Best Ongoing Water Filter solution in 2023 to NSF53 or higher standards

Submitted by Mstormer t3_11abbbb in BuyItForLife

Disclaimer: I realize 100% BIFL is impossible here since disposable/replacement filters are involved, but the spirit of BIFL to find a quality solution that will last and prove more reliable than others is what I'm after and what I assume most here are also interested in.

Question one: Does anyone know if a 2.5"x9.75" or 2.5"x10" filter cartridge exists that is NSF/ANSI 53 rated (or better)? Not just NSF 42 for materials. This would be amazing as I could just get a random filter housing like one of these and then just install separate cartridges sourced elsewhere. Beyond testing standards, I don't really understand the difference between filter types here super well (simple explanations welcomed).

Question Two: If the above simply does not exist, then that pretty much means I'll need a good recommendation with proprietary filters.

Criteria:

- Not Berkey - I lost confidence after reading this NYT review and the recent class action lawsuit.
- A countertop solution (I'm renting). Ideally attachable to my faucet.
- A NSF rating of 53 or better to deal with lead/chlorine primarily, though particulate removal would also be great (Reverse osmosis is not especially needed, as that's probably overkill and is known to waste water).
- Good value replacement filters.

Top options considered so far: Public Spreadsheet

Additional background: I recently descended into the rabbit hole of water filtration after my zero water filters started lasting only a week per replacement ($780/yr at $15/filter) after a recent move. I'm somewhat at a dead end after hours and hours of research and scouring Reddit. I'm ideally looking for something rated NSF 53 or better as there is more lead in my local water report than I trust to drink. Although it doesn't mean a whole lot, my TSD meter reads at about 350ppm, which may contribute to decreased filter lifespans.

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plasmaticD t1_j9sa2zz wrote

680 ppm total dissolved solids here,, super hard water.. Make sure your water supply uses only chlorine and not chloramine (harder to remove). Check your federal water quality report municipalities are required to file, Google for it. I studied Amazon reverse ionization (EDIT: should have said Reverse Osmosis) ads and various online reviews to determine which filter types I needed, then bought standard canisters and refill cartridges of those types to do the actual filtering.. in my case it included sediment filter, deionization resin, and carbon block but I have chloramines so YMMV. If you are on well water or they dig up your pipes a lot(like me), the sediment filter might be nice but totally optional.

Water out= 0 ppm TDS! WOOHOO! Wash that car and leave no spots!!! You can also get 4.5" diameter canisters either 10"or 20" tall depending on consumption. Bigger lasts longer but costs more to replace.

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Mstormer OP t1_j9t74hk wrote

Which do you use (link welcomed)? Did you bother with NSF ratings or is that less of a concern compared to TDS?

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plasmaticD t1_j9uabdt wrote

Hi u/Mstormer!

For cannisters, I used cannisters from Ronaqua such as:

'https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MEBM2C2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I found Oceanic Water Systems to be a great outlet for refills. Their website has good info and a variety of filter types for your choice. This one I chose for chloramine removal (which you probably won't need) carries an NSF rating:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SHDM83G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You may browse the Oceanic website to uncover the specific cartridge types that apply to your particular water quality and use. Some of the chinese cartridge refills do not have NSF btw.

Here's my dedicated Car Washing Filtration rig photo. The DeIonization Resin is a Wash-Pak from ServaPure.com's website. Even though the rig puts out faultless water, we still don't use that water to mix baby formula with for our grand baby because garden hose parts construction (see distilled water cases background), but I wouldn't hesitate to drink it straight from the cannisters! PHOTO:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AizBB-5tjAr97wbLg0N_mzO9LUQs2uWs/view?usp=share_link

If you're not on well water and you're reducing TDS, include one of the activated charcoal filters as the core of your filtration plan (not necessarily first in line). If your solids are limestone as mine probably are, make a plan to remove that from there with the filters you choose. (EDIT: removing LEAD is a special case, you'll need to research that) While you're not buying a reverse osmosis unit, their promo ads and review websites will tell you exactly what cartridge does what, you can pick what's important and needed for your particular water from that. They're all types also available in cannister cartridge form.

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Quail-a-lot t1_j9skv1i wrote

As someone who does have a background in this - RO is actually the simplest solution given that reducing lead is one of your worries and you want something for a rental. In fact, I'd say RO for the last stage even if you owned and had a multimedia filter in front of it. There is a lot of bullshit snakeoil out there as you've already noticed. Yes, they will waste some water, but given your description I am assuming you are on city taps anyhow rather than a well. If you are on a well and/or catchment like I am, you will want additional coarse filters in front of it to remove particulates. For tap water, just a simple three stage RO unit will do plenty fine. If you are worried about the cost of filters, you can get the prefilters much cheaper from an agricultural supply. Same ones, just in a plain box. Cheaper if you buy multiples and they don't go bad. These are cheap and important to keep changing. If you notice your water flow rate drop - change even if it is not your scheduled time. This will prolong the life of the more expensive RO replacements and give you the best filtration results.

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Mstormer OP t1_j9t8aal wrote

Is RO typically exempt from NSF/ANSI performance standards and testing like distillation because they remove everything, or do they still need to be rated? My understanding was that NSF58 was the standard RO need to meet to qualify as legitimately RO when independently tested.

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ConBroMitch t1_j9tnz1a wrote

3M CTM-02 seems to be exactly what you’re looking for. NSF 53 rated as well.

However, there is a catch. it’s a product for the Malaysia market. So sourcing it (and refills) may be difficult. I’m sure you can find it on the internet, but would need to order a bunch of refills to make it economical to ship.

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Mstormer OP t1_j9u5hwk wrote

Yes, this would qualify. I don't see US resellers though for replacement filters.

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ConBroMitch t1_j9ufz22 wrote

Perhaps you could find a reputable dealer in Malaysia that will ship here?

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Mstormer OP t1_j9uvb0e wrote

Not sure how to go about that, and guessing the cost-benefit ratio may not make it worthwhile. I appreciate the option though, should I ever find myself traveling!

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LuckyNyx t1_j9s55sl wrote

My family has used multipure for decades, I’ve had the basic unit through 4 or 5 different apartments over 15 yrs and it’s still going strong

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gigatronics t1_j9s9s5c wrote

Pro One has counter and undercounter options that meet NSF53 and better. https://prooneusa.com

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wgfreewill t1_j9u2jk2 wrote

Pro One do have some NSF tested/rated products, but no NSF 53 like OP requested.

https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/

You can drop the Product Standard down to NSF 53 and search. If the filter isn't in this database, it's not 3rd party tested and I wouldn't believe their claims.

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Mstormer OP t1_j9u3yet wrote

Yeah, they claim independent testing, but also a filter that lasts 2600 gallons. Unlikely.

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Mstormer OP t1_j9u1mxq wrote

They actually look pretty impressive. Any idea if their cartridge can fit other similar-looking filter housings like the first 3 links in my main post? I'd love to use a transparent housing.

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LT1roadmaster t1_j9tft4e wrote

Alexapure pro. Hands down

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wgfreewill t1_j9u32gk wrote

No NSF testing. This is the new Berkey it seems. I wonder if they are buying their black filters from New Millenium Concepts too. There are real tested units like the Doulton W9361122 out there. The doulton filters should fit Berkeys and Alexapure units.

https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/

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mrsredfast t1_j9tzbe0 wrote

We have same concerns about Berkey. Purchased one on Woot for half price several years ago when it was considered reputable. It does well making our tap water taste better but I wouldn’t trust them if I had serious concerns about my water safety. Since we have the Berkey housing, we have Doulton filters that fit it put back for a more serious water safety situation.

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Mstormer OP t1_j9u03vp wrote

Thanks for sharing this. It makes a lot of sense to use certified filters instead. Excellent solution. Doulton filters appear to be NSF 42 and 53 certified, too!

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Worth-Estate-4875 t1_j9vaj86 wrote

Before using filters, I would evaluate water quality to assess the situation. A researcher in our neighborhood collected water samples from houses in the same area supplied by the same water source. Her results were surprising; almost all houses in her sample that used water filtration had worse water quality than houses without filtration systems, except for one house. She concluded that it is probably due to infrequent filter replacement or a very long duration between replacements causing bacterial growth, resulting in worse water quality than those without filtration. So I guess replacing the filters at the recommended intervals is necessary if you use any filtration systems.

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Mstormer OP t1_j9vj0ns wrote

Valid point. Most people aren't conscientious about filter replacement, as I'm learning. I've looked at the water quality report for my town. The reason I'm looking for a solution is in part because of the lead in that report and because my state is known for having lead-heavy water in a town not too far away, that rhymes with glint.

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deus_explatypus t1_j9s5t7s wrote

Berkey filter

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Mstormer OP t1_j9t7012 wrote

Guessing you didn't read the main post, but thanks. 😅 I’d be interested if you’ve had your filters efficacy tested after a few hundred gallons, given that the independent testing I cited showed massively reduced efficacy after 200-300 gallons.

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deus_explatypus t1_j9tp3ef wrote

Ya because The NY Times is a totally unbiased newspaper and definitely not a shitrag

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Mstormer OP t1_j9vtgfk wrote

The class action lawsuit did independent testing and is completely unrelated to NYT…

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Adventurous_Drive_10 t1_j9svdol wrote

A second vote for Berkey filters! Myself and several friends have them. They are bulky but so well made.

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