Home /// Contaminants in Tap Water /// Current Water Purification Technologies /// Comparison of Water Purification Technologies /// Extra Pure Water on Your Tap-Cheap /// Wholehouse Chlorine Removal /// Wholehouse Iron Removal ///  Water Related Info  /// Request a Prayer or REIKI healing /// Contact Us ///

Current Water Purification Technologies

CARBON

 Carbon filters are the most common in the drinking water treatment industry and usually are the least expensive. Examples of carbon filters include granular activated carbon, extruded carbon and carbon block. Carbon filters are most effective at removing organic chemicals, radon, and chlorine. They are not effective in removing microorganisms or toxic minerals. Filtration is accomplished by the process of adsorption, whereby certain water pollutants are attracted to the surface of the carbon and not the water, therefore, these pollutants can be pulled out of the water solution. A drawback to carbon filters is the possibility of high bacterial growth within the unit. Also, cartridges must be changed regularly. Once carbon has reached its efficiency level, the amount of organics in the treated water may be greater than the pre-treated water. A worn out filter is, therefore, worse than having no filter at all. In summary: effective for organics, radon, chlorine; not effective for bacteria, viruses, toxic minerals; frequent replacement of cartridges; possibility of bacterial growth within the unit. Average retail price: less than $100.00 and up to $500.00

 REVERSE OSMOSIS

 Reverse osmosis (RO) utilizes the normal pressure created in water lines to force the water through a semi-permeable or selective membrane which separates contaminants from the water. Treated water emerges at the far side of the membrane, the outlet, and dissolved solids and impurities are left behind. Rd units are designed to remove 90-99% of most dissolved pollutants as well as some kinds of bacteria. One study of pesticide treatment by rd reported a 98- 100% removal of chlorinated and organo-phosphorus pesticides. Other pesticides, like atrazine, were found to be less effectively removed. RO units alone cannot remove lighter molecules like THM’S. In combination with granular activated carbon cartridges, rd systems have been shown to remove more than 80% of non-purgeable halogenated organics. Properly operating rd membranes will remove microbiological contaminants, but leaks or small holes can cause bacteria to get around the membrane and grow to high amounts. RO systems are often sensitive to chlorine, and membranes must be regularly replaced, creating a high maintenance situation. There is a drawback to RO also in that there is a large amount of wasted water, generally, three gallons of water are wasted for every gallon of water produced. Another drawback is that these systems treat the water very slowly, sometimes four to six hours to produce one gallon of water. In summary: effective at removing many pollutants; not effective at removing organics, chlorine, radon; almost always must be combined with another type of system, high-maintenance, water waste is high; difficult to know when membrane life is depleted. Average retail price: approximately $600.00

 DISTILLATION

 The distillation process involves separating contaminants by boiling the water to steam and condensing or cooling the purified water into a separate reservoir. Water boils to steam before many heavy organics, inorganic and metals, which are left behind in the boiling reservoir. Distillation will eliminate bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, but is not effective for volatile organics. Drawbacks include high maintenance - the units must be frequently cleaned to prevent impurities from interfering with the operation of the system - and high energy usage. Distillation is also a very slow process, the average distiller requires five to six hours to make one gallon of water. In summary: effective for heavy organics, bacteria, viruses; not effective for volatile organics high energy usage; high maintenance; slow process. Average retail price: approximately $200.00 to $2000.00

 DE-IONIZATION

 De-ionization - the process of removal and capture of dissolved inorganic solids from a water source by exchanging from plastic bead sites hydrogen (+) and hydroxyl (-) ions; creating output water to be chemically pure. This purification method is 60 years old. The initial use was in the high pressure boiler industry. In 1956, it replaced distillation as the method for obtaining medical grade water due to its consistent ability to produce water equal to triple distilled quality. Cost effective , it’s the only method of purification that is consumable and renewable thousands of times.

 Water Systems Development Corporation (now Puretek) was founded in 1985 after discovery breakthroughs in miniature down-sizing of de-ionization equipment. Methodology research proved and documented theories and designs of chambering and turbulence to enhance the life expectancy of the de-ionization resin by greater than 40%. The filter cartridge must be regenerated periodically. The de-ionization process has not been promoted in the consumer market. It has, until the introduction of PureTek, primarily had been used in hospitals and laboratories. We have no average retail price because there are no products (that we are aware of) currently in the consumer market.

 ULTRA-VIOLET STERILIZATION

 Ultra-violet (UV) is a radiation that is higher in the spectrum than visible light. It is known to be effective in killing bacteria and other organisms. Ultra-violet is for the specific purpose of disinfecting water and is not effective in removing other pollutants. A pre-filter must always be used and there should be a light sensor to determine proper dosage is registering. There must also be a shut-off switch when adequate level of UV is not being transmitted. We have no average retail price because UV is usually sold as part of a multi-stage system.

We donate 10% of your purchase to Church of Yoga.