Some or All?
The first question to ask yourself is whether you want to purify some of your water or all of it.
- Point-of-use filters are designed to filter one specific source.
- Whole-house systems treat all the water in the house and yard.
Point of Use Systems
Point-of-use filters are designed to filter one specific source, such as the kitchen or bathroom sink, an ice maker or a shower head. Sink filters can rest on the counter with a tube to the faucet, or can be installed under the sink with a dedicated faucet.
Sink Filters: Drinking water filters at the kitchen sink are quite popular and practical. They can be installed with a spigot on the counter while the filter itself is below the counter, or the entire filter unit can rest on the counter top with a tube or hose running to the end of the sink faucet. There are many types of media used for these filters: granular charcoal, ceramics, simple pleated fiber or paper filters, and compressed carbon blocks, to mention the most popular styles. http://www.multipureusa.com/dean
Shower filters: Shower filters are primarily used for removing chlorine. Chlorine dries out the skin and hair. If swallowed, it is not safe to drink. When taking a hot shower, the gas coming out of the shower head is sometimes 80% chlorine fumes, which are not good for the lungs. Shower filters are easy to install and maintain. http://www.multipureusa.com/dean
Pre-Filters: Roughing filters, sock filters, cartridge filters are often used as pre-filters and are placed at the point where the water enters the building, or just before the fine filter used at the point of use. Other point-of-use systems that are more precise include:
- Small ozone generators. Ozone is very effective for removing minerals and bacteria. Ozone requires electricity, and the ozone pump makes a noise when it is running.
- Ultra-violet radiation. UV will kill bacteria and virus. The electric UV bulbs need to be replaced periodically, and the pre- and post-filters need to be changed routinely.
- Reverse osmosis. RO removes chemicals, minerals, bacteria, salt, and more. Because RO slowly squeezes pure water molecules through a membrane, a small storage tank holds the purified water so that it can be used on demand. The filters must be periodically changed.
- Distillers. Distillers are used on countertops or on their own rolling stands. They must be cleaned routinely, and the filters must be replaced.
To see more specific information, various models, pictures and prices, or to order a point-of-use system right now, go to this site: http://www.multipureusa.com/dean
Whole House Systems
Whole-house systems treat all the water in the house and yard. This includes any outside water used for irrigation, if the plumbing was not designed to by-pass the house plumbing.
These systems are generally installed in the well house or pump house, in the garage or basement, or in an adjoining shed or out building. The closer the filtration system is to the point of use, the less opportunity there is for any bacteria to build up in the pipes between the two points. If the water does have to travel a long distance from the well to the house, sometimes it is comforting to install a point-of-use filter on the sink as an added polish to the already clean water. In most cases, however, this is not necessary and is sometimes redundant.
For large communities, treating the water at the well may remove the worst concerns, such as hardness or iron or particularly bacteria, usually well water for communities does nothing more than chlorination. For this reason is often better for each residence to install an individual treatment system to remove the rest of the contaminants that the community system did not deal with. Even if the water is clean enough, at least removing the chlorine is a good idea. One other issue in large communities is that no one can agree as to which system to install, so often the homeowners are left to their own devices; some choose to live with the bad water, while others install various systems to treat some or most, but usually never all, of the water problems. Our oxygen system will solve them all.
Aqua Alternatives is focused on helping individual home owners to custom-design water treatment systems that are specific to their particular water issues. Call for a free consultation: (206) 324-5055.
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