wouldn't know if its as good as the site makes it appear at first glance.

[blumooned]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

So I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this, mods please move if it's the wrong place...

We have city water & I want to get a filter to remove the fluoride. I guess I'm not sure if there are other things I should look for in a filter -- other things that we should remove? And I don't want to go too far in the other direction & remove beneficial things... i.e. RO would make me a little nervous but maybe it's the best option?

We can't attach a filter to our faucet because it's a faucet/sprayer in one... so I think we need an under-counter filter, or we could hook up our fridge to dispense water if that's easier for filtering, or maybe a glass pitcher with a filter???

Digging a well is out of our price-range right now. Soooo... thoughts?

Just out of curiosity - why does RO make you nervous?
 

[laohaire]

Maybe this is a long shot, but check to see if there is a spring near you. Then you can get unflouridated water. You'll still have to filter of course.

http://www.findaspring.com/

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by blumooned 

Just out of curiosity - why does RO make you nervous?
 

Because it basically removes EVERYTHING, even trace minerals etc. which I feel our bodies probably need.

Originally Posted by laohaire 

Maybe this is a long shot, but check to see if there is a spring near you. Then you can get unflouridated water. You'll still have to filter of course.

http://www.findaspring.com/

The closest one is almost an hour away :-/

I am still looking into the filter options, the Big Berkey looks great except that it is SO big... our counter space is already at a minimum!! I was really hoping for something more... unobtrusive I guess... like an under-the-sink system or something.
 

[bikegal50]

If you get a chance, watch the movie, Tapped.  It is on Netflix.  I don't think you will want to consume bottled water after you see it. It ia absolutely less safe than water from your spigot.  Check it out!