Water Filter Systems for My Home, What Are My Options?

Hydrate! Hydrate! Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Keep your body healthy by drinking plenty of water. You may not actually be hungry but rather dehydrated and in need of water. These are all phrases and statements that speak to the importance of water for our bodies. But, what if the water you are drinking is not all that good for you? What if it was doing more harm than good?

The water you are drinking, whether from the tap or from a plastic water bottle, just because it looks clear and pure do not mean it is. In fact, tap water can contain 300 plus different types of chemicals and pollutants. Water that is deemed safe still has compromises in its purity. Water can be impure because of the different contaminants it holds and may begin to show the residue that has been built up in your pipelines. There are health experts that are concerned about the long-term effects of drinking and bathing in water that isn’t pure. Here are a few options that can best equip you to take the step in determining which water filter would be most beneficial for you and your family.

Pitcher water filters

Pitcher water filters are nice because they are less expensive. They use granulated activated charcoal to clean the water and remove it of any contaminants. Using a water pitcher may not be beneficial for a large family because it requires frequent refilling. Pitcher filters do not remove every toxin however it does give a better taste to the water. This filter helps reduce chlorine but is not effective in clearing out other heavier toxins, such as VOCs, metal, endocrine disruptors and fluoride. Faucet mount external filters are similar in effectiveness because they use the same technology.

Gravity-fed drip filters

Gravity-fed drip filters are a wonderful alternative to a faucet-mounted filter because it is much more effective in getting the job done well. This type of filter removes chlorine, fluoride, VOCs, pesticides, particulates, and pharmaceuticals. This filter has no need for electricity because the filtration occurs as it drips from the upper chamber to the lower. This method is slow, however when the process is not to fast the more contaminants are filtered out.

Reverse osmosis filters

This type of filtration process is a bit more intricate, which leads to better and healthier water. The meaning of reverse osmosis is to use pressure that pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane that prevents contaminants and pollutants to follow. Here is how it works: the nasty water enters the filter; the first stop is the pre-filter that traps larger particles. Then pressure sends the water through the reverse osmosis membrane, which removes all things impure such as contaminants and pollutants. Before the last stop into your cup, the water goes through one more final filtration that basically double checks until all is pure, and then it is ready to drink and enjoy. Reverse osmosis filtration systems are placed under the kitchen sink and they are quite effective. However, one negative to this system is that it tends to waste more water than it provides. It takes adequate water pressure in order to fully work properly and it can take up to an hour to go through the process of filtering a gallon of water.

Activated carbon filters

These types of filters are usually responsible for eliminating larger particles that are in your water. The way they work is through absorbing these particles so when you turn on your faucet to get a drink of water the sediment is no longer present. If taste is a huge factor when filtering out your water activated carbon filters help with that job. This filter reduces chlorine and other nasty toxins that make for an unpleasant drink of water. They work in such a way that helps relieve the liquid from any odors and brings out a better tasting result. An activated carbon filter is a popular one in homes and is easy to install. It is effective in filtering out the more harmful contaminants, however, it doesn’t completely remove all, such as arsenic, fluoride, and nitrates. This type of filter does its job well but it can be susceptible to mold which could be quite a negative.

Alkaline/water ionizers

The process that these filters use is electrolysis. This consists of the water passing over electrically charged plates and separating it into two streams, alkaline and acidic. The alkaline gives the water a mineral richness that brings health benefits and the acidic has no minerals, which is great for washing and cleaning. The result is the water is softer and also better for your skin. However, even though the health benefits are available in this filtration process the ionization is only effective for about an hour, so a water bottle that’s been sitting around for a few hours may no longer have the beneficial properties. These filters are quite effective and help create a better healthy lifestyle.

Ultraviolet filters

The ultraviolet water purification process is a relatively newer technology. It is effective in protecting you by killing off germs and preventing the transmission of viruses and bacteria. It basically uses its high-quality UV rays to annihilate any living organism that could potentially harm your health. This type of filtering system is even great for the environment because chemicals or added heat is unnecessary. The purification process is extremely effective at eliminating microorganisms but it does not remove or filter out particles within the water.

Water distillers

This purification process uses heat that causes water to steam. The water boils causing steam to rise, which enters into a cooling chamber so it can go back to liquid form. This process leaves behind what is contaminating the water and reduces large sediment. However it, unfortunately, does not remove endocrine disruptors, or VOCs because they rise with the steam. The heat from boiling the water does a great job at killing off bacteria. These filters are contingent on electricity, which means it is inoperable during a power outage.

Hydration should always be a priority and is of course necessary. However, it’s important to be mindful of the kind of water we allow to enter our bodies and we must take precautions by making sure our water is clean and pure. If you would like to add a water filtration system to your home, call on the experts at The Plumbing Joint, (425) 228-3204.