Tap water supplied to our homes can contain numerous impurities that are not always visible to the naked eye, but can negatively affect human health, writes IZ. These can be both chemical compounds and microorganisms, including parasites. At the same time, water filters, which are so widely used to purify water in everyday life, can significantly improve its quality, but it is important to understand how they work and what contaminants they can remove.
Content
- What could be in tap water?
- What filters can help purify water?
- Can a water filter remove parasites?
- How to choose the right water purification filter?
What could be in tap water?
Before evaluating the effectiveness of filters, it is important to know what potential contaminants may be in the water supply. The most common components of contaminated water are:
- Chlorine – is used during water treatment to kill bacteria, but its presence in water can leave an unpleasant odor and taste, and can have a harmful effect on the body with prolonged use.
- Heavy metals – In old water pipes or as a result of environmental pollution, water can contain heavy metals such as lead, copper and mercury. These elements are hazardous to health, causing poisoning and chronic diseases.
- Pesticides and chemicals – used in agriculture and can leach into aquifers, contaminating water supplies. They are toxic to humans, even in low concentrations.
- Germs and bacteria – sometimes tap water can contain pathogenic microorganisms, including E. coli, which enter the water due to sewage contamination or improper maintenance of water pipes.
- Microplastics are plastic particles that enter water through environmental pollution and can be extremely harmful to human health.
What filters can help purify water?
Modern water filters can solve many pollution problems, but not all of them are equally effective at fighting different types of pollution. Here are some of the main types of filters and their capabilities:
- Activated carbon filters – this type of filter is capable of absorbing chlorine, organic compounds, odors, and some chemical contaminants. However, they are not able to effectively purify water from microorganisms and parasites, as they do not filter microparticles at the level of bacteria and viruses.
- Reverse osmosis filters – these systems can filter out almost all types of contaminants, including salts, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Reverse osmosis provides a high quality of purification, however, this system can be more expensive and requires regular maintenance.
- Ultraviolet (UV) filters – This type of filtration uses ultraviolet light to kill pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. They are effective against parasites, but do not remove chemical contaminants or heavy metals from the water.
- Mechanical filters – these filters have special membranes that trap larger particles such as sand, rust, and other micro-elements. They are not able to effectively combat chemical or biological contaminants.
Can a water filter remove parasites?
Filters like the one in the photo (probably an activated carbon filter) can reduce chlorine, organic contaminants, and improve the taste of water, but more specialized equipment is needed to effectively remove parasites and bacteria. For example, reverse osmosis filters or ultraviolet lamps can do this more effectively.
However, even such filters are not always able to get rid of all microorganisms, therefore, in conditions where there is an increased risk of water contamination by parasites, it is recommended to use additional purification methods or combined systems that include several types of filtration.
How to choose the right water purification filter?
When choosing a water purification filter, it is important to consider several key factors:
- Type of contaminants in the water: Depending on what contaminants you want to remove, you should choose filters that can effectively remove them.
- Filter size : For home use, choose filters that are easy to install and maintain, considering size and throughput.
- Budget : Some filtration systems can be expensive, so it's important to find a balance between price and efficiency.
Tap water can contain a variety of contaminants, from chemicals to bacteria and parasites. Water filters can be an effective way to improve water quality, but their effectiveness depends on the type of filtration and the specific contaminants. To achieve maximum water purity and eliminate parasites and microorganisms, it is best to choose filters with reverse osmosis or ultraviolet lamps.
To learn more about how to choose the best vitamins to support your health, read our article on Vitamins for Health: How to Choose the Best Ones for You.