3M Aqua-Pure DWS1000 Under Sink Water Filter System, Removes Lead, Microplastics, Asbestos, Mercury, Particulates, Contaminants, VOC's

The product had been opened and the tops were taken off. I would not recommend. I re-ordered and it came out perfect so I wanna change my score. Please do not send out open items though.

Installation was straightforward, and the filter works effectively, reducing chlorine taste and other impurities. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the flavor of my drinking and cooking water. On the expensive side

Water filters work well

I bought this filter to replace my Clear20 pitcher. Happily, the twin solid block carbon filters do an excellent job of filtering my well water. Without filtration, my water has a noticeable mineral taste. My well is 181 feet deep. The Aqua-Pure makes it taste better than bottled water. Because the filters should last about 6 months, the cost per gallon is low.In general, solid block carbon filters filter out more contaminants than regular "loose" filters like Brita filters. They also do a better filtering job than the whole house filters with the string wound filters.Installation was quick and easy although the instructions were not as helpful as I would have liked. I mounted mine under my sink with the filters towards the front of the cupboard. That way, I have easy access to the filters. My system came with 2 sets of instructions, one manual for the filter and faucet and one for just the faucet. Each manual calls for a different size drill bit for boring a hole in the sink (if a pre-drilled hole is not available). I used a 1/2" bit. It worked perfectly.The only knock against the Aqua-Pure, and it's a minor knock, is the water flow pressure. It's a little on the slow side. However, when one considers the water is passing through 2 blocks of carbon it really isn't that slow. If I am filling up a big pitcher or pot, I flip the faucet lever up so the faucet stays open. For filling drinking glasses, just a little bit of patience is required.

Accuracy of Product Description 3/5Main reason that I'm giving the description a rating of 3/5 stars is because technically this isn't the Aqua-Pure AP-DWS1000, it's the Aqua-Pure AP-DWS1000LF. The difference is that the "LF" version doesn't include the faucet. So that faucet that you see in all of the product images - yep, not included. Instead you get a shiny chrome faucet, which was fine (I can post a product link / photo of the faucet the system comes with if someone is curious) - but it would have been nice to know that so I didn't spend 20 minutes searching the internet for why I received a different faucet.Packing 5/5The system arrived very well packed and all the items were wrapped in loose plastic to prevent scuffing.Functionality 5/5Functionality is why I bought this specific filter. Even though this system isn't the highest rated, nor the most popular, brand on Amazon I went with this one because when it came to water quality/taste it seemed (in my opinion) to have the best reviews. It was/is also rated #2 in undersink water filtration systems by Consumer Reports. Note the #1 filtration system is about 3 times the price of this one.Instructions 2/5The instructions........if this isn't the first review you've read for the Aqua-Pure AP-DWS1000 you will most likely have an idea as to where I'm going with this. It's not that the instructions are the worst you'll ever read, because they aren't *that* bad. The issue with the instructions is that they are out-of-date - by at least 2 years. I ended up using another Amazon review (posted September 30, 2012) to help me figure out where the "saddle valve" that the instructions kept mentioning was.Spoiler: There's no saddle valve. What you receive instead is called a "Feed water connector." Stock image of the feedwater connector: (stock photo: http://i.imgur.com/Zn2HH0f.jpg ). This is a picture of what you receive instead of the saddle valve: http://i.imgur.com/sFvUoW1.jpg (my apologies for not having a better picture of the part, I didn't think I was going to write a review during the installation. I'll get into the reasons why I have this one picture shortly). Main things to know about the piece you get instead of a saddle-valve: both the inlet and the outlet are 3/4" (this tidbit isn't listed anywhere on the part, I had to measure). For your own sanity I highly recommend measuring the connections to your water pipes before getting too far into this, mine are 1/2" and resulted in having to make a trip to the hardware store mid-installation, hence my taking a picture of the part next to my flex hose.The other item regarding the instructions that I want to touch on is the "blue tubing" that gets mentioned with the faucet assembly. There is no blue tubing. Because you get a different faucet than what the product actually comes with there is no blue tubing (it's white, and attached to the faucet assembly).Key takeaways for the Aqua-Pure AP-DWS1000 Drinking Water System:- it's truly is a great filtration system- the instructions are out-dated. If you know going into the installation that they aren't the best it makes the installation process easier.- There is NO saddle-valve- You can absolutely install this yourself (note: I did not have to drill a hole in my counter top since I was replacing an undersink soap dispenser, so I can't comment on whether drilling the hole is something you can DIY).Edit: Found a stock photo for the feed water connector, added it to the bit where I talk about it not being the saddle-valve.

We have been using the Aqua-Pure filters for years and never had any issues with them. A quality product.

I always purchase these same filters from Amazon. Great pricing and great product.

So far I love this filter system. We have terrible city water, and It really makes the water taste great. It also has a good flow rate. The faucet appears well made and seems like it will last. You will likely need to buy an adapter to hook this up to your cold water tap (it comes with a 1/2" plastic adapter and most people will have a 3/8". I got a brass 3/8" to 3/8" and 1/4" tee from home depot, exactly like this Watts LFPBAV-664 Adapt-a-Valve Compression 3/8-Inch x 3/8-Inch x 1/4-Inch). It is very easy to install, and the cartridges are very easy to change out. I've only used it for a week so far, so we'll see how it holds up over time.The only negative thing I have to say is the lame plastic adapter, and the all plastic tubes and system. I'm no a fan of plastic in the drinking system, but I've detected zero plastic taste. Also this filter won't help with hard water, but it makes it taste great.