Guide to filtering Water in your Home

The primary considerations for individuals who consume water include maintaining excellent water quality and ensuring a plentiful water source₁. Suppliers of water have the responsibility of processing and delivering water that adheres to the criteria set by their customers. Drinkable water can originate from different areas and undergo varying treatments prior to being used. Tap water, drawn from the community's public water distribution network, stands out as a widely used and effective choice for drinking water₂.

Although we acknowledge the safety of tap water for consumption, we'd like to offer you the complete guide to filtering water in your home and highlight the exceptional advantages you'd experience by utilising a home filtration system by Doulton.

Can you filter you home tap water?

You certainly can and it’s not as difficult as you might think. The taste, smell, and appearance of drinking water, referred to as organoleptic characteristics, are commonly cited factors for consumers choosing home water filters₃. To address those concerns about drinking water quality is the use of different in-home water treatment systems.

You absolutely can filter your tap water, and it's not as challenging as it might appear. The flavour, aroma, and look of drinking water, collectively known as organoleptic traits, are frequently mentioned elements that influence consumers when selecting home water filters₃. To tackle these concerns regarding the quality of drinking water, various in-home water treatment systems come into play.

How to filter water at home?

There is no need to ‘splash’ out on expensive gadgets. We offer consumers a range of ways to filter tap water. They could opt for a point of use, which is a type of water filtration system that treats the water at a single tap. These types of filters are most commonly installed under a kitchen sink (HIP Biotect Ultra Inline) or on the countertop (HCB & Ultracarb®) in order to provide high-quality, clean and healthy drinking water at the kitchen tap. The point-of-use water filters treat water right before it reaches the single tap that it is connected to.

Alternatively, consumers have the option to select the British Berkefeld® Stainless Steel Gravity System as a standalone choice. This system operates solely through the force of gravity, eliminating the need for electricity or external connections. The process involves pouring untreated water into the upper chamber. Subsequently, the water traverses through ceramic filter candles, which could potentially incorporate activated charcoal and other filtration materials. The resulting purified water is gathered in the lower chamber, effectively filtered, and prepared for consumption.

What is the best water filter for home?

To answer this question, will depend on what’s in your water and how much water your house generally consumes. We offer an extensive selection of water filter systems, each equipped with diverse filter types. Certain models target the unpleasant scent of chlorine, while others focus on diminishing pathogenic organisms.

Individuals consuming more than several litres of drinking water daily would likely find optimal satisfaction from our under the counter options. In contrast to Gravity Systems and Pitchers, under-sink filters ensure an uninterrupted and readily available water supply.

Alternatively, if you're not using/consuming large amounts of water at home, you can consider The Gravity Water Filter. It offers great convenience as it operates without the need for plumbing or electricity. Simply pour water from your tap into the upper chamber and let gravity do the rest.

Do house/home filters work?

Water filters are crafted with the aim of elevating the quality and flavour of the water that emerges from your tap. By purifying the water, the undesirable elements are eliminated, leading to an improved taste and odour. This process enhances the refreshment factor and imparts a more delightful flavour, ultimately heightening the feeling of contentment when consuming filtered water. Unlike tap water, which often carries a chlorine taste and smell, distilled water lacks many minerals, resulting in a rather neutral taste. Filtered water, on the other hand, effectively rids the water of contaminants while retaining the minerals responsible for its pleasing taste.

Are home filtration systems worth it?

Regarding the flavour aspect, filtered water offers a crisper and more pristine taste. The filtration process eliminates chlorine and bacteria, factors that can render tap water bland or chemical-laden in taste. Moreover, these filters effectively extract detrimental elements like lead from the water, unquestionably benefiting your well-being. While water filters do eliminate minerals that could be detrimental, they retain the minerals that are beneficial, preserving the water's health-enhancing qualities. Essentially, a water filter provides the advantageous minerals found in bottled water, all at a significantly reduced expense.

Looking at it from a financial perspective, transitioning from bottled water to filtered tap water using a Doulton water filter could result in potential annual savings of £2,791.82 for a family of four. If you haven't had the chance to read the blog titled 'Unveiling the Hidden Truth: Exploring the Astonishing Cost Contrast Between Bottled Water and Filtered Water!', we recommend giving it a read.

Furthermore, if you regularly purchase bottled water, you need to consider the environmental angle, because your actions will contribute to preserving our planet. Bottled water contributes to pollution, given that it takes approximately 300 years for a plastic bottle to decompose.

How long do home filters last?

Filtration efficiency may decline as time goes by, especially if the water being processed is of low quality. Furthermore, the performance of filtration is impacted by the volume of water that is filtered through the system. Here at Doulton, we ensure the durability of our filters by subjecting them to thorough testing during the initial product evaluation phase.

To achieve a consistently crisper and more revitalising refreshment, we suggest replacing the filter elements inside the water filter every six months.

To conclude…

The United Kingdom maintains some of the most rigorous standards globally when it comes to the quality of tap water. Drinking water directly from the tap is undoubtedly safe. However, if you aim to enhance your water quality from 'acceptable' to 'outstanding', it's time to rejuvenate your hydration routine, embrace pure and refreshing water, and begin the process of filtration without delay!

References

1. Jhuang, J. R., Lee, W. C., & Chan, C. C. (2020). A randomized, double-blind water taste test to evaluate the equivalence of taste between tap water and filtered water in the Taipei metropolis. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 13387. 

2. Jhuang, J. R., Lee, W. C., & Chan, C. C. (2020). A randomized, double-blind water taste test to evaluate the equivalence of taste between tap water and filtered water in the Taipei metropolis. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 13387. 

3. Grupper, M. A., Schreiber, M. E., & Sorice, M. G. (2021). How perceptions of trust, risk, tap water quality, and salience characterize drinking water choices. Hydrology, 8(1), 49.