Do I need a water filter in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is often referred to as Europe's drain. Everything that is discharged into the Rhine and Meuse rivers in Switzerland, France, and Germany eventually ends up in our country. Of course, we in the Netherlands also contribute to this. Companies discharge their waste (with or without a permit), agriculture and horticulture use crop protection products, and we excrete hormones and drug residues when we urinate.

Drinking water companies must filter these substances out of the water to make it drinkable. Unfortunately, they cannot remove everything, and substances such as PFAS are almost impossible to filter out of water.

According to the 2024 Environmental Performance Index, the Netherlands ranks 24th. The use of a water filter is therefore not an unnecessary luxury, as some people think.

What types of water filters are there?

There are various types of water filters available, such as filters for the main water supply, under the sink, for the shower, for traveling, and for the countertop.

These filters all work in different ways. As a result, one filter may remove more contaminants from the water than another.

What exactly a filter can remove from the water can be found in a test report. If a water filter supplier cannot provide a test report, you know nothing about the quality of the filter they are offering.

Some suppliers claim that you can test the purity of water with a TDS meter. This is not correct. A TDS meter cannot measure contamination in water. You can easily check this yourself.

Choosing a suitable water filter

There are various types of water filters available, each with its own application and function. Which water filter is most suitable depends on how and for what purpose you want to use the water. Below, we explain the most common options.

Filter on the main pipe

For practical reasons, a filter on the main water pipe may be an option. This will provide your entire home with purified water, including the shower and toilet. Some homes are equipped with a water softener or descaling system. These systems remove limescale, but do not remove contaminants from the water, such as drug residues, PFAS, heavy metals, or microplastics.

A water filter for the kitchen counter

A countertop water filter such as the Aqualine is ideal because it does not require a power or water connection, nor does it need to drain waste water. The system also revitalizes and can be used as an emergency filter to filter rain or ditch water.

Filter under the sink

A filter under the sink, preferably with a separate tap or three-way tap, is practical because it allows you to filter only the water you drink, use for coffee, or use for cooking. By using the separate tap, the water you use to wash your hands, for example, does not come into contact with the filtered water.

Please note when choosing a reverse osmosis filter. With this type of filter, you also need a drain to dispose of the highly concentrated waste water.

Shower filter

The skin is our largest organ. Water filters are also available for showers. These ensure that no or less pollution comes into contact with the skin and that you inhale fewer or no pollutants. This can be particularly interesting for people with skin conditions or respiratory problems.

Travel filter

If you are traveling to a country where the tap water is not drinkable, a water filter for on the go can be a godsend.

Were you able to make a choice?

After reading this information, do you have a better idea of which type of water filter suits your situation? Then take a look at the range in our webshop and discover the different water filters we offer.

You can find our complete range at tradeline.nl.