The Basics of Water Purification Systems
What You
Need to Know
More and more homeowners are choosing water purification systems or at
least a point-of-use system using water filter cartridges. They understand the
benefits of drinking clean, tasty water. Drinking enough each day is critical to
the health of your body, but it is much easier to do so if it tastes good and is
free of impurities. There are many different purifiers and filtration methods
available today, and choosing the best for you means understanding, among other
things, how each water purification
system works.
The water purification process is
quite multifaceted and includes reverse osmosis, carbon
filter cartridges and ultraviolet light purifiers. Each type of system uses a
different method to filter and purify your water, ranging from the familiar
filter cartridges to the newest technology employing
ultraviolet light to kill
bacteria.
Let’s take a look at each of these types of common systems in turn.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filters
Reverse osmosis purifiers
are sometimes referred to as ‘ultra purification’ because of the multiple levels
of purification it involves. Water in a reverse osmosis filtration system is
first filtered for the largest impurities and particulates then a second time
using a reverse osmosis membrane that captures the smallest impurities.
Compare Reverse Osmosis Systems Here
The reverse osmosis purification system operates at pressure to force water
through the membrane into a holding tank, with the excess discharged separately.
Reverse osmosis filters use a lot of water; in fact, only about 5% to 15% of
what goes into the system actually comes out fully filtered, the rest is
discharged as waste.
Carbon Filter Systems
This type of purification process is the most common household system in use
today,
and can be one of the most economical to own and operate. The carbon
method uses carbon filter cartridges
to trap particulates and impurities in your water. Most methods use activated
charcoal, which has been given a positive electrical charge in order to capture
the negatively charged ions of water impurities and contaminants.
Compare Carbon Water Filters Here
Carbon is an extremely powerful absorbent and does a very good job of removing
impurities. The purification process can reduce or remove organic chemicals,
pesticides, herbicides, chlorine, radon, and other common chemicals that may be
found in your water. If the filter cartridge does not contain extremely densely
compacted carbon, though, some heavy metals and bacteria can slip through the
filtration system.
Ultraviolet Light Systems
This type of purification system uses ultraviolet (UV) light to remove
microorganisms. The UV lamp is usually very high intensity, so that when water
passes by it (after the solids have been removed with a carbon filter cartridge)
the organisms are killed and made harmless. It draws about the same amount of
electricity as a standard light bulb, and the UV lamp should be replaced
annually.
Compare UV Water Purifiers Here
UV purification is very effective for removing microorganisms such as bacteria,
viruses and molds, but it does not remove chlorine, metals or other chemicals.
The addition of a pre-filter system using easy-to-replace cartridges will help
to take care of solids that UV purification cannot remove.
Have Your Water Tested
Each type of purification process has advantages and limitations in terms of the
types of impurities and contaminants it can remove. Before selecting a purifier
or a filtration system with cartridges for installation in your home, it is best
to check your supply with a home water testing kit
to determine which impurities it actually contains.
When a
Drinking Water Purification System Becomes a Necessity
A drinking water purification system is not only beneficial in your home. There
are many other times in your life when a purification system is often required.
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