Although both filtered water and bottled water can provide healthier, better-tasting water, the cost-effectiveness and smaller environmental impact of filtered water beats out bottled water at every turn.
Chlorine: often added to municipal water supplies as a disinfectant. While it helps kill harmful bacteria, it can affect the taste and odor of the water.
Sediment: refers to particles like sand, dirt, rust, or debris that can enter the water supply through aging pipes or water treatment processes.
Heavy metals: like lead, mercury, arsenic, and copper can leach into the water from plumbing systems or natural deposits. These metals can be harmful to human health if consumed in high concentrations.
Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can contaminate water sources, especially if the water supply is not properly treated or protected.
Pesticides and herbicides: Agricultural runoff or improper disposal of these chemicals can lead to their presence in water sources, posing health risks if consumed.
Pharmaceuticals: Traces of pharmaceutical drugs can sometimes be found in water supplies due to improper disposal or incomplete removal during water treatment processes.
Industrial pollutants: Industrial activities can introduce pollutants like chemicals, solvents, and toxins into water sources, especially if proper waste management practices are not followed.
A water filter is designed to remove impurities and contaminants from water, such as sediment, chlorine, and certain chemicals. It improves the taste and odor of the water, making it suitable for drinking. However, it may not eliminate all types of microorganisms or dissolved solids.
On the other hand, a water purifier goes a step further by not only filtering out impurities but also eliminating harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It uses additional technologies such as UV sterilization, reverse osmosis, or activated carbon to ensure the water is purified and safe for consumption.
In summary, while both a water filter and a water purifier improve water quality, a water purifier provides a higher level of purification by eliminating microorganisms and ensuring safer drinking water.
A counter-top water purifier is a type of water purification system designed to sit conveniently on a countertop or any flat surface in your kitchen, office, or living area. It offers a compact and portable unit that provides a direct flow of purified drinking water without the need for installation or plumbing modifications.
These purifiers are user-friendly and require minimal maintenance. Typically, they feature a water reservoir or dispenser where you can easily fill your glass or bottle with purified water. This makes them ideal for smaller households and businesses seeking a portable and efficient solution for obtaining clean and safe drinking water.
Non-electric water purifiers are gravity-based water purifiers. They consist of sediment filters, carbon filters, and microfilters to purify the water. Gravity-based water purifiers do not require electricity.
Investing in a water purifier is not only convenient way to improve your water, but it also saves you money.
Reduced reliance on bottled water: By having a water purifier at home, you can significantly reduce or eliminate the need to purchase bottled water. Bottled water expenses can add up over time, and by switching to purified tap water, you can save money in the long run.
Lowered costs of water filters: While water purifiers require periodic filter replacements, the cost of these filters is generally lower compared to continuously buying bottled water. Regularly replacing the filters ensures the continued effectiveness of the purifier and maintains the quality of the purified water.
Avoidance of plumbing modifications: Counter-top or pitcher-style water purifiers do not require any complex installation or plumbing modifications. This eliminates the need for hiring a professional plumber, saving you money on installation costs.
Long-term durability: Investing in a high-quality water purifier can provide you with a durable and long-lasting solution. By choosing a reliable brand like Pureal and maintaining the purifier properly, you can avoid frequent repairs or replacements, ultimately saving money over time.
Health benefits and potential medical cost savings: Drinking purified water can contribute to better health by reducing the risk of waterborne illnesses. By investing in a water purifier, you may potentially save on medical costs associated with treating water-related health issues.
In general, a water purifier can be expected to last between 5 and 10 years before requiring replacement. However, this estimate can vary depending on various factors, most importantly proper maintenance.
A high-quality water purifier like Pureal that is used frequently and maintained properly is expected to last up to 10 years or more.
A quintessential component of any reverse osmosis mechanism is a membrane that retains the majority of insoluble as well as water-soluble elements, ideally permitting only water molecules to pass through.
However, this approach comes with its own set of drawbacks. To begin with, the membrane requires a high-pressure water supply system for its stable functioning. Moreover, the utilization of this technology results in more water being drained than filtered – on average, during operation, 3-4 liters of water are drained for every 1 liter of filtered water.
The osmosis process is rather sluggish necessitating the use of auxiliary elements such as a storage tank and a post-filter. Therefore, if the source water is generally safe, consumable, and free from excessive hardness and mineralization, it is often more pragmatic to use simpler classical flow filters or microfiltration systems.
These filters have a single input and output; consequently, all water that navigates through the system is filtered and utilized. Thus, there is no requirement for drainage, and water is consumed in a more economical manner.
A notable advantage of direct flow filters is their ability to operate within a broader range of initial pressure in the water supply system and their ease of installation. Simultaneously, they provide an adequate level of filtration, effectively combating impurities such as chlorine, lead, heavy metals, pesticides, phenol, colloidal iron, microplastics, and other harmful small-sized pollutants.
Flow filters infused with activated carbon excellently eliminate odors and enhance the taste of water.
Carbon filters operate by employing a process known as adsorption, which differs from absorption. Absorption functions akin to a sponge that absorbs particles into the water. Contrarily, adsorption adheres particles onto a surface, comparable to Velcro. Because both water and contaminants are polar compounds that attract one another, organic compounds bond or stick to the surface of a carbon filter.
Carbon filters possess a highly porous nature and a significant surface area, rendering them highly effective in mitigating unpleasant tastes, odors, and other particles present in water. When water flows through a carbon filter, it acts as a parking lot with the pores serving as parking spaces for the contaminants. These pores are measured in microns, with smaller microns indicating finer filtration.
A low flow rate and pressure grant contaminants more time to adhere to the carbon, while an increased contact time between water and the surface of the carbon filter enhances filtration efficiency.
The frequency of replacement of elements depends on the quality of water at the inlet to the filter, but, on average, replacement is required after filtration of 6000-8000 liters.
For Pureal filters, (for working capacity of 10 liters daily) the recommendation is:
This tankless purification system is very quiet and makes no noise whatsoever.
Yes, active carbon water purifiers can help remove microplastics from water. The activated carbon used in these purifiers has a porous structure that can effectively trap and filter out contaminants, including microplastics.
The carbon filters work by adsorption, which means the microplastics adhere to the surface of the carbon particles, thereby removing them from the water.
