The Best Water Filter for use at Home
About the Water Filter Systems
Water normally contains a variety of substances some of which may be unhealthy. A water filter or a water filtration system removes the contaminants from the water to ensure that it is clean for consumption. Consequently, the best water filter choice is determined by factors such as the specific nature of the water (contaminants) and the functionality of the water filtration system.
According to the water systems council, most unfiltered water contains high traces of sediment, most of them being microscopic. The council describes that the sediments affect the quality of the water in various ways. It gives the water an unappealing look, and causes wear to the plumbing and water appliances, creates clogs in the water system that affects the flow of water and cruelly, affects the health system when absorbed into the intestines when consumed.
Also, according to the World Health Organization statistics, it is estimated that water contamination causes around 485000 deaths every year, resulting from diarrhea and related effects of water contamination. Therefore, a water filter is recommended in every home to improve the quality of the water. For effectiveness, the Best Water Filter Systems are required depending on the nature of the water. This article provides you with what you need to know about the Best Filtration Systems and what you need to know when choosing the filtration and purification system.
Choosing The Best Water Filters
Water filters are designed using different technologies by different companies. Every company aims at optimal sales for its products. Therefore, most of them will claim to have the best water filter system for you regardless of the nature of your water, scope of installation, and application of the water. However, there is no measure of filtration that guarantees the removal of all particulates and impurities from the water.
It is therefore recommended to prepare when making the choice of the best water filter to purchase. According to ecologist James P McMahon, the answer to the Best Water Filters’ choice is a bit complex. You have to consider and know what is in your water to know which contaminants to remove, hence the best water filter to remove the contaminants.
This is relative to the source of the water. For public water, such information can be acquired from the water report, which other sources of water such as wells can be tested using well water testers. Most of the water contains arsenic and uranium, fluoride, and other elements, which influences the choice of the water purifier.
There are five essential steps towards choosing the best water filter systems.
1) Indicate your goals for the water filter system. These could be only for drinking, drinking, and bathing or for the whole house consumption.
2) Get and review your water report or get the water tested to identify the contaminants.
3) Look upstream for possible sewage plants or farming activities to get a comprehension of your water and its surroundings.
4) Identify the treatments required to remove the identified contaminants in the water.
5) Buy the system that matches your requirements for treating the water,
How a Water Filter System Works
Water filtration may work in one of the two main ways that include:
- Physical filtration and
- Chemical filtration
With physical filtration, the water is filtered through gauze-like membranes that remove larger particles. Chemical filtration involves treatment with smart technologies that are patented to remove the contaminants and impurities.
The image below shows a typical whole house water filtration system on the left and instant hot water heater on the right.
Some of the Best Water Filters
The most popular water filter and purification systems include the activated carbon filter systems, reverse osmosis filter systems, Ultra Violet Light systems, and mixed media. Notably, ideal water filtration systems use a combination of these methods for ultimate filtration.
The mixed-media involves the use of a mix of different mediums in removing the impurities and toxins. These media may include gravel to filter sediments, resin to filter tannins, and catalytic carbon to reduce levels of chloramine.
- If the contaminants present in the water are chlorine byproducts, all you need is a properly sized carbon filter to get rid of the byproducts. However, most of the water is usually contaminated with chloramine and fluoride, which requires a more complex water filter as opposed to the carbon water filter.
- In case of unregulated contaminants, such as for water from the city upstream which will contain pharmaceuticals, you will need a reverse osmosis filtration system to get rid of the unregulated contaminants and dangerous pharmaceuticals in the water.
- For groundwater, an assessment on the aspect of total dissolved solids (TDS) is required to assess the minerals in the water. Minerals in water are important; however, too high levels of minerals are harmful. The ideal levels of minerals should be low — 30-250 parts per million (ppm).
Reverse osmosis filtration systems are also applicable in such cases. Furthermore, the presence of nitrates and radioactive metals may require reverse osmosis to purify the water.
Final Thought
Always remember that the choice of the Best Filtration System depends on the nature and contaminants of your water, among other factors such as the location. All in all, remember to drink and use filtered and pure water to boost your health, immune system, protect your plumbing and water equipment and avoid illnesses.
