To maintain good health, we should drink 6-8 glasses of water every day. Unfortunately, some tap water and a lot of bottled water is contaminated with heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and chemicals like chlorine and fluoride. Which means that drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily could actually be detrimental to our health.
The goodness of well water
Some of us are lucky enough to have access to well water. Well water is generally a lot cleaner and safer to drink and cook with. It also has more of the natural minerals that our bodies require.
Generally speaking, the deeper the well is, the cleaner the water will be. However, sometimes well water can taste a little “off” due to naturally occurring minerals or other elements. Sulfur and iron are 2 that come to mind. While not harmful, they don’t make for the best drinking experience.
Possible contaminants in well water
In some cases, well water can have traces of contaminates.
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Chemicals and minerals
- Heavy metals
- Bacteria
- Nitrates
Why use a water filter pitcher?
Well water should be tested regularly, and corrected if there are any major problems. Filtering your well water will improve the taste and adds an extra layer of safety.
The easiest and most economical way to get clean, delicious water from your well is to invest in a high-quality water filter pitcher. Why?
- Improves taste of water
- Removes impurities
- Inexpensive
- Portable and easy-to-use
Before you buy
There are a few things you need to consider before buying a water filter pitcher.
- Capacity
- Filter lifespan and cost
- BPA free
- Filter life indicator
- Type of filter
Capacity
Water filter pitchers come in different shapes and sizes. If you have a large family or consume a lot of water, you may want to consider a pitcher that can hold up to 10 cups of water. However, lifting and carrying a 10-cup water pitcher can get pretty heavy.
Filter cost
The cost of the water pitcher itself is not as important as the price of the replacement filter. Since you need to replace the water filter in your pitcher regularly, your primary focus when it comes to cost should definitely be on the price of the replacement filters and not the actual pitcher.
In addition to the filter’s cost, you also need to look at the lifespan. Some filters can last quite a long time while others may require more frequent replacing. The filters lifespan can help you determine whether it’s worth it.
BPA Free?
Since most water filter pitchers are plastic, you definitely need to ensure it is BPA free to prevent harmful chemicals from leaking back into your filtered water.
Filter reminder
Another feature that is useful to have is a filter life indicator. This will remind you when you need to change your filter so that you don’t have to write anything down or worry about counting days from your last filter change.
What can it remove?
Finally, you definitely want to look at the type of filter used and what it removes. The best filter for well water is one that uses activated carbon. This type of filter helps remove specific contaminants without removing healthy minerals. Also, you want a filter that can specifically remove pesticides and herbicides since those can leak into well water if there is a farm near by.
So which filtration pitcher is the best?
After reviewing several water filter pitchers and comparing the cost of the replacement filters, the actual filtration system, the quality of the pitcher and its design, I would have to say that the Seychelle pH2O Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher is definitely the best for filtering well water.
The design
This beautifully designed pitcher is responsibly sourced and the filter itself is manufactured in the USA. It is aesthetically pleasing and comes in a clean clear design that fits well in your refrigerator while providing 64 ounces of delicious water at a time.
The pitcher has a sturdy weight and feel. The lid was also cleverly designed with a pour spout feature, which allows hands free filling up with water, plus you don’t have to take off the lid to refill the water!
The filter
Small, compact and easy to replace, the Seychelle filter is definitely one of the top filters on the market. While some have complained about a slow flow rate, the function of filtering ensures the water is extremely well filtered.
It is capable of removing heavy metals like aluminum, lead, and mercury, as well as other contaminants such as chloroform and arsenic. While it effectively removes all the stuff you don’t want to be drinking with your water, this Seychelle filter leaves in beneficial minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Affordable filters
The replacement filters come in a pack of two and are reasonably priced. Replacing the filter is quick and easy.
The duration of your filter will depend on how long and how often you filter water. Some owners have stated that they know its time to change the filter when the flow becomes very slow.
Replacement filters for the Seychelle pH2O Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher are available at Amazon.
The verdict
Water filter pitchers come in all shapes and sizes. What you want to focus on is the actual filter and what it filters out. There are definitely less contaminants to worry about when filtering well water in comparison with tap water, but you should never solely rely on a water filter pitcher. It is important to test your well water regularly with an appropriate water testing kit.
Want a pitcher that removes chlorine and fluoride? I found the best.
Additional Resources
Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: Michele D.W. and Susanne N.
