Why pay $300 for a purifier, when you can get one that does the same job for around $125? $300 is the cost of the Ever-pure under counter H-300. That's easy to remember, because the price and the model number are the same.



Ever-pure is one of the products that are recommended by National Geographic's household water filter reviews. I love National Geographic and I make every effort possible to live a "green" life. But they only compared seven brands in their survey, when there are hundreds on the market.

The consumer's best guide to selecting an effective home purifier is to compare certifications and product performance data. The best systems are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). This organization verifies that a filter's claimed contaminant reduction capability is accurate.

Water purification systems that are also certified by a reputable independent lab like the Underwriter's Laboratory, can also be trusted.

There is a third source for certification; the California Department of Public Health. California has the most stringent water filtration testing in all of the States. Filters certified by them are also of good quality.

If a water filter seller provides certified product performance data, it should list the contaminants that the filter will remove and the amount of reduction.

Bear in mind that not all contaminants have a set level by which they must be reduced. Ever-pure for example, states that lead is reduced to levels below the "Federal Action Level" (FAL). This level is an arbitrary figure established by the EPA.

When public treatment facilities report that the level is higher than the FAL, they are required to make efforts to address the problem, although this requirement is not actively enforced.

Of course, even if one consumes small amounts of lead over a period of time, death won't be sudden but it could pose serious health risks. Lead is particularly hazardous for pregnant women and children.

One of the top filtration systems on the market costs around $125 and can remove lead, chlorine and synthetic contaminants. It is also certified to NSF and California health standards and provides complete product performance data.

Getting a home water filter is a no-brainer. Ultimately, you are doing yourself and the environment a favor, by filtering all of the water that comes into your home, so that contaminants do not end up back in the environment.