Water Purification Systems: Which One Is Right For You?
Saturday, March 11th, 2023
When it comes to drinking cleaner, healthier water, especially in areas in which the quality of your Knoxville, TN home’s tap water is doubtful, nothing works better at helping you reach your goal than water purification systems. But, with all the water purification systems available on the market, how can you know which is the right choice for your Knoxville, TN home? Water purification systems are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and the one you ultimately choose will largely depend on a number of factors, including the amount of water you want to filter. From simple countertop options to whole-house water purification systems, there is always one that makes for the perfect solution for every home. With this in mind, this article will discuss the available technologies, and the benefits you can expect to receive from each one. Additionally, we will touch on the types and styles of the different water purification systems available. So, read on to find out everything you need to know.
Available Technologies
Nowadays, as technology advances, more advanced water purification systems appear on the market each day. Even so, these are the most common technologies available at a residential scale:
Reverse Osmosis – Water purification systems that use reverse osmosis technology employ a semi-permeable membrane through which water is forced to help remove any pollutants, sediment, and other substances that are dissolved in the water. The water produced by reverse osmosis systems is not only safe, but also free from any odors and tastes that you could find bothersome.
Ultraviolet systems – These water purifying systems are possibly the best way to remove harmful bacteria that could be suspended in the water you drink. Tests have shown they can remove up to 99.99 percent of bacteria. Unfortunately, they do not remove any dissolved solids, chemicals, or other harmful substances in the water they produce, which is why they are normally found in combination with other systems, such as reverse osmosis.
Ultra-filtration method – These systems work in a similar manner to reverse osmosis systems in which the water is forced through a semipermeable membrane in order to remove pathogens and other harmful substances from the water they produce. Even so, they must be used only as a pre-filtration method, and can usually be found in combination with another method, such as UV or reverse osmosis.
Activated carbon systems – These systems work in a similar manner to fish tank filters, where water goes through an activated carbon cartridge, leaving behind any solids or other substances found in the water. They are simple and require very little maintenance, but they are not the best at removing pathogens, which is why they should be used in combination with another system, or only as a filtration method for water that is used for showers and kitchen applications.
Types of Systems
There are two main types of water filters, one is the point of entry system, and the other is the point of use system. Both of them can work with any of the technologies described above, but they have certain important differences.
Point of entry systems – Regardless of which technology is used to purify the water, these systems are usually connected to a home’s main water source. They can be placed just outside the home, where the main water pipe is located. Their purpose is to filter and purify the entirety of a home’s water supply. In this manner, the water coming out of your shower head will be as safe and pure as that coming from the tap in your kitchen sink. These systems are especially useful when the quality of the water coming into your house is less than optimal, and has too many added chemicals, such as chlorine, which results in a healthier and pure full house water supply.
Point of use systems – As mentioned above, these systems can also use any of the previously described technologies, but they differ from point of entry systems in that they are installed in a single location within your home, such as a tap in your kitchen or bathroom sink. This allows for purified water to be dispensed solely from said tap, and not throughout your entire home.
Choosing the Best Point of Use System for Your Needs
Point of use water filters can vary according to the consumer’s needs for clean, healthy water. Since they are usually attached to a single fixture within the home, they are available in a variety of designs. Here are the most popular ones.
Tap Filter – This type of filter is connected directly to the water tap in your kitchen or your bathroom, and is used to produce filtered drinking water on an as-needed basis. Because they are installed in an unlimited source of water, they can filter as much water as needed on demand. They are the simplest, and most common filters available.
Under the sink filter – These types of filters, as their name suggests, are installed under the kitchen sink, and connected directly to the inlet pipe. They normally involve a combination of filtration technologies, and require very little maintenance.
Countertop filter – These filters usually use the activated carbon method and are designed to sit atop your kitchen counter. They are much larger and more cumbersome than other filters, and because they take up space, they are not as popular as other choices.
Filtration pitchers- While these filtration systems have gained popularity over the last decade or so, they are not as efficient as others because they produce a limited supply of clean water, and must be refilled manually. This makes them great for traveling and camping.
Water purification systems can make a big difference in the quality of the water you drink. When you are looking to offer your family a much healthier lifestyle, at My Professional Plumber we are happy to help you find the best water purification systems for your Knoxville, TN home. So, because we know how important your family’s health is to you, we are looking forward to helping you make the best choice possible. With this in mind, don’t wait much longer and give us a call to schedule an appointment today!
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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