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Water Quality
Choosing a Home Water Filter
Reasons to filter
While the water supplied by Seattle Public Utilities meets all current drinking water standards, some people treat their water to improve aesthetic qualities, such as taste and odor. Others filter their water because they are concerned about water safety. The decision to filter your water is entirely up to you.
If you choose to filter
If you decide to filter your water at home, it is important to do it right. Some filters have been found to actually increase the levels of chemicals in your water. To minimize such a risk from filters:
- • Only purchase filters certified by NSF, International.
- • Maintain your home filtering system regularly. Home water filters may be effective at removing some contaminants, but if not regularly cleaned and maintained, they can become a breeding ground for microbes.
Types of filters
There are three types of water purification systems to consider: distillers, reverse osmosis systems, and carbon filter systems:
- • Distillers boil water, and then cool the steam, so that it condenses into water again. This removes almost all contaminants. Keep in mind that as distillers remove chlorine, they also remove the continued protection chlorine provides against microbiological contaminants in your water. A distiller is easy to install. Once installed, a distiller takes up to seven hours to purify a gallon of water. A distiller has a low initial price but a high maintenance cost.
- • Reverse osmosis effectively removes disinfection byproducts and particulate lead from the water. Cold water passes through an initial filter, removing larger sediment, then through a semi-permeable membrane, which traps impurities and lets clean water through. Contaminants and beneficial components, such as fluoride, are washed down the drain. Unfortunately, reverse osmosis takes time and wastes a lot of water in the purification process, which runs counter to our city’s goal of water conservation. These systems are expensive and may require professional installation.
- • Carbon filters clean water by trapping and absorbing contaminants by physical and chemical means. Chlorine, as well as other contaminants which may cause undesirable odor or flavor, are removed by the activated carbon. These systems are the most popular filters on the market today.
Related links
Water Quality Testing
Glossary of Drinking Water Terms
Links to other sites
NSF, International
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