Chloramine taste
York Region uses chloramine as a disinfectant in much of its system. It lasts longer in the pipes than chlorine and is safe to drink, but some people notice a taste or smell. A good activated carbon filter, especially a catalytic carbon one, reduces it. Note that chloramine must be removed from water used for aquariums and some medical equipment.
Reverse osmosis
An under-sink reverse osmosis unit pushes water through a fine membrane that strips most dissolved solids, with carbon stages before and after. It produces a few litres an hour into a small storage tank and feeds a separate faucet on the sink. RO wastes some water during production; newer models waste less. Change the pre-filters roughly every six to twelve months and the membrane every few years.
Whole-home cartridges
- Sediment filters: catch sand and grit, especially useful on wells.
- Carbon filters: reduce chlorine or chloramine for the whole house.
- UV systems: disinfect well water; they do not remove minerals.
- Iron filters: stop orange staining from well water.
- Test your water first.
- Choose the filter that targets the problem.
- Install with a bypass and pressure gauges.
- Set a cartridge change reminder.
Signs you need this in your house
- Chlorine taste
- Sediment in aerators
- Well water odour
- Want drinking water filter
Questions people ask us
Do I require a filter on city water?
Treated municipal water is already safe. It is a matter of taste and preference.
How do I know when to change a cartridge?
Pressure drop across the filter, or simply by the calendar.