The increased concern over nano- and microplastics in bottled water has finally received enough media attention to get my wife's attention. If it's on TV, it must be true...

Since we have perfectly palatable well water, I've been against the waste of money involved in buying bottled water from the git-go, but a years-old (10 or more) finding of e-coli in our well water panicked her and she insisted on buying bottled water. This will finally end that foolishness.

I need to get the well retested but we can also go back to boiling drinking water until the results come in. However, in a belt-and-suspenders approach, she also wants to filter our tap water. I don't feel it's necessary, but happy wife = happy life.

So, recommendations for a tap water filter?

I recall a thread or two in past year or two with some great info. However since you already said you'd like to test your well, maybe wait for results and see what method really solves your issues, if any? Then buy only what you need, taste, or minerals, or whatever.

Found 2 threads to get you started.

from 2022

last year

We have had this APEC reverse osmosis water filter system for several years now and like it. Link

It is connected downstairs to the laundry faucet and sits next to it. Water goes into four steel gallon containers then into the refrigerator. The water out of it tastes like...nothing.

It has one sediment filter, two carbon filters (pre- and post-) and the RO filter.

I use a PUR water filter pitcher. Change the filter every couple of months. Easy to use. I know my water is okay, but I figure why not filter it too. doesn't cost much and again, very easy to use.

Britta or PUR.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
I use a PUR water filter pitcher. Change the filter every couple of months. Easy to use. I know my water is okay, but I figure why not filter it too. doesn't cost much and again, very easy to use.

This is exactly where I'm at. Thanks. \
(Presuming, of course, that my test comes back clean)

Neither Britta nor PUR will remove e-coli

The OP's options for e-coli:

next to (i.e. downstream) the whole house sediment filter add an ultraviolet light filter. You'd be covered for drinking water, shaving, brushing teeth, etc.

adding a reverse osmosis drinking water system. You'd be covered for drinking water, but would have to look at water tests to gauge level of concern for brushing teeth and shaving.

If you have a Costco near, get their copy of a Brita

https://www.costco.com/kirklan...oduct.100535736.html

They have ten packs of filters for about $30

https://www.usatoday.com/story...s-study/74222430007/

Where can we get our giffofinators checked for this?

Do a UV, not too expensive and covers the whole house.

I have this under sink iSpring RO system. Not too bad of an install. We really like it.

iSpring RO System

Google Fu Says....

Link

What water treatment technologies are best to treat e.coli?

UV disinfection - is the preferred method - no chemicals, cost effective, easy to maintain, does not change taste or smell, and is extremely effective. The UV dose needed to kill 99.99% of e.coli is approximately 6 mJ/cm2. Most residential UV units provide a UV dose of 30-40 mJ/cm2 - more than enough to kill e.coli and any other harmful pathogens.

Chlorine and Chloramine - this method can be very effective, but is difficult for individual owners to operate properly without under or over-dosing. Chlorine also changes the taste and smell of the water and there is a risk of formation of disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes and HAA. Due to a number of associated health risks, it is vitally important to regulate what chemicals we handle and put into our bodies, and this makes using chlorine treatment a less appealing option.

Membrane technologies - such as reverse osmosis, nano-filtration, and ultrafiltration can work but it can be very difficult to monitor ongoing performance and effectiveness and there is a well-documented risk of bacteria growing through the membranes. Hence, we do not recommend this approach.

Cartridge filters, carbon filters, pitcher style filters - (Eg. Brita) do not remove e.coli. e.coli are too small and simply pass through these filters. Filters containing activated carbon are actually a great place for bacteria to grow and multiply.

Although it has improved lately, my tap water tastes bad and actually stains and encrusts shower curtains, so I have been using bottled water (mostly Roxane Mountain Spring) for drinking (mostly making coffee) and cooking where the water comes in direct contact with the food for years. At ~$4 for 24 half-liters it doesn't cost that much, and living alone, doesn't use up that fast. I'm not worried in the least about plastic. That won't help the OP's situation, of course.

I do what I can to stay from bottled water due to the chemicals leaching from the plastics. I cringe when I see pallets of the stuff sitting out in the sun on display.

We used to use PUR and Zerowater pitchers for our drinking water, but we’ve since gone to…bottled water. We have 3 - 3 gallon plastic water bottles we have filled at H-E-B, Walmart, or at HTeaO.

Who knows if these water sources are better and if these bottles are as safe as touted. I was actively looking for 3 gallon glass bottles, but couldn’t find any I liked locally. I will start another search.

quote:

I do what I can to stay from bottled water due to the chemicals leaching from the plastics.

Does the same apply to all the other foods and drinks in plastic jars, jugs, tubs, bottles and bags? I haven't seen a waxed cardboard milk carton for years, and glass bottles are before even my time. Almost all condiments are in plastic squeeze bottles. Most rice, beans and pastas are in plastic bags. The list goes on.

Having had literally hundreds of wells drilled for home and lots we’ve sold my advise would be to shock your well first. Very simple to do with some Clorox. You can find videos online on how to do it.

Secondly, the main source of contamination is from the faucet itself. Thoroughly disinfect it with Clorox again then test it yourself. You can find facilities that will give you the specimen bottle to properly collect the sample and then they’ll run the sample for you. Your local health department can give you a list of qualified firms that can do it for you.

I found that this will solve about 90% of the contaminated samples that we’ve run across. As you know most well water is significantly better than municipal water.

Have you heard about some canned foods are in plastic lined cans ?

Beer too