Water Filtration: A Healthy Idea For You and Your Home

The Need for Water Filtration

Water is earth’s most essential element. Eliminate water and life on our planet would cease to exist. For millennia, water from lakes and streams was pure enough to be used without filtration. Today, however, over-population and pollution have made much of the world’s fresh water supply a virtual toxic tea.

Water is a universal solvent that dissolves contaminants from air and soil and carries them into the underground aquifers that provide our well water. The porous walls of these aquifers act as natural water filters, however, high levels of dissolved minerals (like iron) or toxic elements (like mercury) can overload the filtration process, allowing contaminants to enter the water supply. Most municipalities store water in open reservoirs, which leaves it vulnerable to natural and man-made contamination. While modern methods of water treatment have made our water the safest in the world, contaminates are still found in the water after it has left the treatment plant.

These dissolved pollutants adversely affect water quality. Water that contains more than one gram per gallon of calcium or magnesium is considered “hard water,” a problem that exists in nearly 85% of America’s fresh water. Turbidity, “cloudy water”, is caused by heavy concentrations of dissolved or suspended solids and gives water a musty, wood smell. Bacteria and viruses attach to the suspended particles, causing gastrointestinal diseases when the water is ingested. Chlorine, which is used in the water treatment process, may remain in tap water in sufficient amounts to produce an odor, alter taste, and cause toxicity. Chromium 6, a known carcinogen, has been found in the tap water of a significant number of American industrial cities. Heavy metals, like mercury, lead, arsenic and iron, are carcinogenic and give water a metallic taste and smell. Prolonged exposure to heavy metals can also cause birth defects, arrested growth, organ damage, and even death. Hydrogen Sulfide (sulfur) gives water a “rotten egg” smell.

The Benefits of Whole House Water Filtration

These are just a few of over 2100 known pollutants found in tap water that pose serious threats to health and well-being. Whole house water filtration provides a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to control the quality of your water and ensure that purity is established from the moment the water enters your home. Water filtration lowers the risk of respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis by reducing poor air quality caused by the release of chlorine vapor from toilets, showers, and the dishwasher. Effective water filtration makes water from your tap comparable to bottled water, saving you money and reducing plastic waste in landfills. Pollutants that alter taste are removed, enhancing the flavor of foods and beverages. Filtering out the minerals that cause hard water makes cleaning agents and laundry detergents more effective. Washing clothing in unfiltered water allows the accumulation chlorine and other chemicals that can cause skin irritation and rashes. A whole house water filtration system removes these contaminants so hair and skin retain their natural moisture without the need for expensive lotions and clothing lasts longer. Mineral build-up in hot water tanks, washing machines and dishwashers is reduced, increasing efficiency and extending the life of these expensive appliances. Finally, a whole house water filtration system protects you in the event of public water treatment system failure.

Whole House Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems

While many water filtration systems are available today, experts agree that the reverse osmosis water filtration system is the most effective. In reverse osmosis, pressure is applied to incoming untreated water, forcing it through a filtering membrane to remove contaminants.

The reverse osmosis system consists of a pre-filter to remove contaminants that can damage the filtration membrane, a very fine, semi-permeable membrane to filter the water, a post-filter to remove any contaminants that may remain, an ultraviolet light to kill viruses and bacteria, and a small storage tank to hold the purified water until it is needed.

While drawbacks exist, like a somewhat low water recovery rate and the elimination of beneficial minerals along with harmful contaminants, a reverse osmosis system is so effective that 98% to 99% of water contaminants are removed, resulting in tap water that is nearly as pure as distilled water.

If readily available, pure water is something you’re considering, the highly trained water treatment specialists at Casa Mechanical can make your thoughts a reality. We have been providing the residents of central Texas with high quality water filtration systems for nearly 15 years. Contact us today for more information about a whole house reverse osmosis water filtration system for your home.