When it comes to drinking water filters there are different options depending on the level of filtration that you need. Add to that the variety of taps that you can also have, it can all get a bit confusing to choose the right combination. Don’t worry, our guide below will make it as clear as a glass of filtered water…
Carbon Block Filter
Carbon block filters are made of a solid block of compressed carbon and are often used in a variety of filtration systems. Carbon block water filters are extremely effective in filtering out a variety of contaminants including very small contaminants or particle size, leaving you with great tasting drinking water. Many carbon block filters, such as the M9MP filter also come with a 1 Micron scale inhibitor which is a high capacity filter which will remove chlorine (smell and taste) and sediment down to 1 micron as well as reducing scale in hard water. This style of filter comes as a small cartridge which can easily be installed under your sink. We fit this type of drinking water filter along with a mini tap as standard when installing a water softener in your home. Take a look at our range of filter cartridges online.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a simple water filtration process which works by using pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane in order to remove any impurities. The contaminants which are filtered out are flushed away and you are left with clean, great tasting drinking water. RO systems will remove common chemical contaminants such as lead, chlorine sodium, chromium and copper and can reduce fluoride, calcium, magnesium, arsenic, radium, sulfate, potassium, nitrate, and phosphorous. There are generally four stages to the RO process, each designed to filter out specific contaminants. Firstly, the mains water, driven by pressure, comes through a sediment filter which, as the name suggests, will filter out any sediment, dirt and silt before they reach the actual RO membrane (which is very delicate). Next, the water will pass through a carbon filter which will remove chlorine. This will improve both the taste and smell of the water and will also help to preserve the life of the RO membrane. The water now reaches the RO membrane, filtering out almost all other contaminants and allowing just water through. The final stage is another carbon filter which removes any taste or smell in the water, ensuring that the drinking water is the best that it can be. Domestic RO units are neat in design and can generally fit under your kitchen sink. Take a look at our range of Reverse Osmosis sytems online.
Taps
There is a great choice of taps to use with your drinking water filter. The most basic style will be the mini tap, a small separate tap which will be used exclusively for your drinking water. As mentioned previously, we would fit this type of tap as standard as part of the drinking water system included in your water softerner installation. There is also the option to have a 3 in 1 tap where your filtered water will come out of the same tap as your normal hot and cold water. These have the advantage of looking neater as they take up less room and can come in a range of styles and finishes to fit in with your kitchen design. Take a look at our range of taps online.
How do the different types of filtration compare?
Different types of filter remove different contaminents. As you can see from the diagram below, the very best filtration that you can achieve will be through a Reverse Osmosis system.
If you would like any further information or to book a home survey for a drinking water filter, please contact us today!