Water Filters 101: Types, Benefits, & How To Choose

Staying healthy and hydrated is essential, but what if your home's drinking water smells bad or has a strange taste? Worse, what if you’re worried that your water could make you sick? Bad odors, unpleasant tastes, spots on dishes, dry skin, dull hair, bathroom stains, pipe buildup, and repeated gastrointestinal illness can all indicate that your water needs attention.

Many people don't realize how many chemical contaminants are in drinking water. The New York Times reports that only 91 chemicals are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, despite more than 60,000 chemicals being in use across the United States. Not a single chemical has been added to the regulated list since 2000, and many standards have remained unchanged since the 1980s—or even since the act's passage in 1974.

Treat Your Drinking Water

Drinking water can contain pollutants such as vehicle emissions, heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, detergents, industrial waste, and more. A recent three-year study found 202 unregulated chemicals in the drinking water of 45 states, and 326 total contaminants in 20 million samples. Over 62 million Americans have been exposed to drinking water that failed to meet at least one government health guideline.

Using water filters can reduce the number of contaminants in your water. Here's an overview of different types of water filters and how they work.

What is water filtration?

Water filtration is the process of removing impurities and contaminants from water through various methods, such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and UV light, to make it safe and clean for drinking and other uses. This helps improve water quality by eliminating harmful substances like heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals.

Why is water filtration important?

Water filtration is important because it removes harmful contaminants and impurities, ensuring safe and clean drinking water that protects health and enhances overall well-being. It also improves the taste, smell, and quality of water, making it more enjoyable and suitable for everyday use.

Drinking Water Filtration Methods

1. Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon, often made from coal, wood, or high-carbon nut shells like coconut shells, is treated with oxygen to create many pores. These pores provide a large surface area, allowing the carbon to adsorb many contaminants found in drinking water, including metals like copper and lead, cleaning solvents, pesticides, and chlorination byproducts. Some carbon filters also contain silver to inhibit bacterial growth.

2. Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis (RO) filters use a semipermeable membrane to remove suspended solids from water. The process involves:

1. A pre-filter removing sediment, chlorine, and small particulates.
2. High-pressure water forced through the membrane, trapping most remaining inorganic contaminants and flushing them away.
3. A storage tank with an activated carbon filter that removes any remaining impurities before the water reaches your faucet.

RO systems can be more expensive but are highly effective, removing heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful contaminants.

3. Ultraviolet (UV) Light

UV light filters purify water by using ultraviolet light to kill harmful bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. They do not remove non-living contaminants like heavy metals and chemicals, so they are often used in combination with other filtration systems.

4. Microbiological Systems

Microbiological filters remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria from water. These systems are particularly effective for public water supplies, protecting against pathogens like Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The water first flows through a pre-filter that removes lead, chlorine, and sediment, then through a purifying filter that traps harmful microorganisms and removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

5. Ion Exchange

Ion exchange systems soften hard water by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. This process removes minerals that can cause irritation and buildup in pipes, as well as other contaminants like fluoride, sulfates, nitrates, and arsenic. Ion exchange systems can be expensive and require regular maintenance.

6. Distillation

Distillation systems heat water to create vapor, leaving behind impurities, then condense the vapor back into clean water. They effectively remove a wide range of contaminants but are slow, energy-intensive, and unable to remove chemicals with higher boiling points than water, like chlorine.

Types of Drinking Water Filters

1. Filtered Water Pitchers

Filtered water pitchers use activated carbon filters and are budget-friendly and easy to use. However, their small filters can clog easily and require frequent changes.

2. Faucet Water Filters

These filters attach directly to your faucet, providing cost-effective and easy-to-install filtration. However, they may not fit all faucet styles and can slow water flow.

3. Countertop Water Filters

Countertop filters connect to your faucet and provide filtered water through their own spouts. They require fewer filter changes but take up counter space.

4. Under-Sink Water Filters

Under-sink filters connect to your water line, using reverse osmosis or microbiological filters to remove a wide range of contaminants. They usually require professional installation but are convenient and require fewer filter changes.

5. Whole-House Water Filters

Whole-house systems install at the main water pipe, filtering all the water in your home. They can remove a wide variety of contaminants and protect both your health and plumbing. Although they require professional installation and are a substantial investment, they save money in the long run.

Choosing the Right Filter

Selecting the right water filtration system depends on your water quality, the specific contaminants present, your budget, and your maintenance preferences. Testing your water can help you determine which system will best address your needs.

Contact us today to learn more and ensure your water is safe and refreshing.