Module 8

Water Filter Comparison Chart

Side-by-side comparison of filter types and what they actually remove

Filter Type	Fluoride?	Lead?	Chlorine?	Pesticides?	Cost Range	Maintenance	Best For
Pitcher (Brita-style)	No	Some models	Yes	Minimal	$20-50	Filter every 2 months	Renters, basic chlorine/taste improvement
Faucet Mount	No	Yes	Yes	Some	$20-40	Filter every 3 months	Easy install, better than pitchers
Under-Sink Carbon	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	$100-300	Filter every 6-12 months	Families wanting solid filtration without RO
Reverse Osmosis (RO)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	$200-600	Filters annually, membrane every 2-3 years	Maximum contaminant removal
Whole House	No (carbon); Yes (RO)	Varies	Yes	Varies	$500-3,000+	Annual filter changes	Removing chlorine from shower/bath water too
Distillation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Most	$100-400	Clean unit regularly	Purest water possible; slow output
Gravity (Berkey-style)	With fluoride filters	Yes	Yes	Yes	$250-400	Clean/replace elements every 1-3 years	No plumbing needed; portable; families

Contaminant Removal by Filter Type

Heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic)

RO, distillation, gravity, quality under-sink

Fluoride

RO, distillation, activated alumina, bone char

Chlorine & chloramines

All carbon-based filters, RO, distillation

Pesticides & herbicides

RO, activated carbon (quality), distillation

Pharmaceuticals

RO, distillation, advanced carbon block

Microplastics

RO, distillation, gravity filters, 0.5-micron carbon

Bacteria & parasites

RO, distillation, UV treatment, gravity (some)

PFAS ('forever chemicals')

RO, activated carbon block, ion exchange

Remineralization

RO and distillation strip beneficial minerals along with contaminants. Add a remineralization filter or trace mineral drops (ConcenTrace or similar) to restore calcium, magnesium, and potassium.