iVillage

7 Ways to Filter Tap Water: Choose the Right One for You

If you’re unsure about exactly what contaminants are in your water—is it heavy in lead? PCBs? Do you simply hate the smell and taste of chlorine?—have it tested, then choose a filter that cleans up the appropriate culprits while providing the best convenience for you and your family. (8 Photos)

Sally Schultheiss on Feb 15, 2012 at 9:10AM

1 chime

Single View
View All

1 of 8

7 Ways to Filter Tap Water: Choose the Right One for You

Aquasana.com

Countertop Filters

A small, dish soap bottle-sized unit sits on the counter next to the sink; a tube attached to the faucet diverts tap water to the unit, where it is then filtered and sent through another tube that attaches to the faucet. Tap and filtered water cannot be accessed simultaneously, but the units can be installed without professional help, and are generally less expensive than under-the-sink models.

Aquasana AQ-4000
Uses a patented dual-filter of carbon, ion exchange and sub-micron-filtration to remove everything except the minerals. It uses the main tap, so water pressure may be reduced.
What it filters out: Chlorine, sediment, lead, VOCs, microbial cysts
What it doesn’t: Chromium, mercury, radium and other heavy metals

$124.99 at Aquasana.com; replacement filters $59.99

Learn more about how water filters work