Are All Water Treatment Systems the Same? Breaking Down the Differences
Without residential water treatment systems, many consumers in the Lehigh Valley area risk exposure to water contaminated with polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Also known as "forever chemicals" (as they take a long time to break down), PFAS can cause long-term health issues, such as immune system and liver damage. According to LehighValleyNews.com, testing has revealed their presence in at least five of the region's streams.
But PFAS isn't the only threat. Many other contaminants, from lead to bacteria and sulfur, may also be in tap water. Fortunately, at-home water treatment solutions can help remove these contaminants.
Remember, though, that water treatment systems aren't the same. They differ in the contaminants (and the levels of which) they remove.
Fortunately, you've come to the right page. Please read on, as our experts at Tim Beil Plumbing have shared valuable insights into the different types of home water treatments and what we can do and remove.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
To better understand RO residential water filtration, let's first discuss osmosis, a natural phenomenon that occurs everywhere, even inside you!
During osmosis, a substance with a high concentration of water molecules passes through a semi-permeable membrane and moves to an area with a lower concentration of water molecules. A perfect example of natural osmosis is when plants "drink up" water. Water from rain-laden soil (high-concentration area) gets absorbed by plant roots (semi-permeable membrane) and flows through the entire plant (low-concentration area).
Reverse osmosis uses advanced water treatment technology that works in the exact opposite.
In an RO water treatment system, pressure forces untreated water (which may contain many molecules of elements other than hydrogen and oxygen) into a semi-permeable membrane. It creates two streams of water: the "permeate," the treated, purified water free of contaminants. The other is the "brine" or "concentrate," the rejected water, which often has a much higher concentration of dissolved minerals and salts.
The Contaminants RO Systems Can Remove
According to the U.S. EPA, RO systems can remove PFAS and other contaminants like:
Heavy metals: Examples are arsenic and lead in water
Pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms): Including bacteria and viruses
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Harmful chemicals that dissolve in water and come from sources like solvents, gas, or pesticides
Given their effectiveness in removing a wide range of water contaminants, RO systems are among, if not the most comprehensive water treatment technologies available.
Options for RO Systems
RO technology is available in different types, including point-of-use (under-sink and countertop) and whole-house water systems. Point-of-use systems filter water within a single fixture, while whole-house systems filter all the water entering the home and provide purified water at every tap.
Activated Carbon Filtration Systems
Carbon filtration systems use filters made of "activated" carbon. Activated carbon is porous and is either in granular or powdered form.
Activated carbon filters work through "adsorption." To adsorb means to trap, so carbon filters entrap contaminants through their many pores. During adsorption, the compounds in water undergo a chemical reaction with the carbon, causing them to adhere or bind to the carbon media.
What Activated Carbon Filters Can Remove
Activated carbon filters can help remove PFAS, although not as effectively as RO systems. As explained by an article published in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Publications, they can also reduce the concentration of contaminants like:
Some organic compounds
Chlorine, chloramine, and other water disinfection byproducts
Lead
Dissolved radon
Activated carbon filters also remove compounds that make water smell or taste bad. While these substances generally don't cause harm, they can still cause problems. You wouldn't want to drink, shower, or wash your clothes and dishes in smelly, murky waters, would you?
Ultraviolet Treatment Systems
Ultraviolet (UV) treatment systems can help make water safer by removing biological pathogens, such as:
Bacteria
Viruses
Protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia
The UV light used in these water disinfection technologies is potent enough to inactivate or kill microbes in the water. And because they can do this with light alone, they don't need other disinfectant chemicals, such as chlorine.
One of the primary drawbacks of UV water purification methods is their limited effectiveness. Although they are excellent at disinfecting water without chemicals, they only work on microbes. They cannot physically remove organic and inorganic substances, heavy metals, and other chemical contaminants.
Custom-Designed Water Treatment Systems
While the above water treatment systems are effective, no single option can address all water quality issues. For example, RO systems can remove many contaminants but are less effective in eliminating dissolved gases like hydrogen sulfide.
Therefore, the first step to making tap water safer is understanding what makes it dangerous. The best way to do this is through professional water testing.
A water test is a rigorous assessment of water quality that helps you determine the contaminants you're dealing with. Once you've identified the contaminants, professionals can help you build a custom-designed water treatment system that addresses your specific water quality issues.
For instance, if you want the cleanest, purest water possible, you may want to consider an RO, activated carbon, and UV filtration system. However, a UV system may suffice if your primary concern is microbial contamination.
At Tim Beil Plumbing, we offer free water testing to Lehigh Valley homeowners. We're also a proud, authorized, independent dealer of Kinetico, a brand well-known and celebrated for its quality, innovative, and eco-friendly water solutions and treatment systems.
Ready to Explore Top-Quality Water Treatment Systems for Your Home?
Reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and UV disinfection are some of the most common and effective water treatment systems for Lehigh Valley consumers. However, their effectiveness will still vary depending on what you want them to remove.
So, if you're ready to make the water in your Lehigh Valley home safer, the first step is to schedule your free water test with Tim Beil Plumbing. Our team of highly experienced and knowledgeable plumbing experts will help you determine what's in your water. Then, we'll use the knowledge and expertise we've built over the 50+ years we've been in service to design and install a water treatment system that addresses your specific water quality issues.
Speak with our team today to schedule your complimentary water test!
