When it comes to water purification in the home, you first have to look at the source of your water supply. Where does your water actually come from? What contaminants are present?
If microbes are present, you will need a water purification process that disinfects. Microbes include E. coli, cryptosporidium and giardia. Ingesting them tends to cause mild illness; but, in the very young or those with compromised immune systems, infection can be fatal.
Then there is the toxic metal, lead. Lead is found in homes around the country, and around the world because lead-lined pipes and lead-based solder were the materials of choice for water pipes for many years. To combat lead contamination, water purifiers should include an ion exchange step that converts lead ions to harmless potassium. This step will also remove copper, which can spoil taste and emit odor.
There are a number of other contaminants that may be present regardless of your source. These substances are known to contaminate groundwater, and they manage to get to kitchen faucets regardless of the water purification steps used by public treatment facilities. These contaminants include traces of pesticides, herbicides and VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) VOCs are industrial chemicals that have made their way into the waters of the world. A water purifier would need an activated carbon filter and “multimedia block” to remove all or nearly all of them.
In order to be safe, the best water purification choice uses activated carbon, a multimedia block, micron particle removal and ion exchange.
It seems like everyone has water purifiers for sale these days. Companies like Clorox Bleach and Sears, of course, offer kitchen units. They all promise that their system is the best, but it might not be the right choice for you and your family.
If you are serviced by a public water purification facility there is less reason need to worry about disinfection. But, a water purifier with a micron particle filter is necessary to completely protect against cryptosporidium and giardia cysts. A cyst is the egg-like stage of these microbes and they elude public disinfection methods. You should also make an effort to remove the chlorine or other chemicals used by the facility, as well as by-products of the disinfection process. Water purifiers that are certified to remove THMs (thihalomethanes) will take care of that.
Water purification is a subject best suited for a text book. But, if you learn at least some of the basics, it will make it easier for you to find the right water purifier for your home.
Water Purification – What Are the Basics?
For disinfection, most homeowners and treatment facilities choose chlorine or chloramines. Those chemical compounds actually become a new target for a water purifier. They spoil the taste, have an odor and can cause stomach discomfort. Water purifiers that include activated carbon effectively remove chlorine and similar chemicals.
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