If you use a domestic well, then you know the water can become contaminated by nearby agricultural, industrial or mining activities, and through the natural erosion of the rock that the groundwater flows through.
Big, bulky point-of-entry purification units are an option, but they are costly. Not only that, but they’ll require professional installation, which only costs more money.
Instead, you need an affordable, convenient water filter pitcher that’s effective and can remove the contaminants from your well water.
That’s why I so strongly recommend the Epic Nano water filter pitcher. It’s the perfect water filtration system for well water, as it can do all of the above and more.
This is a nano filter pitcher, which means it’s more beneficial than the average filter pitcher. A nano filter is able to remove contaminants that other filtration systems can’t. That gives you cleaner water and more peace of mind when it comes to the health and safety of you and your family.
In this review, I’m going to go in-depth about why I like the Epic Nano water filter pitcher so much and why you will, too. If you don’t drink well water then I suggest reading this review I wrote about a filter pitcher for tap water.
Features
First, let’s talk specs. Here are some of the Epic Nano water filter pitchers most notable features in list format. I’ll expand a lot of these features throughout this review:
- Removes 99.9999% of 200+ water contaminants
- It produces 150 gallons of pure drinking water from a single filter
- It removes bacteria, parasites and viruses from water
- An LED timer is included to countdown your filter lifespan
- Its filters are AMERICAN MADE and TESTED
- Certified by the NSF for standards 42, 53, 401, P231 and P473 (I’ll explain these further on)
- Free shipping – always a great bonus!
- Lifetime warranty
What can it remove?
The Epic Nano water filter pitcher removes 99.9999% of 200+ water contaminants. This includes heavy metals, organic contaminants, pesticides, viruses and parasites just to name a few.
Here is a complete breakdown of what this pitcher can remove.
| Contaminant group | Example |
| Elements and ions | Calcium, Chlorine, Fluoride |
| Germs | Bacteria, Microbial cysts, Parasites, Viruses |
| Heavy metals | Aluminum, Copper, Chromium-6, Lead, Mercury |
| Herbicides | Atrazine, Glyphosate (Roundup) |
| Industrial chemicals | PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) |
| Organic chemicals | Trihalomethanes |
| Pesticides | Chromated arsenicals (CCA), Dicamba |
| Pharmaceuticals | Anti-convulsants, Anti-inflammatory or anti-anxiety medications, Beta-blockers, hormones |
| Radioactive contaminants | Gross alpha particles, Radium, Uranium |
| Solvents | Xylene |
| Toxic contaminants | Arsenic, Microplastics |
The Epic Nano water filter pitcher is able to remove more contaminants than even the best water filter pitchers, because it uses special nanofiber technology. So, while other filter pitchers are able to remove many contaminants, they are unable to remove some of the more harmful contaminants that are found in well water, such as bacteria or uranium.
The Epic Nano water filter pitcher removes contaminants by a combination of:
- Nano fiber technology
- Ion exchange
- Activated carbon
- Antimicrobial protection (silver)
The activated carbon is responsible for removing most of the contaminants, but it is the alumina active layer that targets arsenic and fluoride. The unique combination of a nano filter and silver ensures that harmful germs are also removed.
One of the main reasons why I recommend the Epic Nano water filter pitcher is because it is NSF certified.
The NSF, or the National Sanitation Foundation is all about ensuring that products comply with safety, quality and performance standards. Different standards correspond to different contaminants or safety and structural components of different treatment systems.
It all sounds a bit technical, but basically the NSF is an independent organization that reviews products to assure industry, retailers, regulators and most importantly US (the consumers), that a product is able to do what the manufacturer claims it can do.
The most important NSF standards for well water filters are 42, 53, 401, P231 and P473. The Epic Pure Water filter pitcher has not only been tested for each of these separate standards, but exceeds each and every one of them.
The NSF Standards 42, 53, 401, P231 & P473 are all about contaminant removal and improving the taste of your water. Here is a brief run down on which contaminants each NSF standard relates to.
NSF – 42
Filters that meet standard NSF-42 are certified to reduce aesthetic impurities such as taste, odor and chlorine.
The Epic Nano water filter pitcher uses powdered activated carbon to remove these contaminants, including chlorine, from water. Chlorine, along with other impurities, is trapped in the small pore spaces of the activated carbon, and the de-chlorinated water is able to drip through. So, if you use chlorine to disinfect your well water, but don’t like the taste of chlorinated water, then NSF-42 certification is probably important to you.
NSF – 53
NSF-53 certification is all about reducing and removing contaminants with health effects. This standard covers more than 50 contaminants, including:
- Amoeba
- Chromium
- Cryptosporidium
- Giardia
- Lead
- Parasites
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – e.g. chloroform or petroleum fuel components
For me, this is the most important NSF standard to meet. It’s really important that a filter pitcher is able to remove contaminants that could cause you or your family harm. So, I find it interesting that most pitchers do not have NSF-53 certification.
It was certainly a deciding factor for me when I purchased my filter pitcher.
NSF – 401
The NSF-401 standard is for water treatment devices that can remove “Emerging Contaminants/Incidental Compounds”. The vast majority of these contaminants are pharmaceuticals, but also includes things like pesticides, solvents and plastics.
To have NSF-401 certification the filter pitcher has to be able to remove the following contaminants (I have included a common use for each of them):
| Contaminant | Common use |
| Atenolol | Beta-blocker (heart medication) |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) | Plastics and resins |
| Carbamazepine | Anti-convulsant medication |
| DEET | Insect repellent |
| Estrone | Hormone therapy |
| Ibuprofen | Anti-inflammatory medication |
| Linuron | Herbicide |
| Meprobamate | Anti-panic / anti-anxiety medication |
| Metolachlor | Herbicide |
| Naproxen | Anti-inflammatory medication |
| Nonyl phenol | Laundry and dish detergent |
| Phenytoin | Anti-convulsant / anti-epileptic medication |
| TCEP | Flame retardant |
| TCPP | Flame retardant |
| Trimethoprim | Antibiotic |
Like me I am sure you are familiar with several of these contaminants, such as Ibuprofen or DEET. But many of the others contaminants may be unfamiliar and that’s because they are emerging contaminants, so it’s important that your filter pitcher can remove them – especially flame retardants and plastics.
NSF – P231
To obtain NSF-P231 certification the water filter or purifier must improve the microbiological state of the water. These systems are essentially certified for health and sanitation based on the recommendations of the EPA’s Task Force Report.
This means that filter systems with NSF-P231 certification, such as the Epic Nano water filter pitcher, can remove microbes including harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses from water.
In my opinion, NSF-P231 certification is ESSENTIAL for any system that will be used to treat well water. While city water treatment plants remove many of these nasties, residents on well water have no such convenience and need to ensure the water is clean and safe water to drink.
NSF – P473
The NSF-P473 standard is really specific and only relates to water filters that are able to remove PFOA and PFOS from water. PFOA stands for perfluorooctanoic acid and PFOS for perfluorooctane sulfonate.
PFOA and PFOS are a component in lots of different items, such as scotchguard and stain repellants, but they became famous as a component in fire fighting foam.
I should really say ‘infamous’, because it was the use of these PFOA and PFAS as flame retardants at Air Force Bases and airports across the U.S. that led to the poisoning of the surrounding surface and ground water. Causing an environmental disaster that is ongoing today.
PFOA and PFOS are especially dangerous because once ingested these chemicals persist in your body for years and have been linked to an increased risk of developing kidney, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancers.
Okay, PFOA and PFOS are definitely not something any of us want to be drinking. So, a water filter pitcher that has NSF-P473 certification is a MUST. The Epic Nano water filter pitcher ticks that box, while a lot of other major brands just don’t.
Overall, it’s important to remember that many of these contaminants are not an issue for city residents. However, using your own well comes with it’s own unique set of problems, and that’s because wells access groundwater.
Groundwater is a great source of drinking water, but it can have naturally high concentrations of some contaminants, such as uranium, and can easily become contaminated by nearby agricultural, industrial and mining related activities.
So, it’s important that your filtration system is removing the contaminants that are particularly problematic for well water, and not just those in standard tap water. Especially, since drinking from a domestic well, means you don’t have the luxury of a water treatment plant disinfecting your water.
It’s helpful to remember when comparing different filter pitchers for well water, that:
- Not all filter pitchers are able to remove all of the same contaminants – it depends on what the filter is made of.
- NSF certification isn’t mandatory – but realistically any company that believes their product does what they say it does, will have the right certification. Otherwise, how could your trust them or their product?
Performance and Water “Mileage”
Okay, I know it’s not exactly “mileage” since you’re not actually moving, so we could call it water “production” or water “purification”?! Anyway, the filter pitcher has almost a gallon (0.92gal) jug, and it’s advertised as giving 150 gallons of continuous water purification on a single filter.
I find that it provides about 5 months of purified water before the filter. Not bad at all! Especially when you look at its low cost per gallon, at just $0.33/gallon compared to the major competitors that cost between $0.72 and $1.97 per gallon.
One common question about filter pitchers is how long does it actually take to filter the water. Sometimes you’ll get a filter pitcher that just drips and takes forever to filter the water. Thankfully the Epic Nano water filter pitcher is not one of these, and the water flows steadily.
It takes approximately 10 minutes to purify a completely full reservoir – that’s almost a gallon of water in 10 minutes. But if you are only trying to filter enough water to have a glass to drink right away, no problem, that takes just over 1 minute.
One REALLY IMPORTANT TIP is to set your LED timer when you first start using the filter pitcher. The timer is set for 90 days but depending on use and your water quality the filter can easily last longer. When it’s been 6 months since your last filter change, the manufacturer recommends replacing the filter – even if it’s still working. This is to ensure MAXIMUM filtration.
To set the timer:
- Press the start button and hold for 3 seconds (the frame should flash 3 times), then let go
The display has several components:
- Bars: the % of estimated filter life based on a 90-day countdown.
- Lower black dot (flashing): showing that the memory function is working.
- Upper number: the amount of days that have passed.
When you replace your filter
- Press the “Start” button for 8 seconds until the display does not flash anymore. The system will then reset and the timer will start again.
If you won’t be using your filter pitcher for awhile, for example when you head away on vacation, you can pause your timer by:
- Press “Start” for 3 seconds (the frame will flash 3 times) and the timer will shut off.
- To turn the timer back on, just do the opposite and press the “Start” button for 3 seconds.
The filter pitcher can also be flushed. Simply fill up the top reservoir twice, let it drain and discard this water. That’s always a good idea when you haven’t used the filter pitcher in awhile, and a must every time you replace the filter.
Setting It Up
The set-up of the filter pitcher is super simple, as is the set-up of the timer. Although, I messed this up initially on my pitcher because I just tapped the “start button. I learned that you need to hold the “start” button for 3 seconds and not just tap it. But, you can always push and hold the “start” button for 8 seconds if you need to reset it – like I did!
Anyhow, to get your filter pitcher started, just follow these steps:
- Hand wash the pitcher and filter components with a mild detergent and rinse well – DO NOT wash the filter in the dishwasher
- Check to ensure the clear silicone gasket is in place – the reservoir and filter holes don’t have to line up
- Fill the reservoir with well water and discard the filtered water, repeat this a second time
- Fill the reservoir with well water
- Set up your digital timer on the lid by pressing the “start” button and holding for 3 seconds
- Your filtered water is now ready to drink!
One odd quirk with all filter pitchers is that you can’t filter hot or boiling water, and the Epic Nano water filter pitcher is no different. That’s because heat will damage your filter, and your water will not be effectively decontaminated. I think this is easy to work around though – just filter your water, then heat it.
I know other filter pitchers may also have a reputation of being easy to use, but they don’t have the digital timer feature, and it’s most definitely worth getting.
Size and Portability
The pitcher is approximately 6 inches wide, 10 inches from spout to the edge of the handle, and just under 10 inches in height. It holds almost 1 gallon of water, 0.92 gallons to be exact.
The filter pitcher easily fits on the shelf in a refrigerator, if you prefer your water cold. But if not, you can just as easily leave the pitcher on the kitchen bench if you prefer room temperature water.
The filter pitcher is light, but it is also structurally sound. The pitcher itself is made of 100% BPA-free non-leaching Tritan plastic that is also 100% recyclable.
There is a really good sized handle to pick up the pitcher. I previously had a filter pitcher where I couldn’t fit my whole hand in the handle, which I found to be really annoying.
In general, I think the weight, size and portability is as expected for a filter pitcher, but it does purify far more water than cheaper brands. Cheap filter pitchers, are just that, cheap. You save some money at the time of the initial purchase but then spend far more because you need to change the filters far more often, which makes it more expensive in the long run.
Price/Where to Buy
The Epic Nano water filter pitcher is available directly from the Epic Water website. Epic Water has an awesome Clean Water Club, which saves you 20% of the initial purchase price and 20% off all future filter replacements. Also, they have a great returns policy, with 100% refund of the product price for the lifetime of the product – something you won’t get if you buy the filter pitcher from anywhere else.
Check the current price of this filter pitcher here at epicwaterfilters.com – shipping is free! (affiliate link to Epic Water for the exact model I’m reviewing here).
Be sure to watch what you’re getting if you order from another online store. There are several similar filter pitchers with almost the same name, so be sure it has included all of the things I’m reviewing here, and is MADE and TESTED in America.
EPIC WATER NANO
Setup, Unboxing, and What’s Included
One negative is that the filter pitcher only comes with one (1) Pure Filter. It’s not a big deal since every other brand only comes with one filter, but it’s something you need to make sure you have ready before your filter needs replacing. It takes 150 gallons of filtered water before it needs replacing, far more than the measly 40 gallons most other brands purify.
Filter life varies depending on your average daily use and the quality of your well water. Epic Water Filters suggest the average household replaces the filter every 3 to 4 months, but I found I only need to replace it every 5 months. However, if your well water is heavily contaminated or has a lot of sediment, your filter will work harder to clean your water, which will decrease the lifespan of the filter.
The Epic Nano pitcher also includes a LED timer integrated into the lid that reminds you when it is time to change the filter. Setup of the filter pitcher takes about 30 minutes the first time. It’s really only a matter of washing the pitcher and flushing the filter before drinking the filtered water – which I detail a little later on. There is a quick start guide that is written in real English (miracle!) and the manufacturers website has some great FAQ answers.
Maintenance
I read as much as I could from other owners of this filter pitcher before buying my pitcher, and also the reviews I saw were more positive than most of the other brands I looked at.
There was one small issue in the reviews that I saw a couple of times. A small leak around the top of the filter. There is an O-ring that keeps the pitcher water tight and generally a leak is caused by the O-ring not being pressed all the way down to the filter. Often cause by not putting the pitcher back together properly after washing it. Not a big deal.
I also contacted Epic Water Filters and they suggested some more ways to fix this type of leak:
- Put a small amount of vegetable or olive oil on the O-ring (the silicone gasket on the top of your filter).
- Screw the filter on tight and secure to the reservoir.
However, in terms of general maintenance, all you have to do is regularly clean the pitcher:
Cleaning
Every part of the filter pitcher is dishwasher safe, except the filter. That being said, here are some cleaning recommendations:
1. Wash the pitcher before first use, and then flush the filter. This is easily done by filling the top reservoir 2 times, letting it drain and discarding the water. This will also make sure any loose material, such as some coconut carbon fines (harmless), are removed before you start drinking the water.
2. Regularly hand-wash the pitcher and reservoir with a mild detergent – nothing corrosive! Then let them air dry at room temperature. Epic Water Filters also suggest wiping the lid with a soft sponge soaked in a solution of one teaspoon of white vinegar in a cup of water.
Pros and Cons
Lastly, let’s go over some pros and cons for the Epic Nano water filter pitcher
Pros include:
- The 150 gallons of purified water per filter – I couldn’t find another pitcher with comparable purification efficiency.
- The light weight and sensible size of the pitcher makes it ideal for the fridge or counter top, or even for taking away on vacations.
- You can fill this filter pitcher with well water or tap water, either way it readily removes 99.9999% of 200+ contaminants.
- An LED timer to countdown your filter lifespan, which is AMERICAN MADE and TESTED.
- The filters are certified by the NSF for standards 42, 53, 401, P473, and P231, all but guaranteeing the removal of the contaminants that have you concerned about drinking well water.
- Free shipping and Lifetime warranty on the pitcher, which is made from 100% recyclable BPA-free plastic.
Cons include:
- Can develop a small leak at the top – although as we discussed this is easily fixable.
- It can take 10 to 15 minutes to purify a full reservoir of water. However, this is because it takes longer to remove MORE contaminants. So, while it may take a little longer than other brands, that’s because it’s removing more contaminants.
- Only comes with one filter at the time of initial purchase
Conclusion
The Epic Nano water filter pitcher is a great little filter jug that proves you can have your well water clean and drinkable at an affordable price.
Priced at less than $100, you should easily be able to find out for yourself how good this pitcher is, and how great your well water can taste. Renowned for being efficient, purifying 150 gallons per filter, as well as including an LED timer, you get a lot of value for the price.
While this filter pitcher isn’t perfect (just check out the cons section for some of its less-than-desirable features), I think you’ll find it works perfectly for your well water needs. I personally recommend the Epic Nano for you and your family.
Related Questions
What do water filter pitchers remove from water? Water filter pitchers are able to remove a vast array of contaminants from water, but which contaminants is dependant on the type of filter. Filter pitchers that use a combination of activated carbon and ion exchange are able to remove most contaminants from water. For more information about the different contaminants that water filter pitchers remove – and the ones that don’t – continue reading here.
