| I've looked at and studied many home water | | | | particulate matter and microorganisms. |
| filtration systems. While no system is perfect there | | | | Microorganisms are of particular concern when |
| are systems that have been engineered for high | | | | considering a well water in line filter. As you will see |
| levels of filtration (8 to 15 stages) and performance | | | | there is a great variance in exactly what these |
| with low maintenance and at a surprisingly low cost. | | | | different types of filters do. There are four basic |
| Protect Yourself And Your Family From | | | | types of filter used singly or together in home water |
| Contaminated Water | | | | filtration systems, |
| Water Filtration Means Water Safety Many people | | | | |
| are concerned over water safety, particularly drinking | | | | 1. Carbon filters usually screw on to the tap. Water |
| water safety. Sometimes the concern is due to a | | | | is cleaned by passing it through layers of activated |
| sulfur smell or taste but you may have a real concern | | | | charcoal. The impurities stick to the carbon and |
| because of chlorine and fluoride in your water | | | | clean water passes out. Brita and resin based |
| particularly with infants in the home. If you are | | | | water filters use powdered carbon bound with a resin |
| concerned and want to remove the bad odors and | | | | into small blocks that provide even higher filtration |
| taste from your water then you are in the right | | | | than activated charcoal. |
| place. Others would also have concerns about the | | | | 2. Ceramic filters work the same way but use silicon |
| chlorine and other chemicals in their shower or bath | | | | diatomaceous earth instead of carbon. These |
| water we will also discuss this. Home water filtration | | | | passive filters provide a lower level of filtration than |
| systems can accomplish removing all of this in one | | | | other types and the filters need to be changed at |
| central unit for the whole house or you may choose | | | | regular intervals because they lose ability to clean |
| separate filtering for your drinking water and | | | | over time. |
| showers. | | | | 3. UV Water filters uses focused ultraviolet light to kill |
| Drinking water filters attach to the tap or can be | | | | microorganisms and other biological impurities in the |
| mounted under the counter. A separate shower or | | | | water. These filters don't remove the particulate |
| bath water filter can be used for bathing water. The | | | | matter. When used in home systems UV filters are |
| chemicals and minerals in the water also make soaps | | | | usually part of a system that uses other processes |
| and shampoo less effective and even leave a film on | | | | to remove the debris. |
| your skin, your clothes, and your dishes. A simple | | | | 4. Reverse osmosis water filters provide the highest |
| water softener can take care of many of these | | | | level of purification of your water. Usually there is |
| cleaning issues yet a whole home water filtration | | | | an activated carbon filter combined with a UV filter |
| system might be the best choice because they also | | | | although other filtering is sometimes used. These |
| make your water healthier. | | | | systems can even remove salt from sea water. |
| Water Filter Basics The most common drinking water | | | | These filters ensure that your drinking water is as |
| filters are carbon filters, UV filters, reverse osmosis | | | | pure as possible. |
| filters, and ceramic filters. All clean your water of | | | | |