Tap and bath water filter: Hi everyone! I just... - Thyroid UK

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Tap and bath water filter

21 Replies

Hi everyone!

I just want to say thank you to everyone that has helped me with other questions I have had on here so far, I have got much further in the last few weeks than the last few years :)

My question is, can anybody recommend a good filter to filter shower and bath tap water that will remove all of the nasty things plus fluoride? I am getting a Berkey for my drinking water but im unsure what to do with bath water!

Thanks in advance! x

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21 Replies
Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

Where do you live? Are you in the UK? If so, do you know whether your area is definitely one where fluoride is artificially added to the water supply? You may not need to worry!

telegraph.co.uk/news/scienc...

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toJazzw

In my area, a very full (and recent) analysis of the local water is readily available online.

I'd be surprised if this were not widely the case. (Not sure if it is a requirement, but I would not be surprised if it were.)

Saggyuk profile image
Saggyuk

Yes I'm in UK and they don't add flouride

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw in reply toSaggyuk

Well, some parts of the UK do. But certainly not all - and statistically it’s quite likely Abigail’s water supply doesn’t have fluoride added to it. According to the article I posted, anyway. :)

Saggyuk profile image
Saggyuk in reply toJazzw

Sorry - I meant they don't add in my area lol - wasn't thinking enough about my answer sure I wrote that though ;-)

Saggyuk profile image
Saggyuk in reply toSaggyuk

I'm sure I added a smiley face too so must have accidentally deleted the last bit before pressing reply

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw in reply toSaggyuk

No worries. :)

richar03 profile image
richar03

I use this Puricom filter for the shower, and after buying the unit you only need the filters in future. It's very simple indeed to screw in, just make sure you've got enough head clearance! osmiowater.co.uk/puricom-iv...

I use a Propur jug filter for drinking water.

If you find anything for bath taps that doesn't involve plumbing in, I'd be very interested to know.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply torichar03

Nothing on that link seems to say it removes fluoride. And most filters have little of no impact of fluoride levels.

It is only an activated coconut charcoal filter.

richar03 profile image
richar03 in reply tohelvella

I think it's ok as the charcoal removes the halogens waterfiltershop.co.uk/blog/...

It also has a KDF copper-zinc filter.

What I notice most is there is now no cloud of chlorine smell in the bathroom and I am very pleased not to be inhaling that.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply torichar03

It doesn't claim to remove fluoride. Indeed, it doesn't claim to remove chloride - but does claim to remove chlorine. The form of the element can be an important factor dictating whether a particular filter can, or cannot, remove the substance.

(The ionic form of the halogen elements are fluoride, chloride, etc. You cannot, for example, remove salt from seawater by any ordinary filter - only reverse osmosis. But a filter can, as you have observed, reduce the amount of chlorine.)

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious

abigailfrances,

Our tap water is also full of pesticide residue and unwanted hormones no matter where you live in the U.K. The latter is from all those people taking HRT and the pill. The water companies don’t remove this. As you can imagine we definitely don’t need external oestrogen or pesticides in our bodies as these are known endocrine disrupters.

So one solution would be a water softener which removes the scale and hard water if you live in a hard water area and a reverse osmosis filter which removes the pesticides, oestrogen and fluoride. The filter works better and it’s life is prolonged with the softener. The softener also ensures that your pipes and appliances don’t get filled with scale.

Some examples:

Water softener

buyaparcel.com/p/monarch-ul...

Reverse Osmosis Filter

ro-man.com/shop/reverse-osm...

in reply toSerendipitious

thank you so much! I will look into those two! X

Venus77 profile image
Venus77

I have a Berkey filter for my drinking water and also a Berkey shower filter but I'm not sure if it removes fluoride? However, as others have mentioned, you may not live in an area with fluoridated water supply?

Thank you all so much for your replies!!

Im in the West Midlands so unfortunately one of the places with the highest amount of fluoride added. I will report back if I find a bath filter that doesn't need plumbing in! 🙂

Thanks again everyone! X

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious in reply to

I believe the West Midlands water company sell their own reverse osmosis filters. You’ll find them on Google.

spongecat profile image
spongecat

As far as I'm aware only a reverse osmosis filter will remove fluoride and it will be inline.

I'm very against the artificial fluoridation of anything. The fluoride that is added to a water supply (in some areas only) is different to natural fluoride. Some boreholes or aquifers will contain background fluoride due to local geology, it is natural and not harmful at all except in the very very rarest of cases . This information is available on your water suppliers website and can even differ from postcode areas.

As regards reverse osmosis options ......have a browse here....

osmiowater.co.uk/water-filt...

I still like to filter my drinking water anyway. :)

weescone profile image
weescone

I’m very interested in this post. Old lead pipes under my house, & of late a strong chlorine smell from hot water when doing dishes.

I have one Q, possibly a silly one. I’ve ordered a BPA free stainless steel water flask, but, what do you fill it with. Can’t use water from the tap.. and surely bottled water will contain some BPA from the bottle it came from? 🤔

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious

abigailfrances,

Not sure if you use a Brita Filter but this might be helpful. So we had 2 filtration companies come over who tested our water and also what comes out of our Brita Filter jug. In terms of PPM or parts per million there was hardly anything between them.

So although a Brita Filter does a small amount of cleaning it really doesn’t remove much at all. Although the water tastes a bit better.

I have a whole house filter system. It's not a particular brand but if you do a web search you'll find some companies you can talk to. Just needs to be fitted by a plumber or good amateur DIY-er. Takes up most of one kitchen cupboard

Venus77 profile image
Venus77

There are several problems with bottled water including that plastic bottles contain toxic chemicals which leach into, and contaminate, the water. I have owned three different types of water purifier. My first was an incredibly expensive reverse osmosis filter which wastes a massive amount of water (during the process of purification) and removes all minerals, making the water unhealthy for long-term consumption. Then I had an FW2000 which was better but changing its filter cartridges can be problematic as they can break when trying to screw them in or remove them (happened to me, twice). I now have a Berkey which is the best purifier I've tried and using it is far cheaper, and more convenient, than buying bottled water. I hope you find a purifier which works for you :)

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