Everyone needs water in order to survive, but it must be clean. When we want a drink of water, we typically get a glass and take water right from the kitchen faucet. However, even city water is likely to contain impurities. These impurities are so small we cannot see them and they're so slight that we cannot taste them. Nevertheless, they are present. One way to rid ourselves of these impurities in our water is by installing a countertop water filter.

A countertop water filter is often the most convenient and trouble free. Unlike filtering pitchers, the countertop water filter has instant access to pure water 24/7. There is no waiting for water to pass through the filter since the filtered water is ready to be dispensed. Installation usually takes minutes and no special tools are needed. Simply remove the aerator and screw the attachment in its place. The filtering unit usually rests next to the sink, out of the way.

Water is diverted from the faucet through a series of filters and then back to the faucet. Because of the amount of time the water is in contact with the filters, a greater effectiveness in cleansing is accomplished.

Countertop water filters do not remove everything from the water. Desired minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are not filtered out. These add taste to water. But harmful chemicals such as algae by-products and other organic chemicals, chlorine, lead and a host of other contaminants are removed.

Most countertop water filters have replaceable filters. These get clogged with contaminants. The more impure the water, the quicker the filters will reach their life expectancy. If the filter is not replaced, the efficiency of the system will break down. Each model is different so it is important to check the owner's manual to learn when this should be done. It is also good to keep a spare set of filters on hand so that when the filters need to be replaced, this can be done without interruption to the fresh supply of filtered water.

Every water filter system will have some type of on-going cost. For countertop water filters, the cost is the replacement filters. Yet, in spite of this, it is still cheaper than bottled water, and the convenience of having an endless supply of filtered water at the faucet is a strong incentive to consider purchasing such a unit for a home and family.

Berkey Water Filters are the best line of countertop water filters we are aware of. In addition, they have the advantage of looking high class rather than an add-on to your faucet. Check out the Black Berkey or another model. One amazing feature is that each set of filters they ship with can be re-cleaned to purify up to 6,000 gallons of drinking water.