Water Filtration

There are a lot of different water filters out there, and it may be difficult to choose which type is best for you. Here’s a quick run-down of the most common:

• Whole-house water filters: Set up through the main water line coming in to your house, and removes contaminants from all the water entering your home. Good for removing particles such as rust and sediment.
• Under sink water filters: Come in a variety of styles, and are installed with the pipes under your sink. Different types of under sink filters remove different particles, and are bought according to what you want removed. Only filer water going to the sink.
• Countertop water filters: Easy to install, generally screws on to the faucet. Only filters water coming out of the faucet.
• Portable/ canister filters: A filter that goes in a pitcher you can place in the fridge. Filters the water entering the pitcher.
• Refrigerator water filters: A filtration system installed in your fridge. Filters water coming into fridge, including water used to make ice. 

Many people who don’t like the taste of, or don’t trust the quality of, tap water often turn to bottled water. But bottled water can come with its own downfalls. It isn’t as strongly regulated as tap water, which can actually lead to more chemical contamination, and is a burden on the environment. Similarly, tap water can contain chlorine and fluoride in various levels.

If you’re still searching for a safe and clean source of drinking water, but are conscious of the health and environmental impacts, a countertop water filter system may be the best choice. Systems such as Crystal Quest Countertop Filters provide six stages of filtration, weeding out hundreds of contaminants present in tap water. Countertop filtration systems are also an inexpensive solution to the water quandary, are easily disposed of, and with a lifespan of up to three years, create substantially less trash than bottling water does.

People who utilize methods of water filtration hope to take a step towards health.
Most sources of drinking water contain very low levels of radioactive contaminants, also known as radionuclides.  Most of these occur naturally, although drinking water can also become contaminated from human-made nuclear materials.  Most radioactive contaminants remain at levels low enough not to be considered a public concern, however, long-term exposure to even low-level radionuclides in drinking water has been flagged as a contributing factor for cancer.  Exposure to uranium in drinking water may also damage the kidneys. 

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has established drinking water standards for several types of radioactive contaminants, including combined radium, beta emitters, gross alpha standard, and uranium.  Different U. S. states have different standards of compliance for drinking water.  Check online to obtain the most current information regarding drinking water standards of compliance for your area.

Regions of the world suffering from extensive droughts and water shortages might find a long-term solution with nanotechnology, researchers are saying.The reality of this type of water filtration system could be closer than some think, because other technologies are too expensive and difficult to maintain for the poor conditions in which the inhabitants live. Carbon nanotubes, being simple in design but very effective in operation, might be the answer. The structure of these tubes allows only very small molecules – such as water molecules – to pass through. The thickness of these carbon fibers is less than a billionth of that of a strand of human hair, which still keeps out harmful agents such as bacteria, viruses and metals.

In addition to the efficient engineering behind these nanotubes, the power needed to drive water through a system would be comparatively low to conventional practices. It’s important to take note of this effort to bring clean water to a drought-stricken population, because over one billion people alive today are without access to safe drinking water. An estimated 2.4 billion people on top of that are said to have improper water sanitation, with the majority living in developing countries.

If your drinking water contains contaminants such as bacteria, viruses or other living organisms, there’s an easy, cost-effective answer waiting for you.Ultraviolet water purification is a water filtration system that kills any living contaminant infecting the water. It does this by disrupting the organism’s DNA, while leaving the drinker completely unharmed. When coupled with a ceramic or carbon filter, UV purification is especially effective in killing any unwanted micro-critter living in your water supply.

Unfortunately, non-living contaminants such as lead, asbestos or chlorine are immune to UV purification. It also does nothing to microorganisms that are in cyst form, which can cause severe gastrointestinal problems if not treated. Why is it ineffective on anything nonliving, you might ask? Because UV light doesn’t actually neutralize anything, it merely disinfects. In order to filter out lead or asbestos in a water supply – huge areas of concern today – you will need to pair UV purification with another type of filter that handles the job. It’s recommended to have a ceramic or carbon filter for that, with a UV purifier to take care of the rest.

Those of you who are on private water systems and have dirty water have probably been replacing sediment filters for years. A good alternative is a filter called the Spin-Down. Dirt in the water is separated by centrifugal action and collects at the bottom of the filter. You can see the dirt accumulation through the clear housing. When the dirt builds up, you simply open a valve at the bottom and it flows out. There is no downtime…you don’t even have to turn off the water to clean the unit, although a reusable filter screen is occasionally removed for washing. In addition, you may still have to use conventional sediment filters, but you won’t have to replace them as often.

Water treatment systems that treat only drinking and cooking water are commonly called POU (point-of-use) systems. Water systems that treat water in the entire house are called POE (point-of-entry) systems. Water softeners are an example of POE systems, as are large tanks filled with various filtration media. In some instances, especially where radon gas, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), or pathogens are in the water supply, it is desirable to have safe drinking and washing water at all water outlets in a house.

POE systems for health-related treatment can consist of one or more large canisters or tanks filled with granular activated carbons or other filter media. They can be simple flow-through tanks or timer-controlled tanks with automatic backwashing. Simple flow-through canisters and tanks for whole-house water treatment systems can cost from around $300 to $800. Automatic backwashing systems typically cost from $1,100 up to several thousand dollars. For removing chlorine, VOCS, or radon gas, a single, flow-through tank with granular carbon will suffice. If bacteria or viruses are a concern, a POE UV system or an ozonation system is required. If cysts are a concern, a large carbon block filter or an ultra-filtration filter is indicated.

Simply type “whole house water filtration systems” into any Internet search engine to find a wide range of suppliers.

Have you ever considered the importance of water? Did you know that water accounts for over 70% of your body? We are comprised mostly of water. And further more, our blood mineral content is strikingly similar to salt water.

A healthy water intake can help us in many ways.

You can think better. A fully hydrated brain actually works better.

Strength increases. Did you know that your muscles work better when your body is fully hydrated?

Immunity - even your immune system can function better.

Flush junk out of your system. A fully hydrated body is better at getting rid of the things it DOESN’T need.

You would be amazed at how much more energy you can have when you drink adequate amounts of water.

You can achieve the desired outcomes of drinking clean water by purchasing water filters for your home.  In doing this, you can live a clean and healthy life.

The water coming out of your faucet may not be as clean as it should be. The NRDC ( National Resources Defense Council ) and other groups are working toward the day when all Americans can drink and shower in tap water without worry, but if you have immediate concerns about the water in your home, an independently certified water filter can be a good temporary fix for your kitchen faucet. Some filters aim to produce clearer, better-tasting water, while others work to remove contaminants that could affect your health. This guide will help you determine what type of filter might be right for your home.

Find Out What’s in Your Water

In many cities, healthy adults can drink tap water without cause for concern. However, pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to some contaminants in tap water. If you’re shopping for a water filter, first find out what pollutants might be in your water. Ask your water utility (the company that sends you your water bill) for a copy of their annual water quality report. It is recommended that you test your tap water for lead contamination, particularly if you have young kids, are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, since lead is especially dangerous and levels can vary enormously from house to house. A lead test costs about $25.00. Once you know what’s in your water, you can find a filter that’s geared toward getting rid of the specific pollutants, if any, that may be present.

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Some people are okay with using tap water or soda pop to quench their thirst, the downsides to those are the facts that tap water generally contains contaminants and pop contains sugar and does nothing to improve the body.  Water filters give you the opportunity to drink tap water without the junk.  Here are some other reasons:
 
•  Water filters provide better tasting and better smelling drinking water by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants.
•  Point-of-use water filters remove lead from drinking water immediately prior to consumption, thus preventing this harmful substance from entering the body.
•  The purchase of a countertop filter results in a source of clean, healthy water that costs much less than bottled water.
•  Water filters greatly reduce the risk of rectal cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer by removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts from drinking water.
•  A solid block carbon water filter can selectively remove dangerous contaminants from drinking water while retaining healthy mineral deposits that balance the pH of drinking water.
•  Drinking clean, filtered water protects the body from disease and leads to overall greater health.
•  A water filter provides clean, healthy water for cooking, as well as drinking, at the convenience of tap water.
•  Water filters reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disease by more than 33 percent by removing cryptosporidium and giardia from drinking water.
•  Drinking pure water is especially important for children. Water filters provide the healthiest water for children’s developing immune systems.
•  Water filters offer the last line of defense between the body and the over 2100 known toxins that may be present in drinking water.