The water quality in Tampa Bay leaves much to be desired. With aging infrastructure and contaminants like lead, chlorine, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals finding their way into the water supply, many Tampa residents are looking for ways to filter their water right at the point of use. Point of use water filters like under sink systems and pour through pitcher filters allow you to get clean, healthy water straight from the tap without the contaminants.
Why Point of Use Filtration?
Point of use water filters treat your water right before you use it, rather than at the source or as it enters your home. This allows you to filter just the water you are consuming for drinking and cooking, saving money compared to whole home systems. Point of use filters are also easy to install under a sink or counter and take up very little space.
Some of the main benefits of point of use water filtration include:
Improved Taste - Removes chlorine and chemicals that leave an unpleasant taste and odor in your water.
Contaminant Removal - Filters out lead, cysts, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other dangerous contaminants.
Convenience - Delivers clean water on demand right from your tap whenever you need it.
Cost Savings - Less expensive compared to whole home water treatment systems since you only filter water used for drinking and cooking.
Under Sink Water Filters
Under sink water filters are installed below your kitchen sink and connect directly to your faucet. This provides treated water on demand whenever you turn on the tap. Under sink systems use multi-stage filtration to remove up to 99% of contaminants.
How They Work
Water flows from the main water line through the filter system under your sink before coming out of the faucet. Inside the filtration unit, the water passes through multiple stages like sediment pre-filters, activated carbon blocks, and sometimes reverse osmosis membranes to remove impurities. The best under sink systems use 5+ stages of filtration to thoroughly cleanse your drinking water.
Some top under sink water filter systems for Tampa area homes include:
AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis System - Highly effective 5-stage RO filter removes up to 99% of contaminants for the purest water.
AquaBlue Whole House Filter - Whole house scale filtration in a compact under sink unit, great for older plumbing.
AquaLux Water Softener - Conditions water and protects plumbing while removing hardness and contaminants.
Benefits of Under Sink Systems
Under sink water filters offer several advantages over other types of filters:
Treat water used for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
Convenient filtered water access right from your main kitchen faucet.
Quick and easy DIY installation in 30 minutes or less. No plumbing skills required.
Compact size fits under any standard kitchen sink.
Filtered water on demand, no need to wait for pitcher filters to slowly trickle out water.
Long filter life of 6-12 months typically before replacement needed.
Under sink systems are an affordable and convenient way to get filtered water from every faucet in your kitchen. The upfront cost is quickly offset by the savings from not having to buy bottled water or plastic pitcher filters.
Pour Through Pitcher Filters
Pour through water pitcher filters offer an easy and portable way to improve your water’s taste and quality. Simply fill up the pitcher from your tap, then allow the water to pass through the filter into the holding tank where it's ready to drink. Pitcher filters use a combination of activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and sometimes ultrafiltration membranes to treat water.
Some top pitcher filter models include major brands like:
Brita
PUR
ZeroWater
Clearly Filtered
Each has different filter technologies and contaminant removal capabilities. When choosing a water pitcher, look for ones certified to remove lead, chlorine, mercury, benzene, asbestos fibers, pharmaceuticals, and other concerning contaminants. Also check the filter capacity - some only last through 40 gallons before needing replacement.
Pitcher Filter Benefits
Compared to under sink systems, the main benefits of water pitcher filters are:
Inexpensive upfront cost - pitchers start around $20-30.
Portability to take filtered water anywhere.
Easy to use - just fill and pour.
Takes up minimal counter space.
Good option for renters who can't install under sink systems.
The tradeoffs are slower flow rates than faucet filters and more frequent filter replacements. But for a basic and affordable option, pitcher filters can be an easy choice for better tasting water.
Choosing the Best System for Your Home
When deciding between an under sink unit or pitcher filter, consider factors like:
Water Usage - Under sink systems are better for households that use a high volume of water for drinking and cooking. Pitchers can be slow for larger families.
Filtration Needs - Under sink systems typically offer better contaminant reduction with added stages like RO filtration.
Convenience - Under sink filters deliver instant filtered water to your tap while pitchers can be slow to filter water.
Budget - Pitchers are very affordable upfront, but replacement filters add up over time. Under sink systems have higher upfront cost but last longer.
Get a free water test to assess your home's unique water quality and filtration requirements. This makes it easy to select the right point of use filtration system for your needs and budget.
Water Quality Problems in Tampa
Tampa's water supply faces contamination challenges that make point of use filtration so important:
Lead in Older Plumbing
Many Tampa homes have lead service lines or lead soldered pipes that contaminate water with unsafe lead levels. Corrosive water also leaches lead from pipes.
Disinfection Byproducts
Chemicals like chlorine react with organic matter to form dangerous disinfection byproducts linked to cancer and organ damage.
Pharmaceutical and Pesticide Contamination
Runoff carries prescription drugs, hormones, and pesticides into Tampa's water sources like the Hillsborough River Reservoir.
Bacteria from Sewage Intrusions
Aging infrastructure leads to sewage intrusions that can contaminate water with harmful bacteria.
Point of use filters provide an extra barrier of protection against these contaminants by treating your water right before it comes out the tap.
Water Softening Options
In addition to filtration, Tampa's very hard water makes water softening important for preventing scale buildup that reduces plumbing lifespan and clogs fixtures.
Whole house and point of use water softeners both help address hardness while also removing some heavy metals like lead and arsenic. The AquaLux Water Softener combines both softening and filtration in a compact under sink unit to protect plumbing and remove contaminants.
Financing and Discounts on Filtration Systems
Clean water is a necessity, not a luxury. That's why we offer discounts and affordable financing options to help Tampa area homeowners get point of use filtration that fits their budget.
Get 0% financing for 12 months so you can start enjoying filtered water now with easy monthly payments. We also regularly run discounts on under sink systems and replacement filters.
Schedule your free water test to see available promotions on the perfect filtration system for your home. As Tampa's water quality experts for over 10 years, we make it easy to get clean, healthy water for your family.
About the Author
We are Tampa's leading water treatment provider specializing in high-quality under sink, whole house, well water, and commercial filtration systems. Contact us to learn more about point of use and whole home water solutions.
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