Why Are There So Many Filtration Options?
In simple terms, water filtration removes unwanted or dangerous particles from your water. These can range from ferrous and ferric iron, hydrogen sulfide and chlorine, to tannins, PFOA/PFOS and lead. The process of water filtration can also be used to raise the pH of acidic water. There are many different options when it comes to water filtration, each serving a specific purpose as it pertains to water treatment. So how do you know what to look for in a solution to your water problems? We’ve broken down the basic options for you below.
Air-Injected Filters
Air-injected filters have an air pocket at the top one-third of the tank. This air is necessary when filtering out dissolved materials such as ferrous (a.k.a. clear water) iron that is known to cause rusts stains in your bathtub, or hydrogen sulfide gas that fills your home with that notorious “rotten egg” smell. As the water with dissolved materials passes through the air chamber inside the filtration tank, the air oxidizes the material, turning it into a solid that is easy to remove. Media in the tank then filters out the particles, leaving cleaner water to your home. Air-injected filters can be customized by changing the media inside to collect the contaminant you are burdened with. Iron filters use media called birm while hydrogen sulfide filters use catalytic carbon media.
Our unique Evolve AirCat filtration systems have that same pocket of air at the top of the tank. They are able to remove iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese in the same unit by using Greensand PlusTM media. When Greensand Plus is blended with calcite, it will also neutralize acidic water.
Our air-injected filters also come equipped with our patented Inch WormTM technology. With this advanced feature, air is slowly released, inch by inch when the unit is preparing itself for regeneration. The slow release of pressurized air prevents the drain line from thrashing, which can be noisy and lead to it flying off if not properly attached.
Backwashing Filters
Backwashing filters include a wide variety of options as well. They do not need the pocket of air at the top of the tank because they are typically used on contaminants that are already a solid particle that can be captured. They are filled 2/3 with media to ensure a high capacity of contaminant collection and water is stored in the remaining volume of the tank. Backwashing filters will filter out particles and raise the pH of acidic water based on the media used inside. Your home’s need for filtering water is what will determine which media will be used in your filter’s tank. Ferric iron (a.k.a. visible iron) is removed with birm in this type of filter as well, but other medias can be chosen to solve other water problems. For example, filling the tank with catalytic carbon will remove chlorine added to city water by municipalities.
As an acid neutralizer, the backwashing filter will contain calcite, or even a mix of calcite and corosex medias to bring the pH of your water back to a neutral state. Calcite and corosex are both sacrificial media. They get used up as they filter, or neutralize, the water and will need to be replenished on a regular basis.
A backwashing filter will also reduce turbidity (particles suspended in your water). Our exclusive TurbidexTM media is a natural zeolite that attracts the particles, drawing them out of your water like a magnet, sending clean water up to your home through the distribution tube.
Anion Exchange Filters
Some very unique situations require anion exchange filters that are used for the removal of tannins, organic matter found in groundwater wells. The anion exchange process works somewhat similar to a water softener by the fact that it is a system that includes a salt reservoir to create brine needed to regenerate and refresh the system.
Tannin resin beads have a positive charge. When water enters the filter, the negatively charged tannin particles are attracted to the positively charged resin beads. This removes the tannins from the water. After the resin beads can hold no more of the negative particles, the system will go into regeneration, utilizing the salt water inside the brine tank. The salt compound of NaCl passes by the resin beads, and the negative Clorine molecules kick the tannin particles off the resin and they get rinse down the drain, leaving the filter ready to collect more particles and keep your water filtered the way you’d expect.
Cartridge Filters
Our cartridge filter line comes in many different sizes to suit your needs. The ONETM Cartridge Filter is a whole house system. Various cartridge types can remove contaminants such as lead, cysts, and PFOA/PFOS chemicals. When a cartridge is full or used up, there is no regeneration process to refresh the filter. You simply need to replace it to get freshly filtered water again.
In-line cartridge filters are another option for smaller applications. These filters are connected directly to the plumbing line and can be directed to your main faucets, instead of your entire home. They are small, powerful, and the cartridges are easy to replace.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
A reverse osmosis (RO) system is a multi-step process to give you clean, fresh drinking water. Water first passes through a carbon filter to remove odors and tastes. Next, the water passes through an RO membrane to remove impure contaminants. Third, the water passes through another carbon filter to remove anything else left behind. The water then enters a holding tank until you are ready to use it. As the water leaves the holding tank up to the faucet, it passes through one last carbon filter for polishing anything the water might have collected by sitting inside the storage tank.
Cartridge replacement for an RO system is quick and easy and should be done every 6 months to a year depending on the quality of your water and how often you use it. Our UltroWater RO system is certified for the reduction of several impurities including lead, copper, arsenic, cysts, chromium, nitrates, and more.
Which Type of Filtration Do I Need?
Every home’s water situation is unique, and the solution to having great water is also unique. Give us a call today and we will send a trained technician to test your water! With our full line of Evolve water filtration systems, we have the correct solution for you!