A countertop water purifier is a water filtration system designed for practical use in private homes. The need for pure water is universal, and water purification systems allow consumers to filter tap water to remove hundreds of possible contaminants. It is easy to have clean drinking water at your fingertips with a countertop water purifier.
There are several styles and sizes of home water purifiers, including countertop, under sink, and filtered pitcher units. Depending on the grade of filter, a countertop water purifier can remove iron, lead, chlorine, bacteria, synthetic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, particulate matter and more. The purified water is cleaner, better tasting and healthier. Drinking purified tap water is also much more ecologically sound than drinking water from disposable bottles.
The smallest version of the countertop water purifier is a basic filtration unit that is secured directly to the kitchen faucet. The water purification system can be toggled on or off as needed. A slightly larger version is set on the countertop near the sink, with a hose system that runs from the faucet to the filter unit. The under sink styles can be even larger and more complex, also with hoses that attach to the faucet. These filtration systems draw water from the home’s plumbing system and remove harmful contaminants before the water is expelled from the faucet.
A relatively inexpensive way to purify drinking water is with a filtered pitcher, such as the ones made by Brita®. They make several sizes of countertop water purifier, with the largest container holding 18 cups (4.25 liters) of pure drinking water. Tap water is poured into a reservoir in the top of the pitcher. Slowly, the unfiltered water seeps through the filter, dripping into the fresh water reservoir below. The filters are disposable and easily replaced when they are no longer effective.
Some people are extremely sensitive to water contaminants on the skin as well as when ingested. Minute amounts of harmful chemicals can cause stinging, burning, itching, and even blistering in some individuals. There are ways to purify large amounts of contaminated tap water. Known as whole-house water purifiers, they can filter 99% of contaminants from tap water, at up to eight gallons (30 liters) per minute. These water purification units are designed to filter enough water for drinking and washing in amounts used by the average family. However, a simple countertop water purifier is adequate water purification for most households.