When we look at a water filter, the first number we see is the price of the device. But the real question is: how much does it cost us over time, once we put it in the tap and start using it every day.

In this article, you will see in detail the cost of an Olympus water filter, from the initial purchase to annual maintenance, and a simple comparison with bottled water, so you can come up with your own numbers.

How Much Does a Water Filter Actually Cost Per Year?;

The short answer: you pay once for the device and then only for the cartridge each year. For an Olympus countertop filter, the initial purchase starts at 77 euros and already includes one cartridge. From there, the annual cost is essentially the cost of a replacement cartridge.

There is no electricity, no subscription, no hidden fees. The cost is predictable and fits easily into a family budget.

The Initial Cost: The Device

The Olympus countertop filter starts at 77 euros. It is a one-time purchase, it is installed on the faucet in about five minutes without a plumber, and the first purchase already includes a cartridge, so there are no other costs for the first year.

If you need something more permanent or with more stages, there are also under-counter solutions and double or triple systems, with a correspondingly higher initial price. However, the cost logic remains the same: you pay for the device once.

The Annual Cost: The Cartridge

This is where the real cost of use comes in. An Olympus replacement cartridge costs 45 euros and covers up to 8,000 liters or about a year, depending on how much water you drink.

Let's look at it practically. A household that drinks, say, around 3 liters a day, consumes around 1,100 liters a year. One cartridge easily covers this amount. So the cost is around 45 euros a year, or around 4 cents per liter. If you drink more and get to around 8,000 liters, the cost per liter drops to under a cent.

Because the cartridge also has a time limit, around 12 months, for most homes the annual cost ends up being almost constant: one cartridge per year. What changes is the cost per liter, depending on how much water passes through the filter.

The duration of the cartridge is also affected by the quality of the water. In areas with a lot of suspended matter, the cartridge can be loaded a little earlier. It does not change the cost dramatically, but it is good to keep it in mind.

Comparison with Bottled Water

The fairest comparison is with bottled water, because there you pay per liter, all the time. Put your own price and do the calculation.

Let's say you buy a 1.5 liter bottle for 0.40 euros. That works out to about 0.27 euros per liter, well above the cost of the filter. And that's not counting the shipping and the plastics. Even if you find bottled water cheaper, the filter is clearly more economical in the long run.

It is worth remembering that tap water in Greece is tested based on European drinking water directive, and water companies regularly publish the results, as does, for example, EYDAP for water quality. Many people buy bottled water mainly for the taste, and that's where a filter solves the issue at a much lower cost.

How Much Do Different Solutions Cost?

The logic of "buy once, cartridge every year" applies to all solutions, but the amount of the numbers changes depending on the type.

The above-counter filter has the lowest initial price, starting at 77 euros, and a simple annual cartridge cost. The below-counter filter has a higher initial price, because it is a more permanent installation, but with the same logic in maintenance.

Double and triple systems have more stages, for salts or nitrates, so they add an extra cartridge or two to the annual cost. You choose them when your water needs it, not as a first choice. Finally, reverse osmosis has the highest initial price and the most stages, and is aimed at hard or brackish water, where you want maximum purification.

The rule remains simple: the more stages, the higher the annual cost, but also the more targeted the cleaning.

What You Don't Pay for with a Countertop Filter

Aside from the cartridge, the countertop filter doesn't cost you anything else. It doesn't need electricity, because it works with tap pressure. It doesn't require plumbing for installation. And it doesn't flush water down the drain, as some other systems do.

So all you have to do is monitor when the cartridge is nearing the end of its life so you can replace it.

When is a Filter Economically Worthwhile?

If you regularly buy bottled water, the filter almost always comes out cheaper within the first year. If you drink tap water but are bothered by the taste of chlorine or salts, a filter gives you better taste at a very small annual cost.

For a family with children, or for a business with constant consumption, the difference becomes even greater, because the bottled water increases as consumption increases, while the filter remains constant.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to change a cartridge?;

An Olympus replacement cartridge costs 45 euros and covers up to 8,000 liters or about a year. This is the basic annual cost of the filter.

Does the filter need electricity?;

The countertop filter doesn't need electricity. It works with tap water pressure, so it doesn't add anything to your bill.

Is it cheaper than bottled?;

In most cases, yes. If you do the calculation with your own consumption and the price of the bottled water you buy, the filter usually comes out clearly more economical over time.

How often do I change the cartridge?;

Approximately every 12 months or 8,000 liters, depending on consumption. This way the cost remains predictable.

In conclusion

The cost of a water filter is not the price of the device, but the initial purchase plus one cartridge per year. For an Olympus countertop filter, we're talking about 77 euros initially and around 45 euros per year, without electricity and without hidden costs. Compared to bottled water, the difference adds up quickly.

See them Olympus bench top filters or the entire series in the category Olympus water filters, and if you're not sure which one fits, try this one selection guide.

John Giotis

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