With water playing an essential part in our lives, it is important to consider both the source and quality of the water we consume at home or at work. Water quality is often something we take for granted, as many of us assume water out of the tap in our home or office is safe to drink.
Municipally treated water, in most cases, is ready for consumption out of the faucet, although tap water in many cities in Central Texas can contain harmful trace elements (like lead and arsenic), prescription medication, and contaminants. If your source of water if from a private well, it can also contain several additional natural and man-made contaminants.
What is Water Filtration?
Effective water filtration is a process of removing chemical and biological contaminants from water, including the removal of suspended particles, algae, parasites, viruses, and heavy metals to ensure drinking water is clean and safe for consumption. Water filtration also removes any harmful chemicals, bacteria, and pesticides from an incoming water supply.
Although there are many different types of water filtration techniques, processes, technologies, and brands available, they are all effective (In varying degrees) in purifying water for drinking and consumption.
What are the Benefits of Water Filtration?
Effective water filtration provides the following benefits:
- Removal of hundreds of various volatile organic compounds
- Reduce the risk of illness resulting from exposure to chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, toxic elements in drinking water
- Deodorizes the water and makes it taste better
Several water filtration methods offer additional protection, such as:
- Carbon Filtration: removes specific toxicities from the water and maintains a balance of the minerals required for the human body.
- Reverse Osmosis: removes E.Coli and other harmful contaminants, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders or sickness.
Four Common Water Filtration Treatment Methods
There are many different methods of purifying water to make it safe to drink, although there are four main recognized categories of water filtration technologies in the market right now based on the effectiveness and benefits they offer to a residential or commercial property.
1. Reverse Osmosis (RO)
In the RO process, water pressure forces the water to be purified through a semipermeable membrane. As the water is forced through the membrane, the contaminants dissolve, and the water molecules diffuse on the other side of the membrane. This produces purified water that is drained into a storage tank where it is ready to be consumed. The RO process is highly effective for removing contaminants such as lead, arsenic, fluoride, pesticides, chlorine, sodium, cyanide, and barium. It is also known for producing water that tastes better and is odor-free since chlorine and other substances that have an unpleasant taste and odor have been removed. The equipment and installation of a RO system is considered “point-of-use” and is installed near the kitchen sink. “Point-of-use” means the system treats water going into one source or faucet.
This process produces the purest possible form of drinking water at the most economical cost.
2. Carbon Filtration
The Carbon Filtration method involves two separate processes.
Activated Carbon Block (or ACB) filtration process
This water filtration process comprises a fine carbon powder that is held together with a binding agent. When the water flows through the ACB, all impurities larger than the size of the pores are accumulated on the surface. ACB water filtration is effective at removing chemicals and other heavy metals and elements as it can be used over a larger surface area which allows the adsorption of more contaminants.
This water filtration method also improves the taste of the water. The removal of chlorine coupled with positively charged carbon cancelling negatively charged chemicals produces odorless water and helps retain essential minerals with minimal changes in the pH levels.
Granular Carbon Block (or GCB) filtration process.
Granular Carbon Block water filtration is like ACB filtration yet produces a higher water filtration rate. The reason is this process offers less absorption of contaminants by using loose carbon granules. GCB filtration is best suited for point-of-entry house filtration systems and is considered an inexpensive process as it has a long filter life.
3. Ultraviolet Disinfection
An ultraviolet disinfection water filtration system uses ultra-violet (UV) rays to kill microorganisms in the water. This process inactivates certain cysts, viruses, and bacteria with exposure to UV light, and ensures that they cannot regenerate. It is also considered effective against salmonella, E.coli, giardia, and other harmful viruses and bacteria. UV water filtration is also used by municipal water districts to kill chlorine-resistant microorganisms. This process is safe, environment-friendly, and uses minimal energy to operate, although it must be used with another water filter system to ensure complete purification.
4. Microbiological Water Filtration
Microbiological (or microbial) water filtration removes microorganisms such as mold, algae, and bacteria from water. This method targets illness-causing bacterial microbes that account for about 1% of all the bacteria that can invade our body and cause non-infectious diseases.
This filtration also process removes cryptosporidium cysts that resist many other forms of filtration. Microbiological water filtration combines the process of sedimentation and coagulation and uses membranes and slow sand filters to remove the maximum possible of contaminants from an incoming water source. This system can be installed as an under-the-sink filtration system.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Reverse Osmosis | Carbon Filtration | UV Filtration | Microbial water Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | High | Affordable; value for money | High upfront cost; low operating costs | High as it is mainly used in industrial systems |
| Filter Life | Two to three years | Long | One Year | One Year |
| Eco-friendly | Yes | Uses green technology | Yes | Yes |
| Water Flow Rate | High; requires a water storage tank | Good | Good | Good |
| Power Supply | Required | Not Required | Required | Required |
| Chemical-free | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maintenance | Routine maintenance is required | Easy | Easy | Routine maintenance is required |
| Replacement | Every two years | Six months to one year | Annual replacement of filter and UV lamps | Annual |
If you are looking to have a new water filtration system installed at your home or office, of if you need any existing system serviced or repaired call us today! Lantz’s Lakeside Plumbing & AC offers the leading brands on new units and offer consultations for new installations to help guide you to the best unit for your home’s needs and budget. Payment options are available. Our team of friendly and qualified technicians also service and repair most makes and models.
To schedule a water filtration consultation or schedule a water filtration service, call us at 512.267.1188 or fill out a brief form.
