So far so good. I noted those as well, and have been careful with the tank, since that could potentially break. I did purchase it on a card with an extended warranty perk in case it breaks after the 1yr warranty concludes. By 2yrs, it will have paid for itself 2x. So if it fails then, I'll still be saving by replacing it with something else.
If there is a next time, I would try the APEC countertop, as I wouldn't need to manually fill/empty it. https://www.amazon.com/APEC-Water-Systems-Portable-Countertop/dp/B06XY66PZJ?th=1
Thanks for the advice! Testing is a good ideas + PPM meters. I actually found a potential solution that looks really promising (thanks /u/Intelligent-Will-255!). What do you think of this APEC over-the-counter R/O filter?
Thanks for the survivalist perspective, that's really where I'm coming from with all this.
Honestly, it just seems very difficult to HAVE clean drinking water without depending on society. Since the problems we are faced with (pollution) are mostly anthropomorphic, they require anthropomorphic solutions.
First step I'm going to attempt to get some kind laboratory water test done, if only to satiate my own curiosity. Otherwise I'm taking proactive measures, as I just purchased this APEC R/O filter for the countertop (portable and light, easy to install).
From my limited understanding of water purification you really have to worry about bacteria and viruses, so I think chlorination and boiling are great preliminary pretreatment. Then I guess you could use some kind of carbon filter or — if in the wild — some kind of sand/gravel/rock filter to remove the largest sediment. My biggest confusion comes from "how do you get the microscopic man-made chemical stuff out?". Cause local streams you source from most likely has everything from microplastics to industrial chemicals in it. How do you even begin to address something like that without fancy equipment?
Your comment "having clean water and healthy food. But this seems to be rather difficult in the United States" followed by "I do not have the funds (or transportation) to transport copious amounts of bottled water back-and-forth" really gives off a judgy/victim/entitled and you not willing to literally carry water. I hope I am wrong.
It reflects my political views. I believe that since the U.S government garnishes >30% of my hard-earned income the least they could do is ensure our food and water supplies are safe, but they do not. Bottled water always has microplastics in it, so I am averse to it. I believe this is a reasonable response, but I drink it if necessary (like i'm doing right now waiting for the filter to come in).
I went with this one since you can filter a jug for later use without having to wait at the time for water to trickle out: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KRDK677 (Rate is 1 Gallon per 14mins, though the jug holds less than that).
But I would consider this one if I were to buy another since you don't have to fill and empty a tank every time and I believe there is a waste tube that can drain back into the sink. Not sure how long you would have to stand in front of it to fill a bottle though... https://www.amazon.com/APEC-Water-Systems-Portable-Countertop/dp/B06XY66PZJ (Rate depends on water pressure, and is reported by one owner to be 1 gallon per 20–35mins)