Water Purification Solutions: Systems and Tablets

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), clean water wards off dehydration, regulates body temperature, reduces joint friction, and expels toxins from the body. Yet the necessity of fresh water for health gets lost on people when it is readily available in abundance. However, this perception is not always the case. Many living in the developed world do not realize that their local treatment facility allows some impurities to remain in tap water. In addition, the utility cannot always prevent contaminants from entering the water supply. This is why homeowners and tenants use home-based means to improve their water supply further.

Water Purification Systems

There are several types of whole-home water purification systems available for purchase.

**Activated Alumina -- utilizes aluminum oxide to adsorb -- not absorb -- substances like fluoride and arsenic. This means the solid compound attracts the foreign molecules to its surface, removing them from the stream.

**Activated Carbon/Carbon Block -- is also known as activated charcoal. It likewise employs adsorption. This system requires no electrical power but is not as thorough in cleansing the water flow.

**Distillation systems -- convert water to steam and subsequently returns it to liquid state. This eliminates bacteria and enhances the taste of H2O. At the same time, certain volatile organic compounds can escape this process. Distillation systems accommodate countertops. However, they demand electricity as well as time to complete purification.

**Alkaline treatment -- uses electrically charged minerals to isolate alkaline water from acidic water. This softening action improves water quality and offers health benefits, e.g. better skin, heart health, and immunity. Still, some contaminants bypass this ionization system.

**Ceramic filters -- are a low-cost, electricity-free option that is simple to set up. The ceramic, cylindrical solid contains pores that can catch foreign particles in the water supply. However, these are not always successful at blocking certain contaminants like viruses.

Water Purification Tablets

Property owners wondering how to purify water need not confine themselves to the various systems designed for this purpose. An alternative is to employ water purification tablets. First, the water must be in a vessel of any size. The volume will determine whether one or several tablets are necessary. Once dropped in, the pellets require about a half hour to dissolve. After this time, any viruses, protozoans, or bacteria are effectively neutralized. These tablets are easy to tote for travelers and demand neither equipment nor energy source. Unfortunately, some brands do leave an odd taste in the purified water.

Health and Environmental Considerations

The simplest and cheapest means of dealing with water purity are not necessarily the most effective. That said, neither are they ineffective. Affordability, ecological impact, and lifestyle determine the optimal means to pure water.

Conclusion

Clean water is essential for health and hygiene. Without an effective water purification system, you may be compromising those fundamentals. Contact Robert Bair Plumbing to discuss installation and the best option for your home.