Imagine this: you reach for a cold glass of H2O to quench your thirst. But instead of the crisp, refreshing taste you’re looking for, you get a mouthful of flat, bland, and smelly water.
Disappointing, right?
Though bad taste and smell may be the most apparent unappealing qualities found in your tap water, they might be among the least concerning qualities. In fact, many municipal water supplies contain harmful contaminants like "forever chemicals" (PFAS), lead, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
This unfortunate reality begs the question—is our water safe? And how do you ensure safe, delicious drinking water for your family? We've got the answers you're looking for.
So what are you waiting for? Let's jump in and find out how home filtration can help you protect your family's health and well-being!
The Importance of Home Water Filtration
We trust our municipal water systems to deliver clean, healthy water to our homes—and they do an incredible job—but they aren't perfect. Consequently, the tap water in our homes isn’t always as clean as we’d like to think. Even with dedicated efforts, unfiltered water contains a range of contaminants that still slip through the cracks, posing potential health risks to you and your family.
Annual data from the EPA reveals over 11,000 water quality violations in 2021. Additionally, in 2022, over 27% of public water systems violated at least one standard, with nearly 4% exceeding health-based limits. But what do these statistics mean for you and your family?
In part, these stats suggest that the water reaching your home might contain traces of the following:
- Lead: This dangerous heavy metal has been linked to developmental issues in children and cognitive decline in adults.
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): Commonly known as “forever chemicals,” these toxic chemicals break down very slowly over time. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to reproductive issues in pregnant women, developmental issues in children, increased risk of some cancers, and reduced immune response.
- Cysts: Cysts are microscopic organisms that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These chemicals can enter water sources from industrial sources or agricultural runoff and cause damage to the nervous and immune systems.
This list is just a sample of the possible contaminants that may be found in your tap water. Types and levels of contaminants can vary depending on your location and water source.
So what can you do to ensure your family doesn't ingest these harmful contaminants? That's where home water filtration comes in.
Point-of-Entry Filtration Versus Point-of-Use Filtration
When it comes to house water filtration, there are two main filter categories: point-of-entry and point-of-use. As their names suggest, point-of-entry systems filter your home's water where it enters the house, while point-of-use systems filter only the water in the specific faucet being used.
Point-of-Entry
Whole-house filtration systems, often referred to as point-of-entry systems, typically are installed on your home’s water main. While this may seem like a comprehensive solution, these systems might not be the champion you think they are when it comes to protecting your family's water.
- Overkill alert: Do you really want filtered water for all of your home water applications, including flushing toilets and washing dishes? Most likely not. Whole-house systems filter all your water, regardless of its intended use. This increases cost and filter usage.
- Installation headaches: Most whole-house systems require complicated installations that necessitate hiring a plumber.
- The silent threat: Pipes—especially in older homes—can harbor lead, rust, and other contaminants that your whole-house filter won't catch. So, while your water might be "filtered" at the source, it may pick up new hitchhikers on its journey to your glass.
- Big price tag: Whole-house filters can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
- Stagnant water storage: Leaving unchlorinated water sitting in your pipes for extended periods can foster bacteria growth and biofilm formation, potentially impacting water quality.
Point-of-Use
On the other hand, point-of-use filtration targets the water you actually consume, offering concentrated protection at the point where it matters most—your faucet. This type of filter will bring your standard tap water a step above city water and help ensure that every sip you take is clean and contaminant-free, giving you and your family peace of mind.
- Affordable: Point-of-use systems are typically less expensive to purchase and install than whole-house systems, offering budget-friendly options. Replacement filters are generally affordable, as well.
- Easy installation: Under-sink filters such as the Aquavis Pulse are designed to be installed by anyone regardless of experience, requiring no professional help.
- Versatility: These systems allow you to filter your water only where you need filtered water, reducing initial cost and maintenance.
Looking for a point-of-use filter? Consider the Aquavis Pulse for your home. The filter life for this under-sink system lasts long enough to filter up to 500 gallons of water (about six months), ensuring every sip is clean and safe. Let Aquavis give you the peace of mind you deserve without the hassle.
Carbon Filtration Versus Reverse Osmosis
When we think of in-home water filters, two popular options come to mind: carbon filtration and reverse osmosis (RO). When choosing between these two options for your home, it's crucial to understand their key differences.
So let's look at some pros and cons.
Reverse Osmosis Systems: Powerful, But Demanding
RO boasts impressive capabilities. It's highly effective at removing a wide range of potential contaminants, including lead, arsenic, and even dissolved solids. This makes it worth considering for areas with heavily treated water or specific health concerns. However, RO comes with some unique considerations:
- Required drain line: RO systems require a drain line, and sometimes electricity, potentially requiring professional installation—especially in kitchens without readily available drain access.
- Routine maintenance: Unlike simpler options, RO features multiple filters that require regular replacements for optimal performance. This regular maintenance can be costly, and may necessitate professional help.
- Large size: Compared to their compact carbon counterparts, RO systems are often bulkier, potentially monopolizing precious under-sink space, especially in smaller kitchens. Consider measuring available space before diving in.
- Increased waste: Contaminated water in the RO filtration stage must be expelled from the system, generating wastewater and raising concerns in drought-prone areas where water conservation is paramount. This wastewater also contributes to the slow water flow rate of RO systems.
- Mineral stripping: While RO effectively removes impurities, it can also strip away beneficial minerals that contribute to the natural water taste and pleasant water smell. Drinking this water may also draw helpful minerals from your body, causing a number of health issues.
- Costly investment: RO systems are generally more expensive than carbon filtration systems in both the upfront cost and ongoing filter replacements.
By understanding these potential drawbacks alongside RO's strengths, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your priorities and kitchen setup.
Carbon Filtration: Simple and Effective
Carbon filtration takes a gentler approach to water purification. While carbon filters may not remove as many contaminants as RO systems, they effectively address common concerns like chlorine and other factors that affect taste and smell.
Premium carbon filters, such as the Aquavis Pulse, even remove unhealthy contaminants such as lead, PFAS, cysts, and more. This process results in cleaner, more refreshing water without the complexity of RO systems.
Carbon filtration boasts several advantages:
- Convenient: Most carbon water filters attach directly to faucets or come in portable pitchers, requiring no electricity or complex installation. You can simply "snap-and-sip" your way to cleaner water—perfect for renters, apartments, or anyone seeking a hassle-free solution.
- Easy maintenance: Replacing carbon filters is a breeze compared to the multi-filter juggling act of RO systems. With carbon filtration, you'll spend less time and money on new filters or professional help and more time enjoying refreshing filtered water.
- Compact: Carbon filters are space-saving champions. Their sleek designs seamlessly integrate into any kitchen, maximizing space without sacrificing performance.
- Fast flow rate: Enjoy a satisfying flow rate with carbon filters. Fill your glass and quench your thirst without a major impact on water pressure—no more waiting around for slow drips.
- No waste water: Carbon filtration uses significantly less water than RO, making it a fantastic choice for conserving this precious resource—especially in water-scarce regions where every drop counts!
- Natural taste: Carbon filters strike a harmonious balance between removing harmful contaminants and preserving essential minerals that contribute to water's natural taste. The result? Healthy, tasty H2O directly from your tap.
- Long-term savings: Considering the increased water usage, filter replacements, and potential countertop repairs of RO, carbon filters offer significant cost savings over time.
Because of their advantages in size, cost, and efficiency, carbon filters are an excellent choice for convenience and sustainability in many households.
Remember: your perfect filtration solution depends on your situation and priorities. Explore your options and choose the path that matches your family's water needs!
Different Types of Carbon Filtration
Carbon filters come in many different forms that all have their advantages.
Basic carbon filters like pitcher filters and fridge filters remove general contaminants like chlorine and bad tastes. On the other hand, advanced carbon filters like those used in the under-sink Aquavis Pulse can remove a broader range of contaminants like lead, PFAS, cysts, and certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The Best Carbon Filtration for You
Carbon filtration offers simplicity, affordability, peace of mind and control, but with various options available, choosing the right approach can feel overwhelming.
But don't worry—we're here to help! Let's dive into the world of carbon filtration, highlighting the pros and cons of different point-of-use methods to help you find the perfect match for your needs.
Fridge Filters
Nestled within your fridge door, these filters promise cleaner water at your fingertips. While they often improve taste by removing chlorine, their limitations are significant.
Primarily targeting chlorine and odor, many fridge filters miss vital contaminants like lead, PFAS, and cysts. Additionally, frequent filter replacements and compatibility issues can become inconvenient and costly.
Remember: just because it tastes better doesn't mean it's more filtered.
Water Filter Pitchers
A familiar sight on many countertops, these portable filters offer affordability and ease of use. However, their limitations quickly surface. They require frequent change-outs (typically 2 months), and their small capacity leaves you waiting while your water slowly drips through the filter.
Furthermore, like fridge filters, pitcher filters often only address chlorine, leaving you vulnerable to more significant health concerns and common contaminants. While budget-friendly, they might not be the most effective long-term solution.
Countertop Filters
Sleek and stylish, countertop dispensers can enhance your kitchen aesthetic. However, the size of countertop filters demands valuable counter space, and their performance often reflects their price tag.
While some of these filters offer better contaminant removal than fridge or pitcher options, replacing countertop filters can be cumbersome and expensive. Consider your kitchen layout and budget before diving into this eye-catching (but potentially space-consuming) option.
Faucet-Mounted Filters
Attached directly to your faucet, faucet-mounted water filters provide a readily accessible source of filtered water. However, their small size often translates to limited filtration capacity and short lifespans, requiring replacements every two to three months, adding to the overall cost.
Additionally, they can clutter your sink area—especially in compact kitchens—making it hard to maneuver around the faucet attachment.
Under-Sink Water Filters
Finally, we arrive at the hidden gem: under-sink filtration systems like the Aquavis Pulse. This powerful technology offers a multitude of advantages, making it a clear contender for the best home filtration solution.
- Comprehensive filtration: Unlike other options, the Aquavis Pulse utilizes advanced activated carbon water filters. This premium filtration removes harmful chemicals and contaminants including lead, PFAS, cysts, chlorine, and VOCs, ensuring your family's safety and well-being.
- Convenient installation: The Aquavis Pulse is quick and easy to install. Sitting discreetly under your sink, these effective water filters save precious countertop space and blend seamlessly into your kitchen aesthetics.
No more bulky pitchers or cluttered sinks! Plus, it works great with or without a dedicated faucet.
- Simple maintenance: Enjoy long-lasting filters that only require replacement every 500 gallons (about 6 months), saving you money and hassle, unlike their maintenance-heavy contenders.
- Affordable cost: Compared to the long-term costs of bottled water or frequent filter replacements, the Aquavis Pulse offers a cost-effective solution for superior water quality.
The Story Behind Aquavis
Rob Duffin, founder of Aquavis, created the Aquavis Pulse to answer the question we started with: How do you ensure safe, delicious drinking water for your family?
See, Rob isn't just another entrepreneur—he's a concerned father of five, who was determined to ensure that his family could enjoy healthy, clean water at home. However, like many of us, Rob wasn't a seasoned handyman, meaning a complicated home filtration system would require professional help and hefty expenses—a sacrifice he wasn't willing to make.
Driven by this desire for hassle-free purity, Rob embarked on a mission: to create a powerful home water filtration system that was as simple as it was effective. Thus, the Aquavis Pulse was born—the home water filtration system designed for people who, like Rob, valued convenience and clean water.
Effortless Installation, Remarkable Results
Forget complicated manuals and expensive plumber calls. The Aquavis Pulse can be installed in under 15 minutes, requiring only basic tools. No electricity, no complex plumbing—just clean water at your convenience.
Tucked discreetly under your sink, the tankless design is extremely compact (about the size of a liter bottle), saving you precious counter or sink space.
A Filter that Lasts
Say goodbye to filter fatigue! The Aquavis Pulse boasts a single, long-lasting cartridge that filters up to 500 gallons of water, which lasts most households up to 6 months. That's lots of water! And a whole lot of refreshing hydration without the hassle of frequent replacements.
And here's the real magic: this powerful filter removes not just chlorine and taste impurities, but also lead, microplastics, "forever chemicals" (PFAS), cysts, and VOCs. Enjoy clean, contaminant-free water with every sip, knowing your family is protected.
Stress-Free Replacements
Once installed, filter replacements are a breeze. The intuitive design allows you to simply snap in a new filter, ensuring clean, delicious water in seconds—no technical expertise required!
Eco-Friendly
Every year, Americans waste millions of dollars on bottled water, contributing a staggering 35 billion plastic bottles to the ever-growing mountains of plastic waste choking our landfills and oceans. These bottles, often used for mere minutes, can take hundreds of years to decompose, leaving a lasting scar on our planet.
Bottled-water consumption is not just wasteful of resources and harmful to the environment—it's even harmful to individual health. Though many brands tout that their bottled water is pure spring water, recent studies show that just one liter of water from these popular brands can contain about 240,000 microscopic pieces of plastic.
Conversely, each Aquavis Pulse filter equals 3,787 plastic bottles saved. By choosing this eco-conscious solution, you're not just safeguarding your family's health, you're actively contributing to a healthier planet and reducing your annual cost of water. It's a win-win for everyone!
The Luma Bottle: Clean Water On-the-Go
While refillable bottles are a sustainable alternative to disposables, they provide the ideal environment for bacteria and mold to grow and thrive. These unwelcome germs can contaminate your clean, filtered water, ultimately negating the benefits of home filtration.
At Aquavis, we believe in offering complete solutions for healthy hydration. That's why we've partnered with Luma, creating a perfect pairing for all your water needs. The Aquavis Pulse purifies your water at home, and the Luma Bottle protects it on-the-go, guaranteeing consistent, safe hydration wherever you are.
Purification Station
Thankfully, the Luma Bottle keeps your water pure—even when you're away from home. Through innovative UV-C light technology, Luma eliminates bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can build up in your bottle, ensuring your water stays clean and safe, sip after sip.
Here are some advantages of using Luma over a regular reusable water bottle:
- Powerful UV-C light technology: Luma kills 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and mold, ensuring your water stays truly clean.
- Convenient and long-lasting effects: One charge keeps your water protected for four weeks or longer, ideal for busy lifestyles.
- Sleek and durable design: Luma fits seamlessly into your active life, keeping your water cold and your bottle fresh.
- Sustainable choice: Luma reduces the use of disposable plastic bottles, protecting both your health and the environment.
Remember: clean water shouldn't stop at your kitchen faucet. Extend the purity with Luma, and experience the difference of truly complete hydration.
Together, the Aquavis Pulse and Luma Bottle offer a comprehensive solution for clean, safe water at home and on-the-go. Choose Aquavis and invest in your health, your convenience, and the planet.
Empowering Choices: Your Health, Your Planet
Clean, convenient water shouldn't come at the cost of your health or the environment—that's why we created Aquavis.
The story of Aquavis is about more than just a water filtration system; it's a story about someone like us who wanted more for his family and our planet. With the Aquavis Pulse and Luma water bottle, you gain convenient access to clean, delicious water in your home and on-the-go, all while reducing your environmental footprint and saving money.
So what are you waiting for? Join the Aquavis story to transform your family's health, hydration, and ecological footprint.
Choose clean. Choose simple. Choose Aquavis.
