There is a lot of hype and doubtful claims about water filters in the media. It's hard for the average consumer to understand the different methods and types of water filtration systems without buying into all the sales talk. Water filtration or treatment in itself is a quite a large topic with many methods and technologies involved. Most household water filters/treatment systems are designed to remove various contaminants such as chlorine, lead, mercury, Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), Total Dissolved Solids (TDSs), Cryptosporidium, Chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, Giardia and other bad smell or taste elements.
Feature and Function Differences

Most water filters work on the same general process. Water is passed through a filtration agent (physical, chemical or ultra-violet) where contaminants are either removed or neutralized. The treated water is then either dispensed out of the system or is stored in a storage tank for future use. Generally, most water filters are fairly simple and inexpensive items that aren't very different from one manufacturer to the next. Below is a list of features and functions which you should consider before buying a water filtration system.
1). Filtering Technology

The first and most common sort of filter uses a physical barrier to remove suspended particles such as mud, silt, sand or rust as well as micro-organisms such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium. Physical filters are measured by microns. The finer the filter the smaller the micron number and the more types of particles can be removed from the raw water.
Another type of filter uses chemical processes to remove or neutralize potentially harmful contaminants in raw water. Depending on the type of contaminant, the filter elements can comprise of activated charcoal, copper, zinc etc.
The newest form of filtration technology is to use ultra-violet light to destroy bacteria, viruses or pathogens in water. The ultra-violet light is typically encased in a tank where-by the water is treated either when in storage or is run through a ultra-violet canister. The ultra-violet light deactivated the DNA of the organic particulates which ruin their ability to reproduce and cause disease.
Typically, a water filtration system will contain more than one type of filter because each filter has its own specific strengths and together enable a much wider spectrum of filtration.
2). System Types

There are a few basic types of water filters that range from small portable units to units that can supply an entire house or office. Here are the more common types:
Counter-top: These types of filters are placed on top as of the counter as suggested by the name and is connected to the faucet. The system normally has limited capacity while the filtered water is only available at the faucet.
Under-counter: These systems are very similar to the counter-top systems in that they have smaller capacities and only provide treated water to one faucet. The difference is that these systems don't take up valuable counter space however would require more sophisticated plumbing which makes it slightly more expensive.
Faucet Mounted: These systems are the cheapest and easies to install however offer the least amount of filtration. The system is mounted on the faucet itself and offers treated water to that faucet alone.
Whole House: These water filter systems are typically the most comprehensive and costly filter types that will be needed for a house or office. These systems attach to the pipe mains before entering the house/office which means that they will supply treated water to the entire house/office. These water filters are generally quite expensive to buy and maintain however all water in the house is treated.
Water Softeners: These types of water filters are used specifically to remove only some types of contaminants, namely unwanted elements such as calcium, magnesium, lime, and iron from a household's water supply. These elements make water taste metallic and salty.
Dispensers/Pitcher Water Filter: These systems are normally very simple filter assemblies that are built into a Pitcher/Dispenser. Again, this type of filter is very simple and cheap however doesn't filter contaminants all that well compared to the more comprehensive examples.
Portable: These water filters are made to be portable, some are designed for camping and light travel while some are built into sports drink bottles. Interestingly, an ultra-violet light pen is available which should act as a microbe de-activator similar to more complex household systems as mentioned earlier.
3). Capacity

There are generally two measurements for water filters that use "capacity". Capacity can be used as a measure to determine how much water the filter can actually treat before it needs filter replacements.
On the other hand, capacity is also a measure of the storage tank if the water treatment system is built with a storage tank. This goes hand-in-hand with the flow rate. This measurement is normally in gallons per minute. It should be noted that for counter-top or under-sink applications, flow rate isn't that important as waiting a few seconds longer to fill a glass of water won't be much of an issue. However, flow-rate is very important for Whole House systems, you won't want to be stuck in the shower with no water.
It should be noted that capacity and flow rates are directly related to how expensive the system will be.
4). Costs

When choosing to buy a water filter, you must also consider the maintenance and running costs of the filter. Generally the more complex and higher capacity systems will cost more to maintain and also more to run. Depending on the amount of water treated, water filter systems will need their filters replaced or treated every so often.
Additionally, some complex filters like Reverse Osmosis water filters will only produce 1 gallon of water for every 4 gallons of water supplied which will mean an increase in your water bills too. Further to this, ultra-violet light systems will also require a power source which will also affect your electricity bills.
In conclusion, I hope I have shed some light on buying water filters. The list of points in this article are by no means exhaustive but should serve as a rough guide in the selection process.

Zero B Water Purifier

MCI and Bluebird Coaches have been installed with ECOsmarte equipment since 1999, using the POE well electronic water purification equipment to ensure safe drinking and shower water. Both water and land RV traveler's now have the ability and piece of mind for safe eco-friendly travel water.

Today nearly 50 luxury yachts and recreational vehicles treat whatever source water is available and also control bacteria and mold in their holding tanks using a technology first developed for the Apollo Space Program's 3 week mission to the moon.

A customized well water system allows RV travelers to cross America and refill their water storage tanks with low quality raw water and filter it into safe clean quality water. The system maintains a residual bacteria control from the ionization put into the water. Identical benefits exist with systems installed in over forty SkipperLiner freshwater luxury yachts that pull shower and drinking water from the Mississippi river, Lake Havasu and Lake Shasta. Whether RV or Yacht, the natural oxygen and ionization keeps the water crisp and fresh for weeks.

"Wherever the water source is, the ECOsmarte system not only purifies the source water but prevents bacteria and mold growth in the holding tanks."

In addition to Mississippi river water, regular source water is pulled from both Lake Havasu and Lake Shasta as part of the SkipperLiner yachts factory installed water treatment system. Wisconsin based SkipperLiner has been installing ECOsmarte well water systems as an option since 1999 and their AZ and NV sales offices have retrofitted numerous customers as well. Houseboats do well with ECOsmarte and a growing lifestyle choice.

The ECOsmarte tanks for diesel pushers are easily configured based on digital photographs and can be as short as 30" in height and 24" wide. Generally the base plumbing and holding tank configurations remain the same and fill up still occurs with a garden hose style fitting. A network of nearly 1,000 mechanics in all 50 states can be retained to change out filter tanks, usually every 2 to 3 years.

Oxygenation allows the heavy metals to be filtered whether "filling up" at a mountain campground or with chemical-laden city water and the ionization controls the growth of mold and bacteria in the holding tanks as you drive through the desert.

ECOsmarte remains the world leader of zero salt & zero chlorine water technology, and combines conventional whole systems in addition to RV and yacht systems.

Residual bacteria and mold control achieved with NASA technology. Cost effective with a low operating cost, service from all North American water treatment dealers.

About the Author:

Larry Couture
Founder and CEO of ECOsmarte
Couture is the founder of, ECOsmarte, Mpls./MN, the World leader in Chemical and Salt-Free water technology since 1994. ECOsmarte's technology has roots in NASA.
http://www.ecosmarte.com
http://www.glasspackfilter.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Bacteria, Algae Control: RV's, Freshwater Yachts and Houseboats

Commercial Water Filters

A new concern today that some water filter systems have not addressed is chloramines, a by-product of 9/11 when authorities began calling for more chlorine in water supplies to counter bio-terrorism. This additive is fast becoming a super-toxin threat in our water. Created by the combination of chlorine and ammonia, this powerful compound being added to most municipal water supplies is not only a serious threat to our health, but if not filtered out using a reverse osmosis water filter system prior to reaching interior plumbing, could cause an unrivaled corrosive capacity that homeowners have not had to contend with before.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Systems use pressurization through Reverse Osmosis membranes in home and commercial water filter systems to produce filtered water as essentially pure as distilled water. Reverse Osmosis filter systems provide the purest drinking water and the safest non-mineralized water for use in machinery and household and kitchen appliances. Reverse osmosis water filter systems can lengthen the life of kitchen appliances by filtering out chemicals that can clog or corrode met and plastic pipes and tubing downstream from the RO system.

Filtered water leaving most municipal water supply systems still contains some dissolved particles and other substances that can enter homes and businesses if not blocked by water filter systems. This became apparent recently when the evening news carried a report that one odd tap water sample tested positive for pharmaceutical and hormone residues. This sparked similar testing and also similar results in municipal water authorities across the country. When confused municipal water executives were then questioned as to how something like this could possibly have happened, it turned out it was quite simple. No one even expected that such a problem could have existed in municipal water, so routine tests being done on water supplies did not include a test to determine such residues.

Chloramines can slowly destroy water pipes in the basement and walls, and metal and plastic seals and tubing in kitchen appliances from ice maker water filters to the water filters in espresso machines. The dangers chloramines present may change the entire face of water filtration technology and purification systems in the future.

High chlorine levels after 9/11 manifested in residents complaining of irritated skin, hair, and lungs. Investigations unearthed bacteria forming bioshields in piping and resisting chlorine’s purification power, and brought out the fact that chlorine in water produces carcinogenic trihalomethanes (THMs). The only answer seemed to be combining chlorine and ammonia, creating chloramines. This allowed the use of much less chlorine and lowered the levels of THMs while still provided plenty of muscle against bacteria and bioterrorism threats.

Multi-stage Reverse Osmosis systems like the Watts Pure Water Filter System can filter out such dangerous corrosives and many other water-borne chemicals from reaching the drinking water of homes and business, protecting costly appliances like coffee machines. The Watts Pure Water Filter system can include a 5-micron sediment filter to trap sand and rust, a 5-micron carbon filter to catch chlorine and other substances that can affect taste, a 5-micron carbon pre-filter to block chlorine from entering the RO system, and the RO Membrane which completely removes dissolved solids such as sodium, perchlorate, chromium, arsenic, copper, and lead. The Watts Pure Water Filter system also removes infectious cysts such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

A Reverse Osmosis GAC final filter is a final polishing filter used as the water leaves the storage tank on its way to the faucet. Pure Water filter systems are Reverse Osmosis filtering systems that provide pure, demineralized water to a home or business without the concern of corrosive chemicals, heavy metals, or pharmaceutical residues getting inside. Protect your home and protect yourself with the safest form of water filtration available, a Watts Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. 
 

About the Author:

For more information Markus Yannies Recommends the  Watts Zero Waste RO System or other home water filters.

See a Watts Reverse Osmosis System

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Systems for Your Home

WATERCO EXPECTS 10 PCT GROWTH IN REVENUE THIS YEAR
SUNGAI BULOH, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Waterco Ltd, an international water treatment and filtration products manufacturer, is eyeing a 10 per cent growth in revenue for its financial year ending June 2010 amid a rising demand for its products.

Water Storage Tank

Tips For Choosing Good Quality Liquid Storage Tanks

As a reputed business owner, your primary aim must be the proper storage of all the materials, liquid assets, reputation and property. A proper storage system not only gives you safety of your assets but also supports environment friendly activities. For example, water stored safely supports water conversation by reducing wastage. Liquid storage tanks are one of the most effective products to keep your liquids such as water or chemicals safe and secure. Protecting your business property from fire damage should be of your primary concern, regardless of the location of business or warehouse.

Stainless Steel Storage Tank provides a suitable medium to store huge amount of water whether for industrial purpose or personal purpose. Its capacity varies from one thousand gallons to one hundred and fifty thousand gallons. They are designed in such a way to work closely with other systems without interrupting the entire process such as sprinkler systems for protection against fire. Keeping a big stainless steel storage tank in your industrial premises will provide you a safeguard against any fire exigency. Many business owners refrain themselves from installing a stain steel storage tank and asking about why to install it if I have a main water line entering from the water authority. The answer is for backup. According to few reports, water lines burst in case of fire so these liquid storage tanks provide great back in tackling fire damage.

One of the most important benefits of having liquid storage tanks in the premises is the cost saving. It provides your discounts from insurance companies. It means by installing an emergency water supply on your property, you will be saving lots of money per month on insurance premiums, as well as saving your property from disaster or fire.

Anyone can buy either new or used liquid storage tanks depending upon their budget and requirement. It's a good idea to consults different tanks dealers in your city. You can also use internet to find out such dealers.

Greenplant Stainless is the UK's largest supplier that supplies new and second-hand mixing vessels, stainless steel vessels, stainless steel storage tanks, liquid storage tanks, stainless steel storage tank reactors, mixers, pumps etc. to all the industries.

About the Author

Lawsuit filed over Elba water tower
ELBA -- A group wanting to preserve the obsolete Elba water tower has asked a judge to stop the village board from dismantling the 73-year-old structure.

Water Storage Tank

Faucet Water Purifier

For a healthy person it may be pretty difficult to see how waterborne contaminants could compromise one's body system, but for people who already have low body defenses the problem is a dire one. A home water purifier is a must-have item particularly for those who suffer from cancer, AIDS, kidney dysfunctions, asthma or diabetes. In such cases, a waterborne illness may be un-treatable and even fatal. Sometimes smell, taste and water hardness add up to the list of discontents that force one to have a home water purifier installed. No chlorine, no germs, and less money paid on bottled water: these are the great advantages a home water purifier brings.

There are two types of home water purifier systems that are fighting for top efficiency positions on the market: the ultraviolet and ozone devices on the one hand, and distillation systems on the other. The former are highly useful by the inactivation of the viruses, but they do not remove the contaminants by themselves. Such a problem can only be dealt with by the combined use of a UV home water purifier and a filter so that only the water free of sediments will pass through the ultraviolet lamp chamber.

A home water purifier that relies on distillation will reduce the contaminants by boiling the water; steam is condensed in a special chamber and collected in a storage tank. The disadvantage of such a home water purifier is the possibility that certain contaminants may evaporate and pass into the clean water supply. Furthermore, distillation systems use a lot of energy, they generate heat and are often predisposed to scaling, not to mention that only a pretty low volume of water is produced every day. Consequently, the odds are that you'd be a lot more content with a UV or ozone home water purifier than with a distillation-based one.

The installation of a home water purifier meant to deal with the necessities of an entire house should be left to a professional, since things are a bit more complicated than simply attaching a device to a faucet. Home kits will not do for the matter, and it is definitely worth paying some money to a specialized team than to take the risk of improper installation. Periodical checks are also required to make sure that everything works well, and you may also have to replace some filters and other detachable parts that might deteriorate in time.

About the Author:

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Water Purifiers For Years. For More Information on Home Water Purifier, Visit His Site at

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Why You Need a Home Water Purifier

Drinking Water Filter System

Between bottled water and tap water made to pass through drinking water filters, you will almost certainly opt for bottled water. After all, you need not worry about selection, installation, and maintenance of the filters; you can just call the bottled water company and have them deliver to your doorstep the gallons of water you need. And if you want to take it to the next level of luxury in water, you can even have Berg, Evian, Tasmanian Rain and Cloud Juice delivered to you! Now that is epicurean water at its best!

However, these top-of-the-line bottled water brands cost more than your pretty penny. If you are feeling the effects of recession (and very few people are not affected), then drinking water filters are the best solutions for you.

Long-Term Commitment

You will initially spend a few hundred dollars on high-end drinking water filters, the amount of which is lesser for medium-range lines. Depending on the model and capacity, you can reasonably expect five years of use and thousands of gallons before you have to replace the entire filtration system.

On the other hand, bottled water has to be constantly delivered to your house. You will be spending thousands of dollars during the same five year period, which would include rentals on the water dispensers.

For example, your household uses 25 gallons of drinking water a week. If you buy bottled water at $1.50 a gallon, you will be spending at least $9,750 in five years. If you buy filters at about $350, you will be spending around $700 over the same five year period, including replacement of filters!

If you are committed to providing safe drinking water for your family over the long-term, drinking water filters are more economical.

Environmental Concerns

Most bottled water come in disposable containers. You will probably see tons of them in your neighborhood recycling center, which is just the tip of the iceberg where disposed bottled water containers are concerned. What you do not see are the thousands more of plastic containers that do not get the benefit of recycling.

You can just imagine the financial and environmental costs non-biodegradable plastic containers exact on governments and the planet. It might not affect you in the near future but toxic seepage from dumps can enter the water system in your state, subsequently affecting your health. Cliche as it may sound, water does come full circle.

Additives Issues

Admittedly, all water contain impurities and contaminants. Even if you do have the best quality drinking water filters installed in your house, there will be impurities present. And this goes for bottled water, too!

The difference nowadays between bottled water and tap water lies in the additives present in bottled water. Vitamins, minerals, herbs, fruit flavors, even corn syrup are just a few of the additives added that result in the dizzying array of bottled water - sports drinks, carbonated water, mineral water, spring water, fitness water, and glacier water, to name but a few. But how safe are they? You might just find yourself spending on hospital bills, which are yet another added cost.

Ultimately, your choice for drinking water filters should boil down to economy, environment, and enjoyment.

About the Author:

For economy,
shower water filters
and
drinking water filters
are the best solutions for your home. Find them all at WaterFiltersForAHealthyLife.com today!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Drinking Water Filters Versus Bottled Water: Cost Considerations

Can blue green algae be filtered / treated from a water storage tank?

Since our home water tank was recently refilled we have noticed a strong odour and funny taste. We have been told it could be blue green algae and that this is a major problem in the area recently due to very low water levels. Are there any filter systems or purification tablets that can rectify this problem? At the moment we are purchasing our drinking water separately but are concerned about the children bathing in the affected water.

Chlorine should kill it. Reverse osmosis filters will stop it from getting through for drinking water. A good very low micron water filter cartridge along with a carbon filter might help as well. I'd use at least 2, or 3 stages of the low micron filters, and at least 1 carbon filter before the water goes into the tank, and a carbon filter on the outlet side as well.

Storage Tank

Insulating bottom of water storage tank on sun room or greenhouse?

Sould one put a 1" or 2" styrofoam on bottom of water storage tank on concrete floor to prevent heat loss or is it necessary ?

never had 2 or heard of it... but do not allow it to just sit on concrete....all the ones we install we use noncombustible material to set our unit on.....

lic. gen. contractor

Fuel oil handling Systems (FOHS) and storage tanks

Fuel Oil Handling:
Thermo System undertakes complete Design, Engineering, Supply, Fabrication, Installation, Erection, Testing & Commissioning

of FOHS for different type of fuels (HFO, HSD, LDO, Naphtha etc) to be stored. Complete mechanical, electrical and

instrumentation is covered.

Typical Fuel Oil Handling System consists of unloading hose, decanting and transfer facilities, pumping and heating unit (if

applicable), bulk storage tank, day tank and the process utility piping.

Unloading Skid:
Used for unloading the fuel from tankers / wagons through hoses
A typical unloading skid consists of
Suction strainers
Pumps with drives
Instrumentation (pressure, temperature & flow)
Interconnecting piping with valves mounted on a common base frame

Bulk Storage Tank:
Designed to API 650 and IS 803 standards to accommodate the Fuel Oil unloaded from tankers / wagons. These can be vertical

fixed / floating roof tanks with material of construction of SS 316 / SS304 / Carbon steel.
A typical storage tank consists of
Electrical / steam heaters
Flame and lightings arresters
Breather valves
Instrumentation (level and temperature)
Thermal insulation

Transfer Skid:
Used for transferring the fuel from storage tanks to the day tanks
A typical transfer skid consists of
suction strainers
pumps with drives
instrumentation (pressure, termperature & flow)
interconnecting piping with valves
inline heaters on the pump discharge line mounted on a common base frame.

Day Tanks:
Designed to accommodate the day’s requirement of fuel and located near the utility point.

Pumping & Heating (PHF) Unit:
PHF unit is used to transfer the fuel from day tanks to the utility point i.e. boiler firing, furnace firing, engine etc at a

required pressure, temperature & flowrate.
A typical PHF unit consists of:
Inline Heater.
Instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, viscosity etc)
Pressure regulating / control valves

The balance scope as described in the transfer skid.

Piping:
The total process utility piping (CS/SS) - starting from unloading point to utility point along with the necessary

accessories and instrumentation.

Electrical:
This comprises of power distribution from control instruments like RTDs, thermostats etc. for control and monitoring of

various parameters in the system.

To know more, Visit: <a href="http://www.thermosystems.co.in" title="Fuel Oil Handling">Fuel Oil Handling</a>

About the Author

Author: Peter Hills
Thermosystems.co.in is designed with the customer in mind. we have a full range of products.
To know more, Visit: Fuel Oil Handling

Storage Tank