subject: Methods of Water Purification and Choosing One for your Home [print this page] Methods of Water Purification and Choosing One for your Home
Now more than ever, people are very health conscious due to the increase in human ailments such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity. One of the simplest ways people are trying to become more healthy is by drinking more water. And with that, people are concerned about the safety of their water which raises the issue of purifying drinking water. There are several methods of water purification including reverse osmosis, water softening, ultra filtration, and deionization. Although there are several methods to purify water, each method may be more suited depending on the use of the water.
Reverse osmosis occurs when the concentrated solution attracts more pollutants, salt, and toxins through a membrane. Thus, the leftover solution is purified. This method creates drinking water from sea water and is also used to purify water used in industry. Water softening removes dissolved calcium and magnesium from the water. It is well suited for water used in aquariums because it creates a habitable environment for the various life forms in the tank. Ultra filtration is a method where a medium allows the water to pass through, but not larger particles, and may involve different types of filters depending on the use of the water. Deionization is any chemical process that removes chemicals from water and is used in laboratory environments as well as the pharmaceutical industry since it creates pure water.
Because all drinking water is not purified in the same manner, it is wise to check the label when purchasing bottled water. Also, note that most home water purification systems involve reverse osmosis.
