Water treatment, what are the options and what do they mean?
Microfiltration is a process that removes particles in the range of 0.1 to 1 micron. A micron is 0.000001 meters. Filters rated in the single micron range effectively extract major cysts such as Giardia Lamblia and Cryptosporidium.
Ultrafiltration is a process that removes larger particles, in the 0.002 to 0.1 micron range. It is process that will remove organics with a molecular weight above 1000. Molecular weights can be converted to grams using the conversion factor Avagardo’s Number (N). Smaller particles such as ions and smaller organics will not be filtered using this process; however, particulates, cysts, bacterium, and a significant number of viruses will be extracted from the water.
Nanofiltration will remove colour, organics, hardness, radium, and will separate in-organic compounds from organic material.
Reverse Osmosis provides the most delicate and highest quality of filtration possible. It involves using high pressure to force water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane reverse. Reverse osmosis will typically extract 95% of dissolved solids. The process is used in desalination of seawater and brackish water.
Chlorine is an oxidation agent utilized by most municipal water treatment services to treat organic wastes, manganese, iron, and hydrogen sulphide. It used in its most potent, or free radical form. Chlorine has one major drawback; in excess, it tends to bind to organic compounds to produce carcinogens.
Ozone is another free radical, which has a reactivity 3200 times superior to that of chlorine. Unlike chlorine, it leaves no chemical residues or carcinogens. Ozone also eliminates bacteria, cysts, viruses, and protozoa, as well as oxidizing Iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulphide.
Ultrviolet is a chemical-free process utilized to disinfect water. It does not produce any carcinogenic organic by-products, and will safely eliminate bacteria, cysts, viruses, and protozoa.
Silver in its ionic state is an effective agent for the removal of algae. It also assists in the reduction of odour-causing bacterium, and inhibits the growth of mildews and molds. Ionized Silver (Silver Zeolite) attacks multiple targets in the microbe to prevent it from spreading and forming blooms.
High quality water filter systems typically incorporate these kinds of systems providing you with the protection you need for your home drinking water. Visiting sites such as the EPA or Environment Canada will give an idea of your needs in your local area; furthermore, high quality water filtration systems for the home can be found at www.finestfixtures.com.
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