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.

Buying Water Filters – Let Me Tell you Something is a post from: Water Filters

When a homeowner has a whole house water filter system then all the residents of the home can enjoy access to filtered water in the kitchen, the laundry and the bathroom. Of course that access remains a benefit of residence in the same home only one overriding condition-the homeowner takes the time to get whole house water filter replacement cartridges.

As any homeowner thinks about investing in a whole house water filter system, he or she might have a few questions. Frequently homeowners ask this question: Can I use this filter to get pure water for the plants in my garden and the grass on my lawn?

The homeowner must examine the blueprint for the house, in order to obtain an answer to that question. The homeowner needs to learn where the city's main water line splits into a "house" line and a "yard" line. Of course, no garden or lawn can receive filtered water if a homeowner fails to purchase the needed whole house water filter replacement cartridges.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applauds homeowners who invest in a whole house filter system and also make the effort to get the necessary whole house water filter replacement cartridges. A survey done by the EPA in 2001 showed that 82,655 city water systems in the U.S. had unsafe drinking water.

Water safety experts at in the EPA know how the drinking of unsafe water can affect the health of those who remain unaware of the dangerous substances in that water. Sometimes water contains radioactive contaminants. When the residents of a home drink water with those contaminants they increase the likelihood that they could develop cancer.

If city water contains antimony, and if that water enters a home unfiltered, then the residents of a home could have rising cholesterol levels or falling blood sugar levels. If city water contains arsenic, then it could cause the unsuspecting city residents who drink that water to have unexplained skin damage or circulatory problems.

If a city water system contains barium, then the physicians in that city might find that a number of patients have a rising blood pressure level. Were those same physicians to inquire about the use of water filters in the home, they could probably link those rising blood pressure levels to the absence of a whole house water filter.

Having emphasized the importance of a whole house water filter, this article needs to offer help to those who plan to purchase whole house water filter replacement cartridges. Those who go in search of such cartridges should know exactly what size they need. Cartridges have varied lengths. The most commonly used cartridges have lengths of 5 inches, 10 inches and 20 inches.

Those in search of whole house water filter replacement cartridges should also know that there are three basic types of filters. Some come with sediment prefilter; some have a high flow carbon filter. Homeowners can also buy a whole house filter with both sediment prefilter and a high flow carbon filter.

Any homeowner with a whole house water filter system should become familiar with the available sources for whole house water filter replacement cartridges. Only the regular replacement of such cartridges can insure the purity and the good taste of water in a home. Only needed replacement cartridges can guarantee the functionality of carbon filters with an ion exchange and of micron filtration.

The homeowner who has purchased a whole house water filter system has made a safe choice. The homeowner who, in addition, regularly takes the time to get whole house water filter replacement cartridges has made the safest choice.

A Guide to Whole House Water Filter Replacement Cartridges is a post from: Water Filters

When you take the time to look at what options exist for filtered water, you will see that it isn't all that complicated to figure out and you will save a lot of money compared to what you spend on bottled water. Some people get scared when thinking of purchasing a water filter system. Maybe the price of the unit seems too high or the thought of having to install the unit and then do the maintenance turns people back to the easy way of just throwing their money away on bottled water. Let us examine this further and see if that way of thinking really makes sense or if purchasing a good water filter system is the way to go. We will ask the questions: How do know what unit is the best for my situation? What are the costs of owning a filtration unit and how will it save me money? What are the benefits I will receive from using water filtration over tap or bottled water? Are there different types of water filtration? We will look at these questions and see that the difference is great and filtering your water is the way to go.

First, there are many different water filter manufacturers out there and it is important to find an established company that has a good reputation. Since there is such a great push to being healthy and drinking plenty of water, there are many companies getting into the market and copying what good manufacturers have already put out there. A little research will help you to know the difference. Once you have found a good water filter company, it's just a matter of deciding what you want out of your filtering system. Do you want to filter all the water coming into your house with a whole house unit, or just filter at point of use, such as the kitchen sink using a counter top water filter unit or faucet filter, maybe a shower filter or a combination of filters. Regardless of what you want to filter, a good water filter manufacturer will have what you need and be able to walk you through the process.

The cost of owning a water filter system can vary quiet a bit depending on the type of set up you want.Some people just want filtered water for drinking and cooking, in that case going with a counter top or under sink water filter unit is a good way to go and there are many variations to choose from ranging from around fifty to a couple of hundred dollars. If you are just looking to filter your shower water, there are very good shower filters at very reasonable prices, most around thirty to fifty dollars. A lot of people are looking to filter all the water coming into their house; this is called point of entry. There are many types of units for this purpose and a lot depends on the home you are putting the unit in, such as what type of water comes into the house, well or city water. Also, how big the house is, number of bathrooms and so on. These units can range from as little as a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand. The money you will save by purchasing a water filter system is great! You will have an endless supply of clean filtered water for only pennies a gallon, the water filter will pay for itself in no time when you add up all the wasted money on bottled water. A whole house water filter unit can save you an untold amount of money by protecting your water pipes and all the appliances that use water by keeping sediment, lime and calcium build up and rust out of the system.

Other benefits of filtered water over tap are many. Of course your water will taste better and be healthier for you by taking out the chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals that are added to city water, but there are even more benefits to talk of. A good shower filter will make your skin and hair softer and smoother, good for people with sensitive skin or allergies. The human body is made up of over 70 percent water and showering in unfiltered water allows the body to absorb harsh chemicals like chlorine and THMs that are harmful and the steam from using hot water causes chlorine to be inhaled if no filter is used. Also, your clothes will be brighter and softer especially if used with a water softener.

There are different kinds of water filtration, the most popular are a system that uses filters or a reverse osmosis unit. A traditional water filter system has the most options of filtration as there are sediment, carbon, fluoride and media packed cartridges. It is important to use a filter that has GAC (Granulated Activated Carbon), KDF-85 and KDF-55. It is easier to develop a system that will best suit your needs. Reverse Osmosis water filter system usually will cost more and does have some limitations. It requires more maintenance and is limited to a certain amount of water it can produce per day and may end up wasting more water than it produces. Although, many people say that the water has a better taste and this is because reverse osmosis water filter system also removes dissolved mineral contents which can cause a bitter taste in some water.

A water filter system can greatly affect your life in many positive ways, most importantly by giving you better health, it will also save you lots of money from purchasing bottled water and keeping your pipes and appliances in good working order.

Are Water Filters Really That Important? is a post from: Water Filters

These filtration systems work to remove harmful contaminants from our tap water that can cause health issues.  Unfiltered water can cause a number of health problems such as abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems.  In some cases the effects can cause vomiting based on the particular contaminant found in the water supply.  A countertop filter can help to defend against these problems, by filtering out the impurities.

Besides chlorine there are many additional contaminants that exist in our water.  While these contaminants exist in very small amounts, and we are told that they do not pose a threat we can take extra precautions.  Other trace elements found in our water are mercury, lead, organic chemicals, asbestos and fluoride.

For example chlorine while good for removing harmful bacteria from our water it is also not very healthy to consume into our bodies on a daily basis.  Daily consumption of chlorine has been found to be a cause of some cancers.  Chlorine also causes the skin to become dry, and hair to become brittle.  And breathing the water vapor that includes chlorine while taking a shower is not good for your body.

Finding a good water filtration system will depend on what your families water consumption habits are, and what types of contaminants are present in your water.  If you want to know what is in your water before purchasing a system have your water tested.  Once you know what’s in the water then you can purchase a system that will work for you.

While water filters do remove the impurities from the water they do not remove the natural nutrients and minerals in the water.  This will allow you to still enjoy the refreshing taste of the water, and have healthy water at an affordable price.

The Benefits Of Countertop Water Filters is a post from: Water Filters

You can protect you and your family from almost every possible pollutant contained in many city water systems by using a drinking water filter system. Pollutants such as chlorine rust and sediment, prescription drugs, and yes, even human feces! Why would you want to take the chance of these things coming into your home via your water supply?

Chlorine is used by many municipal water treatments plants to prevent microspical germs that may be lurking in your water pipes. Chlorine is definitely not something you want to be drinking, as it has been associated with many health problems and can cause dry skin. It is also very bad for your hair. Have you ever noticed how many swimmers have problems with their hair due to the chlorine content in the water?

Water is the most important element to human life along with air. It's a fact that our water supply is becoming more polluted every day. It's now essential that you and your family have a safe clean source of pure water to drink, cook and bathe in. Having a drinking water filter system is a must have item for the health of you and your family. Bottled water is very expensive. On a per gallon basis, bottled water cost more than a gallon of gas! So having a drinking water filter system will also save you big money! This is one area you do not want to neglect when it comes to the health of you or your family.

Having a Drinking Water Filter System is No Longer a Luxury, It’s a Must! is a post from: Water Filters

Buying a drinking water filter system  for your home is important, but because there is so much demand for the systems, there are some pretty bad products out there. Of course, the top companies are reputable and honest, but marketers can not always be trusted.

All that you want is something clean and pure to drink. And you will see those two words on nearly ever drinking water filter system, because marketers know that’s what you want.

Try to ignore the advertising hype and look at the facts. Companies should provide product performance data for their drinking water filter system,  but if you order one from HSN or QVC, you will find that information missing.

If you call the company, you may learn that what you have purchased is not a purifier at all, but merely a drinking water filter system that blocks some chlorine and odor.

Chlorine removal is fine, but not enough anymore. We have learned that drugs, hormones, pesticides, herbicides, benzene, gasoline additives and tiny bacterial cysts are all present in groundwater and come through the tap. Data sheets should include information about how effectively those contaminants will be removed. There is a drinking water filter system that will remove them all, but you have to be a smart shopper to find it.

Price is no indication of performance. The most expensive systems are sometimes the least effective. Of course, you have to watch out for the ones on the other end of the scale, as well.

If a drinking water filter system is not sold in specific states, there’s a reason. In the states of California, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, companies are required to have their products certified by independent laboratories, such as Underwriters or UL. Performance claims must be certified before the ,b.drinking water filter system,/b> can be sold, so companies with inferior systems avoid those areas.

California also provides a department of health certificate to companies that have excellent performance records. Extensive testing is required to receive this certificate. So, if a company has one, you can rest assured that you have found quality.

A drinking water filter system that costs less initially usually costs more to use. The cartridges usually have a short lifespan requiring frequent replacement. There really is no such thing as a maintenance free unit. There are some disposable ones, but they cost even more in the long run and are mostly ineffective.

A reasonable price to pay is around $125 for a kitchen countertop unit. Of course those systems come direct from the factory. You’ll pay more if you buy from a department store or dealer, because of mark-up. Everybody wants to make a profit.

People say that any drinking water filter system is better than none, but personally, I want the best for my family. You probably do, too. We can get the best at a reasonable price, as long as we shop with care.

Don’t be Cheapskate When Buying a Drinking Water Filter System! is a post from: Water Filters

Why do you need a drinking water filter system in your home?  The main reason is your health may be at risk.  The right water filter system can protect your home drinking water from contaminants such as bacteria, chemicals, chlorine and other potentially dangerous things.

Water is Vital to Life and Good Health

Your body is 70% fluid and you lose bodily fluids daily.  The best way to replace them is by drinking water. But the water must be safe, clean and pure.  Tap water is potentially harmful.   An in-home drinking water filter system can turn your tap water back into something that you enjoy drinking.

Is Your Water Safe or Contaminated?

When you find out what is lurking in your water, you may not want to drink it. A lot of  people do not realize what they are drinking, and thus continue to use tap water. Many of the most harmful contaminants are hard to detect because they are without odor or color.  We want you to know why a water filter system for your home is so important.

Chlorine - The Good and The Bad

Tap water that comes into your home has chlorine in it put there by the public water system. It is good that they put it there.  It kills bacteria that cause cholera.

However, chlorine is not good for your body.  It should be removed before you drink.  You should look for a drinking water filter system that is certified to remove at least 99% of the chlorine.  There are several on the market.  I found that a website that has an excellent water filter.  I will talk more about it in a moment.

So why is chlorine not good at all times? In the shower it causes dry skin.  Some people are allergic to it.   But the worst thing is that there is a relationship between chlorine in our water supply and cancer. Several scientific studies have revealed the connection.  People with chlorinated water have an increased risk of cancer.  A chemical and chlorine blocking  water filter  can reduce your risks.

Other Water Contaminants

Being a country of consumers, all that we use on the land will sooner or later end up in the water supply.  Pesticides, herbicides, gasoline additives and a thousand other chemicals have been found in drinking water and all of them can cause cancer.  You may think that the public drinking water filter system takes care of these things, but the facilities were not designed to handle these issues.

The public drinking water system in many areas is outdated.  It  uses old technology that does nothing to filter out chemicals.  The latest technology has gone into the best home  water filter system, so that it can remove chemical contaminants.  If you look for product performance data that certifies removal of VOCs, THMs, benzene, alachlor, atrazine, lindane, TCE and MTBE, you'll be safe. 

The right drinking water filter is one that balances mineral content and pH level.  Distillers and reverse osmosis are old technologies that block minerals, leaving the water with an acidic pH. 

Most reverse osmosis will not remove chemicals, like chlorine unless it has a carbon filter.  Distillers will leave you with a dry powder that is chemical in nature.  With the latest technology, you are left with nothing but pure healthy water. 

Best Choice for the Home

No home water filter system will not protect you from all of the diseases that are out there.  But, it can protect you from all water borne diseases.  Some bacterial contaminants are resistant to chlorine disinfection. 

Those who specialize in water filters call those bacteria,  cysts. This is  in reference to the oocyst or spore stage.  If they get inside the human body, they can grow, causing illness and even death.  In order to protect your family from them, you need a drinking water filter system that removes cysts.  It should be listed on the performance data sheets.  Look for it.   For more information please see my website.  - Larry L. Taylor

About the Author:

Larry L. Taylor is a dedicated advocate of living a healthy lifestyle and diligent researcher of water purification systems. Visit his site at: http://www.CleanWaterPure.com to discover which water filtration systems Larry recommends after extensive comparisons. This article may be reprinted on a blog or website if this resource box is included.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Drinking Water Filter System, Water Filter System

why wont water come out of my water filter system?

well you know that drinking water filter in the kitchen sink next to the standard faucet? i dont know why, but water wont come out. it worked in the morning but when i came home in the evening and tried to get a drink of water, nothing came out. the regular faucet next to it still works fine. i checked under the sink but no pipe/tube seems to be out of place. what could be wrong? i dont want to hire an expensive profesional....

Sounds like a clogged filter. Take the filter out and put a new one in...or at least take the old one out and check to see if something might have plugged the inlet hole. If it fairly new...try shaking it out the inlet hole and putting the filter back in.

Drinking Water Filter Systems is a post from: Water Filters

Are you a hundred percent sure that the water you drink is potable and safe and does not contain harmful substances? No one who uses water from the generally available water system can answer this question affirmatively except of course if he has devised a method to purify his water supply.

The United States Drinking Water Act provides for the issuance of reports on the quality of water in a certain area every year. The report must be provided to all consumers. These reports can be helpful in determining the current status of an area's water system. However, most cities actually comply with the federal rules on water safety so nothing much can be gleamed form that report. While there is a low level of carcinogen in drinking water, experts believe that there may be a link to the low carcinogen level in water to the increasing number of people getting cancer.

Fear of the quality and contents of water being distributed by their own water systems has led to the growth of businesses related to water treatment. While water companies used to get their bread and butter from selling water equipment that can get rid of mineral contents, their business has grown to great proportions in the last twenty five years. Most of these companies are now selling systems specifically targeted and used for treating water and improving water taste. The demand for water treatment and improvement is expected to grow even rapidly in the next few years with water treatment facilities becoming a common household item.

Water can give life but it can also taste bad. With this realization, people are becoming more concerned about ways and means to improve their water supply to improve taste. Proof of this is the massive growth of the bottled water industry.

Most water systems rely on chlorinated water for both drinking and bathing use. However, there are sectors who believe that the use of chlorinated water can cause itching and loss of natural oils in the skin. It can also rid the body of useful bacteria that can defend the skin against skin diseases. Most drinking water shows a chlorine residue level of more than 1.5 ppm, the recommended chlorine level for swimming pools.

To make sure that their water is safe, people opt for water filter devices. Water filters can be expensive at first glance but it is really cost effective in the long term depending on the kind of water filter that you purchase. There are water filters that can be used without using electricity and without much need for parts replacement. There are portable water filter systems that can be easily attached to your home faucets.

If you have a budget, then opt for a centralized water filter system for the entire home. This type of water filter system filters all water that is being used in your home, whether for drinking or bathing.

Price can be an issue when choosing the best water filter device for your home use. However, when you think of the possible benefits your family can get from filtered water, it makes the cost of installing one the best option.

About the Author:

The author is a staff writer for H2O Headquarters where additional information about water filters and purifiers is available.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Why Use Water Filters

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 5 January 2010
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

Portable Water Filter is a post from: Water Filters

You built up the static electricity. The water is a ground, so when you touched it you released the electricity. Yes that water is safe to use.

GE Merlin RO Water Filter System Overview

Ro Water Filters is a post from: Water Filters

Home Water Filter: A Must Have For Every Residence

You arrive home after a hard day at work. You're hot, you're tired, and you're thirsty. First things first: you grab a glass from the cupboard, turn on the tap and feel the glass change temperature as the cold liquid fills the glass. You put the glass to your lips and gulp the cold poison down.

Yes, you read that correctly: poison. It won't kill you in a day or a week or even a month, but water that does not come from a home water filter is increasingly becoming toxic to our bodies. That's because the fragile ecosystem isn't a closed loop and the poison we put into the air and earth end up in our water. What's more, many municipalities add chemicals to the water to make it safe to drink but which, in the long run, can contribute to diseases such as osteoporosis or even cancer.

A home water filter is your best solution

If you own a house, water filter systems should be present. If not, make it a priority investment. A home water filter system, when correctly installed and consistently maintained, can deliver clean and healthy water from your taps to your glass and ultimately to your body. You'll enjoy healthier living now and in the future. Home water filter systems are available in a variety of applications.

Among the most common is the pitcher-style house water filter where you pour water into the top of the pitcher and wait while clean, fresh, filtered H20 enters the container. While this is the most common and a great start, it only filters water you manually pour into the top.

Another popular style is the faucet home water filter model, which is affixed to your taps and filters all water as it comes out. This is an extremely popular model and ensures that the water you drink and cook with is filtered.

But the kitchen isn't the only place where you want pure water in your house. Water filter systems are available for the bathroom, as well where brushing your teeth or using the shower could expose you to unfiltered water.

Water seems like one of earth's unlimited resources. There is so much of it; it seems to be replenished with every rainfall, and the oceans are vast. But among the earth's waters there is only a limited amount that is actually drinkable and that amount is quickly diminishing as humankind poisons itself. A home water filter is an investment that can help to prolong your own health and return cleaner water to the environment.

Check out our whole selection of Home Water Filters

About the Author:

Bruce Y. Krinsky is an entrepreneur who delivers the great taste and good health from home water filtration systems at www.purewaterdude.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Importance Of Filtered Water

Filter Water is a post from: Water Filters