Understanding the Advanced Technology: Affinity® Filtration
Clearly Filtered's core technology, known as Affinity® Filtration, is what allows its products to remove harmful contaminants while keeping beneficial minerals intact. Traditional filtration methods, such as basic carbon filters, have a less discriminatory approach, while purification systems like reverse osmosis (RO) and distillation remove virtually everything, both good and bad.
The secret lies in the multi-stage filter media, which creates a dynamic water pathway with various advanced absorption materials. As water passes through, the harmful contaminants are ionically bound and extracted, but the process is specifically designed to allow healthy, essential minerals to pass through freely. The company provides transparent, third-party lab testing results to back up these claims, showing high removal rates for contaminants like lead and fluoride while confirming that important minerals remain.
The Health and Taste Benefits of Retaining Minerals
Drinking demineralized water, such as that produced by reverse osmosis without a remineralization stage, can sometimes taste "flat" or "dead". By retaining natural minerals like calcium and magnesium, Clearly Filtered water offers a crisp, refreshing taste that many people prefer. More importantly, these retained minerals contribute to your overall health. Calcium is crucial for bone health, magnesium supports energy production, and potassium is vital for proper muscle function. This selective filtration provides the best of both worlds: contaminant-free, great-tasting water that is also beneficial to your body.
Clearly Filtered vs. Reverse Osmosis and Other Filters
When comparing different water filtration methods, the impact on minerals is a major distinguishing factor. It is this specific difference that sets Clearly Filtered apart from systems like reverse osmosis.
Reverse Osmosis: The Trade-Off
Reverse osmosis forces water through a semi-permeable membrane, effectively stripping out almost all total dissolved solids (TDS), including beneficial minerals. While this results in highly purified water, it also removes the very minerals that contribute to water's taste and potentially your dietary intake. Users of RO systems often need to add a remineralization stage, an extra step and cost, to restore some of the healthy mineral content.
Comparing Filtration Methods
| Feature | Clearly Filtered | Reverse Osmosis (RO) | Basic Carbon Filter | Distillation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficial Mineral Removal? | No, selectively retains them. | Yes, removes virtually all. | No, does not remove most inorganic minerals. | Yes, removes all minerals. |
| Harmful Contaminant Removal | Up to 99.9% of 365+ contaminants. | Up to 99% of contaminants. | Removes chlorine, bad taste, and odor. | Excellent, high level of purification. |
| Waste Water Produced? | No. | Yes, can be wasteful. | No, point-of-use or gravity fed. | Yes, highly wasteful. |
| Energy Required? | No | Yes, pressurized system. | No | Yes, energy-intensive process. |
| Water Taste | Crisp and refreshing due to minerals. | Often described as "flat" or "dead". | Can improve taste by removing chlorine. | Flat and mineral-free. |
The Misconception of TDS Meters
A Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter is a common tool used by consumers to measure water quality. However, it can be a misleading indicator when evaluating advanced filters like Clearly Filtered. A TDS meter detects the number of electrolytes in water, and since beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium are electrolytes, they will register on the meter. This can lead to the false conclusion that the water is not pure. Clearly Filtered does not remove these healthy minerals, and as a result, its filtered water will show a TDS reading that is not zero. A high TDS reading from a Clearly Filtered product does not mean the water is contaminated, but rather that it has a healthy mineral content. TDS meters also have limitations, failing to detect harmful, non-electrolyte contaminants such as benzene. For a complete picture of water quality, relying on a reputable, independently tested filter's performance data is more accurate than relying solely on a TDS meter reading.
Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance
In conclusion, Clearly Filtered does not remove good minerals. The company’s Affinity® Filtration Technology is specifically engineered to target and eliminate harmful contaminants while leaving beneficial, essential minerals like calcium and magnesium in your water. This approach differs significantly from purification methods like reverse osmosis, which strip water of nearly everything, often requiring a separate remineralization step. By choosing a filter like Clearly Filtered, consumers can enjoy clean, safe, and great-tasting water without sacrificing the natural mineral content. The key is understanding that a non-zero TDS reading is not a sign of impurity but rather an indication of healthy mineral retention.
For those seeking a comprehensive filtration system that balances effective contaminant removal with the preservation of healthy minerals, Clearly Filtered provides a viable solution. It offers a transparent, tested approach to ensuring the quality and healthfulness of your drinking water. Outbound Link: To learn more about water filtration technologies and their effects on mineral content, consider consulting resources like the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
