Choosing a Home Water Filtration System
Due to rising concerns with the quality and safety of the public water supply, many people are turning to a personal home water filtration system. Issues such as the consistency of carcinogens and lead in our home’s water, as well as a growing concern around the presence of plastics, pesticides, and other endocrine disrupting chemicals, are leading people to take the responsibility their water quality into their own hands. There are many types of filters that are available for purchase, however, without the appropriate research and advice, you may purchase a filter that does not remove the contaminants in your water. Here are some important considerations for your home water purification purchase.
Firstly, what are you looking to filter from your water supply? It may sound like an obvious question but many people purchase a filter without first understanding the various contaminants in their water. As such, their investment becomes worthless. If you are looking to combat pharmaceuticals in your water then you will specifically need a system equipped with reverse osmosis capabilities to remove them..Carbon filters may reduce the level of pharmaceuticals but removal requires reverse osmosis. Knowing your water is important before looking to improve it. To begin with, it is important to source your local water report. This will help you identify exactly what is in your home’s water and at what level. From here, you will be able to identify the exact needs of your filtration system.
Secondly, you should understand the difference between a backwash filter and an upflow filter. While it may seem tempting to purchase an upflow filter, often because they are cheap, they will not offer you the same quality of filtration as a backwash, downflow filter. They also require more regular replacements, meaning they will be more expensive in the longer run. It is widely understood that, due to the water’s better interaction with the filter’s media involved with downflow, the system is far more effective than a competitive alternative.
While the filtration at your kitchen sink is a great way of assuring the quality of your drinking water, you may also wish to remove carcinogens from your shower. Many contaminants found in the public water supply, such as pesticides from local farms, may affect your health not only through direct consumption but also bathing and washing. Since many of us and our families also consume water from other faucets, it is ultimately safer to consider a filtration system capable of clearing the water of your entire house. By being installed before your boiler water heater, a whole house filter system removes certain contaminants from all the water in your home. For examples, see here for whole house water filters.
Finally, discuss your needs with a chosen filter company. The reputable filter suppliers will offer extensive guidance on your water quality and the right filter for you. Since understanding the exactitudes of water quality and the ideal methods of purification can be intimidating, it is recommended that you get in touch with an adviser so that your purchase is made with peace of mind! Sweetwater LLC provides the unique service of reviewing your local water report with you while on the phone.
Pictured above is Sweetwater’s Urban Defender whole house water filter