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Can anyone recommend a good reverse osmosis filtration that is actually certified and made by a company you can actually trust? I have one now, but not sure tha

Can anyone recommend a good reverse osmosis filtration that is actually certified and made by a company you can actually trust? I have one now, but not sure that it filters some of the PFOS/PFAS chemicals. There are so many clearly scammy companies claiming different types of certifications.

danfromjapan 2y ago
I'm also curious about this - particularly about filter membrane materials and nanoplastics
- wahnfrieden 2y ago
  Make sure you have good air filtration too.
kccqzy 2y ago
I use Coway, a Korean brand for my water filtration needs. They are a good brand and actually certified but looking closely at the product manual, they do not make the claim that they filter PFAS (defined as having a fully fluoridated methyl or methylene group): indeed they only claim to filter several chlorinated substances including tetrachloroethene.
blackeyeblitzar 2y ago
> not sure that it filters some of the PFOS/PFAS chemicals Just to clarify the terminology: PFOA, PFOS, PTFE, and thousands of other chemicals are all examples that are part of a larger group of (mostly) problematic chemicals called PFAS. Here is the EPA’s guidance on filtration standards and how to identify filters that are effective for PFAS: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-fil... That PDF has links to products certified by various certification bodies, and suggests looking for products certified against NSF 53, NSF 58, or both. but the EPA also notes the following: > It's important to note that the current certification standards for PFAS filters (as of April 2024) do not yet indicate that a filter will remove PFAS down to the levels EPA has now set for a drinking water standard. EPA is working with standard-setting bodies to update their filter certifications to match EPA’s new requirements. In the meantime, remember that reducing levels of PFAS in your water is an effective way to limit your exposure. EWG has a list of recommended filters: https://www.ewg.org/research/getting-forever-chemicals-out-drinking-water-ewgs-guide-pfas-water-filters https://www.ewg.org/research/getting-forever-chemicals-out-d...
paulgerhardt 2y ago
Some engineer friends and I like Home Master given how modular it is - albeit a bit oldschool: https://www.theperfectwater.com/reverse-osmosis https://www.theperfectwater.com/reverse-osmosis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RqoPpZbszY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RqoPpZbszY In particular the permeate pump makes it more usable and less prone to clogging and the 'insta-hot' option is great for tea/coffee. I'm not a fan of their branding and vague NSF certifications but likewise see fewer red flags with them than their competitors. Eg it's made in the USA, they've been around for a while, they have a few patents to their name, and their based out of Phoenix where the water tastes like garbage so they probably dog food their product. My only wish is to upgrade the remineralization process to 'set and forget' a profile as described in this post on how to DIY name brand mineral waters: https://khymos.org/2012/01/04/mineral-waters-a-la-carte/ https://khymos.org/2012/01/04/mineral-waters-a-la-carte/ If you go deep enough down the coffee-snob rabbit hole you eventually get into fun conversations about remineralization: https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/what-can-we-use-to-remineralise-water/ https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/what-can-we-use-to-remine... - and cheekily https://thirdwavewater.com/ https://thirdwavewater.com/ For something less daunting and ready to go I've heard good things about the Waterdrop K6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkTMsgOsgu0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkTMsgOsgu0 - though there other models appear to be good too and the publish their reports on product pages such as this one: https://www.waterdropfilter.com/products/undersink-reverse-osmosis-system-x16?ref=navimenu https://www.waterdropfilter.com/products/undersink-reverse-o...
ohthanks 2y ago
I have built and sold RO systems for 20+ years. It's a weird industry and there are some competing desires in place. In general it's kind of a mess and it's difficult for consumers to navigate. You can build your own system for less than $150 from cheap parts on ebay. You can buy a branded unit at a big box or amazon for $150-250. Or a "health" branded version for $300-800. Or have an installer put whatever they sell in for $500-1500. My experience is that you will get nearly identical water quality from each of those systems. There are different options and some fine details but the fundamentals haven't changed in decades and you are paying for some collection of service, parts quality, future replacement costs, marketing and snake oil. NSF certification is good, it will rule out products that are flat out harmful. I have seen lots of cheap filters with fake certifications and there are many great filters that it don't carry certification. NSF material and safety cert (51) is a good one to look for, beyond that is has more to do with how the product will be sold and marketed than a real measure of performance. $250-500 is probably the right price range for a diy install unit. Check for replacement part costs, buy something with standard components and cartridge sizes. Learn how it works, change the filters on time and expect to replace components every now and then.
- michael9423 2y ago
  The RO industry is such a snake oil mess that instead I went for a high quality activated charcoal filter that can easily be changed after half a year for 30$, and combine it with water distillation.
josh_today 2y ago
[dead]

danfromjapan 2y ago

I'm also curious about this - particularly about filter membrane materials and nanoplastics

wahnfrieden 2y ago
Make sure you have good air filtration too.

kccqzy 2y ago

I use Coway, a Korean brand for my water filtration needs. They are a good brand and actually certified but looking closely at the product manual, they do not make the claim that they filter PFAS (defined as having a fully fluoridated methyl or methylene group): indeed they only claim to filter several chlorinated substances including tetrachloroethene.

blackeyeblitzar 2y ago

> not sure that it filters some of the PFOS/PFAS chemicals Just to clarify the terminology: PFOA, PFOS, PTFE, and thousands of other chemicals are all examples that are part of a larger group of (mostly) problematic chemicals called PFAS. Here is the EPA’s guidance on filtration standards and how to identify filters that are effective for PFAS: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-fil... That PDF has links to products certified by various certification bodies, and suggests looking for products certified against NSF 53, NSF 58, or both. but the EPA also notes the following: > It's important to note that the current certification standards for PFAS filters (as of April 2024) do not yet indicate that a filter will remove PFAS down to the levels EPA has now set for a drinking water standard. EPA is working with standard-setting bodies to update their filter certifications to match EPA’s new requirements. In the meantime, remember that reducing levels of PFAS in your water is an effective way to limit your exposure. EWG has a list of recommended filters: https://www.ewg.org/research/getting-forever-chemicals-out-drinking-water-ewgs-guide-pfas-water-filters https://www.ewg.org/research/getting-forever-chemicals-out-d...

paulgerhardt 2y ago

Some engineer friends and I like Home Master given how modular it is - albeit a bit oldschool: https://www.theperfectwater.com/reverse-osmosis https://www.theperfectwater.com/reverse-osmosis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RqoPpZbszY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RqoPpZbszY In particular the permeate pump makes it more usable and less prone to clogging and the 'insta-hot' option is great for tea/coffee. I'm not a fan of their branding and vague NSF certifications but likewise see fewer red flags with them than their competitors. Eg it's made in the USA, they've been around for a while, they have a few patents to their name, and their based out of Phoenix where the water tastes like garbage so they probably dog food their product. My only wish is to upgrade the remineralization process to 'set and forget' a profile as described in this post on how to DIY name brand mineral waters: https://khymos.org/2012/01/04/mineral-waters-a-la-carte/ https://khymos.org/2012/01/04/mineral-waters-a-la-carte/ If you go deep enough down the coffee-snob rabbit hole you eventually get into fun conversations about remineralization: https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/what-can-we-use-to-remineralise-water/ https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/what-can-we-use-to-remine... - and cheekily https://thirdwavewater.com/ https://thirdwavewater.com/ For something less daunting and ready to go I've heard good things about the Waterdrop K6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkTMsgOsgu0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkTMsgOsgu0 - though there other models appear to be good too and the publish their reports on product pages such as this one: https://www.waterdropfilter.com/products/undersink-reverse-osmosis-system-x16?ref=navimenu https://www.waterdropfilter.com/products/undersink-reverse-o...

ohthanks 2y ago

I have built and sold RO systems for 20+ years. It's a weird industry and there are some competing desires in place. In general it's kind of a mess and it's difficult for consumers to navigate. You can build your own system for less than $150 from cheap parts on ebay. You can buy a branded unit at a big box or amazon for $150-250. Or a "health" branded version for $300-800. Or have an installer put whatever they sell in for $500-1500. My experience is that you will get nearly identical water quality from each of those systems. There are different options and some fine details but the fundamentals haven't changed in decades and you are paying for some collection of service, parts quality, future replacement costs, marketing and snake oil. NSF certification is good, it will rule out products that are flat out harmful. I have seen lots of cheap filters with fake certifications and there are many great filters that it don't carry certification. NSF material and safety cert (51) is a good one to look for, beyond that is has more to do with how the product will be sold and marketed than a real measure of performance. $250-500 is probably the right price range for a diy install unit. Check for replacement part costs, buy something with standard components and cartridge sizes. Learn how it works, change the filters on time and expect to replace components every now and then.

michael9423 2y ago
The RO industry is such a snake oil mess that instead I went for a high quality activated charcoal filter that can easily be changed after half a year for 30$, and combine it with water distillation.

josh_today 2y ago

[dead]