Why You Need a Water Purifier
Water Purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, organic and inorganic materials and biological contaminants from water. Water quality standards are set by governments and are generally determined through physical, chemical or biological analysis.
Most water is pumped from its source and directed via pipes into holding tanks before being treated. Pretreatment steps include screening to remove large debris and chlorine to disinfect the water.
1. Removes Bacteria
In most cases, drinking water that has not been purified is contaminated with harmful bacteria. Fortunately, there are several different ways to remove bacteria from water. One of the simplest methods is to boil the water. This method kills most types of germs, including E coli, in less than a minute if done correctly. However, boiling water takes a lot of energy and time.
Another method is to disinfect the water with chlorine or chloramine. This is a very effective method, especially when it is used with iodine or bromine. However, it can leave a bad taste in the water and some of the disinfectant may be lost.
Other ways to clean water include ozone bacteria eradication which uses ultraviolet light to inactivate harmful microorganisms. It works well against bacterial pathogens, protozoa and cysts (Giardia, Hepatitis A). Ozone is also more effective than chlorine or chloramine in killing bacteria. However, it tends to remove the healthy minerals from the water. Therefore, it is important to use a system that features remineralization technology like our OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum.
2. Removes Chlorine
Chlorine is used at water treatment plants to kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, ensuring the water that comes out of your faucet is safe to drink. However, it can leave behind a bleach-like taste and odor that many find unpleasant.
Aside from chlorine, most municipal water contains trace amounts of other disinfectants such as iodine and bromine. Unlike chlorine, water purifier these other compounds are generally considered safer to consume at the levels found in city water.
Regardless of the disinfectants used, all water must be treated before it can be safely distributed. This includes screening the water to remove debris and contaminants, adding chemicals that control the growth of bacteria in pipes and tanks, sand filtration, and other physical processes.
3. Removes Iodine
In some circumstances, a water purifier is needed to remove radioactive contaminants from the water. These contaminants can include iodine-131 (a beta emitter), cesium, strontium and zirconium. Reverse osmosis can effectively remove many of these impurities from drinking water. Activated carbon has been shown to remove these impurities from the water as well.
Chemical treatment using iodine and chlorine is also an effective option. Chlorine-based halazone tablets were commonly used during World War II for portable water purification. However, sodium dichloroisocyanurate has largely displaced these products.
These chemicals are not as effective against cryptosporidium and Giardia as boiling the water is, but they are a good option if you don’t have access to a filter. These products do impart a chemical taste to the water, which can be countered with taste-neutralizer tablets. They are also not effective against giardia and can be irritating to pregnant women or people with thyroid problems. To use them, add the appropriate number of drops to warm or cold water and let stand for the times indicated in the table below.
4. Removes Fluoride
While fluoride is a natural element, it is often added to municipal water supplies as a way of promoting dental health. However, excessive intake of this mineral can cause skeletal and dental fluorosis, which may lead to serious health problems.
Many water purifiers are designed to remove fluoride from the water. They do this by forcing the water molecules through a semipermeable membrane. The pores in this membrane are too small for larger particles like minerals and contaminants, including fluoride, to pass through. The water is then flushed away, leaving fluoride-free drinking water behind.
Other methods for removing fluoride from water include boiling the water, which is a common solution for creating potable water in emergencies and is sometimes required by boil water advisories. However, boiling water doesn’t actually remove fluoride from the water. One of the most effective ways to remove fluoride from tap water is through a reverse osmosis system. This type of water filter can be found in portable and installed options that offer fluoride free drinking water at the turn of a tap.
5. Removes Lead
Lead in drinking water can be a serious problem. Long term exposure can cause a variety of health issues including damage to the kidneys and abdomen, fatigue, lowered IQ and elevated blood pressure levels. It is particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women.
Although water starts out as safe and clean, it can become contaminated on its way to your tap. Often, it is the ro filter result of old pipes and fixtures that leak. Homes and buildings built before 1986 commonly use lead pipes, fixtures and solder. Water, especially more acidic water, corrodes these materials and leads can leach into the water supply.
A water filter can remove this toxic substance from your tap water. A special water filter uses calcium phosphate, which binds to the dissolved lead in the water and exchanges it for free calcium ions that are harmless. This is a simple but effective method of removing lead from drinking water. Some filters also include a carbon cartridge that removes volatile organic compounds and any residual insecticides or industrial solvents. These contaminants are known to be carcinogenic.
