Water is one of the resources that people need to live. Unfortunately, due to the increasing number of contaminants in water systems because of environmental factors like pollution, it’s important to turn to home water treatment options to ensure that your water is safe and free from contamination.
Basically, water treatment removes and reduces the concentration of undesirable contaminants and components in your water system. With this, you can be assured that your water is safe to use for drinking, bathing, and cooking.
At present, there are several home water treatment options you can choose from, and they include the following:
- Reverse Osmosis Systems
One of the water treatment systems you can use for your home is reverse osmosis. This works by using a synthetic lining or semipermeable membrane that helps filter out any large particles and unwanted molecules, including sediments and contaminants such as dirt, chlorine, and salt from the water.
It also reduces heavy metals such as lead, copper, and chromium as well as filter substances like nitrates, arsenic, and fluoride. Unlike other water treatment options, reverse osmosis treats water very slowly, but it provides effective results. If you want to use reverse osmosis for your water, learn more here to understand it better.
- Whole House Filter
Another common water treatment you can take into consideration is a whole house filter. It works by removing particles from the water to provide you with safe and clean water. Such filters improve the effectiveness of the treatment and lessen the maintenance of some water treatment systems. When it’s time to change the filter, make sure to follow the instructions provided in your product’s user manual.
- Water Softeners
In terms of water supply, you’ll encounter the term ‘hardness,’ which is due to excess magnesium and calcium. For this reason, water softeners are used to treat hard water. They work by eliminating the minerals that cause hardness. Such minerals may interfere with the effectiveness of your detergents and soaps. They can also result in a blocked sewer or drain and cause buildup in water heaters and hot water pipes.
These days, different water softeners are available on the market. While some can be recharged automatically on a schedule, other water softeners should be recharged manually with the help of your chosen water treatment service provider.
- Activated Carbon Filters
An activated carbon filter is another kind of home water treatment that helps absorb impurities in the water. It uses a carbon cartridge that’s responsible for filtering dirt particles and contaminants present in your water.
More often than not, an activated carbon filter is used in removing undesirable taste and odor, organic compounds, and chlorine. But it doesn’t remove nitrates, microorganisms, inorganic chemicals, and metals.
Carbon filters can also remove harmful contaminants, including radon gas and some dissolved chemicals. If your water contains a small amount of these contaminants, you can use your whole house filtration system along with your carbon filters for better results.
However, before you purchase an activated carbon filter, make sure to research more about it as not all units are the same. Plus, poor-quality carbon filters use materials that are more prone to bacteria growth. To avoid this, use carbon filters that are engineered with quality, safe materials.
- Distillation
Distillation is a water treatment process that separates water from contaminants or tiny plastic particles. This is done by converting water into vapor through heating. During the process, waterborne biological contaminants are removed, including inorganic and organic chemicals, viruses, bacteria, volatile gases, and heavy metals.
As a result, distilled water contains no dissolved solids and is already purified by passing condensation and evaporation cycles. Although the process of distillation is quite time-consuming and requires more energy to produce purified water, you can guarantee that you’ll get safe and healthy water.
- Ultraviolet Disinfection
When it comes to water treatment options, you can consider ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, which kills some microorganisms like E. coli, viruses, and protozoa. This is done by using a UV lamp that helps destroy most of the contaminants present in your water that may cause various waterborne diseases like hepatitis.
However, UV lamps don’t serve as a filter. They’re just additional protection to your filtration system. So make sure to install a filtration system for your home to remove chemicals and contaminants in the water.
Conclusion
With today’s advancement of technology, water can be treated in various ways. Depending on your water concerns or issues, you can be sure that there’s a water treatment system suited for your unique needs.
The only things you should do are compare them, know how they work, and ask for professional assistance or guidance in case you get confused with the available options. Once you start using the best home water treatment for you, expect to get better-tasting and odorless water that’s safe for you and your family.
