Water filters

[Poohblah]

Hi guys,
I am wondering what products, if any, you use for filtering water. Tap water here is ok for most things, but sometimes I get a strong mineral taste with the water. I have borrowed a $10 Brita filter in the past to good effect, but I am wary of buying something with such a large amount of plastic. Then again, I would trust that a water filtering company would make sure their plastics don't affect the water, and I doubt a water filter could be manufactured without plastics. I've had plastic nalgenes and thermoses make drinks taste funny in the past and I don't want to repeat that experience with a water filter. I've also heard of bamboo charcoal; does that work as well as a brita or pur style water filter?

[Proinsias]

I've used brita max filters for a few years. The water is quite pleasant here in Scotland but I still consider bamboo charcoal a nice extra, not an alternative to a filter. I've heard people say the filters are only good for a few weeks but I find them fine for 8-10 weeks, often more.

[Xell]

I was using same filters, when i was living in Estonia, at that time i didn't drink tea, but water was nice. And i'm sure plastic didn't affect taste at all.