Understanding Water Purification Process
Water purification involves removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from water. The goal is to produce water which is pure, fresh and clean for drinking and other domestic purposes. All Water Filters work on the principle of multiple purification processes to remove impurities from water.
There are different types of Water Purifier methods used in purifiers - mechanical filtration, ultraviolet purification, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration. Mechanical filters trap and remove suspended solids like dust, rust and other debris through a series of filters with decreasing pore size. Ultraviolet purification uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses by damaging their DNA/RNA. In reverse osmosis process, water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane which allows only water molecules to pass through and blocks dissolved salts and other chemical impurities. Ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes have even smaller pores which can remove viruses, some salts, chemicals and other microorganisms from water.
Choosing the Right Water Purifier
When choosing a Water Filter, it is important to consider the type and level of impurities in your water source and the purification needs of your family. Some key factors to look at include purification technology, purification stages, storage capacity, amount of pure water produced and after-sales service support.
For highly contaminated water sources, a purifier with multi-stage purification like UV + RO + UF like Kent Maxx 7-Stage or Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Storm will be suitable. Such purifiers can remove microbiological impurities as well as chemical impurities, heavy metals, pesticides and suspended particles to give pure water.
For moderate contamination, a 3-stage RO purifier like HUL's Swach or Prime will suffice. These remove 95-99% impurities including bacteria and viruses. UV purifiers like Aquafresh Blue work well for mildly contaminated water with coli form bacteria.
The storage capacity should match your daily water requirements. On-the-counter purifiers have lower capacities of 10-20 litres while water coolers/dispensers have capacities of 20-80 litres. Also check filter replacement frequency and availability of genuine spare parts for long term usage.
Benefits of Using Water Purifier
There are multiple health and convenience benefits of regularly consuming purified water at home:
- Protection from water-borne diseases: Purified water protects your family from diseases caused by pathogens in drinking water like typhoid, jaundice, diarrhea etc. It removes 99.999% bacteria and viruses.
- Cleaner household: Pure water leads to fewer accumulations of deposits in tanks and pipes. It produces foam and lathers well for cleaning purposes.
- Safety for infants: Purified water is advisable for mixing infant milk formula and food. It is also suitable for children who are more vulnerable to impurities.
- Taste and odor removal: Unpurified water can have unpleasant tastes or odors due to presence of chemicals, algae etc. Purifiers remove such tastes and odors to give clean tasting water.
- Long term cost savings: While the initial cost of a purifier is high, it saves much more in the long run by avoiding medical costs from water borne illnesses and expenses on bottled water. The economical RO purifiers pay for themselves within 1-2 years of use.
Maintenance Tips for Water Purifier
To ensure long life and optimal performance of your Water Filter, periodic cleaning and maintenance is essential. Here are some tips:
- Clean pre-filter, activated carbon filter and post-carbon filters every 2-3 months by removing them and rinsing in normal water.
- Replace RO, UF, UV lamps as per the replacement cycles mentioned in manual, usually every 6-12 months.
- Periodically sanitize the tank with diluted bleach water (1 teaspoon per 15 litres) and rinse thoroughly.
- Run the purifier for 5 minutes every 2-3 days if not in regular use to keep the components active.
- In hard water areas, periodically clean the RO membrane to remove scaling.
- Check tubing, connectors and o-rings for cracks which can cause leaks. Replace if worn out.
- Contact the brand's service center for repair/replacement of any defective components under warranty.
With the right maintenance, a Water Purifier is a one-time investment that serves your family's health and hygiene needs for many years to come by providing clean, safe drinking water.
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Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)