Water Filtration

Let’s face it. We are living in an era where having a quality water filtration system is absolutely essential to our ongoing health. Did you know that water filtration systems in the home have become almost as commonplace as having a toaster or microwave? The reason is obvious…people have become painfully aware of the dangers that lurk in our water supplies.

The good news is that, as consumers, we can take measures to protect ourselves. However, before you invest in any type of water filtering system for your home, there’s a few things you should know.

If you are thinking of buying a water filtration system, the first place to start is finding out exactly what contaminants exist in your local water supply. This is fairly easy to do. Contact your local water company and request the “Annual Water Quality Report”. Once you know what contaminants are in your water, you will be in a better position to know what type of filter to look for.

Next, you need to know what the most dangerous chemicals are and which type of water filtration system removes them. The following is a list of the most dangerous chemicals, along with a brief explanation of why they are considered so:

Chlorine: is a “known” poison. It reacts to sediment, bark, leaves and organic matter, creating Trihalomethanes (THM’s) and other toxic substances. Trihalomethanes can have formalin and formaldehyde in it, which are carcinogenic, no matter how small the amount.

Lead: remains in the tissue forever, particularly brain tissue. This is a toxin that affects people in accordance with their body weight. Because of this, an adult can fend off the ill effects for quite awhile. For children, however, it is a different story because it can cause “permanent” brain and developmental effects.

Asbestos: another potential carcinogen that originates from either abestos-lined water pipes or in areas where serpentine rock is plentiful.

Cysts: includes parasites, protozoa and microscopic worms. Biggest offenders is cryptosporidia and giardia, known to cause death in people with weaker immune systems, and also causes major dehydration, intestinal disorders and diarrhea.

Now that you aware of the most dangerous contaminants, the following provides a quick overview of the most effective types of filtering methods used:

• Ultraviolet Light - removes bacteria and other micro-organisms, however, does not remove chloride or fluoride.
• Distillation - removes lead, mercury, fluoride and bacteria. Downside is that is also removes essential minerals that are good for the body, and is a bit pricey because it uses a lot of electricity.
• Reverse Osmosis - removes sodium, inorganic compounds, lead and copper. However, it does waste a lot of water and is high maintenance.
• Carbon Filters (Activated Charcoal) - removes chlorine and trihalomethanes (THMs). Filter needs to be changed on regular basis or water flow suffers.

So there you have it. There’s no doubt that water filtration is important, so a little research is in order. Do your homework by finding out what the contaminants exist in your local water supply. Once armed with this information you will know what type of water filtration system will best suit your needs and budget.

An Ezine Article

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