Our water supply comes from the ground and rivers, lakes, and streams. Unfortunately, many harmful contaminants are found in these water sources. Dangerous living contaminants that cause diseases (viruses and bacteria) such as Cholera, Giardia and cryptosporidium thrive in our water sources.
Erosion of the ground also introduces many harmful deposits into our water supply, of both natural and man-made chemicals. Commonly used chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, road salt run off into our water supplies. Industrial processes further introduce other harmful chemicals. Simply said, our water supply is often tainted by chemicals and contaminants.
Chemicals In Our Water Supply
Of course, municipalities treat all water supplies to remove and reduce all of the harmful contaminants. However, the introduction of some disinfecting or filtering chemicals create new toxic chemicals. For example, Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in the treatment process by municipalities. However, Chlorinated water produces by products such as trihalomethanes (THMs), which can cause cancer, birth defects and other health problems. There are other potentially dangerous by products that form during water treatment process.
Well owners and municipalities must treat their water sources properly. Our household water is safe to use, but if we want the purest water we should filter it even further. That's where residential filters come into play. Residential water filters remove hundreds of contaminants, to provide pure and safe drinking water.
What Is Reverse Osmosis Water Filtering?
There are several technologies applied in water filters including activated carbon, Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF), Ultraviolet filtration, and Reverse Osmosis (RO) Each of these technologies are effective in removing certain contaminants, but not all. Therefore, the purifying technologies are usually combined.
Reverse osmosis water filters are considered to be the most effective on the market. Compared to other technologies, these systems remove the most contaminants from water. For example, they effectively filter out contaminants such as Arsenic, bacteria & viruses, unpleasant smells & tastes, Chlorine, heavy metals, nitrates, sediment, and iron. Other technologies remove some of these contaminants, but not nearly as many as reverse osmosis water filters.
When it comes to the removal of Hydrogen Sulfide (causes bad odors) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can cause cancer, reverse osmosis water treatment also works well. Other technologies work just as well, and some even better for removing these specific chemicals. But a reverse osmosis water filter can remove the tiniest harmful particles that are less than.0001 microns. To put that in perspective, common bacteria and viruses are between 0.1 to 1 micron in size.
Residential reverse osmosis water filters use two types of filtering media known as Thin Film Composite (TFC) and Cellulose Triacetate (CTA). Additionally, when combined with other technologies such as activated carbon water filters they offer the most complete purification. This combination of technologies in RO systems creates an effective product.
Whole House Reverse Osmosis Water Filters
When it comes to maintenance, reverse osmosis water filters require replacement of filters, specifically the membrane, just like any other technologies. Typically, the filtering membranes last for several years (1-4), while the pre-filters such as carbon activated filters and sediment filters need to be replaced more frequently.
When it comes to pricing, RO filters vary greatly. Whole house RO systems are very expensive and can cost several thousands dollars. These are sophisticated systems which may be excessive for the average home owner. They are also quite large in size as they feature multiple tanks and extensive plumbing parts. Whole house reverse osmosis water filters can provide several thousand gallons of purified water a day. That's a bit too much for an average household, and something to be used for commercial applications. Generally these whole house systems are recommended for large households that use their own well water.
A viable alternative to whole house reverse osmosis water filters is to use an under the sink RO filter. They are small, compact, and provide sufficient output of filtered water for many households. The filter is easily installed under the sink and closed behind the cabinet doors. Some good brands to consider are GE, Crystal Quest, Aquasana, and EcoWater.
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