Options for Improving Your Drinking Water
If you choose to install home water treatment equipment, it’s a better investment in terms of money and peace of mind to select a quality system that solves a wide range of problems. Following is a look at some of the more popular technologies available to improve your drinking water:
Carbon Filters:
An activated carbon filter is used to reduce contaminants such as chlorine, pesticides and organic chemicals, and to eliminate taste and odors. Activated carbon filters come in a variety of sizes ranging from those that connect directly to the tap to those that are connected to the supply pipes. Note, though, that filters must be changed regularly to maintain effectiveness and are not designated to remove a wide variety of contaminants.
Distillation Systems:
To reduce impurities in water by distillation, an electric heating element first boils the water, then the steam is condensed and collected in a storage tank. Metals, salts and suspended solids don’t vaporize and are removed. These units are independent of the house plumbing and are generally placed at the point of water use. Relative to other drinking water treatment methods, these units are expensive because they are energy intensive. They also give off heat and must be cleaned regularly.
Ultraviolet Disinfection:
Ultraviolet Disinfection (UV) systems destroy microorganisms by exposing them to intense ultraviolet light. They have been proven very effective against bacterial contamination. However, since they disinfect the water rather than remove contaminants, UV systems are usually installed along with another filter. This type of system may be of most value where water is obtained from a private well. It is, however, less effective in water that’s cloudy or high in turbidity. Constant use of electricity can make UV systems expensive to operate and bulbs must be changed periodically.
Reverse Osmosis Systems:
In addition to boiling, Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are recommended by the Center for Disease Control as the most effective way of treating residential water. These very popular water treatment systems employ a semi-permeable membrane. When water is forced against the membrane, a portion of it passes through, leaving the impurities behind to be carried away. These systems can be effective in dealing with dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved chemicals and a wide variety of other contaminants that cannot be seen by the human eye. When choosing an RO system, look for units with a high recovery rate to reduce water usage and waste. Generally, a rate of 25 percent is considered efficient.
Regardless of what type of water system you select, check to see if the system is third party certified before making your final decision. NSF International, an independent testing organization, is internationally recognized for its experience in testing and certifying products to ensure they perform as claimed. The Water Quality Association, the regulatory body of the water quality industry, also validates products.
But just because a manufacturer displays the WQA logo, signifying that the company is a member of the Water Quality Association, doesn’t mean its products are validated. And just because a product is NSF certified for some contaminants doesn’t mean it protects you against all of them. If you are concerned about very specific contaminants, you must check to determine that the system you choose is specifically certified to reduce them.
Added Protection for Your Family
Contaminants may never enter your water supply. The kitchen water you get out of the faucet may meet all applicable standards and may be free of unhealthy organisms and chemicals. However, in order to guarantee peace of mind that you’ve done everything you can to protect the water your family drinks, even against the unexpected, contact us to learn more about Kinetico drinking water systems.
