Water is one of the most essential resources that the world relies on. It is crucial for our survival, health, and well-being.Despite the many uses and the dire need for clean water, access to it is getting more scarce everyday. Globally, 844 million people do not have access to clean drinking water, and 2.3 billion do not have access to restrooms or other forms of basic sanitation. The need to filter water thoroughly and responsibly has never been more pressing. This is due to the significant risks that come with consuming polluted water.
Moreover, as we battle climate change, pollution, and the ever expanding and growing population, there is a newfound stress on our resources. Though simple, tap water is meant to be consumed and safe, pollutants are making this riskier. Water from various sources are becoming increasingly contaminated with physical as well as chemical pollutants, making consumption riskier than before.
In this article, we will delve into the process of filtering water and why it is crucial to filter water responsibly to ensure its safety and quality.
The process of filtering water
The process of filtering water is a simple yet effective process. This process consists of separating solids like sediments and impurities from liquids like water. Sediments typically consist of mud, dirt, and other visible materials that can negatively impact the taste, appearance, and overall quality of water. This is done ideally by using a device i.e. the water filter. A filter is a device that allows liquids to pass through while trapping solids.
The first step in the filtration process is pre-filtration, which involves using nonwoven fabric to extract larger sediment particles. Pre-filtration involves the use of a filter that is designed to remove this matter. The water then goes on to further treatment. Pre-filtration is important so that larger particles don’t clog or exhaust the filters.
How do water filters work to remove impurities?
Water filters have microscopic holes that remove sediment and pollutants from the water. That being said, each type of water filtration system works differently. To understand how each water filter works, it is essential to comprehend the different types of filters available. Here are some common types of water filters:
- Mechanical Filters: These filters physically trap sediments and impurities, preventing them from passing through. They are often made up of porous materials such as ceramic, carbon, or sand.
- Adsorption Filters: Absorption filters use activated carbon to remove impurities from water. Activated carbon has a large surface area, allowing it to absorb contaminants like chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and unpleasant odors and tastes.
- Sequestration Filters: Sequestration filters are primarily used to remove excess minerals such as iron, manganese, and calcium from water. These filters employ chemical processes to bind and remove these minerals, preventing them from causing issues like staining or affecting the taste of water.
- Ion Exchange Filters: Ion exchange filters are effective in removing heavy metals like lead, copper, and mercury from water. They work by using electronically charged solids to remove contaminant ions from drinking water. They can filter out contaminants even if they are in the liquid form. Ion exchange filters are also used to soften the hard water, by removing calcium magnesium ions from it.
- Reverse Osmosis Filters: Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities. It can effectively eliminate contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, dissolved salts, and dirt, resulting in purified and safe drinking water. To make the water perfect for drinking, calcium and magnesium dosing media is used to slowly leach out into the demineralized water to bring the optimum level of mineralization in water.
These filters extract impurities from the water, making the water not just consumable, but also a huge boon to human health.
Here is the table which summarizes all type of filtration technology:
| Benefit | UV radiation | Ultra filtration | Chemical technology like chlorination | Deionization | Carbon filtration | Sediment filtration | Reverse Osmosis |
| No Removal of suspended particles | No | Very effectively | No | No | No | Yes | Very effectively |
| Rejection of salts | No | No | No | No | No | Very effectively | |
| Reduction of Heavy metals | No | No | No | No | No | Very effectively | |
| Reduction of Pesticides | No | No | No | No | No | Very effectively | |
| Reduction of microorganisms | No | No | No | Very effectively | |||
| Reduction of Nitrates and Fluoride | No | No | No | No | No | Very effectively | |
| Reduction of excessive chlorine | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Are these water filters useful?
The need for water filtration exists across not just industries but into everyday life of households. Every individual needs to consume crisp, safe water without a fear of contamination in it. Water filters and filtration processes that are convenient, and environment-friendly are the ideal solution to achieve this.
It has been established and emphasized that staying hydrated is essential to everyday health. It is a bare necessity, and having better quality of water encourages people to drink more water and put their health first.
To ensure the availability of clean and safe drinking water, it is crucial to have the right information and use the appropriate water filters. Water filtration plays a vital role in removing impurities, sediments, and contaminants, making water suitable for consumption. However, it is essential to understand which filter to use for specific issues, such as excessive iron or other contaminants in the water supply. Iron adsobers are filters that are based on “Selective Ion Adsorption Technology” to remove iron from water. Moreover, by focusing on affordable solutions like silver ceramic candles that not only help produce bacteria-free water but are also easy to use and ecologically safe, we can contribute to the responsible use of water and the preservation of this precious resource.
About Nichem
Long-standing Specialty Chemicals player with ISO 9001:2015 certification and a history of providing specialty solutions for over 25 years. The company is headed by senior chemical industry specialists with the combined expertise of more than 100 years. With an emphasis on eco-friendly, non-toxic products, the company’s primary strength is research, development, and customization. More information on NICHEM can be found at https://nichem.solutions.
