Water, crucial for life, must be pure and safe. However, water can carry a wide array of contaminants, from heavy metals to harmful bacteria. To combat this, many companies, like DROP, offer water treatment devices. Many devices have certifications, like those from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). It is critical to understand what certifications they have and what they mean because they dictate whether your water is safe to consume.
Some of the most popular NSF/ANSI standards include 42, 44, 53, and 55. While the certifications vary, they often indicate the device’s ability to remove bacteria, viruses, calcium, magnesium, lead, and total dissolved solids.
The NSF is an independent, accredited organization that develops public health standards and certification programs to protect the world’s food, water, and consumer products. One area where the NSF has developed standards is in water treatment devices. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has adopted these standards, hence why you often see both “NSF/ANSI” before the standard number. Learn more about what these certifications mean for drinking water treatment systems.
Why Certification for Water Treatment Devices Matters
When it comes to the safety and quality of your drinking water, having a water treatment device that is certified gives you peace of mind. Certification means that an independent organization, like the Environmental Protection Agency or NSF, has tested and confirmed that a product complies with specific standards for safety, quality, or performance.
Water treatment device certifications, such as those from the NSF, indicate that the device effectively removes or reduces the contaminants it claims to. This means you can trust the product to provide you with safe and clean water, as promised.
Furthermore, the certification process also ensures that the product is made from safe materials and has a structural integrity that prevents leakage and contamination. Thus, not only does the device remove contaminants from your water, but it also doesn’t introduce any new ones.
What Is the NSF and What Does It Do?
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving global human health and safety. Established in 1944, its primary mission is to develop public health standards and certifications that help protect the world’s food, water, consumer products, and the environment.
The NSF accomplishes this by testing and certifying products to ensure they meet these health-focused standards. In the case of water, for instance, the NSF sets standards for water treatment systems, filters, and plumbing components, certifying them to ensure they can effectively remove or reduce contaminants from the water.
The NSF also operates in over 175 countries, providing auditing, education, risk management, and supply chain management services. These services aim to ensure the production, preparation, handling, and distribution of products adhere to the highest safety and quality standards.
In addition, the NSF conducts research in areas related to public health and safety, and it shares its findings with the public, industries, and policymakers to support informed decision-making and innovation.
When you see the NSF mark on a product, it provides reassurance that the item has been rigorously tested to meet the standard indicated, and that it complies with all standard requirements. This mark can bring consumers peace of mind about the safety and quality of the products they use every day.
Tested To NSF Standards: What Does This Mean?
When a water treatment device is tested to NSF standards, it means that the product has undergone rigorous testing to verify it meets these standards. The process involves examining a product’s material safety, structural integrity, and contaminant reduction performance.
In terms of material safety, the device is evaluated to ensure that it doesn’t release any harmful substances into the water. Structural integrity testing involves checking that the product can withstand pressure without breaking or leaking, which could lead to contamination.
Finally, the contaminant reduction performance test measures how effectively the product removes or reduces the specific contaminants it claims to handle. The product must demonstrate that it can reduce these contaminants to a level that meets or exceeds the NSF standard.
Examples of NSF Certifications To Know
It is important to be familiar with some of the basic certifications from the NSF. A few examples of the top certifications that you need to keep in mind include:
NSF/ANSI 42 Standard
The NSF/ANSI 42 standard focuses on the aesthetic aspects of drinking water that affect its taste, odor, and appearance. If a filter has an NSF/ANSI 42 certification, it signifies that it has been effectively tested and verified to reduce non-health-related impurities such as chlorine (which affects taste and smell) and particulates (which impact water clarity).
NSF/ANSI 44 Standard
The NSF/ANSI 44 standard applies to water softeners that use the cation exchange method to reduce water hardness. Hard water, rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, can cause issues ranging from unsightly limescale buildup to reduced lifespan for home appliances. Water softeners meeting the NSF/ANSI 44 standard not only effectively reduce water hardness but also decrease barium and radium levels, two potentially harmful substances.
NSF/ANSI 53 Standard
The NSF/ANSI 53 standard is vital when it comes to addressing health-related contaminants in drinking water. This certification ensures that a water treatment product can effectively reduce specific contaminants that pose a threat to health, including heavy metals like lead, inorganic and organic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, and microbiological contaminants like Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
NSF/ANSI 55 Standard
The NSF/ANSI 55 standard applies to ultraviolet water treatment systems. UV treatment is a powerful method for dealing with bacterial and viral contaminants, as it inactivates these microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce or cause infection.
A system that has the NSF/ANSI 55 certification has shown that it can inactivate a specified number of microorganisms using UV radiation. This standard is particularly important for households relying on well water or other non-municipal sources that may be at a higher risk of microbiological contamination.
NSF/ANSI 58 Standard
The NSF/ANSI 58 standard applies to reverse osmosis (RO) systems. RO is a rigorous water purification process that effectively reduces the level of total dissolved solids (TDS), along with other contaminants like arsenic, perchlorate, nitrate/nitrite, and many others from your water.
An RO system that meets the NSF/ANSI 58 standard guarantees its effectiveness at reducing these contaminants, providing you with purified, high-quality water.
NSF/ANSI 62 Standard
The NSF/ANSI 62 standard is dedicated to distillation units. Distillation is a purification process where water is heated until it vaporizes. The vapor is then collected and condensed back into liquid form, leaving many of the contaminants behind.
NSF/ANSI 177 Standard
The NSF/ANSI 177 standard specifically relates to shower filtration systems. These systems are designed to reduce free available chlorine, which can be harmful when inhaled or absorbed through the skin during a hot shower.
A shower filter that meets the NSF/ANSI 177 standard has been tested to prove it can effectively reduce the levels of free available chlorine, thereby improving the quality and safety of your shower water.
NSF/ANSI 401 Standard
Finally, the NSF/ANSI 401 standard is a relatively new addition that tests for the removal of 15 emerging contaminants, including certain pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and chemicals used in manufacturing processes that could end up in your water supply.
Emerging contaminants are those that have been detected in drinking water but are not yet subject to government regulation. A water filter that meets the NSF/ANSI 401 standard has shown its ability to reduce these contaminants, providing a forward-thinking solution for your water treatment needs.
Certified Water Treatment Products: Are They Better?
Products with NSF certifications are not inherently superior in their design or materials, but they do offer a verified level of performance. Certification guarantees that the product will perform as claimed, providing a certain level of contaminant reduction.
NSF-certified products are also reliable. The rigorous testing they undergo ensures they won’t break or leak under pressure, preventing any unintended contamination.
Furthermore, NSF certification means transparency. Manufacturers of certified products must disclose all product details and claims, which NSF then verifies. So, as a consumer, you know exactly what you’re getting.
Finally, certification ensures long-term performance. Certified products are tested periodically to ensure that they continue to meet the NSF standards throughout their lifespan.
In these ways, certified water treatment products offer a higher level of assurance and trust, making them a better choice for those seeking safe, clean water.
How To Choose the Right Water Filter
Choosing the right water filter starts with knowing what contaminants are in your water. A water quality test can reveal this. You can then look for a filter that is certified to reduce those specific contaminants.
Consider your water usage needs. For instance, if you want filtered water throughout your house, a whole house filter would be the best choice. However, if you only need filtered drinking water, a countertop or under-sink filter may be sufficient.
Next, think about maintenance. Some filters require frequent cartridge changes, while others may last longer. Consider the cost and availability of replacement parts and the ease of maintenance.
Your budget may also play a significant role. While cost should not be the sole determining factor, it’s important to choose a filter that you can afford to install and maintain.
Finally, always choose a filter with NSF certification. This ensures that the filter has been independently tested and verified to perform as claimed.
Other Steps You Can Take To Ensure You Have a Safe Water Supply
- Regular Testing: Regular water testing is crucial, especially for private wells, as they are not regulated by the EPA. Testing should be performed at least once a year for common contaminants like bacteria, nitrates, and pH levels. More comprehensive tests should be done every three years to check for other contaminants, such as heavy metals or pesticides.
- Water Treatment: Based on your water test results, you might need to implement a suitable water treatment system. This can range from simple activated carbon filters to more complex systems like reverse osmosis or UV treatment systems. Ensure any water treatment device you use is certified by an independent organization such as the NSF.
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance of your water system is essential. This includes cleaning and descaling water heaters, replacing filters as recommended by the manufacturer, and regular inspection and servicing of any water treatment devices.
- Safe Practices: Implement safe household practices, such as proper disposal of chemicals and waste, to prevent contamination of your water source.
- Emergency Preparedness: Have a plan for emergencies that could disrupt your water supply, like natural disasters. This could include storing a supply of bottled water or owning a portable water filter for emergencies
Remember, the quality of your water can significantly impact your health and well-being, so taking these steps to ensure a safe water supply is a worthwhile investment.
Count on DROP for the Top Water Softeners and Water Filters
At DROP, we’re committed to providing water treatment solutions you can trust. We believe in transparency, quality, and most importantly, in the safety of your water. By choosing DROP, you’re choosing a reliable partner dedicated to providing clean and safe water. Explore our range of certified water softeners and water filters today, and take the first step towards better water quality in your home.