Would you believe the early water treatment methods included simple materials like wool, sponge, sand, and gravel? Well, in hindsight, a water purifiers is no novel invention of humankind. However, the technologies used to purify water have evolved over the ages.
After all, people back then had no idea about microorganisms, chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants that are well-known today. Even so, some technologies are more advanced and powerful than others.
So, what technologies are prevalent today for water purification? Let’s find out.
Candle Filter Purification
These water purifiers have a relatively basic mechanism that does not run on electricity. They use candle-like filters with thousands of tiny pores. Any contaminant whose size is larger than these pores gets blocked out. These may include dirt particles, grime, etc.
However, this method fails to rid the water of dangerous microbes and pathogens. So, you will have to boil the water before consumption. Candle filters are also challenging to clean.
Activated Carbon Filter Purification
This method of water purification involves the use of activated carbon filters. The carbon filters effectively remove dirt, grime, pesticides, chemicals such as chlorine, and other impurities.
Like the candle filter, this water purification method does not require electricity to function. But the activated carbon filters often alter the water’s taste and smell. Besides this, another downside is that this purification method does not remove harmful germs and microbes from the water.
So, in case you wish to own a water purifying system that runs without electricity for SOS purposes, do you install a filter that uses candles or activated carbon? In that case, you should opt for the latter since candle filters may fail to eliminate pesticides and chemicals from the water effectively.
E-Boiling or UV Purification
An e-boiling or UV water purifier kills all germs, bacteria, cysts, and other impurities with the help of ultraviolet light.
Its mechanism is simple and straightforward – a tiny mercury lamp within the purification system generates short-wave ultraviolet radiations. The UV radiations easily penetrate the cell membranes of harmful microorganisms.
This curbs their ability to reproduce, so they eventually die out. While UV purification effectively kills 99.9% of microbes in the water, separate filters are needed to remove the dead remains of these microbes. So, this method requires subsequent filtration through activated carbon filtration or reverse osmosis to be effective.
UF Purification
Short for Ultra Filtration purification, UF purification is a water filtration method that uses semipermeable membranes with large pores. These pores are used to trap the contaminants.
This water filtration method removes colloidal particles, pathogens, and turbidity. It also efficiently removes microscopic organisms such as harmful germs and bacteria. However, it fails to clean the water of dissolved salts and solids.
Ever wondered whether the “UF water purifier in my house needs a replacement?” The answer to this question depends upon the water supplied to your residence. You will need to switch to other water purification systems, such as RO purifiers, only if the supplied water is hard and contains a high concentration of dissolved salts and solids.
Reverse Osmosis (RO Technology)
Reverse osmosis, or RO, is the most popular of all membrane-based water purification technologies. An RO water purifier for home can effectively remove all kinds of impurities from the water, be it basic or complex.
For instance – it can easily remove impurities such as microbes, dissolved salts, dirt particles, and chemicals. This is because the semipermeable membrane used in RO water purifiers has extremely fine pores. Each pore has an estimated size of .0005 microns (only a little larger than that of a water molecule).
Plus, if you choose a top-notch RO water purifier supplier, you need not worry about bad-tasting water or the removal of essential minerals (two of the most common concerns associated with RO water). The water will taste and smell fine, and all essential minerals will remain intact.
How to Install RO in Home?
Suppose you’re looking for a water purification system that offers end-to-end filtration (which includes the removal of chemicals, TDS, microbes, heavy metals, and more). In that case, a reverse osmosis system is an ideal solution.
And if you’ve already decided to invest in one, the next question you will have is, “how should I install the water purifier?”
Though it is best to leave the installation process in the hands of experts, it is equally true that you can install an RO water purifying system on your own. Should you choose the latter route, given below are the steps for the installation procedures –
- Dissemble the system from the box and choose an appropriate location to fit the RO system. Now, take the feed valve and fit it into the cold water connection.
- The next step is to insert the pre-filter cap into the relevant pre-filter candle. Use a strong Teflon tape to achieve a solid seal.
- Then, secure the elbow connectors on either side of the pre-filter.
- Now, in the RO cabinet, you will find the remaining filters. Identify the membrane filter. By removing the pipes connected to the filter cap, you will be able to open the cap and place the membrane into its filter casing. Once done, ensure you tightly close the cap.
- In the next step, you need to install the filter tap as well as the RO’s auto-cut-off system
- The final step involves assembling the filter compartment and water tank. Once the screws are all in place, ensure they’re firmly tightened.
Once you’re done with the aforementioned methods of installing RO, then comes the time to attach the pipes to the purifier. The feed water valve attaches to the inlet of the pre-filter. Likewise, the inlet of the RO unit attaches to the outlet of the pre-filter.
Remember that the RO’s outlet releases wastewater. So, while one end of the outlet attaches to the inlet of the RO unit, the other end must be left open. You can let it hang open into a sink for water drainage.
Get the system ready by connecting it to an electric plug. Remember not to use the first batch after the installation process. You can use your RO system from the second batch onwards.
Feels Like Muddying the Waters?
Let the experts do the heavy lifting on your behalf if you feel like the RO installation procedures are too overwhelming or challenging for your undertaking.
The service technicians will be aware of the ins and outs. Plus, they will get the job done in record time! They will also educate you on using the water purifier correctly (it’s pretty easy!). Then, you can start enjoying safe and clean drinking water.
