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Today, though, it’s a different story. Large companies dump large amounts of chemical waste into the bodies of water near it, especially lakes and rivers. These bodies of water, unfortunately, also serve as major sources of water for human beings and animals alike. The presence of these contaminants poses a danger to the consumers, as they could cause illnesses when ingested. Chlorine, although it is not a major contaminant like lead and mercury are, can cause asthma and allergy attacks when they are breathed in through vapors.

Rainwater is not an exception, either. Chemicals used in rain seeding could be found into the raindrops falling on your rooftop. Chemicals found in smog can also intermingle with the water vapors in clouds, creating what we call “acid rains,” which unfortunately are collected by people who rain water tank systems in their homes.

Currently technology has then evolved to address the problems that technology itself has presented. Scientists did some research and came up with the solution: water filtration systems. These systems were then integrated into water purifier systems, which in itself are diverse. There are whole-house water systems, as well as under-sink and faucet purifiers. These filters can also be fitted into a rain water tank to clean them up before you use it.

Types of Filters

There are four types of filtration systems that are found in water purifier systems today. The major ones include: a zeolite filter, an activated carbon filter, ultraviolet radiation and a membrane filter system. All of these are either employed individually, or as group acting in conjunction with each other.

Zeolite Filters

Zeolite filters are commonly employed in water softeners. They are in bead form. Zeolite filters work to remove molecules of minerals and chlorine, as well as other chemicals and metals that make the water hard, and swapping them with sodium ions. When these contaminants are removed, what you get is fresh and soft water.

These filters, commonly called “resin beads,” are not effective enough in removing pathogens and cysts such as cryptosporidium and giardia. Because of this, they need to be partnered with a microbe-filtering system like carbon or membrane filters.

Activated Carbon Filters

Carbon filters are the oldest form of filters used in any applications, and has been around since the times of the Egyptian Pharaohs. It comes in two main forms: powdered block and granular activated filters.

Carbon is one of the most effective types of filters. It can effectively remove volatile organic compounds and other contaminants as small as 0.5 to 50 micrometers, depending on the surface area of the carbon media. However, it is not effective in removing minerals and salts, which zeolite filters do more effectively.

Membrane Filters

Membrane filters are employed in reverse osmosis systems, frequently being backed up by an activated carbon filter. Being porous, the membrane filter blocks solutes such as chemicals and chlorine from being carried by the water that passes through it.

Membrane filters are prone to degenerating after being exposed to too much chlorine that is why it is always backed up by a carbon pre-filter, which acts to remove the chlorine from the water before it is treated by the membrane filter. The carbon pre-filter in some models is replaced by a cellulose triacetate membrane.

Related posts:

1. Having a Drinking Water Filter System is No Longer a Luxury, It’s a Must!
2. Purify Tap Water:: Save Money-Protect Your Health
3. The need of the times: Water treatment systems
4. Not All Drinking Water Filters are Created Equal. What You Really Need to Know
5. Pure Drinking Water – Its Not What You Think