types-of-water-filters

In this article, we’ll walk you through the many sorts of water filters and how they function. It is possible to go without food for a few weeks because the body uses up protein and fat stored in the body instead. But it is impossible to live without water for more than a couple of days. Water is an essential component of the body and is utilized for many of its processes. Numerically speaking, 70% of our body comprises water.

A regular person needs an average of two and a half liters of water in a day for the body to remain healthy. But the quality of the water matters just as much as its quantity, perhaps more. Drinking toxin-infused, unclean water can lead to potentially dangerous diseases. Not to mention, no one likes the taste of unpurified water.

Thus, water filters are necessary for removing the impurities from the water. We have compiled this guide for you that lists the 5 types of water filters and how they work, so read on to know more!

5 Types Of Water Filters And How They Work

1. Activated Carbon Filters

These kinds of filters help remove chloroform, agricultural matter, sediments, magnesium, chlorine, and other chemicals from the water. Such substances are extracted from the water via a process called adsorption.

What happens during adsorption? Activated charcoal is used to draw out toxins from the water while the water passes through the filter. These toxins stick to the charcoal and thus, get separated from the water. 

Moving on, charcoal is created when carbon-rich organic matter like coconut shells, wood, or coal is heated. However, the base material isn’t allowed to burn, and instead of going up in flames, it turns into charcoal.

2. Ion Exchange Filters

Ion exchange filters are helpful when the water is radioactive or hard. They work by replacing one ion with another while water rushes through the filter. 

For example, the presence of magnesium, calcium, or both, in the water causes it to be hard. An ion exchange filter will remove the hardness of the water by replacing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ones. This, in turn, makes the water soft. 

To identify whether you have a problem with hard water, check your dishes and see if there are any stains on them even after they’ve been washed. If yes, you’re dealing with a hard water problem. Resolving hard water issues as soon as possible is imperative because it tends to accumulate in pipes which ends up causing blockages and corrosion.

However, keep in mind that an ion exchange filter cannot remove bacteria and organic matter effectively, which is why it must be used alongside another filter.

3. Reverse Osmosis Filters

Reverse osmosis filters help in the removal of toxins that are usually present in the water. Some of the commonly found toxins are- hexavalent chromium, copper, fluoride, salt, nitrates, and radium. 

In addition to this, they also remove harmful bacteria present in the water. You can even use a water softener in conjunction with the filter, and this will help lessen the salt content of the water.

The filter works by channeling water through the reverse osmosis membrane with great pressure. So, while this happens, the contaminants coagulate on one side of the membrane, whereas the freshwater is funneled out through the other side.

The benefits of a reverse osmosis system are many, but there are some drawbacks too. Firstly, these kinds of systems use up a gargantuan amount of water, which is almost four times the amount used by a regular filter. The process of water filtration is also slow, and this leads to a decline in the pressure of water.

And lastly, one doesn’t need so much filtration for daily activities that require water, such as showers, washing the dishes, flushing the toilet, etc. This is why it’s typically a rare sight to find an RO filter installed for the whole home.

4. Mechanical Filters

Mechanical filters are adept at ridding the water of waste matter and big physical particulates. This is why they are commonly used for pre-filtration of water.

These filters work by pushing the water through a mechanical frame, and in this process, the waste matter present in the water gets trapped in the filter. The filter is usually made of synthetic foam, synthetic pads, or nylon floss, which are experts at trapping waste matter. 

Fish tanks are a place where mechanical filters are often deployed for use. The filter traps leftover fish food, fish waste, and floating plant materials, thereby making the water cleaner for fish to live in.

5. Ultraviolet Filters

Ultraviolet filters are environment-friendly and help purify the water by using multiple frequencies of ultraviolet light. The filter comprises microbial cells, the DNA of which obliterates viruses and bacteria. This results in sanitised and pure drinking water.

However, ultraviolet filters do not make for good standalone options since they only kill viruses and bacteria, leaving the other water pollutants behind. Thus, use these in conjunction with other kinds of filters so that chemicals like pesticides, lead, and chlorine can be removed from the water too.

Final Thoughts

The cost of installing a water filter is largely dependent on the kind of filter it is and how expansive you’d like it to be. For instance, a mechanical filter is usually inexpensive, but if you get a centralized reverse osmosis filter for your whole home, the expenses can be substantial.

However, before installing a particular kind of filter, keep in mind what you hope to achieve with its use. If you’re running into particulates, facing regular tummy troubles, or even finding the water to be an odd color- there’s usually a separate filter for all of these issues. 

With this, we’ve reached the end of our guide. So, until next time!

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