What's the most cost-effective water purification method?
Written by
Robert Kelly
Reviewed by
Prof. Benjamin Murphy, Ph.D.Upfront Equipment Costs
- Pitcher filters start around $20-$50
- Faucet systems range from $40-$100
- Reverse osmosis units cost $150-$600 installed
Ongoing Expenses
- Filter replacements every 6-24 months
- Electricity for distillation or UV systems
- Water waste charges for reverse osmosis
Bottled Water Comparison
- Average cost: $1.50 per gallon
- Family of four spends $1,800 annually
- Environmental fees and recycling costs
Long-Term Value
- RO systems pay back in 6-18 months
- Carbon filters cost pennies per gallon
- Distillation becomes economical after 3 years
Activated systems can save you dollars right now at your neighborhood Safeway. My Brita hid $30 to get control of the system and then $20 for filter replacements every two months. So, my jugs were costing me around 10 cents a gallon compared to 1.50 for commercial water now. These systems do not perform all the work that the better systems do, but they effectively manage chlorine and do so at a lower cost.
Reverse osmosis is indeed the best overall value in complete purification. The initial cost of $300 is higher, but my system produces water at a cost of $0.12 per gallon. Its cost has been 8 months compared to bottled water. Take into account waste disposal, which raises water bills by about 25% depending on local rates for waste.
Save money by maintaining equipment properly and developing good habits. For example, I make filters last longer by pre-filtering water loaded with sediment. I use the rejected water from the RO system for watering plants and cleaning. When energy rates increase, I run my distiller during the periods of low usage. These methods save 15-30% in annual costs.
The environmental costs of bottled water make it economically non-viable in the long run. The manufacture and transportation of the bottles incur hidden costs passed on to the consumer. My city taxes bottled water at 5 cents per container. Water from a filter removes those externalized costs and greatly reduces plastic trash.
Read the full article: How to Filter Water: Essential Methods Explained
