Drinking water filters are a good addition to any household that wants safe, clean, good-tasting water to drink and to use in cooking. Assuming that you use a point of use filter, your choice is between countertop or an under-sink water filtration system.

Heavy metals can enter a water supply through a number of sources. Old lead piping in private homes or even antiquated municipal water systems can leach lead into the water. Lead and the other heavy metals can also occur because of run off from industrial operations and mining.

When treating water with an ultraviolet water sterilizer, the water is bombarded with UV. Any bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or amoebae in the water are killed. Although highly effective at treating water contaminated with microbes, ultraviolet will do nothing to remove heavy metals or other inorganic pollutants from the water.