Arsenic Water Filters - Recommended Solutions for your Home

Arsenic Water Filters - Recommended Solutions for your Home

By Dan DeBaun

Introduction

Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic heavy metal commonly found in soils and rocks all over the world. Since arsenic can leach from soils and get into groundwater, it is commonly found in drinking water in many countries, including many regions across the US, where it poses a significant health threat. Arsenic water filters that are capable of removing arsenic from water serve as an effective protection measure for consumers living in areas where arsenic poses a risk.

Things to Consider when Shopping for Arsenic Water Filters

Why use a arsenic water filters

Exposure to arsenic in drinking water can have serious health consequences, and has been linked to skin abnormalities and lesions; developmental problems in children, including reduced IQ; and cancer of the skin, liver, lungs, kidneys and bladder. Children are particularly at risk from the health effects of arsenic. Water filters that remove arsenic can help to protect you and your family from these negative health impacts.

Benefits of using arsenic water filters

Arsenic is a very common drinking water contaminant that is found throughout the world. In the US, it is estimated that about 43 million people who rely on unregulated private wells to supply their drinking water may be exposed to arsenic in drinking water. It is so widespread that the USGS has mapped the distribution of arsenic hot spots across the country. People living in these hot spots are most at risk from arsenic poisoning. If you live in one of these hot spots, making use of arsenic water filters will ensure that your drinking water is free from this harmful toxin.

How to choose arsenic water filters?

There are several factors you need to take into account when shopping for arsenic water filters.

  • How much arsenic does the filter remove? Arsenic filters are not necessarily equal when it comes to the percentage of arsenic they remove from water. Arsenic filters that are specifically designed to target arsenic tend to do a better job of removing this toxin. When looking at arsenic water filters, make sure that you read the label and take note of how much arsenic the filter is capable of removing.
  • Filtration capabilities — What other contaminants does the filter remove? Many arsenic water filters can also remove other common drinking water contaminants. When looking at arsenic water filter systems try and get the most bang for your buck by investing in a filter that can protect you and your family from a wide range of harmful pollutants, particularly contaminants that you know are likely to exist in your drinking water.
  • Storage capacity, water output and filtering efficiency — Ultimately, you will need to choose a water filter system that is able to meet the water demands of your household. The size and type of system you will need will inevitably be defined by the number of people the system will be catering for. It needs to be able to produce and store enough filtered water to provide all members of your family with a convenient and safe supply of drinking water. If you have to wait for water to filter through so you can drink it, it is not convenient.
  • Type of filter — Since there are various types of arsenic water filter systems on the market, you would need to know which type would be best for your situation (more on this in the next section below).
  • Affordability — Cost is usually always a factor. Look for the best quality system that you can afford, making sure to also factor in the cost of replacement filters that will be needed in the future. Since the cost of replacement filters can vary dramatically and some filters need to be replaced more often than others, cheaper arsenic filters may end up costing more to operate over the long term compared to their more expensive counterparts.
  • Portability — Arsenic water filters that are portable offer another level of convenience, as they can be used anywhere in the home and even further afield, such as on camping trips, for example.

Types of arsenic water filters

Water filters that remove arsenic come in various forms. Different types of arsenic water filter systems include:

  • Whole house arsenic filters that are fitted at point-of-entry and will filter and remove arsenic (and other contaminants) from all the water entering your home. These are typically reverse osmosis (RO) arsenic water filtration systems, where water entering the home passes through several stages of treatment, including chlorine and/or sediment filtration, reverse osmosis membrane filtration, and carbon filtration.
  • Inline countertop or under-counter arsenic filters that are connected to the faucet inline.
  • Portable arsenic filters (pitchers & gravity fed countertop filters).

Best Water Filters for Arsenic

Below we review some of the best water filters for arsenic, outlining the pros and cons of each to help you refine your choice when shopping for arsenic water filters.

Zero Water Pitcher

The Zero Water premium 5-Stage ion exchange water filtration system is able to remove a range of common drinking water contaminants, including arsenic.

Pros

  • Removes 99% of arsenic (10 gallons of water filtered), reduced to 98% when 20 gallons of water is filtered.
  • Portable, counter-top (pitcher and dispenser) arsenic filters that can be stored in the refrigerator and used anywhere.
  • Various size options to choose from — catering for small and large families, as well as small and large budgets.

Cons

  • Becomes less effective at removing arsenic as the volume of water filtered increases. Removes 99% of arsenic from the first 10 gallons of water filtered, reduced to 98% of arsenic after 20 gallons is filtered and 85% when 40 gallons of water is filtered.
  • Depending on the quality of the source water, filters will typically only filter 25-40 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. In cases where source water has high TDS levels, filters may need to be replaced after just 8 gallons (or less) of water has been filtered. This can work out to be very expensive in the long run.

Berkey Water Filters

A Berkey water filter fitted with Black Berkey purification elements will remove up to more than 99% of arsenic from water, however this decreases rather quickly after gallons filtered, so is not reccomended as an arsenic removal solution. When combined with the PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filters that uniquely target the entire family of arsenic oxide anions and arsenic cations, the amount of arsenic that can be removed can be greater than 99.9% making it one of the best water filters for arsenic out there.

Pros

  • Black Berkey purification elements remove arsenic together with over 200 harmful contaminants including pathogenic bacteria, protozoa and viruses.
  • Aesthetic and durable, polished steel design that will grace any countertop.
  • Portable, gravity-fed water filtration systems that can be used anywhere.
  • Various size options (1.5 - 6 gallons) to choose from — catering for small and large families, as well as small and large budgets.
  • A set of 2 re-cleanable and self-sterilizing Black Berkey purification elements will filter 6000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. A set of PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filters, which are optional and screw into the bottom of the Black Berkey filter elements, will filter 1000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced.
  • Long filter life makes this system economical over the long-term.

Cons

  • Having such a wide range of systems to choose from can make it difficult to decide which one to opt for. If faced with this dilemma, go for one that will adequately supply your family's water needs.
  • The higher the PH of the water, the less efficient the PF-2 filters are at removing arsenic from the water.

Freshpoint 5-stage Reverse Osmosis Filter

The Freshpoint 5-stage RO water filter is a 5-stage point of use water treatment system that includes chlorine taste & odor filtration (stage 1), reverse osmosis membrane filtration (stage 2 — where arsenic and other heavy metals are removed), followed by twin pack carbon block filtration (stages 3 & 4) and a carbon post filter (stage 5). It is an under-counter system that is commonly fitted under the sink that provides water used for drinking and cooking.

Pros

  • Reduces arsenic by 88%.
  • Reduces 80%+ of over 80 contaminants.
  • Storage tank capacity of 3.2 gallons.

Cons

  • High initial upfront purchase cost.
  • Not recommended for hard water (> 10gpg / 171 mg/L) as lime scale will accumulated and clog the RO membrane reducing the effectiveness of the system.
  • Having to replace multiple filter cartridges can work out to be expensive over time.
  • Fixed plumbed in system, therefore not portable and cannot be used to provide a supply of safe drinking when traveling away from home.

Springwell Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

The Springwell RO water filter is a 4-stage point of entry water treatment system that includes sediment filtration (stage 1), carbon filtration (stage 2), reverse osmosis (stage 3 — where arsenic and other heavy metals are removed), followed by carbon filtration (stage 4). It is typically fitted under the sink that provides water used for drinking and cooking.

Pros

  • Removes arsenic, lead and other heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides, as well as chloramine, chlorine and chlorine byproducts.
  • Will provide 75 gallons of purified arsenic-free water every day.
  • The sediment and carbon filter cartridges (stages 1, 2 & 4) will last 6 months before needing to be replaced, while the reverse osmosis filter (stage 3) will last for 24 months. Working on 75 gallons of water per day, this works out at 13,500 gallons of water filtered for the stage 1,2 & 4 filters, and 54,000 gallons for the RO filter (stage 3).

Cons

  • High initial upfront purchase cost.
  • Having to replace multiple filter cartridges can work out expensive over time.
  • Fixed plumbed in system, therefore not portable and cannot be used to provide a supply of safe drinking when traveling away from home.
  • Unclear exactly how much arsenic (or other contaminants it is touted to remove) are removed.

Best of the Best

When comparing the pros and cons of the above arsenic water filters, we conclude that Berkey is the clear stand out, and has the best water filters for arsenic and many other common drinking water contaminants. All Berkey water filters fitted with Black Berkey filter elements can remove 99% of arsenic, and when combined with a fluoride and arsenic filter fitted in the lower chamber, will remove 99.9% or more of arsenic.

The Berkey's are also capable of removing more than 200 common drinking water contaminants, making it the safest bet, and in our opinion, the best value for money. Berkey water filters come in a wide range of sizes, ensuring their is something to suit every household and budget. The long filter lifespan reduces operating costs, making it an economical option in the long run. With all these pros and no cons to speak of, if you are looking for water filters that remove arsenic, we give the Berkey range of water filters a big thumbs up.

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.

~ The Owner of Big Berkey Water Filters

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