We have maybe the highest nitrate levels in water in various places around the state and also have one of the fastest growing cancer rates. Would appreciate any input from any of you who have used a reverse osmosis product.
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A whole house RO is going to run you close to 10k. They make Undersink reverse osmosis as well. Your best bet is getting a water softener.
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One of my closest friends has a reverse osmosis business. I can put you in touch with him if you like.
They have counter top systems today that run less than $400, I guess I was hoping that someone was familiar with these. Anybody?
That’s the number I’ve heard for a whole house system.
i was looking into RO due to a periodic metallic taste in our tap water. I ended up with an under-sink filter (that also runs to my fridge line) that is not RO. I think RO is alot of hype. This unit does the same thing (actually outperforms it for some chemicals) at a lower cost. Plus, with RO you’re generating alot of water that isn’t used.
It doesn’t remove nitrates.
My wife works for a water company and says kineteco k5 with a softener in front of it is the best on the market. You get reverse osmosis as well as pfas to undetectable levels and reduces nitrates.
Her best guess on price is between 2 and 3k but dont quote her she doesnt do pricing. Not sure how close you are to the kalamazoo area.
We paid 300 for our kitchen sink one and love it. I think it’s a 6 filter one.
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My cousin has an under sink RO system… A hose blew off and flooded his entire first floor… I’m in the middle of replacing his flooring and fixing his basement ceiling 
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What brand?
This type is what I am looking for…AquaTru Carafe | Countertop RO Water Purifier
oh haha sorry about my long post earlier about a whole house system 
Not at all I wasn’t being specific enough. Water is a huge issue here with all the AG runoff and I’m just trying to figure out a decent option that doesn’t include plastic bottles. I’m not worried about showers or the D/W, just the stuff I consume or cook with.
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These are the problems in IOWA…
- Melanoma of the Skin
- The Trend: Iowa has one of the fastest-rising melanoma rates in the United States.
- The Context: Experts point to high ultraviolet exposure from outdoor labor and low regional adherence to sun-safety guidelines. [1, 2]
- Prostate and Breast Cancers
- The Trend: Rates for both types of cancer continue to climb aggressively across the state.
- The Context: Part of this surge is attributed to early-stage, screen-detectable cases due to Iowa’s robust public screening networks. However, researchers note that environmental toxins—such as nitrates in drinking water—remain heavily linked to prostate cancer risks. [1, 2, 3]
- Lung Cancer
- The Trend: While lung cancer rates are dropping nationwide, Iowa’s lung cancer rates are declining far more slowly than the rest of the country. [1, 2]
- The Context: This slower decline makes up a massive portion of Iowa’s “excess” cancer cases. High concentrations of naturally occurring radon gas in local homes act as the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in Iowa. [1, 2]
- Other Outlier and Rising Cancers
- Oropharyngeal Cancer: Iowa currently holds the highest rate in the country for this specific HPV-linked mouth and throat cancer. [1]
- Colorectal Cancer: While dropping slightly, general rates remain significantly higher than national averages, with continuing risk factors from heavy binge-drinking and environmental nitrate contamination. [1, 2, 3]
- Leukemia and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: The state has ranked #1 nationally for both of these non-behavioral cancers, which researchers look closely at when evaluating agricultural and chemical exposures. [1, 2, 3]
Atrazine was the one I had read about previously. I guess it’s been used for a long time.
”Pesticides and herbicides — High usage volumes (e.g., glyphosate, atrazine, and others). Some have been linked in epidemiological and toxicological research to increased risks of various cancers (including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, prostate, and others), though causation for population-level rates is complex and still studied.”
There are several factors why we are having these increases. Radon, we’re #1. Age, older men are ringing the bell for melanoma here. Alcohol abuse, again, we may be #1 and it’s a serious contributing factor. Then there’s the nitrates and all the pesticides. The melanoma thing is really interesting because for the older population it’s always been there but it was never likely to be what killed you so by and large doctors passed on doing anything if there was no urgency. These days they are banging the cash register doing referrals and removals. Breast cancer is big here too but we are very much turning into a geriatric state and the 60-80 group is hardest hit. My life expectancy was just under 60 when I was originally diagnosed with Addisons Disease but that’s because people were still dying w/o being diagnosed. Now it’s higher…" With proper hormone replacement treatment, men with Addison’s disease can lead normal, active lives, though older population studies cite a mean age at death of 64.8 years (about 11.2 years below standard general life expectancy)," You know what, If I don’t make 90 I’ll be disappointed.
One of the reasons, although its costing me an arm and a leg, I recently switched to as much organic food as I can. Its not fool proof with drift etc., but it helps a lot.