Water is one of the essentials of life,
apart from food and oxygen. Just like air pollution can cause various diseases
and bad food can lead to food poisoning, bad water can have many adverse health
effects. It is generally known that water that comes to your house is treated
at the water treatment plants of your respective municipality. However, according
to the Centre
for Disease Control and Prevention, even though drinking water in the
United States is among the safest in the world, even in the U.S., drinking
water sources can become contaminated, and cause waterborne diseases such as
Hepatitis A. Some water supplies may also contain disinfection by-products such
as chlorine, chloramine, organic and inorganic chemicals, and even
radionuclides. Even though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
regulates and sets standards for public drinking water, more and more Americans
are now using home water treatment units to remove possible contaminants, and
improve the taste of water. This is even more important if the family has a
member with a compromised immune system. According to the Water Quality
Association, more than 40% of Americans use a home water treatment unit.
Boiling water for a full one minute is
perhaps the most effective means of water purification. However, boiled water
does not taste good. Water filters and water purifiers are available in the
market that can provide varying degrees of contaminant removal. The
EPA suggests that before purchasing a home water treatment unit, you should
consider various factors such as local water quality, cost of maintenance,
product performance, and certifications that assure that the product will meet
your needs. This way, you can save some money, and avoid making the wrong
choice.
One of the major microbial contaminants in
drinking water is Cryptospiridium.
This is a microscopic parasite that is resistant to chlorine-based
disinfectants, and is a common cause of waterborne illness. Use filters that
remove particles less than 1 micron in diameter, to ensure removal of Cryptospiridium. Such filters are
labelled as “absolute one micron filters”. Reverse osmosis based systems can do
this job. Other treatments include distillation, UV, and filters labelled with
absolute one micron. Remember that these pathogens can enter your body through
other means as well such as through water used for brushing teeth, washing
fruits and vegetables etc. – and not just through the water you drink. If you
have such concerns, you may go for a whole-house reverse osmosis systems that will enable each and every faucet in your
home to provide purified water, free from all pathogens and contaminants.
Below is a list of the different kinds of
water filtration systems, and the specific benefits they provide:
1.
Filter Pitchers – Very
affordable, and minimum maintenance. These pitchers use granular activated
carbon to trap contaminants. Some filters may also use fabric, fiber, or
ceramic screening to physically remove contaminants.
2.
Distillers – Water is boiled,
and the condensate collected, which is free from all of its solubles. Distilled
water tastes flat, because the water’s natural minerals and dissolved oxygen
also get removed.
3.
Reverse osmosis units – RO
forces water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure, to remove all
contaminants and pathogens. By far, RO is the most sophisticated technology for
water purification. RO can even turn sea water into fresh drinking water!
4.
UV – these purifiers use the
power of ultraviolet light to kill all pathogens. However, if the system does
not have an ultra-filter, then it may not help against chemical contaminants.
UV filters require very little maintenance.
Even when going for bottled water, check
the label or check with the bottler on the technology used for treating water.
Make sure that the purifier you intend to
purchase addresses all your concerns. Make the right choice to enhance the
quality of life for yourself and your family.
