For most households, the use of a water filtration device is similar to having a smoke alarm; they exist, are (hopefully) working properly, and we don't think about them very often. However, if the quality of your tap water affects your family negatively or positively while doing things such as cooking or drinking, you need to ask yourself one question to get a quick answer: how much filtered water per day does my family consume? Knowing this information will enable you to determine the right size of water filter, when you must refill the system, and whether or not your existing filter can provide enough safe drinking water for your daily health needs.
Where to begin: How much water do humans need?
Prior to determining how much filtered water per day your home should produce each day, it is important to understand your daily hydration requirements. These calculations are based on scientifically validated data.
The Harvard Medical School estimates that men require approximately 15.5 cups of fluid each day, while women require approximately 11.5 cups each day. Of this fluid requirement, approximately 4-6 cups will come from foods. Thus, the remaining filtered water daily intake requirement is determined by individual variances from this baseline.
According to this research, several variables that affect your daily water filter amount are:
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Activity Level: This variable would include the amount of activity you are performing. If you lead an active lifestyle or are subject to high levels of physical labour, you may require more fluid replacement due to losses associated with sweating.
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Climate: The temperature also plays an important role in how much water your body needs each day. In general, your body has an increased need for fluids when it is hot outside, especially in the summertime.
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Age: Age is also a factor that can affect how much water we need each day. As we get older, we may not feel as thirsty as younger adults do. Seniors must have consistent access to fresh, clean filtered water.
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Health Status: Many medical conditions or medications could affect how much water you need each day. Medications that cause you to lose water (e.g., diuretics) will deplete your body's fluid intake.
Determining your household's required filtered water per day:
Let’s use this info on hydration to calculate how much filtered water per day your home requires:
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Individual Consumption: For individual consumption, an estimated daily requirement of eight to eleven cups (approximately half a gallon to just under three-quarters of a gallon) of pure drinking water is expected per consumer.
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Household of Two: Consider total consumption of filtered water in terms of one gallon to one-and-a-half gallons per day for use in daily beverage preparations, food preparation, and consumables prepared at home.
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Household of Four: A standard household typically has four people and should include approximately two gallons of filtered water or more for drinking, cooking, and other food-related uses.
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Households with mixed ages: Increase above estimates by roughly one-half gallon each day per physically active adult to ensure the daily water filter amount is sufficient.
It is crucial to calculate the daily filtered water requirement to determine both the filtration capacity required to meet your family's hydration needs and the filtered water output of your chosen filtration unit.
Why "filtered" water makes a difference (not just any water)
Knowing how much filtered water per day your household needs to consume is only part of the picture. You also need to ensure that this water is actually clean. Drinking an excessive amount of contaminated water will actually harm your body, magnified with every glass.
For approximately 176 million Americans, drinking water contaminated with PFAS (often referred to as “forever chemicals”) exposes them to these chemicals, which are now found in virtually every American's blood sample, according to research by the Environmental Working Group. In order to achieve the health benefits of adequate hydration, you cannot simply meet your daily water needs with any type of water. In addition to meeting your daily water filter amount, you must also filter any potentially harmful chemicals from drinking water.
Matching your filter to the daily household water volume demand:
When deciding to buy a gravity filter, consider 3 basic performance benchmarks to ensure you maintain a healthy filtered water daily intake:
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RATE OF FILTRATION: How fast does the unit provide filtered water every hour? For a household with more than 1 or 2 people, you will probably want to look for a filter that can process at least 3 gallons (or more) an hour.
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RESERVOIR CAPACITY: How many gallons of water can a filter or filter cartridge process before it needs to be replaced?
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FILTER LIFE: How many gallons can the filter clean before it needs replacing?
The amount of filtered water needed from the water filter is important to how well your home will use the system you have purchased for your water filter system.
How Phoenix Gravity Systems Meet Real Household Demand:
Phoenix Gravity Water Filtration Systems offers various-sized systems that produce filtered water at a rate of 2.25 gallons per hour.
Phoenix Gravity filters have been certified by NSF/ANSI 42 and 372. The CTC 60 filter elements remove over 100 types of contaminants, such as "forever chemicals" (PFAS), lead, chlorine, and heavy metals. Each set of filters will provide up to 5,500 gallons of filtered water, which will serve an average-sized family for approximately 1 year (12 months).
In conclusion:
The amount of filtered water a household uses per day cannot be predetermined; it will vary due to the number of people in the home, the age of individuals, their level of exercise, and the climate. However, determining how much filtered water per day your household needs is the first step you must take when determining what type of filtration system will provide your family with quality filtered water daily.
Contact Phoenix Gravity today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What is the average daily filtered water intake for adults?
According to estimates from Harvard Medical School, healthy adults generally consume eight to 11 cups of plain water per day. This is equal to approximately 0.5 gal - 0.75 gal/person/day. This is a very good guideline for estimating your filtered water daily intake requirements.
Q2. How can I estimate the daily filtered water needed for my family?
As a rule of thumb, a family member will require one-half gallon (or 0.5 gal) of water each day to drink. If you have a family of 4, you may estimate anywhere between 2 - 3 gallons for your daily water filter amount used by your family on a daily basis.
Q3. Do children and the elderly consume different amounts of filtered water?
The answer to this does depend on your individual situation; while children generally require less than adults proportionally, older adults often have less awareness of their thirst. Therefore, it is important to make sure that all of your family members always have access to clean, filtered drinking water.
Q4. How much water does a Phoenix Gravity system filter per day?
Phoenix Gravity can filter 2.25 gp/h, so one system can provide over 5 gpd if it is filled at the proper times. This is completely adequate for four people to meet their needs for how much filtered water per day they require for drinking and preparing food.
Q5. How long do the Phoenix Gravity filters last with a typical household's daily filtered water consumption?
Based upon 4 people consuming about 15 gallons of filtered water per week, the coconut shell carbon block filters in the Phoenix Gravity system will last about 12 months (approximately 5,500 gallons). These filters ensure your filtered water daily intake remains safe for the duration of their lifespan.