What Is a Water Filter?
When you turn on a faucet in your home, you assume you’re getting quality water from a reliable source. But the truth is, your water may contain more than H2O. Tap water can contain a variety of impurities, including dirt, minerals, and chemicals, all of which can degrade the quality of your water and affect its taste. Luckily, water filters can help to remove the harmful substances in your water source by collecting them as the water passes through the system. In this way, a water filter effectively cleans your water before it reaches your tap, making it safer and more aesthetically pleasing for consumption and use in cooking, showering, and laundry.
How Does a Water Filter Work?
There are a variety of water filtration systems that can help remove harmful contaminants from your water source. Each system uses a different method. One of the most common types of filtration systems is those that use physical filtration. This means that the filter provides a physical barrier that removes larger contaminants from the water by preventing them from passing through the filter. Another type of filtration system harnesses the power of ultraviolet light to eliminate impurities.
What Does a Water Filtration System Help to Remove?
If you’re considering installing a filtration system at your home, you want to know that they are worth the investment. A water filter will help to remove a number of impurities from your water, creating healthier drinking water and higher-quality water for all other uses in your home, whether that’s showering, cooking, doing laundry, or making your morning coffee. When you install a water filter, you will help to remove or reduce:
Sediment: Tiny sediment particles like dirt, silt, and clay can find their way into your water source undetected. A water filter can help to remove them before they reach your faucet and appliances.
Chlorine: Many municipalities use chlorine to treat water with the aim of killing bacteria and some viruses. However, chlorine can make water taste and smell unpleasant and can also become hazardous if it comes in contact with some metals. Some question the health effects of showing in chlorine. A proper water filter will lower the level of chlorine in your water source.
Lead: Lead can find its way into water sources through old plumbing fixtures or the solder used to connect pipes. It is toxic when ingested, which is why it’s important to have a water filter to remove it.
Chemicals: Chemicals, like pesticides, can get into water systems because they dissolve in water, eventually reaching your home. A water filter will remove these harmful chemicals and prevent you from ingesting them.
Minerals: While minerals, like calcium and magnesium, are not hazardous to your health, a high level of them in your water can make it taste strange and cause buildup in your pipes, on dishes, and in appliances. A combination filter and softener will remove minerals.
Pathogens: Harmful bacteria and viruses can infiltrate water sources and make you ill. These microscopic pathogens are often undetected until you get sick. Advanced water filters, like Kinetico Water’s K5 Drinking Water Station, will get rid of them.
The Benefits of a Whole-Home Water System
Water filters are a great addition to any home, helping to improve the quality of your water supply. A whole-home system is ideal, as this means all sources of water in your home will be filtered rather than just focusing on a specific tap, like the one in the kitchen. A whole-home water filtration system will be beneficial for the following reasons:
Protection from harmful substances: Your family and guests will be protected from ingesting dangerous substances, like lead and chemicals. A water filter will help to improve the healthiness of your water.
Better tasting food and drinks: Coffee and tea drinkers may notice a huge improvement in taste and smell. Ice and water coming from your refrigerator will taste better. Recipes made with filtered water taste better too.
Longer lasting clothes, towels, linens: Chlorine fades your laundry and can make it feel stiff. Removing it prolongs their life and helps towels stay soft and fluffy longer.
Prolonged equipment life: Water that is full of contaminants or minerals can wreak havoc on your plumbing system and appliances. A water filtration unit that also softens will help prevent pipe clogs and residue caused by mineral deposits.
Why Do You Need Water Filters in Arizona?
While Arizona tap water isn’t necessarily unsafe, water filters are still a worthwhile investment to remove any harmful substance that find their way into the water supply. Chromium 6 is a naturally-occurring chemical that can be harmful in high quantities. Unfortunately, this chemical is present in Arizona water, and a water filter is the best way to remove it and protect your family. Just as important is the hardness of Arizona water. Our state sees some of the highest levels of calcium and magnesium in our water supply, mostly because we rely heavily on groundwater sources. A water filtration system that also softens will help to remove these minerals protecting your pipes, appliances, dishes, and clothes from mineral deposits. For homeowners with private/shared wells, arsenic and nitrate filters may be recommended.
Find Out What Is in Your Water
Are you ready to find out what is in your water supply and learn how to improve its quality? The team at AquaZona is here to help you do just that. We offer a free water analysis to Arizona residents and will assess the needs of your home based on the findings of this analysis. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
