Having access to clean and safe drinking water is a serious consideration under the needs of any property owner. Though the water treatment plants of your city do a fine job of removing most contaminants, the water coming out of your faucet would still contain contaminants, ranging from harmless minerals to slightly worrying contaminants like lead and bacteria.
For those homeowners that are concerned with water quality, there are many options that are now available to address the problem. The first decision that most homeowners will need to make relates to whether they can do the work themselves, or if they require one of the many professionals that are now available for complete home filtration installs.
Understanding Common Water Contaminants
Before choosing a water filtration technique, understanding the purpose of the water filtration can be very beneficial. The nature of the water can differ according to the region in which the water is sourced. Sediment in water can make the water opaque, whereas water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Chemical disinfectants such as chlorine or chloramine can be widely utilized by cities to eliminate bacterial growth; however, they can leave a residual aftertaste or odor. Though more pressing threats would include heavy metals such as lead or mercury leaching from old plumbing systems, or agricultural pesticides residues known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the process of identifying such threats is the beginning to cleaner water.
DIY Water Filtration Methods
In most cases, the easiest point of entry with regard to improved water quality is within the DIY category. Most of these water filters come in the form of water pitchers, faucet-mounted filters, or water dispensers. Such water filters are preferred by many consumers, given that they are relatively cheap and require little to no professional installation. Such filters can be bought at a local hardware store.
However, there are some disadvantages to the convenience of DIY filters. For example, most common water filter pitchers or faucet-mounted filters use activated carbon filters. Although they perform well in eliminating chlorine taste and odor, they may not remove microscopic impurities, including viruses, cysts, or dissolved solids.
Another drawback is the frequency of the maintenance. Small filters tend to clog quickly. They need to be replaced frequently if the goal is to remove impurities. Although they may pose less cost in maintenance in the beginning, cost in the long run may be comparable to or similar to that of whole systems.
Professional Water Filtration Systems
Solutions for homes are generally one of two main types: point of use, such as Reverse Osmosis systems mounted underneath the sink cabinet, or point of entry solutions, also known as whole-house solutions. Reverse Osmosis systems push water through a semipermeable membrane, eliminating as much as 99% of dissolved materials such as arsenic and lead.
Whole house systems have a wider application in the sense that they filter your water right from the time it reaches your house. With this system, you can rest assured that all your taps have clean water, which can be quite important if you need it for showering, cooking, or doing your laundry. Additionally, you do not have to worry about your expensive appliances in the house getting damaged due to scale formation.
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Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Whether to choose a homemade water filter or an expert system depends on your water quality problems and ultimate goals. If you are dissatisfied with a chlorine taste, an effective pitcher may be all you need. But if test results identify the presence of lead, hard water, or biological contaminates, an expert system is likely your only recourse!
