| Types: | | | | which use your mains water supply, we need to look |
| If you are looking to compare water treatment | | | | at how they operate and the effectiveness of each. |
| systems, each type's positives and negatives need | | | | Reverse Osmosis: |
| to be taken into account. I'll outline the types of | | | | Water is forced through or a semi permeable |
| water treatment systems which are suitable for | | | | membrane, removing many toxins in the process. |
| home use only. | | | | They are quite expensive to operate (filter |
| Firstly, there is the stand alone filter that sits on a | | | | replacement) and slow the water flow down |
| bench. These stone, steel or plastic vessels are filled | | | | considerably, but their biggest negative is that, along |
| by hand from water from the tap or tank. The | | | | with impurities, they also take out beneficial minerals |
| water is filtered as it passes through ceramic and/or | | | | such as calcium and magnesium which are very |
| carbon filters via gravity. Just the thing for your daily | | | | important to proper body functioning and for better |
| drinking water. They can be quite attractive but you | | | | tasting water. |
| do need a 'spot' on your bench for them and the | | | | UV Filters: |
| better ones aren't very cheap. | | | | Water passes through or around an Ultra Violet tube, |
| Distillation filters: | | | | effectively killing bacteria and viruses. If your only |
| For home use, distillation is limited to drinking water | | | | concern is the bugs in the water, these are an |
| only. Water is heated and the resulting steam is | | | | excellent choice. They should be combined with other |
| collected in a vessel. Unfortunately, not all of the | | | | types of filters, if the other contaminants found in |
| water's chemicals are removed as those with a lower | | | | water are to be handled. |
| boiling point than water, pass into the collection | | | | Ionizers: |
| chamber. Again, taste suffers because of the | | | | An electric current is passed through water to raise |
| removal of those essential trace elements. Best left | | | | its PH, ie increase its alkalinity. Some swear by them, |
| to industry, and for filling your car battery, where | | | | others say they can't work in a water environment |
| demineralized water is needed. | | | | and are an expensive substitute for a diet containing |
| Next, are the types of filters that are attached to | | | | calcium. I'm staying out of the argument for the |
| the mains water supply. These can be installed on the | | | | moment. |
| sink, under the sink, in the shower, or at the point of | | | | Carbon filters: |
| entry to the house. | | | | These have been tried and tested over many many |
| Most people would only consider water treatment | | | | years. When water is forced through a carbon |
| systems that purified drinking water only. Because of | | | | material, such as charcoal or coconut shell, chemicals |
| the nature of contaminants found in water, in | | | | and most other toxins collect on its surface--called |
| particular chlorine, a shower filter and/or even a | | | | adsorption. The combination of chemical bonding and |
| whole-house may be considered necessary for your | | | | mechanical straining makes a carbon filter, especially if |
| needs. Chlorine gets into your skin through open | | | | it is a multi-stage process, the best of the water |
| pores while showering. The fumes from the shower | | | | treatment systems. Also, they allow essential minerals |
| and appliances such as the washing machine and dish | | | | like calcium and magnesium to pass. |
| washer, when using untreated water, can cause real | | | | Because they can be produced inexpensively and |
| problems, especially for asthmatics. | | | | their replacement filters are reasonably priced, to |
| The pressure of the water mains forces water | | | | compare water treatment systems without them |
| through the filtration system. These are the most | | | | having a carbon filter as part of their construction |
| commonly used because of their cost and | | | | doesn't make a lot of sense. See below for excellent |
| convenience. To compare water treatment systems | | | | quality water filters selling at a discount. |