Many people today love the taste of filtered water. It has a pleasantly fresh, clean taste that regular tap water just doesn’t have. That’s because water filters purify water of the many microscopic particles found in it.
But if modern tap water is already treated to make it safe, what do water filters remove to give it its unique, refreshing qualities?
What do water filters remove?
You are right that most tap water today is treated to be safe for consumers. That’s a big perk of modern life. However, water treatment plants don’t remove all of the minerals and contaminants from water. For homes and businesses looking for truly pure water, they should consider using a water filter system to remove what city water treatment plants cannot.
Pure water is simply hydrogen and oxygen molecules; however, most water contains other particles as well. For instance, if your neighborhood has hard water, that means it’s clean enough to drink but also contains elements such as aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.
These minerals aren’t bad for you, but they affect the flavor of your water and can leave hard-to-clean residues on household surfaces. That’s why many people like water filtration systems that include water softening, or the removal of these minerals.
Some water contaminants are dangerous. Chemicals, bacteria, and heavy metals that enter the local water supply can cause serious illnesses in people of all ages if not filtered out. Water filters can remove these toxins, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), lead, mercury, and disease-carrying pathogens from your water.
Municipal water treatment plants do their best to kill dangerous microbes with safe levels of chlorine. Unfortunately, these compounds can then react with other naturally-occurring elements to form toxins called trihalomethanes. These THMs have been linked to a variety of health conditions. Luckily, most water filters can remove these chemicals and toxins.
Finally, sand, dirt, and other sediments can dirty your water source after it’s left the city treatment plant. You don’t want to drink dirt! The right water filtration system can remove sediment and give you clean water without the grit.
What CAN'T water filters remove?
Not every water filter can remove everything, so you have to decide what contaminants you want to be filtered out and compare multiple filtration techniques to find the right filter or combination of filters for you. For instance, physical water filters are great for removing dirt and sediment from your water, but not so much tiny dissolved contaminants like minerals or bacteria. If you are concerned about toxins and disease-carrying organisms, you should consider other options.
Activated carbon filters are excellent for removing chlorine and other chemicals from your water by absorbing them. UV sterilization filters are very effective at killing bacteria, protozoa, and other nasty organisms that spread disease. Reverse osmosis filters excel at filtering out almost every contaminant, even difficult things like fluoride. Just be sure to read the details for any filter you consider so you know what they are designed to do.
If hard water is your main concern, you really need a water softening system. Water softening systems remove or dilute the minerals in your water by breaking them down and exchanging them for sodium ions so you no longer get unsightly scale build-up or strange mineral flavors from your water.
Everyone likes a refreshing, tasty glass of clean water without having to wonder what else might be in it. If you’re concerned with your water quality, it’s time to invest in a water filter. With the right water filtration system, you can put your mind at ease and drink pure water without giving it another thought!
Looking for more advice about selecting a water filtration system? Contact Pure n Natural for a free consultation to discuss our water filtration system options.
