The declining quality of drinking water is a serious global issue. It stems from factors such as industrial waste, deforestation, overuse of pesticides, and improper waste disposal methods. These elements collectively contribute to the pollution of our drinking water sources.
Water filters play a crucial role in purifying our water by effectively eliminating various contaminants. The specific impurities removed depend on the type of filter employed. While a single filter may not eliminate all impurities, combining different water treatment methods can yield the most effective results.
In this post, we’ll discuss the common types of impurities that can be removed by a water filter tap and help you decide if you need one.
What is Water Filtration?
Water filtration is a process used to remove impurities, contaminants, and particles from water, making it safe and suitable for various applications, including drinking, cooking, and industrial processes. The goal of water filtration is to produce water that meets specific quality standards and is free from harmful substances.
Most Common Methods of Water Filtration?
There are various methods of water filtration, each designed to target specific types of impurities. Some common methods include:
- Mechanical Filtration: This involves passing water through a physical barrier, such as a mesh or porous material, to trap particles like sediment, silt, and larger debris.
- Activated Carbon Filtration: Activated carbon is a highly porous material that can adsorb organic compounds, chlorine, and certain chemicals, improving taste and removing odours.
- Reverse Osmosis: This process involves forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules and contaminants. It’s highly effective at removing a wide range of impurities.
- Ion Exchange: This method involves exchanging ions in the water with ions of the same charge from a resin or other medium. It’s often used to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection: UV light is used to kill or inactivate microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and algae present in the water.
- Ozonation: Ozone gas is used to disinfect and oxidize impurities in water. It’s a powerful disinfectant that can remove organic compounds and kill pathogens.
- Chlorination: Chlorine or chloramine is added to water to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. It’s a common method used by municipal water treatment plants.
- Distillation: This involves heating water to create steam, which is then condensed back into liquid form. This process effectively removes contaminants with higher boiling points than water.
- Ceramic Filtration: Water is passed through a porous ceramic filter that traps particles, bacteria, and microorganisms.
- Biological Filtration: This method uses living organisms like bacteria or algae to metabolize or consume pollutants, transforming them into less harmful substances.
The choice of filtration method depends on the specific impurities in the water and the intended use. For example, a household might use a combination of activated carbon and mechanical filtration for drinking water, while an industrial process might require more advanced methods like reverse osmosis. If you’re looking for a water filter tap for your home kitchen, check out Taqua, they have a slimline tap with a built-in water filter.
What is a Water Contaminant?
You might be wondering, “What exactly do water filters eliminate?” Water filters are highly effective at removing a wide range of contaminants. These contaminants encompass various categories, and while some may only result in a less pleasant taste, others can lead to significant health concerns over time. The Safe Water Drinking Act defines a “contaminant” as any substance, be it physical, chemical, biological, or radiological.
Let’s delve into examples of each type of contaminant according to the SWDA definition. Keep in mind, I’m providing just one representative sample for a deeper comprehension; each category contains numerous elements:
- Physical = Microplastics
- Chemical = Pesticides
- Biological = Parasites
- Radiological = Radon
Fortunately, water filtration systems can effectively eliminate the majority of these undesirable contaminants from our drinking water. The top-notch filters employ activated carbon technology and can be easily installed on your faucet, refrigerator, or even as freestanding water coolers.
Most Common Toxins and Impurities That Contaminate Drinking Water
1. Heavy Metals (Lead & Mercury)
The presence of heavy metals like lead and mercury in drinking water can pose serious health risks. While they are naturally occurring elements, they can be highly toxic. Lead can leach into water from corroded pipes, particularly in older plumbing systems. On the other hand, mercury is emitted into the atmosphere by industries like thermal power plants and eventually settles on the ground through precipitation. Ingesting these heavy metals can lead to severe health issues, and in extreme cases, even be fatal.
2. Pharmaceutical Residues
Inefficiently metabolized pharmaceutical drugs are excreted through urine, ultimately finding their way into water sources via drainage systems. Recent governmental studies have shown that over 80% of tested water resources contain traces of pharmaceutical drugs.
3. Pesticides and Herbicides
Farmers use pesticides and herbicides to combat crop-damaging pests. Unfortunately, excess chemicals can seep into the soil or be washed into rivers and lakes during rainfall. Ingesting these substances can have detrimental effects on the body, with certain pesticides even being linked to various forms of cancer. Insecticides like DDT can also lead to reproductive and liver issues.
4. Chlorine
Chlorine is a widely used chemical for water disinfection. However, excessive use can have adverse health effects. Being a reactive chemical, chlorine may form toxic byproducts like dichloramine and trichloramine, which can disrupt normal bodily functions.
5. Industrial Waste
Industrial chemicals represent some of the most hazardous pollutants that contaminate water. Many industries release untreated toxic waste directly into natural water bodies. This waste often contains a variety of compounds that can have fatal effects on the human body.
6. Radium
Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive material that lacks taste or odour, making its presence difficult to detect. It silently enters our bodies and displaces calcium, leading to bone degradation. Exposure to radium can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, and, significantly, cancer. Due to its severe health implications, water purification methods prioritize the removal of radium.
7. Lead
Lead is a major concern, especially for children, as lead poisoning can have lifelong effects. Unfortunately, a significant portion of lead exposure sources comes from drinking water, leading to issues like high blood pressure, kidney damage, developmental problems, and brain damage.
8. Arsenic
Arsenic can find its way into our water supply through specific geological formations or runoff from industrial and agricultural activities. Prolonged consumption of arsenic can lead to conditions like diabetes, skin lesions, and cancer. In severe cases, high levels of consumption can be fatal.
Given the presence of these dangerous contaminants, water purification is a critical necessity. Simple methods like sediment removal or boiling are insufficient for obtaining truly clean drinking water. Many dissolved impurities require specialized filtration systems.
Water filters employing Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology are among the most effective options on the market. Unlike methods like UV filtration or boiling, RO purification eliminates up to 98% of dissolved impurities. If you seek assurance about the quality of your drinking water, installing an RO water purifier is your best bet.
