Facing Lead, Experts Weigh In On Whole-House Water Filters

Amid lead crises in Flint, MI, Ohio, and New Jersey, should homeowners consider installing sophisticated water filters in their homes?

One possibility is for residents to install whole-house water treatment systems. But according to educators in the Michigan State University extension project, the approach has significant drawbacks.

For one, whole-house water filters are expensive. They can also leave drinking water with additional problems after treatment.

“Whole-house water treatment systems tend to be more expensive to purchase, install, operate and maintain than systems designed for only treating drinking water. They also use excess water during the treatment process, taking between 4 and 9 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of treated water,” they wrote in a recent paper.

“A whole-house water treatment system, such as reverse osmosis, may remove contaminants from the water, but in the process make the water more acidic. Water that is more acidic may leach lead from the pipes in the home, and increase the amount of lead coming out at the faucet. In areas where lead in household pipes is an issue, whole-house reverse osmosis systems are not recommended, unless chemicals are added to reduce acidity and corrosion,” the report said.

Pelican Water Systems is among the companies that sell whole-house water filters. The firm argues that its filters inhibit bacterial growth and provide better-tasting water. In a home with four to six bathrooms, this system would cost over $1,000.

Culligan also sells whole-house water filters. The company says this device reduces “particles, contaminants, or imbalances” in the water. It says the device filters “the bad odor, the hazy look of too much sediment in the water, and the corrosive effects of water with a low pH. These are just some of the symptoms of problem water, most often associated with well water.”

For more information about water filtering, visit Water Online’s Drinking Water Filtration Solutions Center.