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Reverse Osmosis Water Filters

            Water, anyone?

Who doesn’t love a glass of cool, clear water on a hot day? Unfortunately, many people who go to their sink for a glass of refreshing, clean, clear water find themselves disappointed — or even kind of grossed out. Water taps across the country spurt odd-smelling water. The water often has unidentifiable particles of … well, something… floating in it and even sticking to the sides and bottoms of the glasses. No thanks! If this describes the water from your tap, it’s time to invest in a water filtration system. One of the most popular types of drinking water filtration systems is the reverse osmosis water filter system, or RO, for short.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

You usually hear about  reverse osmosis as a way to make ocean water drinkable by removing the salt.  Dictionary.com  says reverse osmosis is the process of producing pure water by forcing water with salt or other solid particles in it through a semi-permeable membrane. In order to really understand reverse osmosis, we need to talk first about regular osmosis.

Osmosis

Osmosis occurs when water moves through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher concentration of water particles to an area of lower concentration of water particles.

   Think of it this way:

You have one cup of fresh water and one cup of water with salt mixed into it. You pour the salt water into the left side of this U-shaped glass beaker. Then you pour the fresh water into the right side. A very thin plastic membrane filled with thousands of very tiny holes sits in the center of the bottom tube of the beaker. When you pour the cups of water into each side of the beaker, the fresh water flows to the side of the salt water.  The water level in that side of the beaker rises. This happens because there are more water molecules in the fresh water compared with the water molecules in the salt water. The fresh water moves toward the salt water to even up the number of water molecules.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis occurs when you apply  pressure to salt water. The pressure forces the salt water up against the membrane. The salt particles are too large to fit through the membrane openings and only the small water particles are pushed through. The membrane effectively filters out the salt and contaminants, allowing the now-clean water to pass through and mix with the fresh water on the right-hand side.

So how does all this work in a home drinking water system?

How reverse osmosis water filters work in your home

If you want to install a reverse osmosis system for your whole house, we can help with that. Most families, however, choose to start with a much smaller reverse osmosis water filter system that fits underneath the counter.

The reverse osmosis water filter system is connected to your water supply and the system processes the water  through a series of 3 to 6 tube filters before it passes into the storage container.  A separate faucet, installed on your sink, draws clean, filtered water from the storage tank. Some folks don’t want to install a complete reverse osmosis water filter system under their sinks. Most stores also carry a counter-top model of the reverse osmosis water filter system. This unit sits on the counter and connects directly to the faucet.

Now what?

Not sure if you want to try a DIY install for your reverse osmosis water filter system? Or maybe you need help figuring out what type of water filter system is best for you. Whatever your water purification needs, Knoxville Water Treatment can help. Give us a call today and start treating yourself to the best water you can get!

 

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Considering Installing A Water Filter?

Okay, you’ve tested your water or know it can be better and you’re considering purchasing a water filter. You’ve seen water filters attached to faucets in other’s homes, but did not realize how many different kinds of filters there are and how differently they can be installed! This quick read article can hopefully assist you in sorting your thoughts and narrow your choices. They are listed from simplest technology to most complicated and basically in order of value as well. If any hesitation regarding the right choice for your home and family, consider calling your local water treatment professionals.

What If I Just Purchase Bottled Water?

What if you’d rather not deal with the fuss getting a water filter that does or doesn’t do the job and just purchase bottled water? After some research you’ll find that bottled water is one of the least cost effective, environmental and healthy options available for clean water. The cheap plastic, often containing BPA and other unhealthy elements, can easily leach into the water itself and the water is not much cleaner than tap water when you consider all its pitfalls.

Pitcher Filters

Water pitchers that contain a water filtration system within the lid can be easy traveling or quick options, but over time the charcoal filters can get very expensive quickly. It does not remove all toxins or the worst kinds from the water and requires constant filling to keep up with your family. Faucet attachments that contain the same filtration (charcoal) are just as ineffective and costly. There are better options on the market.

Reverse Osmosis Filtration

This technology is also a charcoal filter that needs replacement parts over time, but runs the water through more than the previous options. It removes major contaminants, including arsenic, chlorine, heavy metals, and other bacteria. It usually attaches below the sink and has a holding tank. It can be more time efficient than the previous options, but still takes an hour to make one gallon of drinking water. It’s got the same cost con associated with the replacement filters and is worst socially because it wastes a ton of water that it rejects during its process.

Water Distilling At Home

Water distillers are very effective at removing chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria and other toxins from your drinking water. Unfortunately they are large and expensive. They use a lot of electricity which only adds to its cost. Due to a loss of mineral deficiency from using certain filters, you can experience negative side effects. This is something to consider when going with this or any of the previous filtration options.

Solid Block Carbon Filters

This technology is the answer to previous issues with other filters. The pitcher filters and faucet filters use the same kind of technology except the charcoal in theirs is not solid and that’s where they remove less toxins. Solid block carbon filtration systems are units that take up some counter space, but remove the most toxins with the least amount of replacement. The unit itself can be costly, but the filters cost less than previous options do over time. The best thing about this option is that it does not require electricity or running water and will make any water safe, including rain water, pond water, and even salt water. It even removes food coloring from water and comes out clear!

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How to Choose the Best Water Filter Systems for Your Home

Having clean and safe water is vital for every home. This can be achieved by installing water filter system at your home. However, most people face challenges in choosing the best water filter system for their homes. Whether you want to use water filtration pitcher, Under-sink filter or whole-house water filter, you will need to have an in-depth knowledge of water filter systems.

In this article, we are going to provide you with tips of on how to Choose the Best Water Filter Systems for Your Home. Having an in-depth knowledge of water contaminants, water filtration technologies and the basic of water filters will help make a wise purchase decision.

Contaminants in water

It is important to note that different water filtration systems may not effective filter out some contaminants. Therefore, you should identify the type of contaminants in your water. This will help you buy the right water filtration system that will remove such contaminants. NSF provides the list of common water contaminants. Moreover, NSF has suggested the most efficient technologies that reduce various water contaminants. Therefore, you will have to perform a test to know the type of contaminants present in your water. After that, you use the results to choose the most effective system that will meet your needs.

Common Water filtration technologies

All filters use the same technology, but not all technologies are effective. For instance, ion exchange reduces magnesium and calcium but will not remove other contaminants. On the other hand, mechanical filters will effectively remove sediments but cannot reduce chemical contaminants. Moreover, carbon filters can remove chlorine, mercury, lead and asbestos.

Types of water filters

These include Pitchers, Under-sink, and whole-house filters.

Pitchers

These basic water filtration systems require not set up since water move into the system via gravity. Therefore, you have to refill the pitcher as you use the water regularly.

Under-sink Water Filter

This system filters water using a secondary faucet on the kitchen sink. Under-sink water filter system treats water just before consumption.

Whole-house Water Filters

This is the most advanced system that treats water at the point of entry into the house. The water from the municipal line is treated before flowing into the entire home.

Salt-free water softener

This is ideal homeowners who want to avoid scale build up in the pipes or home appliances. Just like water filters, salt-free water softeners are installed on the home’s water line.

Water filter certification

Usually, water filters are subjected to stringent quality measures to ensure they serve the intended purpose. In this case, the best water filters should have NSF seal. NSF is an international organization that test water filtration systems determine their compliance with the required standards for quality, performance or safety. Therefore, you should consider water filters with NSF seals as they are reliable.

Water filter costs

The prices of various types of water filter systems vary greatly. Therefore, you will not expect to buy pitchers, Under-sink or whole-house system at the same price. If you need the basic and the cheapest water filter system, then you should consider pitchers. On the other hand, you may take into account the under-sink water filter if you want the convenience of getting filtered water at your sink. However, this option is more costly than pitchers water system. Otherwise, Whole-House filter system will deliver high performance. In this case, you will enjoy clean water throughout your house. Whole-house system is the most but it worth the value of your money.

Conclusion

Water filter systems are very vital in our homes. Without clean water, your family is at risk of getting water-borne diseases. However, it can be a daunting task to Choose the Best Water Filter Systems for Your Home.

The initial step is to determine the type of contaminants present in your water. This will guide you in choosing the system that will reduce specific contaminants in your water line. If Lead is a major contaminant in your water, you will have to consider the system that will effectively remove that contaminant.

Moreover, the filtration technology and the type of water filter system are things you should consider. Whether you choose Pitcher, Under-sink or whole-house water filter system, you will have to check for the NSF seal. The systems that are certified by NSF will serve the intended purpose. Conclusively, the above tips will help you get the best water filter system in the market.

 

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