Water pollution harms everyone. From dirty lakes and streams to contaminated bottle water, pollution potentially impacts our everyday health. As a result, many homeowners consider water purification as a way of protecting the health of their families.
WHY WATER PURIFICATION?
Water purification removes contaminants. Purified water results in clean drinking water ready for consumption. For example, the purification process removes some of the following contaminants:
- Parasites.
- Bacteria.
- Algae.
- Viruses.
- Fungi.
- Minerals.
- Toxic Metals.
- Man-Made Chemicals.
However, please note that depending on the quality standards, some contaminants are more dangerous than others.
WHAT ARE THE WATER CONTAMINATION WARNING SIGNS?
By regulation, towns and municipalities adhere to local and federal rules related to water safety. However, water pollution and related contaminations continues to proliferate. Most cities and towns process water at treatment plants. However, as we all know, the quality of our city water varies from town to town and home to home. Therefore, in order to protect your families, homeowners should be aware of warning signs.
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Dry or Itchy Skin
- Eye and/or Ear issues
- Respiratory Problems
- Cloudy or Colored Water
- Smells like Chlorine or Sulfur
- Signs of Water Sediment
- Tastes Bitter or Metallic
- Rusted or Tarnished Silverware
HOW IMPACTFUL IS WATER POLLUTION?
Many people see the stories concerning local water supplies and think their town is different. Pollution or any contaminant that enters the water supply makes a big impact. As a result, many people rely on bottled water.
However, pollution, in particular plastics, remain in bottled water.
IN THE LARGEST INVESTIGATION OF ITS KIND, 250 BOTTLES BOUGHT IN NINE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WERE EXAMINED.
RESEARCH LED BY JOURNALISM ORGANIZATION ORB MEDIA DISCOVERED AN AVERAGE OF 10 PLASTIC PARTICLES PER LITRE, EACH LARGER THAN THE WIDTH OF A HUMAN HAIR.
COMPANIES WHOSE BRANDS WERE TESTED TOLD THE BBC THAT THEIR BOTTLING PLANTS WERE OPERATED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.
THE TESTS WERE CONDUCTED AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK IN FREDONIA.
SHERRI MASON, A PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY, CONDUCTED THE ANALYSIS AND TOLD BBC NEWS: “WE FOUND [PLASTIC] IN BOTTLE AFTER BOTTLE AND BRAND AFTER BRAND.
“IT’S NOT ABOUT POINTING FINGERS AT PARTICULAR BRANDS; IT’S REALLY SHOWING THAT THIS IS EVERYWHERE, THAT PLASTIC HAS BECOME SUCH A PERVASIVE MATERIAL IN OUR SOCIETY, AND IT’S PERVADING WATER – ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS THAT WE CONSUME AT A VERY BASIC LEVEL.”
Bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water. Interestingly, more than half of all bottled water is simply processed (or filtered) tap water. But, with a reverse osmosis system, you can produce similar results (on a much smaller scale) right in your own kitchen.
ARE THERE STANDARD WAYS TO PURIFY WATER?
Yes.
Water treatment professionals provide homeowners with many water purification options.
- Boiling
Boiling water remains the oldest and predominantly effective way to eliminate most microbes. Although boiling water helps prevent intestinal-related issues, the technique cannot remove toxins or other impurities. Also, boiling water does not leave a residual disinfectant in the water. Therefore, boiled water that is stored requires purification prior to consumption.
- Granular Activated Carbon Adsorption
Activated carbon adsorption requires a high surface area and adsorbs many compounds including many toxic compounds. Many municipalities with organic contamination rely on this technique. Also, many household water filters (and fish tanks) use activated carbon filters to further purify the water.
- Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis systems remove common chemical contaminants (i.e. minerals & metals), including sodium, chloride, copper, chromium and lead. It is by far the most convenient and cost effective method to remove lead from your drinking water.
From simple to complex, every home and community contains different issues. We advise speaking with a professional to find the best solution for your home and family.
WHAT ARE THE BEST IN-HOME WATER PURIFICATION OPTIONS?
Water filtration refers to any system or process that removes particles and/or pollutants from water. Technically, water filtration encompasses anything that removes particles, sediment, bacteria or simply removes the taste of chlorine. If the device contains a filter of any type, it’s a filtration system!
Filtration systems include activated carbon charcoal filters either designed within a pitcher or included as part of a faucet-mount or tap-installed filter, ultra violet (UV) light units, reverse osmosis, water distillers (whole system or portable counter) or other form of water treatment process. The most common in-home options include the following filters.
-
POINT-OF USE WATER FILTERS
A point-of-use water filter focuses on lead removal. With a point-of-use water filtration system, the filter removes lead from water immediately prior to consumption. This is incredibly helpful in preventing lead from entering the body.
-
COUNTERTOP WATER FILTERS
A countertop water filter focuses on safe drinking water. Countertop water filtration systems provide a steady source of clean, healthy water. As a result, families can avoid the costs and environmental waste associated with constantly drinking bottled water.
-
UNDER-THE-SINK WATER FILTERS
An under-the-sink-water filter is similar to the countertop water filter. This water filtration system saves valuable kitchen space because it is smaller in size and fits under the sink (as the name implies).
-
WHOLE-HOUSE WATER FILTERS
A whole-house water filter is a comprehensive solution to water contaminants. The whole-house water filtration system provides high quality water at every spot in your home. Therefore, this filter covers everything from faucets to toilets in the bathroom to the washing machine and dishwasher.
Although water filtration systems differ in size, price, installation and efficiency, they all improve home water quality. Additionally, at SolvIt, we offer water filtration solutions for every need and budget. For example, each solution provides you with a steady supply of clean and fresh home water for drinking, cooking, washing and bathing. For more information, then contact our water specialists today!