Filtration Dispensers Water Filters & Dispensers

With water filtration systems, households and businesses can ensure a steady supply of clean drinking water. These range from simple desktop appliances to multi-component systems that produce filtered water from different faucets. Each type offers certain benefits and conveniences. Staples® carries a wide selection of water replacement filters and major kitchen appliances for different needs.

Choose From Different Types of Water Filtration Systems
There are four major types of these systems. These are whole house, under-sink, faucet-mounted, and water pitcher filters. A whole house water filtration solution connects directly to the main water line entering the building. It delivers filtered water to multiple points including kitchen faucets, laundry rooms, toilets, and showers. Under-sink filters produce filtered water from specific faucets. These systems sit underneath kitchen or bathroom sinks and can clean large volumes of water. They're also more affordable than whole-home solutions and cost less to maintain.

Unlike both of these options, faucet-mounted systems require no additional plumbing supplies or expertise to install. These water filtration dispensers attach directly to taps and filter water at the point of use. Faucet filtration is ideal for removing odor and lead from water as well as improving taste. Countertop filters are desktop appliances that filter limited volumes of water. Common examples include water filter pitchers. They can only store enough water for one or two people.

Factors to Consider When Comparing Water Filtration Systems
First, determine the volume of filtered water needed. Users that only need enough for drinking for a few people should get water filter pitchers. To use filtered water for cooking, choose faucet-mounted or under-sink filtration systems. Whole-house installations are best where private well or municipal water is cloudy or has a high content of iron or other contaminants. People living in rented apartments should look for non-permanent filtration methods.

Another important factor to consider is the type of contaminants present in the available drinking water. If there are high levels of rust and sediments in the water supply in an area, homes in that location need whole house filters to produce safe and clean drinking water. Such filtration systems remove sediments with multi-layer particulate filters. Buildings with lead pipes need under-sink or faucet-mounted filters.

What Types of Filters Do Water Filtration Systems Use?
The most popular ones are carbon filters. These excel at removing chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, volatile organic compounds, radon, and certain parasites. Some of them can also filter lead and other toxic heavy metals. Reverse-osmosis filters are fine semi-permeable membranes. They remove heavy metals, chlorine, chemical pollutants, and sediments. They are usually available paired with carbon pre- and post-filters. UV filters only kill bacteria and viruses. Most filtration systems that use them also have carbon filters. Water distillers are another type of filtration systems. They purify water by boiling it and condensing the steam in a separate chamber.

Do Water Filtration Systems Affect Flow Rates?
Yes. Filters reduce the speed at which water flows. This factor is especially important when installing whole house filtration systems. Users should find installed systems that guarantee flow rates of 10 gallons per minute or faster.

Are Water Filtration Systems Easy to Maintain?
Yes. Most only require periodic filter changes. Whole house and under-sink systems use filters that can last 6 to 12 months. Faucet and pitcher filters have lifespans between 3 and 6 months. Some systems may also require cleaning and backwashing to rejuvenate them periodically.