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As some of the below data reveals, some people have little to no access to clean water and it affects every aspect of their lives. Next time you leave the sink on while brushing your teeth or take an extra two minutes in the shower, just remember that there is a finite amount of fresh water in the world and the stresses of an increasing human population will only make access to clean water that much harder in the future.

Below we have compiled 20 surprising facts about water consumption that will change the way you think about it.

1. Only 2.5% of the Earth’s water is fresh (as opposed to ocean or saline water) [1]

2. Of that 2.5% of Earth’s freshwater:

• 2% is surface water
• 1% is ground-water
• 7% is contained in glaciers and ice caps [2]

3. Nearly 2 billion people world-wide are estimated to drink water that is contaminated with feces [3]

4. Nearly 80% of diseases in developing countries are associated with drinking water delivered through systems with inadequate sanitary standards [4]

5. 70% of all water consumed is through agriculture, 20% for industry and 10% for domestic use [5]

6. Every year 3 to 4 million people die of waterborne diseases [6]

7. Fresh water not used by humans is usually used to the benefit of forests, lakes, wetlands and coastal lagoons [7]

8. To feed the estimated 9 billion people that will be on Earth in 2050, we will need a 19% increase in agricultural water consumption to meet the demands [8]

9. It takes 2,025 liters of water to create 150 grams of beef and 40 liters to create one slice of bread [9]

10. More water evaporates from reservoirs than is consumed in the agricultural, industrial and domestic sectors [10]

11. The U.S., Estonia, New Zealand, Canada and Italy use the most water per capita annually than any other country in the world, respectively [11]

12. The highest daily per capita consumption of drinking water is held by the U.S. and Canada at the number one and two spots, respectively[12]

13. In Africa, people spend 40 billion hours every year walking to get water, most of which are women and children [13]

14. It takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to meet the U.S. demand for water bottle manufacturing [14]

15. It is estimated to take around three liters of water to create one liter of bottled water [15]

16. By 2025 it is estimated that two-thirds of the global population could be under stress conditions caused by water scarcity [16]

17. 3 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water since 1990 [17]

18. Electricity costs are estimated at 5% to 30% of the total operating cost of water and wastewater utilities [18]

19. 15% of the world’s water withdrawals are used for energy production [19]

20. More than 40% of the world’s population is already affected by water scarcity [20]

This just goes to show that when money-saving is directly evident by use of a meter, Canadians care about doing what they can to save a couple dollars. In addition to saving money on water costs within the home, there are a few tricks to conserving water outdoors as well.

Saving money around the yard

Your yard, and specifically your lawn, is likely to be one of the biggest water consumption culprits outside of your home. To save money here, try some of the following:

• Water your lawn early in the morning to reduce the amount of water lost from evaporation.
• Manually turn off your sprinklers when the forecast calls for rain or install rain/moisture sensors that automatically turn off your sprinklers when they are unneeded.
• If it doesn’t affect the aesthetics of your lawn too much, try raising the blades on your lawn mower up a notch. Longer grass equates to less evaporation and further money-savings.
• Install squeeze nozzles on each of your hoses so that no water is wasted when you turn on the tap.

Landscaping and money-savings

As much as 50 percent of your fresh water bill is used up watering plants and gardens. Rather than letting this money go to waste in these areas, check out these water-saving landscaping ideas that could reduce the amount of water you use by 20 to 50 percent:

Choose plants that thrive in your native environment: A lot of homeowners like to spruce up their yards by introducing wild or exotic plants. Because these plants are not already established to the area, they will likely require a lot more water and attention. Instead, focus on selecting plants that are native to the area and won’t require a lot of watering, require less fertilizer, and are resistant to pests and diseases.

Make mulch your friend: Mulch is a landscaper’s go-to money-saving item because of the way it reduces evaporation and helps to keep soil cool. Look for the organic kind that provides added nutrients to your plants and be sure to replace it when it begins to look dry.

Group thirsty plants together: When selecting your water-saving plants, there will still likely be varying degrees of water needed for each type. A smart method of saving money is to group the plants that have similar water requirements together.

Bonus tip: Put the thirstiest plants near the house to capture some of the rainfall that naturally comes off the roof.

Saving water around the pool

If you have a swimming pool you can help to save yourself from the hassles – and costs – of throwing the hose in there to refill it during those hot summer months. A pool with a cover can help to save 1,000s of gallons of evaporated water each month and can help to save even more money if your pool is heated.

Saving money while washing the car

Use the following tips to save money on water when washing your car(s) this weekend:

Wash your cars on the grass: Instead of washing your car in the driveway, wash your car in the grass. Washing in the grass means that you’ll be killing two birds with one stone in that you’ll be giving the grass the moisture it needs and you’ll be allowing the natural filtration of the ground to prevent the soapy water from running off into a storm drain and contaminating the water that runs into lakes, rivers or oceans.

Water filtration technologies can be confusing, especially because there are so many impurities that may or may not be in your water and several add-ons that have specific purposes. Let’s shed some light on the needs of these add-ons and what they protect against.

The short answer to your need for a UV Filter specifically, is “it depends.” If you want the best possible protection against potential undesirables in your water, then yes, you’d want the add-on options of the Sub-Micron Post-Filter and UV Filter (as they work in conjunction with each other). But cost and true necessity is a factor for most homeowners looking at their water filtration options, and below we will explore the specifics of the when and why behind your need for a UV Filter.

What’s in Water That a UV Filter Would Filter Out?

Bacteria. Some water supplies, and especially those that come from a well, may be more at-risk for harmful bacteria not typically found in water that is treated at the municipal level. This is not to say that all municipal water is safe as we have seen in the Walkerton E. coli outbreak that happened in Ontario back in 2000, but it is generally considered to be treated and tested for safe levels of drinking.

Because UV Filtration acts as a disinfectant (like chlorine but without altering the taste, color or odor of the water), it safeguards your water from such bacteria as the above-mentioned E.coli as well as Coliform, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella and other water-borne microorganisms.At the municipal level water is disinfected with chlorine, but bacteria Giardia and Cryptosporidium have shown that they are resistant to the disinfecting properties of chlorine but are filtered out with UV treatments.

Pairing the UV Filter with the Sub-Micron Post-Filter

If you are going to opt for the UV Filter you’d also want to include the Sub-Micron Post-Filter as well. This add-on, which follows the standard Filter Butler Whole House Water Filter in the treatment train, is designed to prevent larger bacteria from passing through your water and into your home. In addition to the aforementioned Giardia and Cryptosporidium – two bacteria that are often responsible for water-related disease outbreaks – the Sub-Micron Post-Filter also protects against algae, sediments, asbestos, cysts, lead and mercury while discerningly allowing healthy minerals to pass through.

When you combine the filtration power of the Sub-Micron Post-Filter with the disinfecting power of the UV Filter you will be greatly reducing any chances that organic or sediment particles as well as bacteria or viruses will pass through your pipes and into your drinking water.

How do I Find Out What’s in My Water?

As we have revealed above, your water filtration needs will greatly depend on the types of contaminants that exist in your water. If you want the ultimate peace of mind, adding the Sub-Micron Post-Filter and UV Filter to your Whole House Water Filter will provide you with the most protection possible.

If you want to determine whether or not your water contains specific contaminants so that you can purchase the right amount of water filtration technology for your home, you’ll want to set up a water test and take or submit a sample.

If you live in Ontario, you may be able to get a water test from a Public Health Unit. Public Health Ontario also provides some information on drinking water testing specifically for those people who own their own source of drinking water (ex. well). It is important to recognize that some water testing organizations – either public or private – may not test for the full gamut of contaminants. Where one might test for bacterial contamination, they might not test for chemicals and vice versa. When you get your water test be sure to test against all forms of contaminants so you know what kind of protection you need.

I Only Need Clean Drinking Water to be Safe

It is true that an under sink water filter may be sufficient if your only concern is clean drinking water. However, a whole house water filter gives you peace of mind that water from every faucet in your house is safe for consumption and free from the harmful effects of chlorine.

Some of the benefits of a whole house water filter other than clean drinking water include:

• Cooking: Improved taste for certain beverages and food, especially coffee, pastas, and rice.
• Washing Dishes: For models that include a water softener, you will notice less spotting on glasses and silverware. Your hands will be protected from the drying effects of chlorinated water.
• Showering and Bathing: Avoid inhaling potentially harmful vapors from chemicals such as chlorine.

It’s Too Expensive

When you consider that bottled water can cost as much as $2.50 per bottle for high-end brands such as Evian and Fiji, the initial cost of a whole house water filter is marginal when compared to the cost of buying regularly bottled water. At Filter Butler, our whole house water filters come with a 10-year warranty so you are guaranteed to get many years out of a small upfront investment.

My House is Too Big for it to be Effective

Regardless of your home size, there is a whole house water filter that can work for you. According to the Canadian Home Builders Association, the average new home size in Canada is 1,900 square feet. This is a significant drop from the average of 2,300 square feet in the mid-2000s. Chances are if you live in Canada, our FB-1000 model will be the right fit for your house – it works in homes up to 3,500 square feet with 3.5 bathrooms. For larger homes, we recommend a constructing a customized system to prevent any drops in water pressure.

Every Model Does the Same Thing

Once you start researching whole house water filters, you will quickly notice that different brands and models include a variety of features and benefits. Even within the Filter Butler brand, we have standard models that can be customized with optional add-on features. Take the time to compare the features of different models and fully understand what each of those features do; sometimes even two similarly-named features will not perform identical functions.When you’re researching water filter options, it’s pertinent to separate fact from fiction. Be sure to use reliable sources for information instead of relying on hearsay or assumptions. Doing proper research before purchasing a whole house water filter will ensure you’re buying a model that fits your needs.

Let’s take a look at some common questions associated with how long Whole House Water Filters last as well as the reasons why you need to maintain them.

What if I don’t change the filters within the system?

A car’s air filter prevents contaminants from entering into your engine. Similarly, the filters in the Whole House Water Filter by Filter Butler work to catch things like rust, silt and sediment from passing through to your water supply.

You are probably thinking, “What about contaminants and impurities like lead and chlorine?” These systems do remove and diminish these types of undesirables but it is important to recognize that advanced filtration systems – like Filter Butler’s – have multiple filtration components and for the sake of this topic specifically, we are going to concern our answer with the first filtration component, the sediment pre-filter.

If you don’t change the sediment pre-filter you will increase the likelihood that particulates like rust, sediment and silt will enter the water line. If these items pass through your pipes, shower heads, appliances and faucets, you could be decreasing the lifespan of these items as these particulates often increase the wear and tear of the water-using appliances within your home.

Additional risks of not changing the sediment pre-filter are awkward tastes and smells and water that will have increasingly less clarity the longer you wait. At the most extreme end, drinking turbid water carries the risk of consuming disease-causing organisms that cause health problems (read more: Health Concerns of Sediments in Water).

How many replaceable filters does my Whole House System have?

The number of replaceable filters your Whole House Water Filter has depends on how many optional parts you purchase(d). As you can see on the graphic below, there are many filtration options (as indicated by an asterisk (*)).

However, the only filters that are replaceable are the aforementioned (and standard) sediment pre-filter and the optional sub-micron post filter. The rest of the filters on the Whole House Water Filter – activated carbon filter, copper-zinc and mineral stone filter, salt-free water softener and descaler, and UV filter – don’t have replaceable filters as do the sediment pre-filter and sub-micron post filter.

Here is the standard replacement schedule for these replaceable items:

• Sediment Pre-Filter: replace every three to six months
• Sub-Micron- Post-Filter: replace every nine to 12 months

Replacing the tanks

You now know that you should replace the sediment pre-filter every three to six months and the sub-micron post-filter every nine to 12 months (if you have one). However, it is also important to recognize that the tank itself needs to be replaced depending on the capacity:

Standard Whole House Water Filter

• Rated Capacity (FB300): 300,000 gallons or three years
• Rated Capacity (FB1,000): 1,000,000 gallons or 10 years

Salt-Free Water Softener

• Rated Capacity: six years

Review of replacing filters within a Whole House Water Filter

Making the investment in a Whole House Water Filter from Filter Butler is an investment in the health of your family. Each time you drink water you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that you have the safest, best-tasting water possible. However, maintaining the equipment that provides this piece of mind is integral to allowing the components to work as intended.

If you have the most basic system, you’ll just need to replace the sediment pre-filter every three to six months as well as the tank every 300,000 gallons or three years or 1,000,000 gallons or 10 years, depending on which system you have.

Obviously, consumers who are in the market for cleaner drinking water, free of impurities like chlorine and lead that filters remove, would do well to know that a water softener would not meet their goals as these products are intended for something completely different – for one, removing minerals from their water that cause scale buildup. Similarly, those consumers who were looking for a method to remove potential viruses would be better off with some type of water purification solution.

Below we will take a closer look at what you can expect from a water filter versus a water purifier versus a water softener. You may learn that your water treating needs dictate that you only need one of these options, two of them, or all three.

What’s in Water that We Want Out?

Perhaps the most important place to start in terms of comparing filters, purifiers and softeners is learning what is in our water that we want to remove. As you well know, the purest form of water is simply hydrogen and oxygen or H20. But this pure form of water doesn’t occur naturally, it picks up other chemical compounds, minerals and impurities along the way. Some of these mineral sediments are desirable – such as calcium and magnesium – while other items picked up by water in the cycle of municipal and ground water collection, are undesirable. For example, the source of most of our water, municipalities, can contain traces of chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, industrial waste and sometimes bacteria and viruses as well.

The impurities mentioned above can be filtered or removed by filters and purifiers and we will get into the specifics of each below. However, there may be additional items that you wish to remove from your water that are unrelated to your health but are important for reducing scale build-up and increasing the lifespan of your appliances. These mineral-preventing systems are referred to as water softeners, and get their name because they remove the amount of hard minerals that pass through your home’s water supply and into your pipes and appliances.

Water Filters, Water Purifiers and Water Softeners Compared

Water Filters

Water filters such as Filter Butler’s Whole Home Water Filter help to remove or reduce impurities such as chlorine, lead, mercury, magnesium, chromium, copper, nickel, iron, hydrogen sulfide and more. They also inhibit further development of bacteria, algae and fungi but should not be considered the end-solution in the removal of bacteria and viruses. That claim is reserved for water purifiers. However, Filter Butler’s Whole House Water Filter does offer optional systems – the Sub-Micron Post-Filter and UV filter – that will effectively eliminate or reduce bacteria and viruses that are present in some water supplies. These options are not included in the standard product because, put simply, your water supply may not be at risk for these types of contaminants.

Water Purifiers

By most definitions, water purification means that water is free from bacterial contaminants and viruses. However, this definition does not include chemical contaminants such as the ones water filters remove (as mentioned above). This is why water filtration and water purification systems are often used in conjunction with one another – water filters are effective at removing unwanted chemical components like chlorine and fluoride whereas as water filters are effective at removing bacteria and viruses.

Water Softeners

Water softeners, such as Filter Butler’s Salt Free Water Softener, are completely different products than water filters or purification systems, although all three systems can be used together for the cleanest, purest water possible. Water softeners can also be used as stand-alone products, as they are strictly used to remove scale from building up in your pipes as well as in your appliances. The benefits of removing scale from your water are evident in cleaner glassware and silverware, scale-free shower heads and faucets, and more effective bathing and laundry products. Again, these water softeners don’t target impurities in your drinking water or make it any safer to drink, they just filter out minerals that result in inefficient appliances and help to prolong the life of your homes’ assets.

Water Filters VS Water Purifiers VS Water Softeners Overview

Learn more about Water filters, water purifiers and water softeners in previous articles.

Choosing a Water Treatment Option

When it comes to cleaner, healthier water it is easy to see why many homeowners choose systems that include the capability to filter chemical impurities, remove bacteria and viruses as well as prevent scale build-up in their appliances. At the most basic level, a water filtration system such as Filter Butler’s Whole House Water Filter is a great option for most homeowners who are concerned with the water they drink and cook with. In areas where bacteria and viruses may be present or for homeowners who want the ultimate peace of mind, adding Filter Butler’s optional Sub-Micron Post-Filter and UV filter will help to protect free your water from these undesirable components. If scale build-up is your primary concern, a Salt Free Water Softener is your best option and this system can also be combined with the filtration and purification systems mentioned above for the cleanest water possible.

To look at it another way, Canadians are likely using more water than they need and therefore spending more than they should. As evidenced by the amount of water consumed after the installation of water meters became more prominent (342 liters in 1991 compared to 251 liters in 2011), it goes to show Canadians are concerned about their water bills.

While having a pricing model that is based on the actual amount of water that is used each month (as with the water meter system) does help deter many from wasting water, there are other ways to save money on the water bill each month. All it takes is the adoption of some good habits that save water and we will share some of these below.

1. Check for leaks around the toilet and sinks

One of the biggest culprits for wasted water and money are leaks around the toilet and sinks. In fact, Canadian Geographic says that even a minor leak can waste as much as 75 liters of water each day.

To check your toilet for leaks, simply remove the tank, drop some colored dye (like blue food coloring) into the tank, and wait for 15 minutes without flushing. If there is dye in the bowl you have a leak and should call a plumber as it could be costing you a lot of money each month.

Detecting faucet leaks is a bit more straightforward but there are less obvious spots than the spout itself. Still, the spout should be the first place you look to determine if there are drips occurring throughout the day. The base of the faucet is a less obvious place where leaks may exist and this can be determined by drying up the area, then checking back to see if water has accumulated around the base. Finally, sink leaks under the counter are the hardest to detect but are a common area where this may occur. If you suspect a leak but can’t visibly see it (or water beneath the pipes), place a dry paper towel under the area and check back for accumulation later.

If any of these issues are evident, contact your plumber as they will likely be able to correct the leakage quickly and put an end to any further waste.

2. Only use full loads in your dishwasher and clothes washer

This tip is based on the simple idea that the less you use these two appliances, the less water you will use. Another way to save money on your water bill, in regards to the dishwasher, is to stop pre-washing dishes in the sink. You’ll find that most dishwashers will effectively remove all the food off your dishes without pre-washing them first, resulting in water savings.

For the clothes washer, you should try to use it with full loads only as to not waste water. Even though you might be tempted to wash that small load of gym clothes, you may be costing yourself extra bucks on your water bill each month. If you are not using an Energy Star qualified appliance, you may be spending over $135 each year on this wasted water. If your washer has a water adjustment feature, this would also be a great way to save money as you could adjust the setting according to your loads.

3. Install water-saving shower heads

We are all guilty of taking a long, hot shower every once in a while (especially on those really cold mornings). But did you know that during the typical shower up to 30 percent of water is wasted as well as energy to fuel the hot water heater? It’s true, showering can use over 15 percent of the fresh water in your home, and if 30 percent of this is unused, you could be wasting a large percentage of your water bill on something that, quite literally, goes down the drain.

The solution to saving water – and money – is really simple. Install a water-saving shower head. These modestly-priced items can reduce the flow rate significantly while still providing enough water to take a comfortable shower. Visit your local home improvement store to see what water-saving shower heads are available and check out this article for more information on devices that automatically turn off the water while awaiting hot water, recover heat from hot water that goes to your drain, and cuts down on the cold water that runs when you turn the shower on.

4. Water the lawn during early parts of the day

You can save money on your water bill with some good habits outdoors too. One of the most popular ways is to run your sprinklers (or hose) early in the morning rather than in the middle of the day. Early morning watering helps to reduce the amount of water that is lost to evaporation. It is also said that watering earlier in the day – as opposed to at dusk – helps prevent the growth of fungus as well as prevents slugs and other garden pests.

5. Regularly place and replace mulch around plants

As much as 50 percent of your fresh water bill can be used up keeping your lawn and plants alive. This is an obvious area to try and minimize waste and save money and can be done with the placement of mulch around plants.

Mulch helps to reduce evaporation and also aids in keeping the soil underneath cool. Mulch is easy to add around plants, is fairly inexpensive (about $7 a bag), keeps weeds out, and adds nutrients to the soil. What you are really after is the water savings you’ll be getting, but adding mulch is a good investment that helps reduce the amount of water needed to keep plants healthy. Learn more about the types of mulch that are best for your plants here.

How much can You Save?

According to some sources, the amount the average Canadian spends on utilities each month (to include water, electricity, heating and garbage) is $160.45. By developing some good habits around the indoors and outdoors of your home you’ll be able to take dollars off the percentage of your water bill each month and perhaps your energy bill (as we saw with the shower example).

Shaving off the amount we waste from leaks, half loads of laundry, the shower, and our lawns can add up to big gains at the end of the year. In addition to the money you’ll save you can feel good about doing your part to preserve a limited resource that too many of us take for granted.

To answer that question, let’s take a look at how the installation of a Whole House Water Filter affects your drinking water.

Filtered Water Overview

Before getting into the specifics of how a Whole House Water Filter affects your drinking water, it’s important to understand why filtering water is important. You see, water is treated at the municipal level before it is sent to your home and part of your utility bill reflects the process to bring you water that is generally considered to be safe for consumption.

However, municipal water is treated with chlorine to kill harmful micro-organisms and has aluminum added to it to clump together particles. These water treatment methods are approved by the government but to the health-conscious mother these methods are unacceptable.

Unfortunately, these appear to be the most cost-effective disinfecting methods that cities use to deliver “safe” drinking water but studies have shown that consuming too much chlorine and exposure to aluminum is not good for you. To make matters worse, these two contaminants are not the only ones to be found in municipal water. Other common toxins in your tap water include chloride, lead, iron, arsenic, copper, and hydrogen sulfide.

Now that you understand how unfiltered water can affect your drinking water and ultimately your health, we can discuss how filtered water can prevent these toxins from passing through.

What’s Removed from my Water with a Whole House Water Filter?

The first phase in the Whole House Water Filtration process is the sediment pre-filter. You can think of the sediment pre-filter like the filter in your air conditioning system – it prevents unwanted sediments from flowing through your water pipes.

These sediments may include disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The sediment pre-filter also helps prevent lead from passing through your home’s water supply, something Torontonian’s are especially aware of as this news has made public headlines.

In addition to preventing some of these undesirables from passing through your side of the pipes, the Whole House Water Filter can also improve the taste of your water and improve its clarity. But the level of protection you get doesn’t end there, this is just the first phase of water filtration that you’ll get with a Whole House Water Filter.

In the second stage, the water is treated by what’s called the copper-zinc and mineral stone filter and activated carbon filter. Once water passes through the sediment pre-filter it moves along to this second stage that helps diminish the buildup of scale, reduces chlorine and breaks down heavy metals such as lead and iron. This stage also helps to prevent the development of algae and bacteria as well as other impurities before the water is passed along.

The two phases of filtration mentioned above are fantastic safeguards for reducing contaminants that may be trying to pass through your pipes and into your drinking water. Each component plays its own role in improving your drinking water and these can be further enhanced with optional filtration add-ons such as a sub-micron post-filter and UV filter.

The sub-micron post-filter works in conjunction with the above-mentioned UV filter to separate microorganisms from the water. The UV filter adds an additional element of protection against bacteria and viruses that the sediment pre-filter and activated carbon filter can’t catch. These components are optional (along with the salt-free water softener) because not all geographic locations require this type of protection.

Peace of Mind Included with Your Whole House Water Filter

Perhaps the primary effect of your purchase of a Filter Butler Whole House Water Filter is the peace of mind you’ll enjoy knowing that you will be drinking the cleanest, safest, best-tasting water possible. Whole House Water Filters actively treat all the water that enters your home so that contaminants such as chlorine, lead, bacteria and viruses will be safely reduced or completely removed from your water and you can enjoy a glass from any faucet inside your home.

The logic behind your requests is simple, save water to save money on the utility bill. But saving water is important for other reasons that you and your kids, should know. Below we’ll explore some ideas behind the importance of water conservation that will hopefully be passed along from generation-to-generation.

Water is Life

Everything on Earth requires water to sustain itself. But abusing water means that we are lessening its ability to provide us with this basic necessity. Water is a limited resource and while Earth is a self-contained ecosystem, meaning Earth always has, and will always have, the same amount of water, the population growth puts a strain on water supplies and clean water is reduced by the pollution and contamination we create.

In essence, humans are decreasing our own water supply due to pollution. On top of that, we are polluting the water for all of Earth’s creatures, sending chemicals like oil and fertilizers through our rivers that ultimately end up in the ocean. Sure, we can rely on water treatment plants to send us cleaner water, but a baby dolphin obviously can’t build these facilities.

What’s at Stake if we Continue Down this Path of Water Waste?

Less and/or More Expensive Energy

Water makes a lot of the energy we use possible. The extraction of common sources of energy (oil, gas, coal, biomass etc.) requires water. Hydropower, energy derived from falling water, uses fresh water. The less fresh water that we have the more expensive energy becomes.

Less Food

A full 70 percent of humanity’s fresh water supply is used to grow crops. Furthermore, freshwater fish, another major source of our diets and a large sector of the food chain, requires fresh water to survive. The more we pollute and/or abuse our water supply, the less likely we are to maintain a sustainable source of food as would all of Earth’s creatures.

What’s to Blame?

There are several factors that are to blame for the decreased supply of fresh water on Earth. We already mentioned how pollution from human activities, especially agriculture, makes its way into lakes, streams and ultimately our oceans. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 40 percent of lakes prohibit fishing and swimming due to pollution.

One of the other factors is population growth. While we can’t spur the population, we can spur our abuse of water so that we can prevent millions more from dying from water-related illnesses. These water supply issues don’t necessarily hit close to home to those of us in Canada, but it doesn’t mean we have to turn a blind eye.

Climate change is also to blame and is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. The effects include reduced rainfall in some areas, halting the flow of fresh water to regions that were formerly accustomed to nature providing this very necessary resource.

Last we have deforestation, an impact that prevents our forests from collecting, storing, purifying and providing fresh water to populations that lie downstream.

What Can You Do?

You can start by saving water at home. Canada has abundant freshwater resources, but these aren’t evenly distributed across the country. To put things in perspective, Brazil, a country that has the highest water yield per person per year, provides its citizens only 40 percent of what is available to a person in Canada.

Get involved in non-profit organizations that are dedicated to helping provide clean water to cities and countries where it is scarce or they don’t have the resources to treat water. On a local level, do what you can to get involved in local events or gatherings where factors that affect water – pollution, deforestation, poor agricultural practices, etc. – need to be addressed.

Below we will outline some points that will help you pick the best water filter for your needs. We’ll also touch on what contaminants may be in your water, common water filtration technologies, the basics of the water filters mentioned above, water filter certification and the various costs.

Contaminants in Water

While doing your research you will find that different water filtration products may not filter out the same group of contaminants. This is why it is important for homeowners to first identify which contaminants are present in their water so they can ensure they are buying a water filter that removes or reduces these undesirables.

NSF provides a list of contaminants that may be present in your water as well as effective product technologies to reduce them. You can find out what contaminants are in your water by obtaining a water quality report from your provider. You can also get at-home tests from virtually any home improvement store or seek a private test from an independent company. Once you have identified the contaminants in your water, you can then narrow down the most effective water filtration systems for your needs.

Common Water Filtration Technologies

As we have outlined in our Basics of Common Water Filter Technologies article, home water filters use similar technologies to clean your water. However, not all water filtration technologies are as effective as others. For example, a water softener uses an ion exchange to reduce calcium and magnesium levels but doesn’t remove most other contaminants. Mechanical filters remove cysts and other sediments but cannot remove chemical contaminants and are often used with other technologies. Carbon filter systems can range in effectiveness; the best ones remove chlorine as well as a wide range of contaminants like lead, mercury and asbestos. Learn more about the most common water filters.

Water Filters: Pitchers VS Undersink VS Whole-House

From the most basic to the most advanced, common household water filters fall into the following categories:

• Pitchers– These are the most basic of water filtration systems, using gravity to move water through a filter. These are convenient and require no setup, but you’ll constantly have to refill your pitcher as you drink or use your water.
• Undersink– Most undersink models filter the water in a secondary, smaller faucet within the kitchen sink rather than the main faucet. Like the pitcher, these filters treat the water at the point of consumption.
• Whole-House– These advanced water filtration systems treat all or most of the water entering a home at the point of entry. Once the water enters the homeowner’s property line from the municipal feed, it is filtered and results in treated water that flows throughout the entire home rather than a single sink or faucet.

Salt Free Water Softener- In addition to the above water filtration systems, a salt free softener may also be attractive to homeowners who wish to remove scale from building up throughout plumping pipes and home appliances. Like the whole house filters, these are installed at the home’s water line.

Water Filter Certification

The highest quality water filters are subject to strict procedures and product testing to ensure they filter contaminants the way they were intended. Water filters with a NSF seal are considered to be the best water filtration systems available to consumers. NSF is a third-party, independent organization that reviews water filtration products to determine if they comply with specific standards for safety, quality or performance. NSF standards are generally national and international, demonstrate a manufacturer’s commitment to safety and quality, and increase the credibility of products. In short, consumers who are seeking the best water filtration systems should seek NSF certification.

Learn more about NSF certification.

Water Filter Costs

As you likely would have guessed, the prices between pitchers, undersink and whole-house water filters vary. Depending on your water filtration needs, one may be more ideal for you than others. If you want the convenience of having water filtration at the sink without having to worry about refilling your pitcher, the Under Sink Water Filter may be ideal. For the most high performance water filtration system, the Whole House Water Filter is an intelligent option. This system ensures the water from all of your taps is filtered so your family enjoys clean, filtered water in the kitchen, bathrooms and throughout all of your appliances.

Each of the Filter Butler options are NSF-certified, and the Under Sink and Whole House filters are available for rent as well as purchase.

Best Water Filter Overview

The first step in determining the best water filter for your home is analyzing the contaminants that are present in your water. If you live in the Toronto area, for example, the recent reports on lead in the water would necessitate a water filtration system that effectively removed this contaminant. Once you identify the water contaminants that you would like to treat, determining the filtration technology you need is the next step followed by a determination of the type of water filter you desire: pitcher, under sink, whole-house and/or a salt free softener. Whichever filtration system you choose you’ll want to be sure it has undergone independent third-party testing such as the one NSF provides.