If you are on a public drinking water supply, it most likely meets national safety standards. Home treatment should not be needed for health protection. Homeowners using a private water supply are responsible for monitoring the quality of their own drinking water supply. Water treatment devices can improve the quality of water by reducing health hazards such as bacteria, chemical pollutants and other toxic substances, or help remove nuisance problems, such as odors or hardness.
Before considering any treatment devices, you should know the quality of your water supply. Odor and hardness problems can sometimes be detected by simple observation. Detection of bacteria, potentially toxic substances and other contaminants usually requires laboratory-conducted tests. If any undesirable qualities are identified in the water, the problem can often be solved by repairing or replacing the existing water system or treating the home water supply.
Locating a safe water supply is usually the best solution to combat a health risk. When persistently contaminated water poses a health threat or makes the water unusable, consider the following options: correct well construction faults, eliminate sources of contamination, install a new private well, connect to a public water supply or develop a community water system. After considering all of the options, a home water treatment system may be the most economical choice. Be sure the system you select bears the mark of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
Before purchasing a system, you should know how the various systems work, what problems they address and the maintenance required. If more than one problem exists, treating water can become complicated. Purchasing water for drinking and cooking may be more cost effective than owning and maintaining equipment.
Water treatment systems generally use one or a combination of these five basic categories:
Disinfection methods kill most of the harmful bacteria, viruses, cysts and worms found in water that can cause acute illness. Disinfection methods include chlorination, pasteurization, ultraviolet light and boiling
The most common, oldest and relatively inexpensive method used to disinfect water is chlorination. A chemical feed pump continuously dispenses chlorine chemicals into the water supply. Chlorine, an oxidizing agent, kills most bacteria and some viruses. In the proper concentrations and under adequate exposure time, chlorine is an excellent disinfectant.
However, care must be taken to ensure that only clean, clear water is used. Chlorine reacts with certain metals and organic matter in the water. The major problem with chlorination is the potential formation of hazardous, chlorinated, organic chemicals (trihalomethanes) when the chlorine reacts with organic molecules in the water supply. Using an activated carbon filter after chlorination will remove excess chlorine and limited amounts of chlorinated chemicals formed. Chlorination may also oxidize and remove some color and odor-causing substances including some iron and hydrogen sulfide.
The chemical feed pump requires frequent maintenance. The chemical reservoir must be kept filled and the pump checked at regular intervals for worn parts.
With pasteurization, water is heated to kill bacteria, viruses, cysts and worms. The limited efficiency of the heat exchange makes pasteurization expensive. Pasteurization does not leave behind a residual product which continues to disinfect beyond the immediate treatment period.
Low-pressure mercury arc lamps produce ultraviolet light, which has germicidal properties. The radiation kills or deactivates pathogens. Bacteria are killed with relatively low amounts of radiation, viruses are more resistant, and cysts and worms are unaffected.
The lamp's efficiency decreases with age and must be replaced annually. Color, turbidity and organic impurities in the water also interfere with transmission of ultraviolet energy and may reduce efficiency to unsafe levels. Also, radiation leaves no residual product that continues to disinfect beyond the treatment period.
Boiling water for three minutes kills bacteria, including disease-causing organisms and giardia cysts. However, boiling concentrates inorganic impurities such as nitrate and sulfates. Boiled water also tastes flat because the carbon dioxide is removed.
Filter systems are a relatively simple and effective way to control a variety of contaminants. These include mechanical filters, activated carbon filters, oxidizing filters and neutralizing filters. Filtration systems are designed for use only on potable water. This means that your water supply should be clean, uncontaminated and suitable for drinking.
Mechanical filters remove suspended material from water, including sand, silt, clay and organic matter. They do not remove dissolved or very fine particles and are often used in combination with other treatment equipment. Filters are commonly of fabric, fiber, ceramic or other screening material. Mechanical filters can be cartridge units, mounted in a single waterline or on a tap, or tank units, which treat an entire household water supply. The filters must be serviced periodically.
Activated carbon filters absorb impurities as they pass through a carbon cartridge. Generally, they are used to eliminate undesirable odors and tastes, organic compounds and to remove residual chlorine. Most inorganic chemicals, metals, microorganisms and nitrates are not removed by the filters.
Carbon filters also remove some potentially hazardous contaminants such as radon gas, many dissolved organic chemicals and trihalomethanes. If low levels of these contaminants exist, a whole-house unit can be used. However, these filters are not designed to remove persistently high levels of these contaminants. When contamination cannot be eliminated, an alternative water supply may be the safest solution.
The carbon filter loses its effectiveness as it becomes saturated with contaminants and must be replaced on a regular basis. Using the filter longer than its rated lifetime may cause contaminants to be flushed into the drinking water. Before purchasing the unit, ask the dealer if the filter can be replaced, the frequency of replacement, where replacement filters may be purchased and how much they cost.
The material in an activated carbon filter provides a growth surface for certain bacteria. If the filter has not been used for five or more days, simply run chlorinated water through the filter for at least 30 seconds before use.
Some manufacturers claim the addition of silver in their carbon filters will reduce or prevent bacteria growth. These carbon filters are registered as bacteriostatic by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to a requirement by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The required registration indicates the filter does not release excessive amounts of silver. The EPA has not endorsed these methods for reducing bacteria in the filter or in the water. Furthermore, a bacteriostatic carbon filter is not adequate to treat water that is microbially unsafe.
Oxidizing filters remove iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg odor). A manganese zeolite-coated filter causes dissolved iron and manganese to form particles the filter then traps. These filters are useful in removing iron if a water softener is not wanted. The filter usually treats the entire household water supply. Periodically, the filter must be rinsed with a chemical solution to remove the accumulated iron and manganese.
Neutralizing filters treat acidic water. The filter treats all of the home water supply by passing it through limestone chips or other neutralizing agent. Where acidic water does occur, it can leach lead, copper or other toxic metals from household pipes into the water supply.
Two potential problems occur with the filter. First, it may increase water hardness. Secondly, acidic water may intensify any iron problems already present in the water supply. The filter requires little maintenance except the need to occasionally replace the limestone chips.
Reverse osmosis pressurizes and passes impure water through a semi-permeable membrane and removes many of the impurities (approximately 90 percent free of mineral and biological contaminants). The quality of the membrane and the pressure of the water help determine how effectively the water separates the contaminants.
Reverse osmosis (RO) units remove substantial amounts of most inorganic chemicals (such as salts, metals and minerals), most microorganisms and many organic chemicals. They do not effectively remove some organic compounds such as nitrate; they will reduce levels somewhat.
Mechanical filters and activated carbon filters are most always used with an RO unit. First, the mechanical filter removes dirt, sediment and other impurities that clog the reverse osmosis membrane. The RO unit is installed next. An activated carbon filter then removes some organic compounds which pass through the RO unit. Nitrates, however, will pass through carbon filters.
Reverse osmosis units use large amounts of water. Typically, about 75 percent or more of the water put into RO units is discarded with the contaminants. These systems may not be appropriate for households with a limited water supply. These units are expensive to purchase and require regular maintenance. Usually they are connected to a cooking and drinking line only and installed under the kitchen sink. Regular testing of the water supply is necessary to make sure the membrane is intact.
Distillation heats water until it vaporizes as steam. Minerals, bacteria and other substances are left behind when the steam recondenses into relatively pure water. Distillers remove bacteria, minerals, trace amounts of metals, many organic chemicals and nitrate. Some stills allow contaminants with boiling points lower than water (some pesticides and volatile solvents) to vaporize with the water and recondense with the distilled water. A vented distiller avoids this problem. Distillers also remove beneficial minerals and make water taste flat or bland.
The distillation process is very slow (daily capacity is usually between two and five gallons). Approximately five gallons of tap water are required to produce one gallon of distilled water. Stills are relatively expensive. They require frequent cleaning and may be difficult to keep clean. The maintenance requirements and electricity consumption should be major considerations when purchasing a distiller.
A common problem of water supplies is hardness, mainly caused by excess calcium and magnesium. Ion exchange systems soften hard water by removing the minerals causing hardness. These hardness minerals may interfere with the cleaning action of soaps and detergents and cause scale buildup in hot water pipes, water heaters and fixtures. The system also effectively removes some iron, manganese and many heavy metals.
The hard water is pumped through a tank containing an exchange resin. Sodium on the exchange resin replaces the hardness minerals. The sodium remains in soluble form in the softened water. Persons with heart problems should discuss this issue with a physician who will need to know the sodium level in the existing household supply of softened water.
To function properly, the resin tank must be periodically flushed (or recharged) with a solution of sodium chloride (salt). Some softeners automatically recharge the tank either on a regular schedule or when an electronic sensor detects that the resin needs to be recharged. With automatic recharge you only need to keep the sodium storage container filled. Other softeners must be recharged manually and are usually serviced by water treatment companies.
Before buying a water treatment system, know the quality of your water supply and if treatment is needed. Consider the simplest and most economical solution to the problem. Removing the source of contamination, obtaining a new source of drinking water, or treating the water with a water treatment system may be appropriate solutions.
Some of the more common treatment methods used to handle certain contaminants are mentioned in Table 1. This is a general guide and does not contain all of the potential treatment techniques or contaminants. The concentration of the contaminant and combination of various contaminants can have a major impact on the effectiveness of the treatment method.
Table 1
Solutions to water quality problems
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There are several types of water treatment. Factors such as where you are located and the purpose of the water will determine what type of water treatment is used. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates public water treatment in the United States. These regulations make up the rules for all kinds of filtration and water treatment. Let’s take a look at the different types of water treatment that can be used.
The drinking water in the US is some of the safest in the world. However, this does not mean that all water flowing through the US is safe and clean. The natural water from rivers, streams, lakes, and underground, as well as the water that flows through sewers and other sources can be full of dangerous contaminants. Proper treatment is needed to remove grime, disease-causing bacteria, and other particles. The most common steps in public drinking water systems used by community water systems are:
Coagulation and Flocculation: During the first step, chemicals with a positive charge are added to the water. This positive charge neutralizes the negative charge of dirt as well as other particles in the water. The particles bind with these chemicals, creating larger particles that are called floc.
Sedimentation: During this step, the floc settles to the bottom of the water supply. This step is simply called sedimentation, since sediment is made of particles that sink to the bottom of a liquid.
Filtration: Once the floc has settled at the bottom, the clear water on top will pass through various filters and different sizes of pores. These filters are commonly composed of sand, gravel, and charcoal. By doing this, it removes dissolved particles that remain in the water like dust, parasites, and chemicals.
Disinfection: Once the water is filtered, a disinfectant may be added, such as chlorine. This is done to kill any remaining parasites or bacteria that snuck through other processes, as well as to protect the water from germs as it is piped into businesses and homes.
Community water fluoridation is done to help prevent tooth decay in a safe and effective way. This process has been named one of the top 10 great public health achievements within the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The EPA does regulate and set standards for public drinking water, but many Americans also use a home water treatment system for several reasons, including:
These household systems fall under two categories. One is set up at a point of use, and the other is set up at a point of entry. Point of entry systems are usually installed just after the water meter and will treat the water as it enters the building. Point of use systems treat the water in batches and deliver it to a particular tap, like in a kitchen or bathroom.
There are four common types of household water treatment systems, and they are:
Filtration System: This is a water filter device that will remove impurities by means of a physical barrier, chemical, or a biological process.
Water Softeners: This is a device that reduces the hardness of the water coming into a residence or business. This system will typically use sodium or potassium ions to remove the calcium or magnesium ions that create the hardness of the water. You can learn more about hard vs soft water here.
Distillation System: This is a process that takes impure water and boils it. The steam is then collected and condensed into a separate container. This will leave many of the solid contaminants behind.
Disinfection: This system is a physical or chemical process that deactivates or kills pathogenic microorganisms. The physical process uses ultraviolet light, heat, and/or electronic radiation. The chemical process uses chlorine or ozone.
Water is treated at a community level and at a home level for various reasons. It can remove chemicals and dissolved minerals, remove excessive color and the appearance of particles from the water, control unpleasant taste and odor, and remove microorganisms that can cause disease.
The general principles of water treatment are typically the same and are all used to keep communities safe from water-born diseases and provide safe drinking water for everyone. If you want more information on water treatment, check out Advanced Water Solutions’ other blogs, such as this one that goes over the details of one type of filtration, reverse osmosis.