Potential Issues With the Big Blue Water Filter

Water quality is becoming an increasingly urgent concern these days, especially when you consider the rapidly declining quality of local water supplies and environmental disasters resulting from corporate negligence.  For these reasons, there is a growing necessity for each person to look for products to counteract these water quality issues. While bottled water dispensers are certainly one option given the fact that they are supplied by an external source, in-house water filters are also a popular choice.

One set of filtration products that has gained in popularity are the "Big Blue" water filters.  These products are easily identifiable by their bright-blue colored filter housings.  While the branding on these products is clever and visually appealing, there are some potential issues with them in practical usage.  One particularly unhappy reviewer complained of an inherently flawed design which makes replacement of the filter far more cumbersome that it ought to be.  The reason for this complex replacement stems from the fact that there are so many pieces involved.  Specifically, there is a filter element as well as a separate gasket that both need to be screwed into place.  Apparently it is less than easy to keep the filter element in place while screwing the gasket on (unless you have 10 hands).

Thankfully, the reviewer also posed a possible solution to the issue.  Basically, the recommendation is to obtain a sealant that can be placed around the screw threads so that the parts stay in place while being secured tightly.  The reviewer recommend silicone sealer, a product that can be obtained at most home improvement stores.

This is not a blanket criticism of the big blue water filter line in general, by the way. Many of these products work just fine.  The above review being for just one particular filter product, namely the "Big Blue Non-Electric Whole House Water Filter with Ball Valve" which is manufactured by Watts.  The lesson to be learned here is to shop around for a filter that features easy installation and replacement.  Single-piece filters are preferable, but even a multi-part filter that can be installed by just one person is fine.

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