There are two main types of home water filter systems: point of use (POU) and point of entry (POE), A POU system only filters the water at a single tap which is usually located at the kitchen sink. A POE system filters the water that is supplied to every tap and plumbing fixture in the home. So, you can take a shower, shampoo your hair and wash your laundry with clean and filtered water. In this article, we will take a closer look at whole-house water filtration to see if it’s the right choice for you.
Do I Need Water Filtration?
The short answer is yes. Private well water is not cleaned and public water is cleaned and disinfected to a basic standard. Sadly, human error, pipe breaks, and the presence of emergent contaminants can cause water quality problems. Water is an effective solvent, after it falls as rain it passes over and through layers of sand, rock, and soil. These materials and surfaces are rich in minerals and other contaminants which are added to the makeup of the water. These contaminants can degrade the aesthetic qualities, such as taste, odor, and appearance. But, they may also represent a threat to your health and we have seen evidence of that in recent years.
How Do I Choose a Whole-House Water Filtration System?
The process starts with laboratory water testing to get accurate data on the presence of contaminants and their concentrations in your water supply. Then it’s much easier to choose the right water filtration system to meet your needs. There are many different types of filtration systems on the market, but most have at least a 3-stage filter:
1. The Prefilter
The incoming water may hold suspended sand, grit, rock, and other sediment sources. These can damage the later filtration stages and a pre filter can remove them before they reach those filters. The pre filter needs to be replaced every 2-3 months to ensure that it’s working efficiently.
2. The Main Filter
This is the filter that does most of the filtering to make the water cleaner and healthier. Depending on the exact system you choose this could be a granular activated carbon (GAC), reverse osmosis (RO,) or something else. A GAC filter can bind chlorine, chloramines, and other contaminants to improve the aesthetic qualities. A RO filter has a semi-permeable membrane with tiny pores that captures a wide variety of contaminants.
3. The Postfilter
This final stage will remove any lingering sediment and contaminants and add some extra polish to the final water. The post filter should be replaced every 6-12 months to ensure that it’s working at optimal efficiency.
Optional Treatment
If you choose a RO filter, you may want to add some minerals back into the water to make it more palatable. The reverse osmosis process will capture almost everything in the water except water molecules. This can make the water a little bland and sterile and remineralization is needed to improve the water for drinking, cooking, and baking.
If you want to install a whole-house filtration system in your home, contact your local water treatment specialist.
By EcoWater Systems.
EcoWater Systems of Nebraska is the largest water treatment company in the state and is a member of Water Quality Association.