APEC Water Systems RO-CTOP-C Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System with Case, Installation-Free, Fits Most Standard Faucet

Easy setup, noticeable difference — very pleased patron
I am so very impressed with this countertop system! I have never owned a reverse osmosis filter setup, and have always relied on Brita pitchers or the like, bottled water, or been content with the tap. I live in the Bay Area, CA, and, while the tap water is reputed to be of above-average quality, and my apartment is only 4 years old, I still noticed hard-water stains on my glass tea kettle, coffee water reservoir, and dishes after washing. Also, even though I felt like I had ample motivation to drink more water, I didn’t seem to want to drink my apartment’s tap water, preferring instead the water jug at work.I decided to purchase a $15 TDS water meter on Amazon. I know that some people, better informed than I am I am sure, argue that TDS meters are not helpful since they do not specify which solids are present in the water. Still, though, I knew I liked the water at work, and didn’t like it from my tap at home, so I was curious what the readings would be. The home tap water was in the 260s ppm; the water from the cooler at work was between 80-90 ppm. Some evidence that perhaps a filter at home might increase the taste of the water.The setup of the countertop system was very easy. I had to first remove the water aerator from my existing faucet setup (a detail that the APEC instructions tipped me off to); then, I had to find which of the three included adapter sizes fit my faucet. It took about 45 seconds to determine which adapter threaded without force, and once I hooked it up, operation was very basic.Now, the taste test. After running the filter for 15 minutes to flush the lines, I filled a few glasses and pitchers. Note: because this system has no tank like underwater setups, the wait for filtered water is longer than you might expect. If you have a pint glass and want a full 16 oz pf filtered water, and you have not prepared some beforehand, you will wait about 7-10 minutes for a full glass. This might vary with water-pressure differences. The tube where the filtered water comes out is simply an unadorned end and I leave it dangling inside of a water pitcher to fill. I don’t have a multi-gallon water jug, so I fill three water pitchers that I have, and keep them throughout the house. I will fill them whenever I am in the kitchen for extended periods of time, cooking, or cleaning. It’s not a hassle if I’m nearby and not using the tap for anything else.The filtered water tastes terrific! There is no doubt in my mind that this thing works. As you can see from the photos, the TDS went from 260+ppm to about 10ppm — which is about a 96% reduction in solids in the drinking water. The documentation encourages the user to obtain a 90% reduction, so I know how well mine is working. Coffee tastes better, tea tastes better, and I have fresh, filtered water all around the apartment now, and find I am drinking much much more on a daily basis. I even bring my water from home rowen I go into the office, I have become so fond of it!I emphatically believe that this system has and will improve the quality of my life, not the least by having me stay better hydrated, which can buoy mood, digestion, and energy. Bottom line, though, is that I haven’t enjoyed home water this much since I first started carbonating it myself. Now I have fresh purified water to carbonate and, when mixed with some freshly squeezed lemon juice, is just about all I need in the world.

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