Water is a basic need. Around 60% of the human body is made up of water. The brain and heart are composed of 73% water, while only 1% of all the world’s water is available for human consumption. Due to pollution from industries, dirt, and germs from the atmosphere, even that 1% is not fit for human consumption. Not only that, many water-borne diseases are spreading at an alarming rate, and people realize the importance of drinking purified water. As a result, the demand for water purifiers has shot up, and the market is flooded with different water purifier brands. This has started creating confusion in the mind of a consumer over which product is suitable to them.
Some of the most common water purification techniques are:
· Activated Carbon Filters:
Activated carbon works on the adsorption method. When the water passes through a carbon filter, the activated carbon adsorbs all the harmful molecules which are present in the water. This type of filter is used as a complementary filter along with other water purification techniques like RO or UV purification.
· Ultraviolet Purifier
UV water purifiers are the best option to eliminate bacteria and viruses without removing the essential minerals available in your drinking water. UV purification is an eco-friendly way to purify water because it does not add chemicals to your water or waste any water. This type of purifier is the most preferred choice for industrial use.
· Reverse Osmosis Purifier
RO purification technology is behind the most used water purifier for home. RO purifiers help in filtering out the harmful pollutants through their semipermeable membranes RO filtered water tastes flat because the filtration removes some essential minerals from drinking water. This is the most preferred purifier if the TDS level in the drinking water is more than 500 ppm.
Let’s check out what TDS is:
Impurities, organic substances, or chemicals dissolved in your drinking water are known as TDS or Total Dissolved Solids. The safe level of TDS that is suitable for human consumption is under 500 ppm. Generally, groundwater sources like borewells and tube wells have high TDS compared to surface waters like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds.
How to Select Water Purifier for Home Use?
While you might come across many purifiers online, the below-mentioned parameters will help in deciding which is the best one for home use:
Different Types of Water Supply:
Get to know which kind of water is supplied by your municipality. Is it surface water, i.e., from rivers and lakes, or is it groundwater, i.e., from borewells or tankers or is it a mixture of both? Remember that if the water supplied is surface water, then chances are the TDS (dissolved impurities) is low, and you need to protect yourself from biological impurities like bacteria and viruses. However, if the water supplied is groundwater, then chances are there are high levels of TDS (dissolved impurities) that can affect your health.
If you get groundwater, then be sure to check the TDS with a TDS meter. Many companies that are selling water purifiers do a simple TDS test. If the TDS is above 500 ppm, then choosing an RO water purifier can be beneficial. If the TDS is lower than 500 ppm, then a well-designed UV purifier is enough to purify impure water. However, if you get both ground and surface water, opt for an “intelligent” purifier with a sensing purification technology.
You must also know that using an RO water purifier where TDS levels are low (like less than 200 ppm) might be harmful to your health in the end, as the water is stripped of essential minerals and salts.
There is also a lot of water wastage in an RO water purifier, so unnecessary usage leads to the wastage of a valuable resource.
Water Pressure:
Before you shop online for a water purifier, it is best to check the water pressure. Water purifiers normally need pressure between 5-40 psi (pounds per square inch) to work efficiently.
Another easy way to calculate the pressure in your tap is to see how many floors you are from the terrace where water is distributed. So, if you’re in a ten-story building and you live on the 8th floor, then the pressure is likely to be ten psi because every ten feet from the top adds five psi. However, if you’re living on the 1st floor, then the pressure in your tap will be 45 psi. If that is the case, you must use a pressure-reducing valve for your water purifier.
For homes that have very low water pressure, a booster pump will help. Alternatively, a UV purifier can be opted for.
Location of Water Purifier:
Remember that it is important to install your water purifier near a source of water and an electrical point with earthing. Ideally, the distance between a purifier and the electrical point must be within three feet.
Try to keep the purifier away from direct heat or sunlight. If space is an issue at your home, then you can opt for a wall-mounted purifier.
Power supply:
Electricity is another important parameter that you must keep in mind when deciding which purifier is best to buy. If you face constant electric outages in your area, then it is better to select a purifier with ample water storage. Non-electric water purifiers work on gravity instead of electricity and are a good option to consider if you experience an erratic power supply.
