What is the Best Type of Water Filtration System?

Which type of water treatment or filtration system should I purchase?

There are a number of resources available to help you make a good buying decision, including researching on the internet. We would caution you to never ever buy a product that is sold to you via scare or alarm tactics, and check with several sources before you buy to make sure you're getting a high-quality system or replacement part. 

You might also consider getting water tested or find the report to know exactly what contaminants are in your water. If you receive water from a municipal water supplier, then you can review your local "Consumer Confidence Report" (CRC) to learn what is in your water. Each year, public water suppliers are required to provided a CRC. If you are on a private well, you can send off for a water analysis from a certified laboratory.

Three Common Water Treatment Methods:

If you're looking for assistance, we're here to help you select the right water filtration system to fit your needs. Educating yourself is important so we have worked to provide a lot of information on our website. If at any time you'd like to talk to one of our customer support team members, please call 877-377-9876 (available Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm Central Time). 

Here are three of the most widely-used water purification and water filtration methods and systems:

Find RO Systems

1. Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration

Reverse Osmosis is a process where water pressure is employed to force water through a semi-permeable membrane. When water is forced against the reverse osmosis membrane surface, the dissolved materials are repelled, while the water molecules are diffused through the membrane molecule by molecule, forming purer water on the other side. This "reverse osmosis" method is a popular method for the reduction of contaminants in water.  

What is a reverse osmosis system? How does it work?

Reverse osmosis water filtration is a chemical-free, economical way to improve the taste and odor of your drinking water. As mentioned above, an RO system produces clean, filtered water by forcing tap water through a semi permeable membrane and the filtered is directed to a storage tank. The impurities that are separated from the water molecules are flushed down the drain. A reverse osmosis system consists of both pre and post filters which add additional contaminant removal. To learn more about the reverse osmosis process, we provide details here.  

My water tastes bad? What may be the cause and can it be corrected?

If you want to improve the taste and smell of your  drinking and cooking water, a POU (point of use) system installed at your kitchen sink is a great choice. Reverse osmosis water filter systems are an economical, simple solution. Reverse Osmosis can remove lead, iron, fluoride, nitrates and dozens of other contaminants. In addition, an RO system can greatly improve the taste and the quality of your water by removing chlorine and other offensive tastes.

If you elect to treat the whole house, a system that is installed at the point where the water enters the home POE (point of entry) system, then your first step is to identify what is causing the problem (have a water analysis done). Once you have identified what is causing the taste problem you can then research what type of water treatment equipment is designed to address your specific needs. 

There is chlorine in my water. Is chlorine bad for me?

There has been a lot of research on the effects of chlorine with evidence showing that the biggest concern being its reaction with natural organic materials like leaves and humus forming disinfection by-products, which are considered carcinogens. Installing a reverse osmosis drinking water system is one of the most effective and economical ways to Remove Chlorine from drinking water.

Find UV Systems

2. Ultraviolet Water Sterilization and Filtration

Ultraviolet: Sunlight has long since been known to kill microorganisms. The rays from the sun contain the UV spectrum used in Ultraviolet Water Treatment Systems – although at much lower intensities. It is also referred to as either the Germicidal Spectrum or Frequency. The frequency used in killing micro-organisms is 254 nanometers (nm). The UV lamps used in water treatment are designed specifically to have the highest amount of UV energy at this frequency.

What is an ultraviolet system? How does it work?

An ultraviolet (UV) system uses UV light to inactivate certain bacteria, viruses and cysts that may be present in the water. Water flows through the systems' UV chamber where it is exposed to UV light. For additional information on UV Water Purification refer to our information page on Ultraviolet Water Purification.

What Can UV Remove?

UV water disinfection is a chemical-free, safe way to treat water and is effective in destroying 99.99 percent of illness-causing microbes, including:

• Coliform bacteria
• Salmonella
• E. coli
• Viruses
• Giardia
• Typhoid Fever
• Polio
• Cryptosporidium
• Hepatitis
• Cholera & more

My well water tested positive for coliform bacteria. What does this mean and what can I do about it?

Coliform bacteria can be an indicator that your well is susceptible the contamination of other bacteria, as well. You have several options: One is to disinfect the well and retest for coliform, but this is only a short-term solution. The second option is a long-term solution and involves installing a whole house water disinfection system such as the Viqua IHS22-D4. This UV system can treat for waterborne bacteria and viruses. We discuss the removal of coliform bacteria in well water here.

Find Filtration Systems

3. Filtration

Filtration is a process in which water passes through a water system that may include one or more filters for the purpose of removing turbidity, taste, color, iron or odor. The design can be loose media tank-type systems or cartridge devices. In general the process may include mechanical, adsorptive, neutralizing and catalyst/oxidizing filters.

What is Water Filtration?

A process in which water passes through a water system that may include one or more filters for the purpose of removing turbidity, taste, color, iron or odor and certain chemicals such as chlorine. The design can be loose media tank-type systems or cartridge devices. In general the process may include mechanical, adsorptive, neutralizing and catalyst/oxidizing filters.

Once installed does water filtration equipment require any service or parts?

Yes, all water treatment equipment needs occasional attention and many require replacement filters, membranes, lamps, sleeves, and annual cleaning. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended service and maintenance instructions for your system. 

What are Sediment Filters?

Sediment filters are very important in well water applications, but are also used by those on municipal water. Sediment filters can act as a barrier against grit and particulates that can clog your water filter system, cause issues for household plumbing, and reduce the life of water-using appliances.

With a UV water filter system, sediment can reduce the efficacy by hindering the ability of UV light to reach the waterborne microorganisms. And if sediment is not filtered out before a whole-house water softener, sand or silt could enter the system and scratch and damage the fine-moving parts of the softener.