The water purification process does more than improve the taste of water.
Water purification further refines water quality and makes it better for human consumption. In our homes, there are two main uses of water. There is the water we drink and cook with, or drinking water, and the water we use for bathing and cleaning, called working water.
The process of water purification is meant to remove contaminants from water like chemicals, minerals, solids and gases. In some cases, water purifiers can be used to reduce contaminants that are tasteless, odorless and invisible.
Why does water purification matter?
Whether your water comes from a municipal water source or you have well water, it probably has some contaminants in it. Some water supplies contain more contaminants than others, but many people would prefer to have contaminant-free water in their homes. Water purifiers can help. Many in-home water purifiers are designed to reduce the levels of certain substances in the water. You may have a water purifier that reduces the smell and taste of chlorine in water. Some water purifiers can filter tasteless and odorless gases, like arsenic, from water. A water purifier using reverse osmosis technology can purify water by reducing multiple contaminants at once.
Water Purification Options
Some water purification systems take unsafe water and make it safe, but most take good water and make it better. This can be done where the water enters the home or at the point of use, like a kitchen or bathroom. Depending on your needs and the treatment technology, one or several processes may be used to purify your home’s water.
Water purifiers are often purchased to address the following contaminants.
Chlorine
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in well water and municipal water supplies. Municipal water treatment facilities use chlorine to treat city water before it enters the public distribution system.
Though chlorine is a great disinfectant, once the water reaches your home, the chlorine is no longer needed. Many people do not like the smell and taste of chlorine in their water. Chlorine can also cause problems like dry skin and brittle hair, dry out rubber seals in water-using appliances and fade laundry.
Culligan removes chlorine primarily through activated carbon filtration, which traps chlorine molecules via a process called adsorption. Other methods, such as reverse osmosis and ion exchange, can also contribute to chlorine removal as part of a more comprehensive system
Chloramine
Like chlorine, chloramine can be used to disinfect water. Chloramine is an inorganic compound created by combining free chlorine and ammonia. Approximately 40 percent of water treatment plants now use chloramine instead of chlorine. Like chlorine, chloramine can give water unwanted tastes and smells, and it can also dry out rubber seals. Because chloramine is slightly different from chlorine and lasts longer, an alternative method of treatment is required.
Culligan removes chloramine primarily through carbon filtration, which uses activated carbon to absorb and neutralize the chemical, and through reverse osmosis, which pushes water through a semipermeable membrane to remove contaminants. Some advanced systems may use a special type of catalytic carbon that is more effective at breaking down chloramine.
Arsenic
Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that can seep into water sources through groundwater. It is hard to detect because it is tasteless, odorless and invisible. To determine if your water contains arsenic, your water must be tested.
Culligan removes arsenic primarily through reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic reduction filters. Reverse osmosis systems force water through a semi-permeable membrane to trap contaminants like arsenic, while arsenic reduction filters use specific media, to adsorb and remove the arsenic. Advanced systems may combine multiple filtration stages, including sediment and carbon filters, before and after the reverse osmosis or arsenic reduction process to ensure overall water purity and taste
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, do not occur naturally. VOCs found in water are the result of them being released into the environment.
VOCs, like gasoline, solvents, cleaners and degreasers, paints, inks and dyes, and pesticides, evaporate or vaporize easily. When VOCs come in contact with water, they are picked up and transported. VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation and more significant long-term effects with overexposure.
Culligan removes VOCs primarily through activated carbon filtration, which adsorbs the compounds, and its reverse osmosis (RO) systems, which use a semipermeable membrane to remove contaminants and often include carbon filters to capture VOCs. Activated carbon is effective because its porous structure traps VOCs, while RO systems, when combined with carbon filtration, can significantly reduce many types of chemicals from drinking water.
Perchlorate
Perchlorate is a naturally occurring and man-made chemical used in the production of rocket fuel, munitions, explosives, fertilizers, chlorine cleaners, and pool chemicals. There are high levels of perchlorate naturally in some areas such as the southwestern United States. Its widespread release into the environment is primarily associated with defense contracting, military operations and aerospace programs. Perchlorate has been detected in groundwater supplies in 35 states throughout the United States.
Culligan uses reverse osmosis (RO) systems to remove perchlorate from drinking water. The reverse osmosis process pushes water through a semipermeable membrane that blocks the perchlorate ions while allowing the water molecules to pass through.
Hydrogen Sulfide
If your home’s water smells of rotten eggs, or sulfur, there may be some level of hydrogen sulfide gas in it. Hydrogen sulfide causes water to smell and taste unpleasant. This can also cause you or your clothing to smell when washed and it can ruin the flavors of foods and drinks made with water. In extreme cases, hydrogen sulfide can stain surfaces that are frequently touched by water.
Culligan removes hydrogen sulfide through chemical-free whole-house filtration systems that use an aeration process to oxidize the gas, followed by filtration through a special media. The aeration converts hydrogen sulfide into a filterable particle, which is then trapped in the system’s media. Some systems also use catalytic activated carbon to accelerate this oxidation and removal process, with periodic backwashing to flush out the trapped contaminants.
Iron
If you notice red or orange stains on surfaces in your home, your water may have iron in it. Although iron is not harmful to drink, you may not like the taste of water containing iron. Iron can also cause problems like stains on showers and tubs, clothing and even hair.
Culligan removes iron using two primary methods: ion exchange for soluble, “clear water” iron and oxidation/filtration for insoluble, “rusty water” iron. Ion exchange softeners remove small amounts of ferrous iron using a resin bed, while more advanced systems, like the Iron-Cleer filter, use aeration to oxidize iron into solid particles before trapping them in a filter media. A combined approach may be used for high levels of iron or other contaminants.
Multiple Contaminants
Reverse osmosis systems produce some of the purest water you can find. RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane which allows only water molecules to pass through. This leaves you with water that has been purified from most contaminants. Most reverse osmosis systems also include a prefilter to block larger particles from clogging or damaging the membrane. A postfilter gives the drinking water a final polish before it is dispensed from the dedicated faucet, ensuring fresh, clean and great-tasting water.
Culligan removes multiple contaminants using a multi-stage process that includes pre-filtration, the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, and post-filtration. Pre-filters remove larger particles, the RO membrane blocks even tiny particles like minerals and dissolved solids, and specialized post-filters target specific contaminants such as VOCs or pharmaceuticals to provide clean, purified water.
Which water purification systems are best for your home?
It all depends on your water, and what level of purification you want. The best place to start is to contact a water professional to discuss your water treatment needs. They can test your water and come up with specific solutions that are right for you and your water.
Culligan provides water purification through multi-stage systems that primarily use reverse osmosis (RO) to filter out contaminants and deionization to remove dissolved solids. It also offers other solutions like carbon filtration for substances like chlorine and whole-home water softeners that remove minerals like calcium and magnesium.
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