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From: mhb@wdl1.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Water Filter Results
Message-ID: <821@wdl1.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Nov-85 14:44:36 EST
Article-I.D.: wdl1.821
Posted: Fri Nov  1 14:44:36 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 10-Nov-85 09:49:13 EST
Sender: notes@wdl1.UUCP
Organization: Ford Aerospace, Western Development Laboratories
Lines: 37
Nf-ID: #N:wdl1:3400011:000:1566
Nf-From: wdl1!mhb    Nov  1 11:37:00 1985


	WATER FILTERS

About three months ago I put out a request for recommendations for
water filters.  (I live in Silicon Valley, and there are various
chemicals that get into the water, and appear to be dangerous.)
I'll try and share what I learned with anyone interested:

1)  There are two basic types: carbon filters (they remove large, 
organic, chemicals) and reverse osmosis (they are better for minerals
in the water).  Some systems combine the two.

2)  Here in the SF Bay area, I am primarily worried about the former,
so I decided to focus on filters.  This would have been different if I
had lived somewheres else.

3) I received recommendations for SEARS and for AMWAY.  I could not
get good statistics for the SEARS product (ie, how effective is it).
I got data on the AMWAY product, it seemed to be good, but more money
than I wanted to pay.

4) Looking around, I discovered a number of other products.  All of
them used either a granulate carbon filter or a compressed carbon
filter.  (There appears to be a minor advantage in compressed carbon,
but the difference doesn't appear to be that big).

5) Finally, I selected a filter made by AMF CUNO (a fairly large
company based in Meriden, Conn).  Good points: it was inexpensive
(around $110) and made by a reputable company.  Bad points:  it
was granulated carbon and when I installed it (fairly easy) it
had a minor leak.  It took a lot of silicon tape to fix the leak.

6) So far, I'm happy with it.  (However, Filter needs changing about
once every 3 - 4 months for a family of four).

		Mike Bender