Are water filters effective?

Water filtration has become a major concern in France, as the quality of drinking water is increasingly being called into question. The pollution of drinking water due to industrial, agricultural, or domestic activities has repercussions.

Indeed, contaminants of various types such as metallic ions, heavy metals, traces of medications, and microplastics are found in large quantities in the water you drink every day, which can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, even chronic diseases. Filtering water thus prevents these risks by eliminating these harmful substances.

Tap water is treated by public services to meet standards when it arrives directly in your sink, but concerns remain. The presence of BPA, traces of substances alters the taste and increases health risks, particularly due to the aging infrastructure of the water distribution network, which sometimes causes secondary contamination.

Bottled water is often seen as a safer alternative, but plastic releases chemicals especially when exposed to heat. Thus, optimal home water filtration appears as an effective solution to guarantee quality water that contains minerals (calcium, magnesium…).

What option to filter water? 

On the market, there are several systems with somewhat different processes. Identify your needs, as this step is essential to find a suitable device. 

• Mechanical filtration traps solid particles: sand or sediments. This solution is simple, but it does not treat chemical or biological contaminants.
• The one with activated carbon absorbs all contaminants: chlorine and pesticides.
• The gravity filter combined with activated carbon uses the force of gravity to pass rainwater or tap water through filters. This method purifies water without using electricity.
• Reverse osmosis (osmotic) forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove heavy metals, nitrates, and contaminants. 
• Ultrafiltration and nanofiltration are similar to reverse osmosis, they filter intermediate-sized particles. 
• UV filtration destroys microorganisms. It is effective for disinfecting water and useless against contaminants.

What criteria to choose a water filter? 

We recommend the gravity filter combined with the activated carbon filter for tap water. It removes more than 99% of bacteria as well as heavy metals. However, check the quality of your municipality's water. 

If the water has chemical contaminants, this filter is essential, as it removes organic impurities. This also helps improve the taste, making it better for consumption. Consider the flow rate, price, and the amount of water consumed daily. Some filters are quite complex to use, requiring professional installation or even training.

At Weeplow, we offer you a gravity filter without electricity. Simple, quick, and relevant, these are the strengths of our solution. We even have a system to filter the water used for coffee!

How to know the quality of your water?

If you check the quality of your municipality's water, you will find that it needs to be filtered. Municipal services or the water company publish an annual report regarding the quality of the distributed water. It provides information about the presence of chemical substances.

The Ministry of Health or environmental organizations have interactive databases. Just enter the name of your municipality. However, we have found that analyses do not always reflect reality. This was the case with the quality of the Seine's water during the Olympic Games, it was not as expected.

This is why it is preferable to conduct a home test. Buy a kit and measure the presence of pollutants. 

Why drink pure water?

Drinking pure water is essential for preserving health and well-being. It is a vital element for life, participating in numerous biological functions such as regulating body temperature, digestion, and eliminating toxins.

The tap water we consume contains bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, as well as residues of harmful products. All of this can harm the family's health, hence the importance of choosing the best certified water filter. 

• Pure water free of these impurities reduces the risk of exposure to these harmful substances. 
• Lead present in old pipes can sometimes cause neurological disorders in children. 
• Pharmaceutical products are likely to disrupt the endocrine system.

Pure water generally has a better taste and a pleasant smell, which encourages regular consumption to maintain good hydration. 

Why choose a gravity filter? 

The power of energy independence

This gravity filter has several advantages, especially for people looking for practical use without relying on electricity. The allocated budget is therefore much lower. 

Gravity filters work without external water pressure and offer a large filtration capacity. They simply use the force of gravity to pass water through the filtration system. They are perfect at home, but also for camping, in your kitchen, and while traveling. They are easily portable, which is not the case with a fountain, for example.  

Effective filtration

This gravity filter combined with the activated carbon filter or ceramic filter eliminates a wide range of contaminants, without requiring external water pressure to operate. It is capable of treating solid particles, microorganisms as well as heavy metals. This choice offers pure and safe water to consume. 

Ease of maintenance and use

No technical skills are needed to install the gravity filter. It is easily transportable since it does not depend on electricity. The volume is also larger, which is not the case with a simple carafe or a filtering bottle, for example. Regarding maintenance, it is enough to replace the filter cartridges and consider periodic cleaning.

Water filters are really effective!

We have discussed the many systems, the advantages and disadvantages of each device, so it is time to focus on effectiveness. Indeed, it is an excellent way to eliminate a wide range of contaminants present in drinking water such as metals and microorganisms. An activated carbon filter can remove 99% of chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Many regions have water infested with harmful substances due to bad weather, flooding, and farmers. Moreover, the waters of France and even Europe may contain TFA, a dangerous pollutant according to the findings of ANSES. PAN and Générations Futures detected trifluoroacetic acid last July.

It is therefore ideal to use a filtration system to retain minerals.