Got the following question via email the other day:
Will a shower head filter with the KDF-55 remove all of the arsenic we have or only part of it? We have .014 or 14 PPB arsenic. Does the arsenic also give off a gas in the shower that will also be taken care of?
This is a very common question because some shower filters are sold under multiple name brands.
In many cases, you can identify the shower filter by looking at pictures, but lots of people hesitate to buy a cartridge until they are really sure it will fit their shower filter.
Here's a process and resource to help you find the right cartridge for your shower filter.
Many people have asked for more in depth info on the benefits of shower filters. Questions have ranged the generic, what are the benefits, to will I really feel the difference in my hair and/or skin.
Here are the major benefits for which people have shown the most interest:
Continue reading "Shower Filters - What are the benefits?" »
I got my Sprite shower filter and really love it! The instructions suggest back flushing the filter every month, but there are no details on exactly how to do this.
Can you tell me how to back flush my shower filter?
Continue reading "How Do I Back Flush my Sprite Shower Filter?" »
The town of Mount Desert in Maine has voted to remove fluoride from their drinking water supply.
Usually, the news is about some town that decided not to add fluoride to their water, but to actually vote (229 vs. 42) to remove fluoride is something new. Even more amazing is that the local water officials are happy about the vote.
It will be interesting to watch and see if this is the first of many, or just an isolated case.
You can read the full story at Maine Coast Now.
If you live in a town where fluoride is still added to the water, I've got a solution for you.
Lots of people seem to have shower heads that they absolutely won't part with, so they're looking for a shower filter that will work with their beloved showerhead. Well, the answer to the above question is good news for showerhead lovers around the world...
Continue reading "Can I use a Shower Filter with My Current Shower Head?" »
This question seems to come up more often as various companies market products to remove chloramines from shower water.
Several websites want you to believe that chloramines are dangerous and need to be removed from your shower.
Truth is that chloramines are not a concern in the shower or bath tub. Here's why...
Continue reading "Are Chloramines Dangerous in the Shower?" »
The US Geological Survey New Hampshire and Vermont Water Science Center created a model for predicting locations where ground water will contain high levels of arsenic.
This information will be used by water system planners and as an exposure assessment in an epidemiologic study of bladder cancer in the region.
Interesting facts from the abstract:
In eastern New England, 20-30% of private wells exceed the arsenic drinking water standard of 10 micrograms per liter.
Previous studies suggest that arsenic in bedrock groundwater may be partly from past arsenical pesticide use. Variables representing historic agricultural inputs do not improve the model, indicating that this source does not significantly contribute to current arsenic concentrations
Indications are that the arsenic is from naturally occurring sources.
You can read the abstract here.
Yes, the LivingWaters 5-stage Fluoride filter will remove the fluoride used in England.
England is using hexafluorosilicic acid, which is also the most common fluoridation additive in the United States.
The fluoride water filter uses fine a mesh activated alumina media to remove 95% of fluoride from typical municipal water, which has 2 parts per million of fluoride.
Question:
I am looking for a filter I can connect in-line to my water line to go to an automatic espresso machine. The espresso machine company recommends a filter that will remove all sediment and calcium. Its not clear to me that calcium can be filtered from water. Can you provide any insight or recommendations. This is the espresso machine:
DeLonghi Espresso/Cappucino maker
I plan to run water line teeing off from the line to my refrigerator ice maker. It is 1/4" compression fitting, but then I must convert it to a 3/4" to the espresso machine. Since my refrigerator does not have a filter for the ice maker, I plan to put the filter BEFORE doing the tee.
I would like a filter I can neatly tuck behind the refrigerator, with an easily changeable cartridge, cost effective to replace filters, and that will do a fine job removing sediment and calcium (if that is possible.) I live near Seattle WA and we actually have what I consider very good tap drinking water – at least it tastes great, and we don’t need water softeners, etc, though I know there is some calcium in the tap water.
Answer:
You are right, calcium is difficult to filter, and when you do, it leaves the water with a flat taste because you also remove all the other great tasting minerals.
To remove most of the calcium requires reverse osmosis...not exactly something you can stuff behind the refrigerator and forget about for a while.
The reason for removing calcium for water to an espresso machine is to avoid calcium buildup in the machine. When the water is heated, it evaporates and leaves calcium behind.
Personally, I'd leave the calcium in the water and clean out the espresso machine from time to time. If your water is not that hard, it may not have that much calcium anyway.
For your filter, here is one that will fit nicely in a small space:
A Living waters refrigerator filter. This will remove sediment, lead, bad taste, odor, chlorine, and many other chemicals. This is a ceramic filter that needs to be replaced about once a year and can be washed if clogged with lots of sediment (unlikely with city water).
http://www.mrwaterfilter.com/refrigerator/mwfrf-01.shtml
If you had any other concerns about your water, you could use any other under sink filter (e.g., fluoride removal, nitrate removal, etc.), but additional clearance behind the fridge would be needed.
