Water Quality

Jul 29th 2015

Water quality is one of the most important things to consider for health and well being. We have brought together information we hope will help you choose the water filtration system that fits your needs. Click on the links below to learn more about different methods of filtering water, and tips on how to decide what kind you need. If you have a question, feel free to call us at 1-888-742-3404 or email info@promolife.com. To see what we have to offer, visit our Water Purifiers page.

Introduction | Types of Filters | Purchasing a Purifier | Is Your Tap Water Safe? | Fluoride

Introduction

You may have the cleanest looking, purest tasting water around that comes from a pristine well 1000 feet below the ground or from some untouched mountain top stream, but that doesn't guarantee anything in today's world. Too many chemicals have been introduced over the years, especially through industry and agriculture. Researchers have even found DDT residue in Antarctic snow and animal life. Most of these pollutants have no taste or odor, making them impossible to detect by the drinker. Even federal and state agencies have been set up to help with this problem. One thing is for sure, no one wants to get poisoned.

A water purifier is the simplest, most environmentally friendly way to ensure the water you drink is clean. Following will be a brief description of the different types of common water purifying systems. We're not going to favor one type over another. We just wish to present the facts in an objective way so you can better decide which system is right for you. To see what we have to offer, visit our Water Purifiers page.

Types of Water Filters

Reverse Osmosis

Water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane, leaving certain unwanted substances behind, producing clear, fresh-tasting drinking water. The unwanted substances are flushed down the drain. RO uses no chemicals or electricity. It is regarded as one of the most effective technologies known to purify water. Used in conjunction with other filters the outcome is 99.9% pure contaminate free water and it removes 99% of the minerals. RO is used in residential homes, in industry and other application where mineral free water is needed. This method is also used to desalinate seawater.

Steam Distillation

Water is boiled, creating steam. This steam cools and condenses to form water droplets which in turn are deposited in a container. The little remaining water left in the distiller contains the contaminates and is discarded. The result is pure, mineral free water. When used in conjunction with other filter mediums such as carbon the result is 99.9% pure contaminate free water. With advanced technology in design and computer circuitry, today's steam distillation units are extremely efficient and reliable and are used in homes and industry where pure mineral free water is needed. One can take water from virtually any source and the result is 99.9% pure water. Regarded as one of the most effective ways to remove contaminates from water.

Carbon Block

Activated carbon is pulverized into a course flour-like consistency and is compressed to form a block. Water is forced through this medium and filters particles down to 0.5 microns. In essence each water molecule is polished by the carbon leaving behind most contaminants such as pesticides, organic material, bacteria, viruses and cysts in addition to cryptosporidium, giardia, asbestos, bad tastes and bad odors. Best if used with treated municipal water. Widely used in conjunction with RO, Distillation, Ultraviolet, Ozone and other system types. This technology does not remove minerals and uses no electricity.

Carbon (Granular Activated Charcoal)

Same as above except the carbon pieces are much larger. Very effective at removing offensive tastes and odors. It removes most contaminates, but due to the large sized pieces this is not as effective as carbon block to remove sub-micron particles. Used in conjunction with many other system types. Ideal if used as a post filter. Does not remove minerals and does not use electricity.

Ceramic

The tiny pores of a ceramic filter element make it an extremely efficient filter for the removal of particulate matter and fine sediment from the influent product water. This is known as mechanical depth filtration. This type of filtration is extremely effective in the removal of contaminants such as asbestos fibres. Minute fibers will quickly plug paper style filters, but the ceramics have the added benefit of being cleanable and re-useable. Additionally ceramic candles with micron ratings between 1 and .45 microns also qualify as a certified product for the disinfection of water which may be contaminated with bacteria. This particular sub-micron rating allows for the physical removal of bacteria and cysts giving them a "bacteriologically sterile" rating. High quality candles will contain silver that is impregnated throughout the ceramic wall to prevent the growth of the bacteria within the pores of the ceramic, thereby ensuring that they meet the standard of being bacteriostatic.

Ozone

Air is drawn into a ozone generator at which point the air is charged with a high voltage. The air is made up of diatomic oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2). Diatomic oxygen is a molecule composed of two oxygen atoms (O) held together by four equally shared electrons. As the air is drawn through the ozone generator, the high voltage splits some oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms. Some of these atoms then quickly react with oxygen molecules to form ozone (O2 + O1 = O3). Ozone is secondary only to fluorine as the most powerful oxidant. Ozone inactivates and oxidizes organic metals, contaminates and pesticides, viruses and bacteria faster than chlorine. Ozone also functions as a micro flocculating agent to polish the water and improve clarity and taste.

Ozone kills every harmful organism known, is used in home and industrial water and air treatment and is very effective.

Ultraviolet Light

A lamp producing ultraviolet radiation in the 200-300 nanometer range is emitted through clear, prefiltered, particle free water. This UV light is extremely effective in killing and eliminating bacteria, yeasts, viruses, molds and other harmful organisms. These are often used in industry and hospitals to treat water. Must be used in conjunction with sediment and carbon filters to create pure drinking water. If sub-micron particles remain in the water, the UV light may not come in contact with the organism as the organism is hiding behind the particle. Many times UV is used as a post disinfecting method for residential water treatment.

KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion)

KDF is a patented water treatment system that has been proven to be effective in the removal of chlorine, chloramine, iron, bacteria, algae, fungus, hydrogen sulfide, many if not most heavy metals, and other problem contaminants. Here's how it works:

KDF is actually brass. It is an alloy of 50% pure copper and 50% pure zinc. When exposed to water it creates an electro-chemical reaction which allows for the conversion of free chlorine into a simple chloride.

The combination of copper and zinc creates an electro-chemical reaction. During this reaction, electrons are transferred between molecules, and new elements are created. Some harmful contaminants are changed into harmless components. Free chlorine, for instance, is changed into benign, water-soluble chloride, which is then carried harmlessly through the water supply.

Removes more than 95% of the free chlorine before it reaches the carbon filter, so your carbon can focus on removing organics, thus extending the life of the carbon 15 times. KDF controls and inhibits microorganisms by setting up an electrolytic field and also by forming peroxide and hydroxyl radical by redox reactions. It uses special high purity zinc and copper alloys. Very effective in removing lead and other heavy metals. Also removes chlorine, hydrogen sulfide and bacteria. Zinc and copper ions have a tendency to re-deposit themselves onto the KDF medium resulting in KDF meeting FDA and EPA standards for zinc and copper in water. KDF controls and inhibits microorganisms. KDF is designed to remove inorganic contaminates and when used in conjunction with carbon, which is more effective than KDF in removing organic contaminates, results in an extremely effective water purifier.

You may not even realize that KDF is working for you. KDF media is the core product of many filtration systems, and can be used in conjunction with other products to provide superior purification.

Poly Phosphate

Chemically changes the hardness of the water so minerals do not corrode or stick inside pipes. A Bacteriostatic Media prevents bacteria growth. Poly Phosphate removes heavy metals, organic residues, chlorine, hundreds of contaminates and hardness. Poly Phosphate also improves taste, eliminates odors, and improves water clarity.

ATP (Activated Tricalcium Phosphate)

Activated tricalcium phosphate, or calcium hydroxyapatite, is well known for its ability to remove fluoride and heavy metals through absorption and ion exchange processes. It is the only medium we know of that will remove most of the fluoride in your water without removing the natural minerals from your water. Used in conjunction with other purifying methods.

Ion Exchange

Also known as Resin medium. This medium is designed to remove dissolved salts in the water, such as calcium. In essence Ion Exchange softens the water or exchanges natural forming mineral ions in the water with its own ions, thereby neutralizing their harmful effect of creating scale build-up. Used in boilers and other industry related situations. Ideal when used in conjunction with other filter mediums such a carbon. Beginning to be widely used in residential, home purifying units. Can be used in conjunction with Reverse Osmosis (recommended) and with Carbon (not recommended). If used with Reverse Osmosis, the Ion Resin will last longer as most of the TDS are already removed. When used with Carbon, this Resin has a very short life.

Iodine Resin

This medium is a highly effective means in killing pathogenic organisms at the primary disinfection stage. This method can provide good quality, microbiologically pure water in very difficult conditions. No electrical energy is required to operate the device or achieve deactivation of viruses and bacteria and resin systems are unaffected by TDS (total dissolved solids). The shelf life of the resin is considered infinite. Iodine systems deactivate both bacteria and viruses to very high levels. Iodinated resin systems are a legitimate option for treating water all over the world. Low residual resins and high efficiency scavenger medias can result in devices that will meet iodine level requirements in the United States and throughout the world. In addition, the stability and convenience of iodine makes it a natural for water treatment on a small scale in third world countries, or as an emergency water treatment system in disaster relief operations. It is a complement to other technologies used for improving water quality on a point of use basis, including reverse osmosis, filtration and ultraviolet. It has the flexibility to be used in low-pressure and gravity-flow devices and offer consumers truly microbiologically safe water.

Remember, most water purifying system are not intended to be used where the water is microbiologically contaminated or with water of unknown quality. If this is the case the units may not be as effective as intended. Units such as steam distillation (if unknown and impure water is distilled as the first step) and iodine resin are the only two such units where one can safely use contaminated water. To see what we have to offer, visit our Water Purifiers page.

Steps to Purchasing a Water Purifier

Following is a recommendation of steps to purchasing a water purifier.

Have your drinking water tested.
Once you have a water analysis and if a pollutant is found, determine what kind of purifier will get that particular type out. Ask us. We'll let you know the options.
Determine if you are a mineral or mineral-free water drinker. Example: If you can only drink mineral water and you have a toxin that Carbon, KDF or Ozone can get out, purchase one of those. If you are a mineral-free drinker, purchase a Reverse Osmosis or a Steam Distiller.
Determine the size you need. Distillers and reverse osmosis will produce only so much water per day. Carbon or other similar point of use purifiers can run all day, but remember all units have filters/cartridges that need periodic changing. Determine your daily drinking water needs.

Is your tap water safe to drink?

Does your drinking water taste or smell of chlorine? Chlorine is proven to create toxic byproducts called chloroform and trihalomethanes (THM), when it comes in contact with organic material found in the water supply. THMs have been proven to cause cancers and increase miscarriages. Although it is important to keep the water supply disinfected, we do not advocate removing chlorine at the public water source; instead one can nearly eliminate this toxic chemical by installing a water purifier in their home and on their shower. Chlorine also has a tendency to dry your skin and many people are allergic or sensitive to its presence.
Do you get your water from a public or private source? It doesn't matter where the water comes from, the best course of action to take is to have your water tested in a local lab or with a home water tester, that when used according to instructions are very accurate. Be safe. Test your water.
Is your home over 25 years old? Most houses built 25 years or more ago have lead pipes unless they have been upgraded. Check your water pipes and if they have copper pipes or steel pipes, you probably have lead in them somewhere. We have many water purifiers that get the lead out. This is the least expensive way. Or you can change the water pipes using a certified plumber. Lead is proven to be a metabolic poison and can cause damage to the kidneys, and liver and to the nervous, reproductive, cardiovascular, immune and gastrointestinal systems.
Do you live by an agricultural farm? If so you will probably find nitrates and nitrites in your water which come from fertilizers leeching into the water table. Nitrates and Nitrites are known cancer causing substances which are best to avoid. Also pesticides and herbicides are potential hazards to your health if you live near farms.
Are you or your public water supplier located near a toxic spill? Some communities are located on toxic dumps (Love Canal). Some communities don't even know they are. If you suspect you do (manufacturing plant, railroad, refinery, etc.) it's best to insure yourself against any potential problem and have a water purifier in your home for you and your family.
Does your water contain fluoride? This is a controversial subject with many people. It's banned in Europe and many cities in the US are following suit.

You never know what can accidentally or purposely get into your drinking water. Too many times people have drunk water infected with these live organisms unknowingly. Protect yourself. It's not too late to be prepared and insure yourself against these potential hazards. Since your body is made up of nearly 90% water, wouldn't it make sense to install a water purifier in your home?

If you live in the USA, check the Chemical Scorecard for your zip code, to find what toxic chemicals are in the air or water in your area.

In the Summer 1995 issue of Heartland magazine is a four-page article about water quality in the US. Highlights include: Drinking water is listed as the number four health hazard in the US. The majority of bottled water is drawn from city sources and is not filtered. Nearly all city water is "purified" using methods developed near the turn of the century (i.e. chlorine). Most of the contaminants known today were not even around back then.

What to do About Fluoride in your Drinking Water

Fluoride added to city water supplies is a particularly American phenomenon.. Most of the modern industrial world has already tried and rejected fluoridation. Fluoridation of drinking water was originally proposed as a solution to the toxic waste dilemma of the aluminum manufacturing industry. The rationale for adding it to tap water has been a claimed but never really proven protection against dental cavities.

To explain a bit about fluoride removal, there are some really good and a few not-too-bad ways to go about it. The best technologies are reverse osmosis and distillation. Both remove fluoride effectively. If you do not want the total treatment of a distiller or a reverse osmosis system, the next best thing is a simple filter with a cartridge containing activated alumina or Activated tricalcium phosphate also known as calcium hydroxyapatite. Under the right circumstances, standard carbon filters can also be used for fluoride reduction.

Activated alumina cartridges have some advantages and some problems. Their effective lifespan is fairly short, they are relatively expensive, and people don't like the word alumina in the name because it sounds too much like aluminum. That being said, filters with activated alumina are popular. They are most often used in conjunction with other filters, usually carbon, since activated alumina alone does little for water except remove fluoride and arsenic. It does not improve the taste or remove chemical contaminants like pesticides. By using an activated alumina cartridge combined with a carbon cartridge, you get a good, broad-range water filter.

There are some more exotic fluoride removal methods, such as specialty ion exchange resins and a unique filter carbon called bone char that is made from animal bones. But the most substantial are the three main strategies just discussed: distillation, reverse osmosis, and filtration with activated alumina.

Conclusion

We hope the above information will help you decide what kind of water purifier to purchase. Remember, we're still adding new models all the time. Bookmark this site, come back and visit us. To see what we have to offer, visit our Water Purifiers page.