On Tue 05 May 2009 05:52:29p, Pete C. told us...


Wayne Boatwright wrote:

On Tue 05 May 2009 02:59:33p, Pete C. told us...


Wayne Boatwright wrote:

I'm planning to replace our countertop water filter with an undersink
model. The Filtrete under-sink filter looks like it would do the job
and also easy to install. We have plastic plumbing lines, so that's
a
strong consideration from an installation perspective.

http://www.filtersfast.com/3M-Filtre...ter-System.asp

Looks like a pretty simple filter. Have you considered an RO filter? I
used to use a GE one at my previous place with icky city water.

Installation on all of these is pretty simple no matter what your
plumbing is, you just have to purchase the correct fittings. An RO
filter does need one more connection, to the drain for reject water,
but
that is minimal fuss.


Yes, actually we did give RO a brief consideration, but eliminated it
for
several reasons. We had it in a previous house and did not particularly
like it. Also, I don't want to devote the space to a storage tank, and
also don't want to add any more water (from the backflush) to our septic
system.

Thanks for the suggestion, however. I'm sure it's a good choice for
many
people.

A RO system doesn't "backflush", it produces product water and "reject"
water. Small technicality, but it's important not to confuse it with
salt laden backflush water from a water softener. In a dry climate like
yours, your septic system could probably use the extra reject water.


Thanks for the distinction, Pete. I knew it produced unusable water, but
didn't really think of the difference in that and the backflush from a
water softener. We had both in our previous house. You're probaby right
that our climate could handle the extra water in the septic tank. Still,
there's the issue of the storage tank. I would want a system large enough
to easily fill one and sometimes two 8-10 quart stockpots. I don't think I
can spare that much space, but it might be worth looking into the various
configurations available. The only place I could locate it would be under
the sink, since the dishwasher is to the right of the sink and a bank of
drawers is to the left of the sink.

One factor I failed to mention intially is cost, and an RO system would be
considerable more expensive than the filter.

--
Wayne Boatwright
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I doubt whether the world holds for any one a more soul ~stirring
surprise than the first adventure with ice cream. ~Heywood Broun