What Are the Different Types of Water Filter System Options for My Home?

March 3rd, 2021 by Nick Koz

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What Are the Different Types of Water Filter System Options for My Home

Many avid outdoorsmen and women are familiar with the challenge of finding safe drinking water. There are filtration systems out on the market that allow these people to source their own drinking water from nearby lakes and streams. Similarly, the average American is familiar with pitcher and faucet water filters that purify tap water to make it safer than the FDA or EPA requires. However, many people are not familiar with the different types of water filters South Elgin, IL or the rest of the world has to offer. Some common at-home options are activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, mixed media, and ultraviolet.

Activated Carbon Filtration

Activated carbon is carbon that has been heated to increase its surface area, thus increasing its absorption power. This makes it absorb more water contaminants such as sulfur and chlorine, which can give water an unwelcome smell and taste. This type of filtration can also filter out volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may include byproducts of gasoline and industrial cleaners.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Reverse osmosis filtration systems are more thorough in their water contaminant removal because they use water pressure to force water through a membrane prior to it getting to your appliance or leaving your faucet. The membrane allows virtually nothing but water through it, and it may be coupled with other filters to extend the life of the membrane. Reverse osmosis systems are one way to effectively and almost completely remove lead from drinking water.

Mixed Media

Like the name suggests, mixed media water filtration systems use a variety of media to filter water. They may even include an activated carbon filter. The term “mixed media” can mean a variety of things for filtration systems. Often, the filtration begins with a sand filter to reduce large particulates, then it progresses to other types of media with increased filtration levels.

Ultraviolet (UV)

The use of ultraviolet water disinfection systems is different from water filtration but with a similar result. Like RO systems, UV water filtration systems can remove bacteria and viruses, but they aren’t filters. This means they don’t remove particulates. Typically, UV disinfection systems are used with other water filter systems.

There are More Types of Water Filters South Elgin, IL Offers

These are not the only types of water filters South Elgin, IL offers. Not only are there different types of filters and different combinations of filters, but there are also different installations. One installation may be only for one water faucet, while another may be a whole-home water filtration system. That is why it is important to talk to a water filtration specialist and find out exactly what types of water filtration systems are available to meet your needs.