How to choose a water filtration system
To improve the quality of water, whether it comes from a rainwater collector, a distribution network, or a well, there is a solution: filtration. Anti-scale, sediment, magnetic, activated carbon filter or filter cartridge: Filtration of domestic water is done in many ways.
Why install a water filtration system
Before going into details, it is essential to understand that the installation of a water filtration system does not change anything whether the water is declared portable or not. The filtration that we are going to talk about acts on parameters that are not representative to determine whether water can be consumed or not.
Let's see the different cases where you can install a water filter.
Drinking water filtration
Water filtration
You can correct some parameters of the water that comes from the public distribution network, your well, or a water source, to improve its quality. This water can be for your own consumption, to preserve your appliances, or for the heating system. The most common is to use the filtration system to remove (or at least limit) lime deposits. All suspended matter can be trapped by this system, provided the correct filter is used.
Rainwater filtration
From a water collector or reservoir, this rainwater can be pumped to feed a toilet flush or high-pressure cleaner. In both cases, all the suspended matter it contains must be removed from the water. The water filtration system is indicated.
The collection of rainwater is becoming more common as increasing the price of water. If you collect rainwater for sanitary purposes (toilet, washing machine, irrigation), the installation of a water filtration system is essential to preserve your installation and material.
What are the different types of water filters?
There is a multitude of filter types, but we will dwell on the most widespread and most used depending on the purpose.
Cartridge filters
Pack 4 osmosis filters
Conventional filtering without real active ingredient, in other words purely mechanical. Capable of trapping suspended particles, cartridge filters are suitable for reducing water turbidity.
The filtration capacity is adjustable by choosing the filtration diameter of the cartridges depending on the size of the materials to be captured. This diameter ranges from 5 to 100 µm (microns). Cartridge filters are therefore suitable for multiple uses, either to stop the sand that could be in a rainwater collector, or at the entrance of the domestic network, to filter the microparticles that sometimes contain water from distribution.
Often washable, it is necessary to periodically replace the cartridge filters. The most resistant are the coil filters.
Polyphosphate filters
Water filter for washing machine
Filtration that integrates an active compound to limit or eliminate any presence of residues. Very useful to avoid incrustations in pipes and sanitary installations in general. Polyphosphate filters can be installed at the head of the network (after the meter) or before the devices to be protected (at the inlet of a water heater, for example).
Polyphosphates act chemically on the different compounds in the waste, preventing scale from forming. Depending on the water consumption and the capacity of the filter, it is necessary to plan the recharge of the active compound 1 to 2 times per year. Polyphosphate filters can be in the form of cartridge filters.
Magnetic filters
Magnetic filters
Like polyphosphates, magnetic filters can limit or remove scale or lime residue, but using magnetic waves. The principle is essentially the same since the chemical bonds are not modified by a reaction with an additive, but by the change of polarity of certain elements. The magnetic filters have the advantage of not using consumables (or energy for models with permanent magnets). On the other hand, they are less efficient than polyphosphate filters. They are discreet and easily installed in the kitchen .
Active carbon filters
Filter cartridge
Advanced home water filtration. Designed to eliminate or reduce the presence of various chemicals in water , activated carbon can also reduce turbidity to some extent, as well as the amount of certain heavy metals. If you find that the water in your tap tastes like chlorine, an activated carbon filter is the solution to having water with a neutral taste. At the head of the network, they are often associated with pre-filters intended to reduce carbon fouling, which limits their life. You should plan to replace your charcoal at least once a year as a general rule.
Sediment filters
Also called pre-filters. The purpose of sediment filters is to protect the filter behind them, by stopping the larger materials present in the water. In most cases, its filtration capacity is of the order of 20 microns. Placed at the beginning of the network, just after the meter, they limit the clogging of cartridge filters or activated carbon filters, thus prolonging their life and limiting their maintenance.
Water filter: maintenance
Faucet water filter
Whatever the type of filtration, the goal is to improve the quality of the water. A poorly maintained filtration system not only doesn't do its job, but it can also degrade the water that passes through it!
If equipped with a water filtration device, be careful about the maintenance that the installation requires.
Change filters as necessary, check and refill consumables regularly if necessary, and if necessary, periodically clean cartridges.
A well-maintained water filtration system is an effective system!
