Water cleanliness issues are faced by a ridiculous number of people around the globe. And many are on the hunt for information about how to get their water to be as clean as possible. This leads some to wonder whether filtering water once is enough, and furthermore whether water can be filtered twice. I’ve done the research, so no need to wonder any longer.
Can you filter water twice? Yes, you can filter water twice. However, the benefits of double filtering water are virtually non-existent, especially when using the same filter both times. Any particles that were small enough to pass through the first filtration will also pass through the second.
There is more to know about water cleanliness. Keep reading for more information about double filtering water, the effectiveness of water filters, the best water filters, and more.
Water Can Be Filtered Twice
Just because something can be done doesn’t mean that it should be done. This is the case with double-filtering water. You could certainly recycle your water multiple times through a filter, but you would be wasting your time and energy.
Water filters are essentially screens that trap unwanted particles that could be hanging out in your water.
Some types of impurities that can be filtered out of water are:
- Chlorine
- Fluorine Compounds
- THM
- Some hormones
The majority of filters, which we’ll touch on later in the article, remove all traces of these impurities the first time around.
Therefore, there is no need to filter water twice, even though you certainly can if you want to.
The Debate on Whether Water Filtering Is Necessary
There has been an ongoing debate regarding whether water filtering is even necessary. Some argue that all water, regardless of where you live, should be filtered for safety. Others argue that there is no reason to use water filters because the water straight from your faucet is clean enough to use. The third school of thought is that your location should determine whether you need to filter water or not. We will examine all of these schools of thought.
Filter It All
Some argue that all water should filtered to ensure proper cleanliness and safety. According to Dr. Frank Lipman filtering your water is a must (a safety measure that should never be skipped). The reasons given for this are numerous. Drinking tap water, according to Lipman, carries the risk of ingesting chlorine, pesticides, traces of prescription drugs, and more.
Clean water passing through old, dirty pipes is often cited as the main reason why tap water is not safe to drink.
The Environmental Working Group did an investigation of water in the U.S., and alarming results were found. According to the EWP, around 85% of people in the U.S. are drinking water swimming with hundreds of contaminants, which could cause negative long-term health outcomes.
The answer is to filter out the remaining contaminants left behind after the water reaches the tap.
Don’t Filter At All
Many think that tap water is perfectly safe for human consumption if it comes from a public water system in the United States.
It is theorized that the way that the water is disinfected and treated in the public water system is enough to kill off all contaminants that could pose harm to us.
The Environmental Protection Agency is behind evaluating water purification in the U.S. Many people assert that as long as there are no reports coming from the EPA that water isn’t safe, there should be nothing to worry about.
Location, Location, Location
Some believe that public tap water is only safe in some parts of the U.S. Think of the Flint water crisis, where the people of Flint did not have clean water even though their water was coming from a public water source.
There weren’t any problems with flint’s water until they stopped using water from Lake Huron and the Detroit river and started using water from a cheaper source (The Flint River). More than a dozen people died as a result of water contamination.
While this was happening, surrounding cities and states were thriving because their water sources were providing safer water to the people of those areas.
You likely fit under one of these categories when it comes to your thoughts on the cleanliness of water.
The Effectiveness of Brita Filters
So you’ve decided that you want to filter your water for some reason or another. Brita filters are the most popular and highest-rated water filters out there.
Brita filters are effective in removing contaminants that may be present in water. They are verified by NSF International, which means that they do work. However, there are other sources of water that are cleaner than filtered Brita water, such as Pur filtered water and San Diego tap water[1].
Other Water Filters
There are several water filters that are proven to filter your water more thoroughly than Brita can. A couple of these are MAVEA and Pur.
You can get a complete MAVEA water filtration system on Amazon here. This system is to be connected directly to your water supply. MAVEA has also produced a pitcher filter for those who don’t want to pay for a more expensive system.
The Pur FM-3700 Filter can be found in large department stores or on Amazon. This model fits over your existing faucet. Also, for those who like to use pitchers for their water, a pitcher filter is also available. You simply pour the water into a compartment within the pitcher, and filtered water drips down into the bottom of the pitcher.
Do Water Filters Remove Bacteria?
Everyday, water filters like Pur, Brita, and MAVEA were not designed to remove bacteria from water. Instead, they remove impurities like chlorine, zinc, chloride, and more.
If you are looking to remove bacteria from water, you’d need to invest in a system that performs reverse osmosis or distillation.
It’s important to note that bacteria could grow again over time in water that’s been through reverse osmosis or distillation. To reduce the probability of bacterial regrowth, the filtered water should be stored in a sterile container in a place that’s cool and dark.
Water Filter Costs
It’s impossible to put a price tag on water filters because of the many types of water filters that are available.
Pitcher Filters, which filter 8 to 10 cups of water at a time, usually go for around 20 to 50 dollars in stores and online. These are among the cheapest filters you can buy.
Faucet Filters
Faucet filters, which are created to be fitted over your existing faucet, often cost just around the same as pitcher filters. Usually, you’ll spend between 30 to 50 dollars for yours.
Standalone Filter Systems
Standalone filter systems are the most expensive type of water filter. They will usually cost you at least $100 and can cost upwards of several hundred dollars.
Filter Replacements
A cost that some people don’t think of when purchasing a water filtration system is the cost of buying replacement filters. These usually go for anywhere between $5 and $30 per replacement filter. This depends on the type of filter you have.
Tips For Finding The Best Water Filter For You
To find the best water filter, you’ll need to consider a few things.
First, it’s important to look at product reviews to see what customers are saying about the product. You don’t want to try a filter that ranks a 1 out of 5.
Second, you want to choose the right size and type of filter for you. If you have lots of people in the house, or you need filtered water for a commercial space, you’ll want to go for a high capacity standalone water filter. If you are living somewhere alone or with a partner, you may be able to get away with buying a pitcher filter.
Third, you’ll want to check the certifications for different brands of filters. At the very least, make sure that your filter is NSF certified.
Lastly, ensure that you do a price comparison between several filters to get the most bang for your buck.
Resources
[1] https://www.yourbestdigs.com/reviews/brita-water-pitcher/#do-filters-work
