How Whole-Home Water Filters Protect Water
Clean drinking water is one of the cornerstones of public health. That’s why the federal government mandates the minimum quality and safety of all drinking water. Unfortunately, the health standards for water are outdated.
They deal mostly with biological hazards like bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. However, modern water supplies pose more threats to human health than when the regulations were made. How can families protect themselves against heavy metals, microplastics, and chemical contamination?
Whole-home water filters are intended to fill in the gaps left by municipal water treatment. Maximum levels exist for most contaminants, but there are certain allowable levels of harmful substances in the water. When people install water filtration systems, these threats are virtually eliminated, contributing to the family's health.
What Do Water Filters Do?
Water filters are devices that help remove foreign compounds from drinking water. Many options are available to help owners accomplish this goal, but reverse osmosis water filtration and carbon filters are the two most popular.
Reverse osmosis filters set the standard for pure water. They remove the most contaminants of any other filtration type, including heavy metals, treatment chemicals, and microplastics. Two reasons why reverse osmosis filters may not be the preferred water filter for a home are the high upfront cost and the use of treated water to regenerate the filter, raising environmental concerns and contributing to high operating costs.
Carbon filters are the second best option for removing compounds from drinking water. A canister of activated charcoal captures heavy metals, VOCs, and compounds that contribute to poor taste or odor. These systems are much cheaper and don’t require water to regenerate the filter. However, the filter media must be changed periodically for the best results.
Benefits of Water Filtration Systems
Many of the health problems people struggle with are attributed to an unsuitable environment. A major part of this problem is the water people drink daily. Even customers who only purchase bottled water are exposed to microplastics in the bottles.
Whole-home water filters help to reduce the amount of environmental hazards that people are constantly bombarded by. Some other benefits of whole-home water filtration systems include:
- Ease of use
- Simple maintenance
- Better-tasting water with no odors
- Reduced grocery bills
- Eco-friendly operation
- Keeps plastic bottles out of the trash
When To Install a Water Filtration System
Health-conscious people are usually the most interested in cleaning their water. However, water filtration systems can also help with other things.
One of the major reasons people avoid drinking their water is the taste or odor of it. While these may not be harmful, they will drive the owners to use more bottled water, raising their grocery bills. If bad odor or taste is a problem, a water filter can help.
Another sign that a water filtration system could be helpful around the home is damage to the plumbing. Unfiltered water can cause corrosion or water scale to build up on fixtures, requiring repairs. By purifying water further, homeowners can avoid the extra cost of plumbing.
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has expertly trained technicians who can help everyone improve their water quality. From water filters to water softeners, they guarantee better water and more reliable plumbing. Call today for water filtration services in Northfield, MN.