Residential Water Treatment
Concerns about water safety, as well as dissatisfaction with the taste, smell, or hardness of municipal water supplies have led to an increase in the in-home water filtration industry. In 2002 American consumers spent more than $1 billion on all manner of home water-filtering products. Today there are many kinds of home water filters and purifiers that can remove most pollutants found in city water or from wells and streams. But, how do you know which one is right for you?
Water Filtration Methods
Sediment Filtration
Usually a pre-filter to take out larger particles such as dirt, and rust before they reach the main filter. This helps extend the life and efficiency of the main filter by preventing premature clogging. Various filter media can also be used to capture extremely small particles.
Ion Exchange Resins
Primarily used to remove heavy metals, calcium, magnesium and nitrates. The resins need regeneration to be continually effective and can not be recycled so disposal may be a problem.
KDF
A non-toxic high purity metal that uses the principle of electrochemical oxidation/reduction. This technology is very effective for the removal of chlorine, heavy metals and other inorganic contaminants. This material is naturally bacteriostatic and controls the growth of bacteria in a water treatment system.
Activated Carbon
Carbon absorbs chlorine and its by-products, radon, organic contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, trihalomethanes, volatile organic contaminants and industrial solvents. It is also effective at improving taste and odor. Some additives to the carbon that control the growth of bacteria may be toxic substances. There are primarily two types of carbon filters available:
Granular Activated Carbon - These types of filters are made of "granules of carbon" and tend to be less effective than solid block carbon filters. The water tends to find the easiest way to travel through the filter by "channeling" around the granules rather than be forced through it, thereby overusing some areas of the carbon filter cartridge and underutilizing other areas. These types of filter cartridges may allow the growth of bacteria due to the air pockets within the granules that accumulate debris and organics and which may support the growth of bacteria and algae.
Carbon Block - A compressed form of carbon granules or powder. Generally a more efficient method of filtration than granular activated units because the water is forced to travel through the complete block, therefore more carbon comes in contact with theimpurities. Various pore sizes and carbon compositions are available for carbon blocks to target specific contaminants.
Distillation
Distillation uses electricity to boil the water to evaporate it and then condenses the water vapor at another storage location in an effort to separate the evaporated water from the contaminants. This process removes many beneficial minerals and doesn't remove all volatile organic compounds and gasses such as radon because their boiling points are below water and therefore, evaporate into the storage area along with the water.
This filtration method is effective against dissolved solids and heavy metals. Boiling reduces the volume of water and may concentrate other contaminants not affected by the temperature of boiling water (such as lead).
Ultraviolet Light
Water passes through a high intensity light source used to effectively kill many microorganisms. Used as an alternative to chemical disinfection products such as chlorine. Ultraviolet (UV) light is not effective at killing Cysts because of their thick, hard shells which make them resistant to UV.
Reverse Osmosis
Very effective at removing particulates and dissolved solids in the water. It causes the small molecules of water to pass through a semi-permeable membrane at the molecular level and prevents contaminants with larger molecules from passing through the membrane. Large amounts of water are needed for constant cleaning of the reverse osmosis membrane causing unfiltered water to be sent down the drain.
This method of filtration produces quality water slowly and requires a storage tank. It is effective at improving tastes, odors, appearance and scale producing minerals, reducing certain pesticides, inorganic contaminants, radium, copper, lead, and nitrates. Water purified by reverse osmosis still needs to be disinfected as bacteria may pass through the membrane or be reintroduced to water by the membrane. The healthiest water is produced by "selective filtration" products that have the ability to remove contaminants and not minerals. Home water purification is by far the most economical, the most convenient and the most effective way of producing high quality, healthy water. If you buy expensive bottled water because you prefer the taste, then a reasonably priced in-home system might make sense. You can get a faucet-mounted filter for less than $50 and an under-sink filter for less than $200.
How can I find out more information?
When you request your Free no obligation Water Filtration System Quote you will have the chance to learn even more about your options and speak with a licensed local contractor in your area...Take me there
Points Of Interest
Visit the National Drinking Water Clearinghouse for information regarding drinking water.