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Why Water Filters Are Important: Myths vs. Facts
Unbelievably, there are quite a number of myths surrounding water filters. Perhaps, the most common is that filters are all the same. Hence, they aren’t that important, especially if the water district is providing your home with safe potable water. To clear up the most common misconceptions about water filters. We’ve decided to discuss the undisputed facts on why water filters are important.
By undisputed facts, we’re referring to information provided by the water filtration experts. Such as manufacturers and organizations involved in monitoring the performance of such devices.
These organizations include the Central for Disease Control (CDC). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lastly, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). If you have any concerns or questions about water filters, then those are the best organizations to get answers from.
Fact: Water Affects Your Health Directly
Perhaps, the first reason why filters are important is that water affects your health directly. In fact, it affects your body faster than food does. Food products may take time to digest. However, your body processes water almost immediately. Therefore, if there are any dangerous contaminants in the water you drink. It may not take long before you find out that you just ingested something you shouldn’t have.
Myth: All Water Filters Remove all Water Contaminants
While all remove contaminants, they all don’t remove all the types of contaminants. Contaminants fall into one of four categories, physical, chemical, radiological, and biological.
Physical contaminants are usually those found in the water reservoir. These include soil, sediment, leaves, and other debris. Some physical contaminants may be from the water delivery system, such as rust in pipes.
Chemical contaminants may be chemicals that produce naturally in nature or those developed and used by different companies.
Radiological contaminants, or contaminants that emit radiation, are not so common. But even so, they do at times contaminate a certain water source. Keep in mind that elements such as uranium produce by nature thus can contaminate rivers and lakes.
Lastly, these biological contaminants are a form of bacteria and viruses. These contaminants are difficult to remove from water. In fact, in some cases, filtration alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, some types of water filters, are not designed to remove biological contaminants.
Fact: Water Filters are not the same
Many people still believe that all of the filtration products are the same. They are the same in the sense that all of them have the ability to rid the water supply of some contaminants. But that’s where their similarities end.
They are a construct of different materials and are therefore effective against different forms of contaminants. For example, Ultraviolet Systems can remove bacteria and viruses from the water to a certain extent but are unable to remove chemicals.
Therefore, if you intend to purchase a water filtration system for your home. You need to be aware of the type of system that your particular water supply needs. Also, you have to precisely consider what contaminants it can remove. Otherwise, you might mistakenly believe, that your filtration system can protect you against all forms of waterborne contaminants.
Myth: Residential and Commercial Filters are the Same
Some people also believe that residential and commercial filters are the same. While many residential water filters perform excellently. Commercial water filters are still a notch above them in terms of performance.
One of the reasons is because commercial water filters are usually maintained on a regular basis. Whereas, residential filters will likely not be maintained as often. As such, the performance of residential filters will be affected by lack of maintenance.
In terms of filtration capability, commercial water filters are also a tad better than most residential filters. This is because since they are much bigger they are capable of filtering out more forms of contaminants on a much larger scale.
Myth: Water Filters only Remove Harmful Contaminants
Though it is true that filters remove contaminants that are bad for your body. There are times when a certain type of filter does its job too well. Which then, remove important minerals in water as well. This is especially true of Reverse Osmosis Systems.
If you aren’t already aware, Reverse Osmosis Systems are actually considering to be the best water filtration system around. These systems remove the majority of the most common contaminants.
Unfortunately, these systems also remove calcium and magnesium. These minerals are considering to be important for the body. So, by removing them, the water filtration system will actually be producing water that some consider are not beneficial to the body. Not to worry because any important minerals that are lost can easily be made up for in your everyday food diet
Myth: Water Filters Always Produce Safe Drinking Water
It is important to understand, that the safety of the water that these filters produce depends on the type of contaminants in the water. Another thing is the design of the filtration system. If the water filtration system is not designed to remove a certain contaminant in the water. Then, the water will still be unsafe for consumption even after being filtered.
You may be a bit concerned about this fact, but don’t let it dissuade you from purchasing and installing a water filtration system in your home. Just do a little research first to make sure that you are getting a system that will eliminate any unsafe contaminants that may be lurking in your water supply.
Also, get a system that will provide water that is great to drink.
Myth: Bottled Water is Safer than Filtered Water
Some people think that bottled water is safer than filtered water. Even though most bottled water companies have water filtration and purification systems. It doesn’t automatically mean that the bottled water is safer from the water filter at home. There are tons of horror stories about water that contaminate by the plastic bottle itself.
Another thing you need to consider is that companies that produce bottled water do not have the same quality standards as do the manufacturers of home water treatment systems. Some of these companies may use lesser known filtration systems. These systems may not be able to filter the water at the same level as companies that use trusted filtration systems.
Why Water Filters are Necessary for Your Home
If you’re living in the city and the company that distributes the supply of water highly trusts. You may be thinking that filtration won’t make your water any better. If the company already filters it, then what’s the need for a home water filter system?
What you need to consider, is that the water is filtered before it enters the distribution system and not after. This distribution system could be composed of hundreds of miles of pipes and valves. Unfortunately, the distribution system itself can also contaminate the water before it reaches your home because who knows what kinds of contaminants could be lurking in those pipes
Therefore, if you really want to ensure that the water you’re drinking is safe. Make sure that you install a water filtration system in your home.
Last update on 2023-01-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
About the Author Jack Wilson
Jack Wilson is a water treatment consultant as well as a topic researcher and post editor for all posts on bestpurifiation.com.