How do Water Filters Work & Are They Beneficial?

Clean and crystal-clear is more than just a catchphrase, it’s our expectation of what water should be. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends over 3 liters of daily water intake for adults.[1] Of course, this recommendation varies depending on age, sex, activity level, health, and other factors. All of earth’s living creatures require water to exist, so it’s important to offset the harmful effects of most tap water and enjoy its benefits. Using a water filter to remove impurities as water exits your tap is nothing short of a lifesaver!

Types of Water Filter Systems

Water filters are the logical solution to overcoming the obstacles that keep us from enjoying this natural resource. The Whole House Water Filter offers a filtering system that will entice you to drink the amount of water required to keep you healthy. Water filters trap unwanted contaminants, bleach, and other substances using several methods.

Reverse Osmosis

The process of reverse osmosis occurs when water flows through a porous membrane in the opposite direction to natural osmosis; in other words, water is purified as it moves from a higher concentration space to a lower concentration area. This type of water filter is especially effective in removing arsenic from well water. Fertilizers and industrial waste can easily seep into your well water from old uncontrolled fertilizing methods and chemical plants in the area.

Ion Exchange Filter/Water Softeners

This water filter is specifically designed to trap some of the worst water contaminants found in tap water. The water softener performs a process that entails using positively charged ions to attract negatively charged ions, thus ridding the water of harmful substances such as metals that are poisonous to our bodies. This type of filter traps magnesium and calcium atoms but at the same time releases sodium, which is a contaminant.

Activated Carbon

This type of water filter is very common in households. Usually, a carbon activated water filter is installed under a sink, and it removes contamination from that one particular faucet. This is usually the water filter used to keep aquarium water free of toxic substances that can kill fish. Interestingly, an activated carbon system is also a very effective air purifier commonly used today.

Pitcher Water Filter

Easy to use but not all that effective, water pitchers filter out many contaminants that leave a bad taste in your mouth, such as chlorine and hydrogen sulfide. The filter in a pitcher is not strong enough to lessen the serious contaminants though it requires frequent replacements. Pitcher filters are not made to eliminate bacteria and viruses and thus are not considered an effective mode of providing totally clean water. Not only that, depending on the product, the cost of a pitcher filter can add up.

What Do Water Filters Remove?

Not all water filters are the same and much less the water that flows from pipes. Impurities in contaminated water can include nitrates, iron, bleach, viruses, parasites, and radioactive substances. Though the EPA regulates drinking water quality contaminants filter through resulting in water that is detrimental to your health and unpleasant tasting. That’s not all; the chlorine found in most tap water can bleach human hair and weaken the roots. It can also cause dry, scaly skin, eczema, dermatitis, and acne, among many other issues. So, it makes sense to use a water filter in your household to remove the unwanted contaminants.

How Do Water Filters Work?

Tap water originates as groundwater or surface water that flows into storage spaces, usually pumping stations. Once the water reaches this point of storage, it is treated with chemicals to eliminate impurities forming sediment deposits, which are then trapped through filters and removed. Once these deposits have been removed from the water, the water is disinfected with chlorine. This procedure kills most parasites and viruses but leaves behind harmful chemicals. Then it flows to your local water authority and from there to your household, creating havoc with your pipelines and health. The installation of an effective water filter is recommended to eliminate the harmful contaminants in your water. Filtering processes use a membrane, sieve, or ion exchange process that allows water to pass and leave impurities behind. Short of distilling water to separate contaminants and impurities, filtration is a more efficient process. Water can also be distilled and this is achieved by heating it to its boiling point. Any particles collected in the water vapor while at a lower temperature are eliminated along with any other remaining impurities left in the container after the water has evaporated. The resulting water after this process lacks contaminants and is considered clean.

Benefits of Using a Water Filter

Having a Whole House Water Filter is the perfect solution to water contamination that not only affects your health and skin, but that also has an unpleasant taste. Take a look at some of the benefits you will obtain from installing a Whole House Water Filter.

1. Clean tasting water that you can safely drink at all times.

No chemicals or metals that will cause havoc with your health. The taste of clean water is enticing, encouraging consumption, which also promotes health and performance by regulating body temperature.

2. Glowing healthy skin.

Clean pores that showcase your health. No harmful deposits that will clog pores, and even cause acne. Your nails will maintain a healthy and strong aspect, not the yellow tint associated with hard water.

3. Healthy hair.

Radiant hair and true color. Chemicals in water can change your natural and dyed hair color by adding green and rusty orange hues and causing hair breakage. Not only that, it can slow down hair growth and weaken eyelashes.

4. Laundry that’s fresh and keeps its true color.

The chlorine and other metals found in unfiltered water can damage clothing and yellow whites, also causing harsh odors every time clothing gets a little wet. Think towels in the bathroom.

5. Healthy gut.

Increase the health of your digestive system when consuming parasite-free water. Bacteria, parasites, and viruses can cause havoc in your stomach, gut, bladder, and other organs.

6. Cut plumbing repair costs.

Metals, minerals, and chemicals in water can damage a household’s plumbing. Even worse, it can rust pipelines and increase the contamination in the household water.

7. Make a difference in the environment.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic is not biodegradable, it’s photodegradable, which means that over time it breaks down into smaller particles still being a source of contamination. Hence, taking your own filtered water in reusable and biodegradable containers that are made of plant-based plastic, glass, or ceramic is a great solution to the massive contamination that plastic bottles leave behind.

What Water Filter Should I Get?

Depending on the quality of your water and the health factor of the household members, you may want to consider either a water filter for one faucet or a Whole House Water Filter. A Whole House Water Filter is the obvious solution to living with harmful water that affects more than one member of the household’s health. Our water supply is contaminated in many ways, and the average consumer just isn’t aware of how or why. Imagine a continuous supply of filtered water throughout your whole house. A water filter that automatically filters the water, flushing out and draining contaminants, and leaving your household members free to enjoy clean water is priceless when it comes to good health and hygiene. It makes sense to protect the health of all the members in your household, including your pets without the hassle that may keep you from enjoying what nature gave us. Call today for more information about Whole House Water Filter and let us be the ones to keep your water clean and crystal-clear.

Sources:

  1. “Daily Water Intake Among U.S. Men and Women, 2009–2012.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db242.htm.