Types of Water Filter Taps and How They Work

A water filter system is an item that can be retro fitted to pretty much all UK domestic water systems that does exactly water it says on the tin.

There are quite a few different types available, so in this guide we look at some of the most common, read on to find out all you need to know.

What are Water Filters and Water Filter Taps?

Water filters are devices designed to remove impurities from water, making it safe and pleasant to drink. These impurities can include bacteria, viruses, chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants that affect taste, odour, and the overall safety and water quality.

Water filters use various technologies to purify water, such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet (UV) light, membranes and ceramic filtration. Each method targets different types of contaminants, ensuring comprehensive water purification.

Water filter taps, also known as filtered water taps, combine the functionality of a regular tap with an integrated water filtration system. These taps provide instant access to filtered water directly from your sink, eliminating the need for separate filtration pitchers or bottled water. They are designed to be convenient, space-saving and easy to install, offering a steady supply of clean, great-tasting water for drinking and cooking. Water filter taps typically include replaceable filter cartridges that need to be changed periodically to maintain optimal performance.

Installing a water filter tap in your home is a straightforward way to ensure your family has continuous access to high-quality water. Most taps are available in various styles and finishes to match your kitchen décor, and many models come with advanced features like LED indicators that signal when it’s time to replace the filter. Some models are just the filter part that you install inline in an existing tap supply, without the need to replace the tap, even easier!

Why Would You Want to Filter Water in the UK?

Filtering water in the UK might seem unnecessary at first, given the very stringent water quality regulations we have. However, as we have all been made aware of late, many of the water authorities within the country have struggled greatly with costs and due to this, services have unfortunately suffered, affecting the whole supply line.

Due to this, there are several compelling reasons why homeowners choose to install water filters. Despite the seemingly high standards, tap water can still contain contaminants that affect its taste, odour, and safety. Filtering water ensures it is not only fully safe but also enjoyable to drink.

Chlorine and Chloramines

One primary reason to filter water in the UK is to remove chlorine and chloramines. These chemicals are commonly used to disinfect water and kill harmful microorganisms. While effective at ensuring water is rid of these foreign elements, chlorine can produce an unpleasant taste and smell and also potentially lead to heath issues if exposed to for long periods.

Heavy Metals

Another reason to consider water filtration is the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants. Although UK water companies treat water to remove most harmful substances, trace amounts of lead, copper, and other metals can still leach into the water supply from old plumbing systems. Prolonged exposure to these metals can pose significant health risks, particularly for young children and pregnant women.

Hard Water

Hard water is another issue faced by many UK households, especially in areas with high mineral content in the water supply. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which can lead to limescale build up in appliances and plumbing, causing significant damage over time.

This not only reduces the efficiency and lifespan of appliances like kettles and dishwashers but can also affect the skin and hair, causing dryness and irritation.

Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals

Additionally, filtering water can remove other impurities such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and also even micro-plastics that are now being detected in water supplies and even now in the human body!

Even at low levels, these substances can have massive long-term health impacts, including cancer! Advanced filtration methods, such as reverse osmosis, can effectively eliminate these contaminants, ensuring your water is as pure as possible.

As you can see from the above, although on the whole the UK has a very good quality of tap water compared to many other countries, this isn’t necessarily the case anymore so the addition of a water filter to your homes water supply is now not only a good idea, it’s now really a must!

Problems With Water Filtration

As we have touched on above, today, although much of the UK’s water supply is regarded as good quality, there are elements that still need attention, and fitting a good quality water filter in your home can certainly remedy a great deal of these, filtering your water and leaving you with a very good quality supply.

However, along with contaminants, there are also a great deal of good, healthy minerals that reside in our water supply such as Magnesium, Iron and Calcium and although most water filters do a good job of removing unwanted items, they also filter out many of these beneficial minerals.

With this in mind, if you are in the market for a water filter, try and go for one that recognises these good elements and leaves them where they are.

Types of Water Filter

As we have touched on above, there are quite a few different types of water filter available, here are some of the most common domestic varients:

Charcoal and Carbon Water Filters

Many modern water filters use activated charcoal, a processed form of charcoal (mostly carbon) designed to absorb more water. When buying a filter, ensure it uses activated charcoal for optimal performance.

Regularly changing the filter is essential to maintain its effectiveness. The activated charcoal absorbs impurities, allowing the clean, filtered water to pass through. While charcoal filters remove many contaminants, one downside is that they do not eliminate lead and copper.

Although effective, charcoal filters may not be the most cost-efficient due to frequent filter changes, which can mount up in terms of costs.

Some people find that storing water in a covered jug in the fridge can similarly improve taste without running it through the filter first.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filters

Reverse osmosis filters push water through an extremely fine membrane, removing many dissolved solids and bacteria. However, this process wastes 20-30% of the water, making it impractical for domestic use.

These filters alter the physical properties of tap water, and as we have stated above, often removing essential, healthy minerals, making the water less suitable for drinking or cooking without additional treatment.

Another downside is the significant reduction in water pressure as the water passes through the filtration process.

Despite these drawbacks for home use, reverse osmosis filters are ideal for applications requiring the removal of heavy particles, such as hydroponic gardening and photographic development.

Ion Exchange Water Filters

Another filter system is called ion exchange and involves a chemical process within the filter which exchanges filter ions with the natural ions in the water which contain minerals and salts. In most situations sodium is used to replace the magnesium and calcium in the water.

Removing, or neutralising these salts and minerals has the effect of softening the water and reducing the build-up of limescale making them great for use in hot water systems and domestic appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers increasing efficiency and also the longevity of the system or appliance in question.

Ion exchange filters do not work however when there is a lot of iron in the water.

Again, as with reverse osmosis systems it is recommended that any water filtered by this method is not used for drinking or cooking due to the higher levels of sodium and the potential health risks this can bring.

Due to the heavy sodium deposits associated with this method, many companies have now developed similar systems that don’t typically use the sodium, so can then be used to filter water for an entire house!

Ultraviolet Water Filters

Ultraviolet (UV) water filters are an advanced and effective method for purifying water. As you may have guessed, they use UV light to eliminate harmful microorganisms, making your water safer to drink.

This technology is simple yet powerful, ensuring your water is free from bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens without altering its taste or chemical composition.

UV water filters utilise ultraviolet light at a specific wavelength (typically 254 nanometers) to disrupt the DNA of microorganisms in the water. When water passes through the UV chamber, the light penetrates the cells of bacteria and viruses, effectively inactivating them.

This process prevents these microorganisms from reproducing and causing infections, ensuring the water is safe for consumption.

These system have many advantages including low maintenance, the fact tha they are effective against a wide range of microorganisms, the filtration process is entirely chemical free and also the taste and quality of the water is fully preserved.

Under-Sink Water Filters

These types of water filter are becoming very popular in the UK due to their great filtration properties and their ease of installation.

Typically, they feature a series of semi-permeable membranes, often of different filtration sizes arranged in a series. The mains water comes in through the inlet, is then forced through a series of these membranes before it is then pushed out the outlet and on to a tap or other.

Due to developments in technology in this area, these filters are now extremely effective, filtering out almost all form of bacteria, contamination, pollutants, micro-plastics and the likes but keeping the beneficial elements in place.

Another very attractive feature is their easy of installation. Typically, all that’s needed is a water supply pipe and you simply tap into it and install the filter inline. Simply!

One final bonus is that for their filtering abilities they are relatively cheap (around £100 – £150) and require little maintenance, typically just a filter replacement annually, but this will depend on how often it is used.

Filter Jugs

The final type of filter to mention is the filter jug. Although not strictly in teh same vein as the above offerings, they are still fairly effective water filters so certainly need to be mentioned.

Quite often the very first port of call for anyone wanting to start filtering their water, they are by far the cheapest and easiest to setup. For a fair quality type, you can get setup and going for as little as around £30, and with the setup being as simple as inserting the filter and filling it up, it’s certainly the easiest to use.

Despite its very low cost and ease of use, there are a few drawbacks in that they only really offer marginal filtration, leaving many contaminants, micro-plastics and other nasties in your water.

What Type of Water Filter Tap Should I Use?

Choosing the right water filter tap depends on your water quality and its intended use. Will it be used for human consumption or just for feeding the garden, these are the questions you need to ask yourself.

For optimal results, contact your water supplier for their latest water analysis report. This information will help you select the most suitable filter for your needs, whether it’s for drinking, cooking, or other purposes.

Alternatively, you can also buy your very own home water test kit that you can use to test your water. There are many available and as with all things, you get what you pay for. Generally the pricier kits tend to provide more accurate results.

A simple online search for “home water test kits” will present you with a range of options.

Tools and Products Needed for Installing a Water Filter

In order to install a water filter in your home, you will need the following tools and products:

• Chosen water filter system
• Correct pipe fittings for your chosen system
• Pipe slice
• Selection of spanners
• 2x large adjustable spanners
• Bowl
• Selection of cloths and old rags

Installing a Water Filter Tap

Due to the great variety of water filters available today, each will have its own distinctive installation methods and requirements, so with this in mind we are going to go through the process of installing the most simple variant; the under-sink water filter.

• Step 1: Read Instructions: The first setup is to read through the manufacturers installation instructions and familiarise yourself with exactly how the system needs to be installed, particularly where and how to you tap into any water feeds.
• Step 2: Setup Filter: As directed by the manufacturer, setup anything that needs setting up first such as inserting washers or O-rings and the likes.
• Step 3: Turn off Water: Before any form of installation takes place, the very first job is to turn off the water supply to the pipe you are going to be using for your supply. If there is no isolation valve you will need to turn it off at the stop cock
• Step 4: Work out Hot and Cold Supplies: In pretty much all cases, a water filter should only be installed on a cold supply and never a hot supply, so next identify the cold supply to the tap you want to filter. If unsure, trace the pipes going to teh tap and run both for a few minutes. Test each with your hand to identify which one is which and then mark it with some tape.
• Step 5: Connect to Supply: How this is done will depend on the fittings present (if any). If it’s solid copper pipe all the way to the tap you will need to cut into the pipe and run flexi hoses to your filter. If flexi hoses are used, you may be able to simply unscrew from the tap and into filter and add a new flexi from the outlet of the filter to the tap. If cutting, remove enough pipe to allow for fittings. Place bowl and old rags to catch any spillages.
• Step 6: Connect Fittings: Which ever path you have had to take, next screw the fittings to the filter, first of all finger tight and then use spanners/adjustable spanner for final tighten, but not too tight. As you tight, make sure you don’t twist anything up
• Step 7: Turn on Water: Once all connected up and tightened, turn the water on and check for any leaks. If any, tighten problem joint a little more until leak stops.
• Step 8: Test and Commission: Finally, once all fitted correctly test and commission the system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases this will involve simply running the tap for a set amount of time to pull water through the filters. Once done, you’re now good to go!

Note: If you have to fit any plumbing fittings yourself, if you are fairly new to plumbing, the best fittings to use are Pushfit fittings. These are very easy to use and guarantee a leak and hassle-free fitting pretty much every time.

Although on the whole UK water supplies are some of the best in the world, they have recently suffered from lack of investment and many other polluting factors, meaning they are not as clean as many once presumed they are, so fitting your own water filter today is a great idea for sure!