Water filters and their effectiveness in reducing water contamination

Water filters are the most efficient way of reducing water contamination and removing contamination in your water. Contaminated water contains sediments and disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. There are filters specialised for filtering certain water contaminants, and there are generalised ones that filter many contaminants. Modern filters come in various shapes and sizes and are capable of filtering chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals and other sediments. The following are some of the types of water filters and how they operate.

Reverse Osmosis (Osmotic Membrane Technology)

This is the most efficient filtration technology, and it’s capable of filtering nearly all the water contaminants including heavy metals, fluorine, chlorine, sediments, and excessive nutrients and minerals. The technology applied here is the use of semi- permeable membrane combined with a pressure of about 35- 40 psi. The membrane has tiny pores, which can only the tiny water molecules to pass through.  All other particles are left behind, washed and piped out to the main drain.

The semi-permeable membrane is usually fitted with other filters in a system known as Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System. 5 stage reverse Osmosis System uses a total of 5 filters to ensure that the water is completely purified. The filters which are usually combined with this membrane include sediment pre-filter, carbon pre- filter and a carbon post- filter.  The pre-filters protect the osmotic membrane from damage while the post-filter is meant to polish the filtered water to ensure it is of high quality. This water can then be stored in filtered water coolers, office water coolers and let out in water cooler dispensers, faucets or drinking water fountains.

Activated Carbon Filters

Just as the name suggests, these water filters are made up of special carbon. The type of carbon used here is the one that has been activated to attract a large number of impurities present in water. Activated carbon filter can be found as a complete stand-alone filtration or in complex systems like the reverse osmosis system. Its design technique allows it to have large bonding sites for organic impurities.

These filters work by a process known as adsorption. This is the process through which the impurities found in water chemically bond with the activated carbon. After water enters the filter, these impurities typically attach themselves to the activated carbon. The level of filtration depends on some factors such as the speed of water flowing through the filter and the concentration of carbon.

Alkaline/Water Ionizers

The alkaline water ionizers water filtration technology works through a process called electrolysis, which raises the water PH. Usually, water is subjected over electrically charged plates that separate it into its acidic ad alkaline components. The negatively charged electrodes attract the positive ions hence leading to reduction. The positively charged electrodes attract the negatively charged ions hence resulting to water oxidisation. The reduced water is ideal for cooking and drinking while the oxidised water can be used for laundry, cleaning utensils, cleaning wounds and even for sterilisation.

UV Filters

UV filters make use of ultraviolet radiation to get rid of pathogens that may be present in your water. In this process, water is usually exposed to UV rays which are then absorbed by the microorganisms found in water. The UV rays alter the DNA of these microorganisms hence destroying them and leading to their death. This is the best way of eliminating waterborne diseases to provide safer drinking and cooking water.

Infrared Filters

Infrared water filters are commonly used for water softening. They depend on light and heat to give water a softer feel. Soft water is usually free from heavy metals and excess minerals and nutrients.

Conclusion

The type of water filter you choose depends on the level of water contamination. When purchasing a water filter, you should consult an aquafil expert since different water filters come with different filtration technologies. Aquafil will advise you on the best system that will solve the water problems in your area. Get in touch for information on water filters, refill statins and other  products including bubblers, water coolers Sydney, office water coolers, and water cooler dispensers and drinking bubblers among other quality products provided by aquafil. These are better solutions than buying single use bottled water every day, which will prove expensive and environmentally unfriendly in the long term.

We are committed to promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle to you and your family, as well as protecting the environment around us.

Lead in your Water; Causes & Removal Techniques

Introduction

There are different water contaminants such as heavy metals, lead, excessive minerals, and nutrients. The various water contaminants have various methods of finding their way into the water. In this article, we are going to look at lead as one common and dangerous water contaminant.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that exists almost in all parts of the world. It is classified in the group of carbons and contained in most of the equipment we interact with and use in our day to day activities and functions. It is a threat to both the health of children and even adults, though children are the most to its effects.  Children affected by lead suffer from constipation, fatigue, learning difficulties, slow growth rate, and development, vomiting, and loss of appetite among other health problems. For an adult, you may experience abdominal pains, memory loss, headache, muscle pains, reduced sperm count in males, joint pains, high blood pressure among other symptoms.

How do you know that your water is contaminated with lead?

Unlike chlorine, lead does not have a taste or smell, and neither can it be seen. The best way of determining the presence of lead in your water and the level of contamination is by testing your water. This is the only reliable way to enable you to protect yourself and your family members from consuming lead-contaminated water.

How does Lead get into the water?

Plumbing is the primary source of lead contamination in water. In most cases, the pipes used in transporting water are usually the cause of lead contamination. Older homes are likely to suffer from lead contamination in their drinking and cooking water. This is because some of the pipes used in transporting water in these homesteads were laid several years ago before the community realised the dangerous health effects of the substance.

How to remove lead from water

It is important to know the level of lead contamination in your water before deciding on the best method of lead removal. The following are some effective methods of removing lead contamination from water. They can be used alongside your office water coolers, water drinking fountains and home water cooler dispensers.

Using a Lead Water Filter

Lead water filter is the best way of protecting yourself and family members from lead ingestion. Filters can be installed in water cooler dispensers, office water coolers, drinking fountains and water bubblers. A water filter can be placed under the sink, on top of the counter, on water pitches or you can just attach it to the faucet.  Filters come in various types and forms including water filter coolers, water cooler filters, and others. Before purchasing any water filter, always ensure that it is NSF certified for Lead Removal.

Replacing Lead Water Pipes

Most of the plumbing lines, especially water pipes that were laid several years ago, have high levels of lead. Knowing the type of pipe that supplies your domestic water is imperative when it comes to protecting yourself from lead. You can determine the presence of lead in your water supply system by yourself using very simple methods. One of the best ways of detecting the presence of lead is by using a coin to scratch the pipe and then check the colour. Pipes made of copper have the colour of a penny while those made of lead have the colour of nickel. It is easier and cheaper to replace lead water pipes that have been used for private home plumbing. However, for public plumbing, it is relatively expensive and arduous, and you may resort to other methods like water filters.

Flushing out Water before usage in the morning

Though it is a wasteful practice, it may act as a short term solution to lead contamination. If you rely on public plumbing for your water supply, you may opt to flush water in the morning. Flushing out is meant to get rid of the water that has stayed in the lead pipe overnight hence increasing chances of lead leaching from the pipe into the water. This method may not be very effective, but it reduces the level of lead contamination in water.

Conclusion

Lead contamination poses great health dangers. It is, therefore, important to detect the presence of lead contamination in your water then reduce it, or remove it altogether. Aquafil are your partners in safe drinking water. Contact us today for assistance on lead removal techniques from your water supply system as well as for the purchase of water coolers Sydney, office water cooler, filtered water coolers, and drinking fountains among other quality products.

 

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