The need for clean drinking water is something that families often consider guaranteed until they discover that the water that comes out of the taps is full of different contaminants that could affect the taste, aroma, or even health of the water in specific cases.
Although the water that comes out of the taps may be of the right quality, there could be some trace elements, substances, or bacteria that the individual would prefer not to put in the water that comes directly out of the tap.
Knowing what kinds of contaminants might be revealed in domestic water, and what kinds of contaminants are diminished by filtration techniques, will enable consumers to make informed decisions concerning water quality.
Why Contaminants Appear in Treated Water
This means that the processing and treatment of water carried out by the municipality does not work towards producing purely clean water on a domestic scale. The route that water takes, from the point of origin to point of use, uses water piping, water storage, among various means.
Natural contaminants would be items that have been leached from soil and rock. Other contaminants make their way into water sources through agriculture or industries, and also through the water treatment process. Even though some of these contaminants appear in trace amounts, their cumulative impact amounts to a level of potential concern in respect to the households which demand higher water quality.
Rather, it is the function of the filtration system to deal with such impurities to remove them to the greatest extent possible.
Chlorine & Chloramine
Among such common impurities in municipal water include chlorine and chloramine. Chlorine and chloramine both commonly find their way in municipal water as a disinfectant and a reducer in health viruses/bacteria.
Though they are necessary components, they can be causative agents of unpleasant taste and odor and could be irritating to the skin and scalp when the scalp is sensitive to it. This is due to the reaction that could occur between chlorine and organic materials within the water to form what is known as “disinfection by-products.” Some of these products have been identified to be harmful to health when the concentration is high.
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Heavy Metals
Heavy metal poisoning can occur in water that comes from corroded water pipes, and also from geological or industrial wastes.
Lead is among the most toxic materials, which may come from older plumbing. Even small exposure levels may threaten long-term health of children and the brain in general.
Sediment & Particulate Matter
Sediment can be considered to be the sand, rust, silt, or dirt that manages to enter the water supply. Although sediment is harmless to bodily health, it is known to cloud the water, damage the appliances, and hinder the functionality of the remaining filtration stages.
The larger particles are removed via the sediment pre-filter early in the filtration stage. This protects the pipes and the filtration stages.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
VOCs are defined as volatile organic compounds which normally act as industrial solvents, fuels, and by-products.
The use of filtered activated carbon works best in eliminating most VOCs within the water, improving safety as well as the taste.
Pesticides & Herbicides
One of the contributors to the pollution of pesticides and herbicides in surface and groundwater resources is agricultural runoff. Pesticides and herbicides matter in water because they have a tendency of persisting in water despite treatment.
Bacteria and Contaminants
Although public water distribution systems are designed in such a way as to remove harmful microorganisms, in some cases, the water may be contaminated by bacteria or protozoa as a consequence of problems in the water delivery system itself.
Other filtration systems, namely fine membrane filtration and ultraviolet disinfection, can provide another layer of biological contamination protection.
Nitrates and Fluoride
Nitrates and nitrites exist in fertilizer and septic tanks; it is the babies in society that experience exposure. Besides, there are other substances whose control is optional by the family; fluoride control, which already exists as a way of promoting dental health.
Other than these, there have emerged new contaminants such as pharmaceutical products, personal care products, as well as microplastics, which have continued to be increasingly found within the water resources. World health bodies, including the World Health Organization, have also highlighted the importance of testing new as well as existing contaminants for the safety of human health.
Functioning of Multi-Stage Filtration Systems
Most contemporary filtration methods utilize multi-stages. These can be programmed to address many different features of the contaminants. A sediment filter may be used to remove particles, whereas carbon can address the issue of chemical contaminants and odors. Media can be specific, focusing on metals or other contaminants.
Benefits Beyond Drinking Water
For example, filtered water not only enhances the purity of the water we drink. The water is also effective in enhancing the taste of other beverages, suppressing the development of scales in appliances, as well as reducing skin irritation that can be caused by the presence of chlorine after taking showers. It is really important that you can rely on a running water system, especially if you have kids.
Informed Decision Informed Choice
One thing that should be evaluated is the situation with the water locally and the requirements for the household that will be utilizing the filtration system. While filtration within the municipal level is vital to the safety within the waters that are being used, filtration sets the point for the household to make its own standards regarding the quality within the waters that it is utilizing.
