What is a carbon block water filter? What are its advantages?

Carbon block is a type of charcoal filter that is so densely compressed that even microscopic bacteria cannot penetrate. Unlike loose granular charcoal filters that are inexpensive and commonly found in supermarkets or hardware stores, these filters force water to penetrate through an enormous surface area. Due to a special activating process, complex geometric lattices are created that increase the adsorptive area. If flattened out, it would cover the surface of a tennis court! Since charcoal is like a sponge for chlorine, pesticides, gases, and many other organic compounds, the more time water spends going through it, the cleaner it gets. But the more advanced carbon block designs can also remove very high percentages of heavy metals such as lead, and bacteria and cysts such as E. coli, protozoa, giardia, and cryptosporidium.

Installation Options

"With the under-sink unit, all you see on the counter is a spigot."

You can install this filter above or below the sink. The under-sink model has its own spigot on top. The photo shows the spigot and the diagram shows the installation under the sink. This is a semi-permanent installation that involves some minor plumbing. Countertop models use the same filter cartridge but have a housing that attaches to the faucet end via a double tube. The faucet works normally for washing dishes and is easily diverted to the cartridge by turning a valve. Water travels through the filter in one tube and returns to the faucet via the second tube. The countertop models install easily by adding a diverter valve on the faucet tip. The under-sink models require tapping into the cold water line and possibly drilling a hole for the new filter spigot, which could require a plumber. You can install this filter underneath your sink leaving only a spigot. For more transient circumstances, choose the countertop version of this filter. It sits adjacent to the faucet and draws water from it via a tube. In either stainless steel version, the filter is rated for 750 gallons. The plastic countertop unit is rated at 400 gallons. Typically, this means only one filter change per year. All units are UL approved. NSA certified. Stainless Steel housing body.

Ask about automatic delivery of replacement cartridges once or twice per year.

View a list of pollutants successfully removed by this filter

To learn more about carbon block filters and other methods of water purification, read: Sproutman's Water the Ultimate Cure