There is often a bit of confusion when it comes to the different types of water filtration solutions that you can have in your home. Read on to find out what these are and which solution would be best for you.
Water Softeners
The purpose of a water softener is to remove the minerals from the hard water which cause limescale buildup. They work by using a process called ion exchange to remove the calcium and magnesium minerals from your water as it enters your home. As water enters your home it will pass through the softener tanks that are filled with food-grade resin beads. These beads attract and hold on to the magnesium and calcium minerals in the water and exchange them for sodium ions. This process makes the water soft. As a water softener is installed at the mains point of entry, the water supply to the entire household will be softened. You will therefore enjoy the benefits throughout your home. The units vary in size depending on the volume of water that they will need to treat. Most domestic softeners however are compact and fit neatly under the kitchen sink.
Drinking Water Filters
A simple drinking water filter is generally made from activated carbon. Activated carbon (AC) is a specialised water filter media. It is primarily used for the reduction of chlorine and related contaminants from tap water supplies. Activated carbon improves the taste and odour properties of water and is used to great effect in a wide variety of applications. Most activated carbon water filters are made from crushed coconut shells, which are then treated with steam and pressure, to create a media with an enormous number of porous sites in and over the entire surface. They are then positively charged. As water passes through the carbon media, the contaminants are held within deep fissures, on the surface or are altered by the catalytic action of the media. These types of water filters normally come in cartridge form and service just the one tap in your home.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a simple but extremely effective 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. As the water is filtered through several stages of membranes and filters, the resulting drinking water will be extremely pure. Like the standard drinking water filter however, an RO system is local to just one tap (normally in your kitchen) and will not service the entire house. Most RO units are compact and will fit neatly under the kitchen sink.
Now you have a better idea about the different types of water filtration solutions, please get in touch and we can arrange for your free, no obligation quotation.