| A variety of home water treatment systems are | | | | even gaseous contaminants, such as THMs, are |
| available, today. The water treatment products that | | | | removed. |
| you have to choose from include different | | | | Devices |
| technologies and different devices for use in different | | | | Portable bottle type water treatment products are |
| areas around the house. Here's a look at your | | | | ideal for travelers, students and others who may |
| choices. | | | | need a temporary solution. The replaceable filter |
| Technologies | | | | removes lead, chlorine and other chemicals. |
| RO or Reverse Osmosis home water treatment | | | | For the kitchen, both under the counter and |
| systems were extremely popular at one time, but | | | | countertop home water treatment systems are |
| since they don't remove chlorine or chemicals and do | | | | available. Under the counter units are more costly and |
| remove healthy minerals, a better solution was | | | | require a plumber's help to install. Countertop units are |
| needed. Companies that make RO water treatment | | | | the most affordable and easily installed by the |
| products decided that the solution was to add a | | | | homeowner. Countertop systems can also be used |
| carbon filtration step. That took care of the chlorine, | | | | on bathroom faucets. |
| but not the other problems. | | | | For the shower, the best choice is multi-stage |
| The systems still de-mineralize. They are high priced. | | | | technology described above. Some only remove |
| Installation is expensive and maintenance issues are | | | | chlorine, but THM exposure is even more hazardous |
| numerous. They use electricity and create several | | | | to your health and most often occurs in the shower. |
| gallons of wastewater for every one gallon that is | | | | Shower water treatment products are recommended |
| cleaned. The operation is very slow, so only a limited | | | | by dermatologists, asthma and allergy specialists. |
| number of gallons can be created per day. | | | | Chlorine inhalation triggers asthma attacks and is a |
| Distillation home water treatment systems also | | | | common allergen. |
| remove minerals, without removing chemicals. Like | | | | Whole home water treatment systems may be |
| RO, they are expensive and require a lot of | | | | more affordable than multiple systems throughout |
| electricity. No waste water is created, but cleaning | | | | the house. Compare product performance data, |
| must be performed regularly. The systems are rarely | | | | before you buy, since these water treatment |
| used in homes, today. | | | | products vary greatly in quality and price. Some |
| Multi-stage selective filtration water treatment | | | | remove only chlorine and others don't remove |
| products are state of the art technology. They | | | | chemicals, at all. Learn about the contaminants that |
| combine the power of carbon to remove chlorine, | | | | are present in your water supply and choose |
| odor and some chemicals, with other filtering media | | | | accordingly. |
| to target those chemicals that are difficult to | | | | It is safe to say that any home water treatment |
| remove. | | | | systems are better than none, since there are so |
| The best ones use ion exchange to remove lead and | | | | many contaminants in our waters. But, in order to |
| copper ions, replacing them with the minerals sodium | | | | remove the widest range of contaminants, without |
| and potassium. A micron filtration step is also used to | | | | removing healthy minerals, you need multi-stage |
| remove bacterial cysts, resistant to chlorination and | | | | selective filtration. Shop wisely and drink healthy. |
| other sediments. Through a process called adsorption, | | | | |