Thoughts on this water filter plan?

18 years ago

I'm looking to filter kitchen sink water for taste/odor. High chloramines (or chlorine depending on what they're doing at the treatment plant this month.. it varies) but no lead concerns, etc. The link goes to my most recent water quality report.. this is municipal water.

I would like a fairly high flow rate; we do prefer to use filtered (non-chlorine-tasting) water for cooking. This will supply an instant hot / instant cold and icemaker as well.

I'm thinking that RO is overkill and not worth messing with. For a sufficient flow rate, the Big Blue filter bodies look promising - generic, high-flow filters are readily available.

How about using several Big Blue 10" filter bodies under the sink, and just running ALL cold water through them? It looks like I won't hit the maximum gallons on those filters before the 6 months is up and I have to replace them for time anyway.. so is there any reason to not just filter all the cold?

What's an ideal number and type of filters? 1-micron sediment, GAC, carbon block? Or should there be another sediment filter AFTER the carbon to get carbon fines out? And do I even need the sediment prefilter with a municipal supply?

Here is a link that might be useful: Water Quality Report

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

mhlurker
18 years ago
I agree with RO being overkill. You can't use carbon block if you want to filter all the cold water used at the sink unless the filter is rated a high enough gpm. GAC would work in a 4.5" x 10" filter. For either you should use a sediment prefilter. A carbon block would need a 1 micron and GAC 5 or 20 micron. There won't be any fines after the first flush of the filter.
perel
Original Author
18 years ago
Most of the generic cartridges out there don't specify flow rate (or at least it's not easy to find) but what I have found is about 2.5GPM for carbon block and 4GPM for GAC.

Given that the faucet is restricted to 2.2GPM anyway, it sounds like either would work fine. I'm seeing a lot of conflicting advice out there about which is better - GAC, carbon block, or both in series.
Related Professionals
South Bend General Contractors · Manchester General Contractors · Kenosha General Contractors · San Diego General Contractors · Dothan Home Remodeling · Valdosta Home Remodeling · Lake Charles Home Remodeling · Natchez Home Remodeling · Kirksville Home Remodeling · Akron Home Remodeling · Lawton Bathroom Remodelers · Rock Hill Bathroom Remodelers · Lancaster Bathroom Remodelers · Victorville Bathroom Remodelers · Cornwall Bathroom Remodelers
mhlurker
18 years ago
Carbon block removes 'things' that GAC can't; like THMs. As I already said, you should use a sediment cartridge in front of GAC or a block.
perel
Original Author
18 years ago
Gotcha - definitely a sediment cartridge first.

How about: (all in 10" or possibly 20" housings)
supply -> 1 micron sediment -> GAC -> carbon block -> tap

Or is that overkill? Also, I'm seeing a lot of different micron ratings for GAC and carbon block filters themselves. I understand your point about the proper sediment prefilter size, but what about the carbon filter size?
mhlurker
18 years ago
I wouldn't filter all the water, just the drinking and cooking water and the 'fridge.

GAC is best for chlorine/chloramine removal. All you need is a sediment and GAC dual stage drinking water filter with an RO faucet.