Berkey Water Filter

Generally, I advise testing your home’s tap water with a simple kit, and if the results are good, drinking it. While fluoride can be a legitimate concern, the amounts in most water systems are marginal enough as not to merit the additional cost, effort, and sustainability burden of a separate filter.

That said——especially if you are a person who “hates water,” and would gladly buy a flavored drink just to avoid the stuff (you know who you are!)——making your water taste amazing may be a worthwhile effort. Even card-carrying water-haters have usually tasted a few types they love; common picks of water snobs include Evian and NYC tap water.

Allow me to recommend another option that’s more accessible for most: a Berkey water filtration system. Be warned, Berkeys are expensive, cumbersome, and occasionally targeted by criticism about their lack of certification. That said, there is no water as delicious as what flows out of a Big Berkey. It’s so much better than what comes out from a Brita, a Pür, or even a bottle of Fiji, it’s not even funny. Try a glass and tell me that I’m wrong.

There are those who say the Rainfresh SM4A provides the same drinking experience for less money. The latter product is also certified. Because I’ve not tried it, I can’t comment either way. Please do drop a comment telling us your experience with either of these filters, or with any other source of great water!