subject: Water filtration process [print this page] To understand the water filtration process, you need to understand some basics first. There are a number of processes used. The processes used in small home use systems are simpler than the large complex systems used by public water works. Also technically advanced systems are used by large companies that bottle and distribute bottled water. If you purchase the small bottles of water, you will find on the label the new required information on them. This information includes the source of the water and how it is treated. Surprisingly you find some of the older bottles will list spring water on the label but learn its actually municipal water that is filtered. The filtration process is also supposed to be listed. Just because a bottle water label says spring water, check the fine print on the label. Also make sure the filtration process is adequate. Some bottle water suppliers also will add minerals to the water to give it the spring water taste. Others will add healthy additives such a fluoride. Municipal water sources go through a much more complex treatment system than basic filtration. The municipal sources will go through a settling phase to remove large particulate matter using special tanks with weirs in them. The water will go through a series of filtering mechanisms then will have chemical additives such as chlorine added. The chlorine is not the typical chlorine found in swimming pools. The chlorine in water treatment systems is liquid and in concentrations that are dangerous to handle. The chlorine is added to ensure there are no dangerous bacteria or viruses in it. Some municipal water supplies will have a strong chlorine odor to it, this can indicate their raw water source may be heavily contaminated.
