The key factor that attracts people to bottled water is the removal of taste and odor.  Most people don't know how easy this is to do.  It's not necessary to buy water in most areas.  Some people play with filter jugs and attachments to the kitchen tap, but this is only a partial solution.  These devices take up space, they're not very convenient, it's difficult to wash food and fill cooking pots, and they only solve water problems in the kitchen. 

The best solution for the kitchen is a simple "under-sink" activated carbon filter.  These units will remove sediment, taste, odor, chlorine and other chemicals.  It's connected to the cold water line that supplies the kitchen tap.  If you choose a proper filter housing and get the necessary fittings then it can be connected with standard plumbing connectors available at any hardware store. 

Reverse Osmosis (RO) units are overkill. The biggest problem is that they produce a small amount of filtered water and require a separate holding tank under the sink.  In addition, they have to be connected to the drain to bleed off excess water.  Beware of RO systems and other filters that use 1/8" and 1/4" plastic tubing.  These units connect to plumbing in very destructive ways.  In most cases, your cold water line has to be pierced with a special fitting that will not stand the test of time.  Trying to remove these systems leaves crippled plumbing behind.

In my opinion, the kitchen is not enough.  The best solution for a homeowner is a "whole house filter".  These units will remove sediment, taste, odor, chlorine and other chemicals.  It's connected to the water main that supplies the house.  This means that all water in the house (hot and cold) is chemical and sediment free.  Bathroom sinks provide great tasting water, showers no longer smell like swimming pools, bathing is easier on your skin, plants don't get poisoned in chlorine, etc. 

This is the filter housing that I use for "under-sink" filtration.  It's made by several companies under several different part numbers.  It provides minimal reduction in water flow, has standard threaded holes for easy installation, and the filter cartridges don't have to be changed as often.  I picked up the US-550 at Home Depot for use under my kitchen sink.  It uses standard filters that can be found locally and on the Internet.

These are examples of filter housings that can be used for "under-sink" filtration but activated carbon filter cartridges are hard to find.  They are made by several companies under several different part numbers.  These units are often called "whole house" filters by different companies and retailers but I find them too small for that application.

This is the filter housing I use for "whole house" filtration.  It's made by several companies under several different part numbers.  It uses 10" filters for minimal reduction in water flow, it has standard threaded holes for easy installation, and the filter cartridges don't have to be changed as often.  It uses standard filters that can be found locally and on the Internet.  I picked up the Culligan HD-950 at Home Depot but now they sell an equivalent GE model GXWH30C.

Installation of a whole house water filter is quite simple.  Find your water main and insert the filter.  A shutoff valve should be installed to simplify the process of replacing the filter cartridge.  You may choose to install a shutoff valve on both sides of the filter to reduce the chance of air getting into the line when you replace the filter cartridge but I find this overkill.  Air is removed by simply running the water.

I installed two filter housings along my water main.  The first one is for a 5 micron sediment filter and the second one is for a 25 micron carbon filter.  Note the quarter turn ball valve (red handle) to the lower left, and the copper flex to simplify installation and any future repairs.  My water main was just to the left of the picture, next to the concrete slab.  I choose to run the plumbing over the slap so the filters would be protected under the porch.  The large black pipe is a kitchen sink drain vent.  I have never soldered copper water pipes before but found it quite simple and reliable.  Total installation cost, including all parts and tools was less than $200.  If I were to do this installation again, I would consider a single filter housing for the 25 micron carbon filter.  Another thought would be two carbon filters in parallel.

I installed this filter housing to the cold water line under my kitchen sink.  I use a 0.5 micron carbon filter.  This did not require any special tools or soldering.  I used standard under sink plumbing hoses and picked up a right angle fitting (left side of filter) to eliminate extra tubing and bend.  If I were to do this installation again, I would consider elimination of this filter and see how the whole house filtration works by itself.  As such, my current recommendation would be a whole house filter for homeowners and an under sink filter for renters.  I will experiment more with my next home and update this page.

No discussion of water filters is complete without talking about portable water filters.  If you are into extended outdoor activities then this is the ultimate filter.  It's the only chemical free filter approved for removing viruses.  It consists of a 0.1 micron carbon matrix filter that will remove microbiological contaminants (such as Giardia, Crypto and other cysts), chemicals contaminants (such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, chlorine and TCE), and aesthetic contaminants (such as taste and odor).  It will filter 1.8 liters per minute, has a 125 gallon filter life and weighs less than a pound.  While the filter cartridge can be replaced separately, I prefer to replace the entire unit since the pump is not serviceable.  There are plenty of advantages to the disposable filter.  Since it is self-contained, there is much less danger of personal contamination as can easily occur with most of the cleanable and all the other replaceable filters.  Since it is a depth filter in a sealed container, the possibility it would be damaged or develop an internal leak is very small.  Once it is clogged, you know it has reached its limit.  The First Need isn't the lightest and isn't quite as compact or easily packed as some other filters but I believe the benefits are far greater than these disadvantages.  This filter can be purchased locally and online for $72.