Water For Health

Posts Tagged ‘Ion Exchange’

Water filtration is the process of purifying water in order to remove unwanted solids, microorganisms, gases and chemical substances. The water is passed through a medium which retains the solids and allows only water to pass through. It is important that one gets clean, purified water to avoid waterborne diseases. There are various types of water filtration. They include; ion exchange, distillation, filtration, ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis.

Distillation

In this method of water filtration, the water is heated to boiling point where it vaporizes. The vapor is then condensed and stored after it has been collected. It is beneficial since it takes away a wide range of pollutants. The main disadvantage of this type of filtration is that there could be other harmful chemicals that vaporize together with the water and these could be ingested assuming that the water is purified. These are substances that could be having the same boiling point as water. Distillation also uses too much energy.

Ion Exchange

This process involves the exchange of ions. Water is passed through bead-like spherical resin materials. The water ions are exchanged with the ions attached to the beads. This method is usually used for deionization and softening of water. However, this method of filtration works best when used together with other types of filtration such as carbon filtration. This is because it does not take away many of the microorganisms found in water.

Carbon Absorption

In this method, water passed through carbon filters gets rid of unpleasant tastes, smells, chlorine, gases, and many chemicals. Occasionally, this method gets rid of microorganisms. This type of water filtration will not have an effect on hardness of water, heavy metals and solids absorbed in water. The water collected after this method of filtration can be bettered by filtration using another method.

Ultra-filtration

In this method of filtration, water is passed through an ultrafilter which acts like a molecular sieve. It takes away dissolved molecules according to their size. It is beneficial in that it efficiently takes away many particles, microorganisms, pyroids and colloids exceeding their rated size. It also gives very high quality water and uses less energy.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis as the name suggests, is the opposite of natural osmosis. Here hydraulic pressure is put on the concentrated solution to act against the osmotic pressure. Purified water is then collected on the lower part of the membrane. This type of filtration produces water that is purified. The water collected does not contain any salts, sugars, ions and molecules that had been dissolved before filtration. Water filtered using this method, will not have the pleasant tastes that carbon filtered water has. This method is advantageous as it needs minimal maintenance.

Ultraviolet Radiation

This method of water filtration is mainly used to kill germs. Mercury lamps producing 254nm UV light are used. The microorganisms in the water are inactivated when the DNA and proteins of their cells absorb Ultra Violet radiation.

It is advisable that one should combine two or more filtration methods to get better quality water.

A home water filtration system has become a practical necessity. Our tap water is contaminated with chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Regulations regarding bottled water are lacking and the plastic is bad for the environment.

For your health, the health of your family and that of the planet, a good in-home water filtration system is the only answer. Any system is probably better than no system at all, but as with anything else, some of them do a better job than others. If you are looking for a new system, here’s what you should be looking for.

Activated Carbon

Activated carbon filters remove chlorine and other chemicals from tap water. It’s like the water filtration system that you use in your fish tank. It keeps the fish healthy, because it removes impurities. It’s kind of funny to think that people are drinking water that could kill a fish.

Chlorine is a disinfectant. The water treatment facilities have to use it to kill bacteria, algae and other living things that inhabit the pipes. Should we be drinking it?

First of all, it tastes bad. Second, it smells bad. Depending on where you live, your bathroom may smell like an indoor swimming pool.

Third, it dries your skin and damages your hair. While most people only think they need a water filtration system for their drinking water, inhaling the fumes from the shower may be even worse for your health than drinking it.

Studies have shown that kids with asthma who swim in indoor swimming pools have more attacks than kids that don’t. Scientists are sure that chlorine fumes are the cause. The EPA allows the chlorine content in drinking water to exceed that found in swimming pools.

So, you shouldn’t drink it, you shouldn’t breathe the fumes and you shouldn’t really shower in it. The only way to get rid of it is with a water filtration system that uses activated carbon. You can get them for the kitchen, the shower or the whole house.

Ion Exchange

Minerals in water are important for our health. But, sometimes there is too much of one mineral, like calcium or copper and not enough of other minerals, like potassium. Ion exchange balances the mineral content, making the water softer and healthier to drink.

Some systems remove all of the minerals from the water, reverse osmosis for example. Some systems use only ion exchange, but that does nothing to remove chemicals. You really need both ion exchange and an activated carbon water filtration system for the healthiest, best tasting drinking water.

Micron Filtration

Micron filtration involves removing microscopic particles from the water. They may be chemical or organic.

For example, a micron water filtration system will remove the living organism known as acanthamoeba, microscopic in size, it is commonly found in fresh water. It can cause infections in cuts and scrapes and other bacteria can live and replicate inside of it. MRSA bacteria, which are resistant to most antibiotics, have been found growing in the acanthamoeba.

All of the Above

For the cleanest, purest, best tasting drinking water, you want a home water filtration system that combines activated carbon filters with ion exchange and micron filtration. Simply put, it’s the safest choice.

The type of well water filters that you need depends on what’s in your water. There are a number of well water whole house filters on the market. Some are reasonably priced. Other literally cost tens of thousands of dollars. Depending on what’s in your water, you may not need the most expensive type.

Here’s an interesting fact, forty-eight million Americans get there water from private wells. That could account for all of the advertising and the hundreds of well water filters on the market. They want your business, but if you don’t do your homework before you buy, you could end up with an ineffective, inefficient or unnecessary product.

People buy well water filters for a variety of reasons, but some are more common than others.

Acidity (pH balance)

If you notice corrosion on any of your fixtures or bluish-green stains in your sinks or tubs, then your pH level may be too acidic. In the shower, you may feel like the water is not very “wet”. When you drink your tap water, you may notice a metallic taste. If you notice these things, then you probably need well water whole house filters, but you can always buy some litmus paper to test. Blue litmus paper turns red in the presence of acid. A numbered pH tester is also available, but is more expensive. Any level under 7 is equal to an acidic pH. In order to correct acidity, you need well water filters that enhance the water by balancing the pH. Multi-stage systems use ion exchange and other filters to correct the level.

Iron

High iron content sends many people looking for reverse osmosis well water whole house filters. But, those systems start at $10,000. Besides, reverse osmosis removes all of the minerals, some of which are beneficial to your health. Water softeners, ion exchange, or chlorination followed by activated carbon well water filters will take care of the problem, for a lot less money.

Bacteria

Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites and microscopic cysts are often found in unprotected drinking water supplies, but are not typically present in underground wells. The soil acts as a filter. But, since you cannot see these microscopic creatures and ingesting them can cause disease, you should have your water tested on a regular basis. Testing is done at most public health departments, but you may have to send a sample to a private lab.

If you are concerned about bacteria or the test comes back positive for bacteria, you have several options. Chlorine kills all but the most resistant, which can be removed by a micron filter. Always follow chlorination with activated carbon filters. Those of us who have city water know that drinking chlorinated water is not a healthy option, plus the taste and smell is terrible.

Activated carbon filters on your kitchen and shower taps are probably sufficient. But, there are well water whole house filters that contain activated carbon, as well. The cost is more, but may balance out against the cost of replacing multiple filters around the house. UV filters, distillers and reverse osmosis can be used against bacterial contamination, just be sure to have the water tested again, to make sure they are doing the job. Even though reverse osmosis well water filters are very expensive, the membranes are prone to defects and tear easily after installation, so they may not provide the protection that you need.

Other Considerations

Reverse osmosis well water whole house filters waste more water than they clean. Only 1% of the earth’s water is drinkable. Water is one of our most precious resources. We cannot afford to waste it. Think about the next generation and buy the most efficient well water filters that will meet your needs.