What Make the Best Water Treatment System; Distillation, Reverse Osmosis, Activated Carbon or Ceramic Filter?

I am sure you have gone through hard time in choosing the right water treatment system. Some are just not even "apple to apple" kind of comparison due to its different nature and functions, some are totally different methology, some just do not produce the similar outcome. In order to do that, the best comparison is to compare the end result which is the "Filtered Water" or the "Purified Water". To understand which water treatment system provide the best water filtration, we will need to understand what a system does and does not perform. We are discussing only the water treatment after water has been supplied to by the water work department.

Distillation

This is not equivalent to boiling water where molecules of water did not leave the original container and stay with whatever other molecules originally there. In distillation, water is being heaten up  to its boiling point continuously,  the evaporate water molecules will be recaptured by cooling down the steam vapor and collect in another clean container.  Both method remove bacteria effectively, but distillation remove traces of minerals like iron, calcium, etc (which obviously has higher boiling point) etc by evaporate into air first. However, contaminants having lower boiling point than water like benzene will not be able to screen out.

Advantage:- Effectively remove bacteria and heavy metals.

Disadvantage:- Also remove trace of natural minerals in water and almost everything else other than water.

Reverse Osmosis

We will need to understand what is Osmosis process, where  molecules of water migrate naturally from a weaker saline solution to a stronger saline solution, gradually  equalizing the saline composition of each solution  which is divided by a semi-permeable membrane. Reverse Osmosis, the opposite of natural osmosis process of water in which  the molecules of water are being pressurized to go through a semi-permeable membrane from stronger saline solution to weaker side ( any contaminants having molecule size bigger than water will not pass through).

Advantage:- Remove fluoride, chloride and other harmful particles.

Disadvantage:- Also remove trace of minerals like salt, lead, manganese, iron, and calcium. Can not remove chlorine and volatile organic chemicals which are relatively smaller in size. Having to remove alkaline mineral constituents of water, produces acidic water which will strip off calcium in bones and teeth in order to neutralize acidtiy in it.

Water Filter

By the name it means involvement of some filtration medium, physically intercept selected particles from passing through, or chemically transform selected molecule into other form, or even using the combination of both.

Ceramic filter

Ceramic  water filters come as a cartridge that fits a normal bench top filter. Some  ceramic filters incorporate nano-silver impregnated into a porous  ceramic outer shell that can trap bacteria down to as low as .22 of a  micron in particle size [1/100,000 of an inch].

Laboratories  consider a filtering medium with an effective pore size of .01 micron  to .45 micron to be bacteriologically sterile and .45 micron to 1.0  micron to be bacteriologically safe. Re growth of bacteria that becomes  trapped either on the outside of the element or in the ceramic's pores  is controlled by the silver which, on contact with water, releases  small quantities of positively charged metals ions.

However, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), chlorine and other undesirable odor and taste compounds, will remain in the treated water after ceramic filtering.

These  ions are taken into the enzyme system of the bacteria's cell and  thereby neutralize it. 

Advantage: Effectively remove bacteria

Disadvantage: Flow rate of ceramic water filters are slow. However, the flow rate of the ceramic filter can be  improvised by brushing its outer surface under running water. As the top  layer of ceramic and contaminants are brushed off and flushed away, a  new layer becomes available.

Charcoal Filter

Charcoal water filter  derived from coconut husk . This  absorbs impurities as the water passes through. This form of filter  comprises possibly 95% of those in use domestically. They are simple to  install, relatively economical, and depending on micron level, will  filter out the most deadly of contaminants, Cryptosporidium and Guardia.Some  charcoal filters are enhanced by the use of activated nano-silver,  which provides extra antibacterial protection, killing around 650 known  types of organisms.

Advantage: Effectively remove most  contaminants by absorbing impurities and economical. Minerals in solution can still permeate a charcoal filter. These minerals are essential to health.

Disadvantage: Need to be replaced at the interval of 9 - 12 months (but its cheap and safe). In area where sediment is a problem, the filter will get clogged easily. Installing a pre filter will prolong its life span.

Pre Filter

In area where sludge and large solid particles are a problem, pre filter is the solution. It is usually a membrane that block large sediments or particles from passing through and thus prolong the water treatment system.

Advantage: Filter all the large particles and sediments, the water will appear clean and clear from human eyes. Prolong  the life span of main water treatment system, and it's more economical to install one. It is comparatively much cheaper than the main unit and most of it is cleanable (which make it more lasting).

Disadvantage: Always need to be cleaned when the flow of water is slow, only remove large particles, not chlorine, bacteria and other contaminants. Will need to be replaced regularly.

So what make the best water treatment system?

In conclusion, there is no one filter that can be called as the best water treatment system. Every filter will have the goods and bads, lets put the cost factor aside as I had mentioned in my other articles; cost come later after you compare the effectiveness of water treatment system.

Has this ever come across your mind; if one filter can not be the best water treatment system, why not have a combination of all?

Multi-Stage Water Filtration System!

The best water treatment system is to make use of all the advantages of the filters or filtration system, to compensate the shortfall of others. A multi-stage water filtration system will remove the sediments, large particles, contaminants, bacteria, toxins, chlorine and odors, but leaving the trace of minerals, which is vital to our body fluids.

I can not stress enough the importance when come to choosing the right water purification system, effectiveness in removing all the unwanted contaminants as the main purpose of having a water filtration system, but leaving the good minerals in the water as the nature intended it to be.

When come to cost factor, the main concern will be that you are paying for the reliability (research & development) of the system, instead of contributing to unnecessary advertising and promotion for the branding exercise. Another cost factor to consider is the replacement cartridges pricing and availability of it. No point having a cheap main system, but the replacement cost of ct ridges that will burn a hole in your pocket. Some water filter replacement parts are easily available, some are not and might have even ceased production.

I wish you and your family in best of health, especially the young ones who need healthy water to grow and excel in life.