Advancements in water purification technology have allowed manufacturers to bring systems into the home that would have been unaffordable, not too long ago. There are several methods of water purification that can be used. Each one has advantages and disadvantages. Here we have a brief look at some of the most popular ones.
Distillation
This was one of the first steps made in the direction of water purification technology. It’s been around since Ancient Babylonian times and it is still in use today. It is used widely for making alcoholic beverages and in industrial settings where minerals must be removed.
There are two advantages of distillation methods of water purification. It will remove anything that has a boiling point higher than 100 degrees and it is a reusable system. The disadvantages; contaminants with lower boiling points will not be removed. The systems require careful maintenance and consume large amounts of energy for boiling.
Reverse Osmosis
This system is often lauded as the most advanced water purification technology, but like any other system, there are disadvantages. While it will remove many different contaminants, chemicals are not blocked. Minerals are.
The cost of reverse osmosis methods of water purification is too high for most homeowners. The systems waste large amounts of water and require electricity for pumping. Flow rates are reduced and for drinking purposes, the taste is poor.
Ion Exchange
This is usually considered a step forward in water purification technology for one big reason. In areas, with unusually high mineral contents, people suffer from the effects of “hard” water. The taste and odor are usually poor. Fixtures get stained. Detergents do not work as well and other problems are created.
Distillation and reverse osmosis methods of water purification reduce the mineral content to just about nothing. Studies have shown that drinking de-mineralized or distilled for long periods of time causes digestive problems and leads to nutritional deficiencies.
Ion exchange “balances” mineral content and softens water, by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions for the softer sodium ions. The result tastes better. Hardness problems are corrected, but it is still healthy to drink. This is one of the methods of water purification that can also balance the pH level.
Carbon Filtration/Carbon Block
Carbon filters were used in face masks during WWI, to counteract the effects of chlorine gas. In recent years, the idea was developed into water purification technology. Particularly for home use, this has become the system of choice.
If your home is supplied by a treatment facility, then it has already gone through a number of methods of water purification, including flocculation, reverse osmosis and finally disinfection. So, what you need to remove are chemical contaminants and microscopic cysts that cannot be removed by public systems.
You also need to remove chemicals used for disinfection and their by-products before you drink it or even shower in it. Carbon filters and carbon blocks take care of all of those things.
When combined with ion exchange, you end up with a safe product that tastes good and is good for your health. And, even though, this is the best water purification technology for the home, it is very affordable. After all, this is about your health.
