Few household appliances are as costly to upkeep as water filters. Compounding the problem of choice is a flood of new models of water filtering systems available in the market nowadays.
The Consumer Council has recently undertaken a market survey of the products - on a total of 62 models ranging from jug filters, faucet-mounted, countertop, under-sink and some with multiple cartridges.
The information collected is nothing short of bewildering to the first- time buyer in the vast array of pros and cons of each type of filtering system and, equally important, the wide variances in prices - both the initial and ongoing costs.
But probably the first important question consumers should ask and ascertain is: do I need one? And try to trace the possible causes for your water quality problem - and resolve it if possible - before choosing a water filter that can actually do the job.
Most contaminants in fact present in tap water are unlikely to pose health risk though they probably would change the appearance, taste and odour; some people may be more sensitive than others to the smell and taste of drinking water.
Indeed, the Water Supplies Department does not encourage the use of water filtering devices as the quality of drinking water in Hong Kong is fully in compliance with the WHO guidelines and requirements.
Should you decide to spend your cash on a water filter, you are advised to choose one with certification in compliance with well-known product standards such as NSF/ANSI.
When it comes to price comparison, it is important that you must factor in also the ongoing costs of maintenance - essentially the periodic cleansing and replacement of the filters or cartridges to prevent the product from becoming a hotbed for bacterial growth, and a potential health hazard to the family.
Such upkeep costs could work out substantially in the long run. For example, jug filters are probably the cheapest option with a price range from HK$260 to HK$640, but the annual cost for the first year (the price of the device plus the upkeep cost) could add up to HK$410 to HK$1,140.
In estimating the annual cost, most suppliers, however, tend to assume that consumers would only use the jug once or twice a day, but for a 4-member household the daily drinking water consumption would be realistically around 8 litres. In such a case, the annual cost would be quite different - HK$1,010 to HK$3,722 for the first year, and HK$940 to HK$3,500 the subsequent year.
Faucet-mounted and countertop filters cost from a few hundred dollars to more than HK$3,000 in the first year, and the on-going costs would be around HK$100 to more than HK$2,000 per year.
In the case of the more pricey water filtering models such as the under-sink or multiple-cartridge water filters, the costs ranged from HK$2,350 to HK$9,320 for the first year, and HK$480 to HK$5,920 for subsequent year.
Consumers should give due consideration to the ease and frequency of maintenance needed to upkeep the device in sound condition.
Quality of drinking water in Hong Kong is good and is regularly monitored by the Water Supplies Department; consumption of water is unlikely to cause health risk. Regular cleansing of fresh water storage tanks, inspection and maintenance of plumbing system in the building are recommended to assure the quality of tap water. Boiling water before consumption offers greater protection.
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