Types of Drinking Water Filtration Systems for Solving Different Problems

Even when water is technically safe to drink, the household's residents may be concerned about doing so for various reasons. Outside of municipalities, well water can have unwanted smells and an unpleasant flavor. City water sometimes might have a hint of chlorine odor since that substance is used for sanitization. Some men and women don't like the idea of consuming any amount of chlorine or added fluoride.

Drinking water systems with certain types of filters eliminate these problems. Some households only need one type, while others benefit from two or more installed in a horizontal system.

Activated Carbon

An activated carbon filter eliminates or dramatically reduces the level of most synthetic chemicals, organic substances, and unwanted odors. Well water with sulfur or iron bacteria smells like rotten eggs, an odor that can permeate the air around sinks even when the tap is turned off. In the municipal supply, a whiff of chlorine may detract from the enjoyment of a cool, refreshing drink.

Reverse Osmosis and Activated Alumina

Activated carbon does not remove fluoride. A household needs a reverse osmosis system or an activated alumina filter for that purpose.

Activated alumina removes sulfur and iron bacteria, but reverse osmosis filtration is only effective with small amounts of sulfur. It does not remove iron bacteria, and that organic substance can actually clog the reverse osmosis filters. Before choosing a filtration system, homeowners with a rotten egg smell in the water must find out through testing which substance is causing it and how much there is.

Faucet and Whole-House Systems

Households that are only concerned about their drinking water can have a filter installed for the kitchen faucet only. Some may want to have the devices installed at the bathroom sinks if anyone in the family drinks water from those faucets.

Whole-house filters must be replaced relatively frequently because they get so much use. However, they make showering and bathing more pleasant when there otherwise would be an odor of rotten eggs. It should be noted that a whole-house reverse osmosis system is expensive, so most homeowners decide against that option.

Improved Tap Water

A faucet filter can be installed in less than two hours. A whole-house system might require three or four. It depends on how many filters will be included, as each requires its own container with plumbing pipes running between them. After that short amount of time, the household residents are now delighted with their improved tap water.

A company like Oxley Softwater Co can help you find the right drinking water system for your home.