Many different water filtration systems are available to purify your home’s water, and they come in a wide range of sizes and prices.
Determine which contaminants are present in your water. The first step in selecting a water filtration system involves doing some research to find out which contaminants are present in your water. Most contaminants are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it's required by law that the water that is sent to your tap meets certain standards. Still, even minute amounts of toxins can cause chronic problems if they are regularly ingested with your drinking water
Your water supplier is required by law to provide a yearly Consumer Confidence Report. This report details the sources of your drinking water, and it tells you which toxins it contains. You can get a copy of your local Consumer Confidence report by contacting your water supplier or visiting the EPA website.
Establish which contaminants you want to minimize. Once you've figured out which toxins are present in your water, you can make a choice as to which ones you'd like to reduce. The filters on the market work differently in terms of the types of contaminants they target. For example, reverse-osmosis filterswork to effectively remove fluoride, nitrate, lead, copper, and many other toxins, while gravity filters can be configured to block parasites, pesticides, chemicals, and more.
Choose a treatment option. You have a couple of choices when it comes to water filtration systems.
Point-of-use systems filter the water at the point at which it is being consumed. These systems are usually mounted on the kitchen counter on underneath the kitchen sink. Countertop filters, reverse osmosis filters, and gravity filters can all be purchased as point-of-use systems. Point-of-use systems are often relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
Point-of-entry systems attach to a home's main water line and filter water that is used all throughout the house. It's possible to absorb certain waterborne contaminants while bathing and showering. By purifying all the water used in your household, a point-of-entry system eliminates this risk. Large reverse-osmosis filters are available that treat water for the entire household, and large gravity filters are sold that attach to your home's main water line.
Point-of-entry water softeners are also available. Water with high mineral content is known as hard water, and it can leave residue that can cause dull hair, dry skin, and buildup in your home's pipes. Water softeners reduce the mineral content in water, and they are useful in areas that experience hard water. Since hard water can damage your pipes and cause expensive plumbing problems, a water softener can be an investment that brings valuable long-term rewards.
Filter Maintenance and Replacement
Regardless of which filtration system you choose, it's important to remember that it will need regular maintenance to effectively purify your water. A filter is at the heart of all filtration systems, and this filter will need to be regularly replaced for the system to function.
Many smaller countertop filters are equipped with indicator lights that let you know when it's time to change the filter, and some provide you with the filter's life expectancy so you know when it's time to get a replacement. With larger point-of-entry water filtration systems, you might need to hire a professional to assist with filter replacement and system upkeep.
It's important to consider not just the cost of your water filtration system, but also the expenses associated with its upkeep. Some larger filtration systems can be expensive to maintain. Establishing maintenance costs beforehand will help make sure you choose a system that is compatible with your budget.
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