It helps to learn a little about the latest water purification technology, before you decide on a water filtration system for your home. Over the years, many methods of water purification have been used. Some companies are still stuck in the dark ages.

All of us want the healthiest drinking water possible and with today’s water purification technology, we can all have that, without spending a fortune. Every company will tell you that the methods of water purification that they use are the best, but you can not always take their word for it. Here’s what you should know about the different systems you will find on the market today.

Distillation

This is one of the oldest methods of water purification. In brief, water is passed over a heated coil, causing it to vaporize. The steam rises and is transferred to a cooling chamber, where it once again becomes liquid. Inorganic compounds, such as lead, calcium, magnesium and other minerals are left behind. Bacteria are destroyed. Chemical contaminants such as chlorine, pesticides and herbicides are vaporized along with the water, because their boiling point is lower and so enter the cooling chamber along with the water. Water purification technology has advanced beyond the distillation method, as the need to remove chemical contaminants has increased over the years.

Reverse Osmosis

This is another of the older methods of water purification. It has been around for over fifty years. It works by forcing pressurized water through a semi-permeable porous membrane. Inorganic compounds are removed by this system, as they are with distillation, but once again, synthetic chemicals will pass through along with the water.

Water purification technology has advanced beyond this method, as well, and has also become more affordable. RO systems for the whole house cost in excess of ten thousand dollars, not to mention the cost of wasted water and the electricity needed to pressurize the water

Pitcher Filters

The idea of portable inexpensive methods of water purification has made pitcher and carafe-style filters increasingly popular in recent years. Although it took more advanced water purification technology to develop pitcher filters, they are not the most effective. Pour through filters are a slight improvement over tap water, because they do block a lot of the chlorine, but they cannot block other chemical contaminants, nor can they remove bacterial cysts. They can filter out lead, which is a good thing. They do cost less initially, but because the filters must be replaced so often, they cost more to use than a countertop or under the counter filter.

Multi-media Block and Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon is recognized by the EPA as the best water purification technology available today for the removal of chlorine and its by-products, pesticides and other synthetic chemicals. The chemicals are bound to the surface of the filter medium and cannot pass through with the water. Multi-media block filters remove sediments and bacterial cysts, while balancing the mineral content and pH levels of your tap water. For home use, these two are the best methods of water purification on the market today. They can be found together in multi-stage home water filtration systems and they are very affordable. When it comes to home filters, advancements in water purification technology have made us safer and saved us money.