Activated Carbon Water Filters
The activated carbon in these systems removes contaminants in water by bonding with them when the water passes through. These are highly effective at eliminating:
- Chlorine
- Chloride
- VOCs
- Nitrate
- Lithium
- Phosphate
- Microplastics
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
Carbon filters are the most effective system for removing trihalomethanes (THMs-- harmful chlorine byproducts) and various other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Reverse Osmosis Filter Systems
RO systems make use of a semi-permeable membrane layer that allows water molecules to travel through while blocking the molecules that are harmful. Reverse osmosis typically removes many more types of impurities; than carbon filters. In addition to what carbon filters eliminate, RO systems additionally filter out:
There are some NSF-approved carbon filters designed to remove these contaminants as well. But many carbon filters let these contaminants slip right through.
Water Softeners
Water softeners are another type of filter; they are common as they make water gentler for your skin. This is done by removing extreme minerals like magnesium as well as calcium that make the water "hard" or irritable to the skin