There are mutiple ways through which you can shop for a water filtration system. For instance, you can either visit the local market or online websites.
But the problem is how you can make sure the water filter you are purchasing is safe and effective at dealing with contaminants. Because there are several toxic contaminants present in the water that can not be seen, tasted, or even smelled.
So, how can you be certain that the water filter (that you are purchasing) will efficiently do what they are claiming to do? This is where certification comes into play.
Certification ensures that the filtration system is rigorously tested to make sure it is filtering the water properly.
In this blog post, I am going to discuss different reasons why you should opt for a certified filtration system. Let’s start with things.
What is a certified water filter?
A certified water filter is a filtration system that has been rigorously tested and then certified by an independent organization, indicating maximum reliability and safety of the filter.
The certification process usually involves testing the water filtration system to make sure that it perfectly meets the required contamination reduction standards. When a water filter successfully passes the testing process, it is known certified filter.
Generally, water filters are certified by NSF/ANSI. NSF stands for National Sanitation Foundation, while ANSI stands for American National Standard Institute.
There are several standards used by NSF/ANSI that water filters can be certified against. In the heading below, I have discussed those standards in proper detail.
Different Standards for Water Filters
NSF/ANSI 42:
When a water filter is NSF/ANSI 42 certified, it means it is highly capable of removing contaminants that damage the overall quality (taste, smell, odor) of the water.
This certification standard is specially created to improve filtered water. One more thing, it is applied on a pitcher filters or faucet-mounted filter.
NSF/ANSI 53:
This certification standard assures that the water filter is capable of eliminating contaminants (lead, cysts, etc.) that can be harmful to human health.
NSF/ANSI 53 is specifically used to ensure that filtered water that is coming out of the system is completely safe and healthy.
NSF/ANSI 58:
This certification standard is specifically used to testify to the filtration quality of reverse osmosis systems. The standard makes sure that a certain RO filter has the capability of removing a wide range of toxic impurities (bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, sediment, etc.) from the given water.
NSF/ANSI 401:
This standard certifies a water filtration system that has the capability to remove emerging contaminants from the water. Contaminants like pesticides, pharmaceuticals, etc.
It is specially designed to make sure the water filters have the capability to efficiently deal with emerging contaminants in the water.
These are some of the standards that are used to testify and certify water filtration systems. Now, let’s understand different reasons why you should buy a water filter.
Reasons Why Should Buy a Water Filter
Maximum water safety:
Regular water (tap water) often contains a variety of toxic contaminants like viruses, chemicals, bacteria, etc. These can be harmful not only to human health but also to pipelines, home appliances.
A certified water filter is efficiently designed for these kinds of impurities from the water, making it completely safe to use.
Improved taste and smell of the water:
Another reason why you should buy a certified filtration system is that, it can improve the overall taste and odor of the water by efficiently removing impurities that affect its flavor.
We all know, that regular or tap water often has a metallic or sour taste due to the presence of toxic minerals and chemicals in it.
A certified filter has the ability to efficiently capture and remove those bad impurities, providing tasty filtered water.
Environment friendly:
Buying a certified water filter is an environmentally friendly decision, as you don’t have to opt for plastic water bottles to access safe and healthy water.
Plastic water bottles are one of the major reasons behind the growth of plastic pollution. And the reality is, plastic bottles usually end up getting into the oceans, landfills, etc.
So, by purchasing a water filter, you will not only get safe and quality water but can also play your part in reducing plastic pollution.
Saving cash:
This is another reason why you should buy a certified water filter. When you have a filtration system, you don’t have to spend your valuable cash on purchasing bottled water.
Apart from this, since certified filters are fully tested for maximum reliability and durability, you don’t need to spend too much on regularly maintaining them. One more thing: certified filters are easy to maintain, and this will save your valuable cash on hiring a professional to maintain them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it essential to purchase a certified filter?
It is necessary to purchase a certified water filter. This is so because it ensures the system has the capability to efficiently remove toxic contaminants from the water, making it completely safe and healthy to drink.
How to determine if a water filter is certified or not?
You will need to look for filtration systems that have certifications from the following organizations:
- National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)
- Water Quality Association (WQA)
A certified filter will contain a certification mark from these organizations on the filter packaging or in the instruction manual.
Is a certified water filter more expensive than a non-certified ones?
Yes! A certified water filtration system may be slightly more expensive as compared to non-certified ones. But its additional cost will be worth it because you are getting the maximum satisfaction for efficient removal of contaminants.
Final Words
A certified water filter is a filtration system that is fully tested for maximum reliability and durability. It provides you with mental satisfaction that you have invested your valuable cash in the right product. In this article, we have explained different reasons why you should buy a water filter, hope the information will be helpful for you.
