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A water filtration system removes small particles from tap water. Additionally, some methods remove viruses and bacteria. Tap water tastes better when chlorine and other chemicals are removed. Home water filtration systems are generally much less expensive and more environmentally friendly than buying bottled water on a regular basis.

Water filtration methods are not all-inclusive, and contaminants present in water in Fort Worth, TX vary according to location and time of year. Flooding, agricultural operations such as growing crops or livestock, and certain industries in the area may alter the type or concentration of contaminants.

UV Filtration

Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites are mircororganisms that could be present in water. Waterborne microorganisms may be pathogenic, which means they cause illness. Many water treatment facilities in
Fort Worth, TX use chlorine to disinfect water. UV filtration also disinfects water and kills 99% of waterborne microorganisms such as E. coli or giardia.

A UV filter works by pumping water into a chamber with an ultraviolet bulb.
The bulb emits rays at a specific frequency to attack microbial organisms. UV filtration systems are ideal for disinfecting water from private wells or springs because water from these sources does not pass through a treatment facility. Homes with treated tap water can use UV filtration for an additional layer of safety for people with compromised immune systems. This type of filtration is useful while ‘water boil warnings” are in effect.

Carbon Filters

Tap water in Fort Worth, TX frequently contains impurities. The impurities may cause odors or an unpleasant taste. Home owners frequently use under-the-sink or whole-house water filtration units. Units placed under the sink keep drinking and cooking water pure. A whole-house system filters water before it reaches any pipes in the house.

Carbon filters remove volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, such as chlorine. These filters work at variable flow rates and remove particles down to .05 micrometers. Slower flow rates remove more particles because water stays in contact with the carbon for a longer period.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis, or RO, removes impurities by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane. It removes dissolved solids, and RO can even make saltwater palatable. Water with a high concentration of contaminants passes through the membrane and comes out with a much lower percentage of contaminants. The filtered water on the side with few contaminants is called the permeate. Leftover water with highly concentrated contaminants is called brine or waste.

Reverse osmosis systems include sediment and carbon prefilters to remove large particles and chlorine before water flows through the membrane. The membrane contains tiny pores that are too small for contaminants to pass through. A postfilter improves the water’s taste before it flows out of the faucet. RO systems remove fluoride, salt, sediment, chlorine, arsenic, and several types of herbicides and pesticides.

A reverse osmosis system can be relatively simple, or it can be part of a water filtration system with multiple prefilters and postfilters. RO systems work slowly and only produce two or three ounces of water per minute. Large storage tanks mitigate the slow filtration rate because the system works constantly to keep the tank filled. RO units usually provide water for drinking and cooking. Bathing and swimming pools do not require the highly filtered water produced by reverse osmosis. Other filtration methods may be installed for showering or pool use in Fort Worth, TX.

RO removes some beneficial minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, along with harmful contaminants. This is not a significant concern because most necessary minerals come from food. It would be extremely difficult to get enough minerals for the body to function correctly from water alone.

Ion Exchange

Ion exchange filters water through ion-exchange resins, or tiny spheres made of resin. Softening and deionization are the two most commonly-used ion-exchange processes. Softening is used to treat hard water, and it is often done before reverse osmosis. Hard water is not a health concern, but it can leave deposits on pipes and appliances. It can also build up in hair and cause dullness or make styling difficult. Softener resin beads take calcium and magnesium ions from the water and replace them with sodium ions. This may leave water with a slightly salty taste.

Deionization, or DI, resin beads remove cations or anions from water. The resin spheres are arranged in beds. Home water filtration systems can have separate deionization beds and softener beds, or the resins can be mixed together.
Deionization resin beads need to be recharged occasionally when they have exchanged all of their ions for the opposite ions in water.

Carbon Adsorption

Carbon adsorption improves the taste of water. Activated carbon removes chlorine, and some filter systems also remove lead, asbestos, cysts, and bacteria. The two types of carbon adsorption used in home water filtration systems are granular activated carbon and solid block carbon.

Activated carbon contains a framework of microscopic holes and crevices that catch contaminants. One pound of activated carbon provides a surface area of 60 to 150 acres to hold contaminants. Carbon adsorption can remove some microorganisms, pesticides, THMs, and PCBs. The efficiency of carbon adsorption filtration depends on the type of carbon, the water flow rate, and the filter’s age. The position of activated carbon within larger water filtration systems also influences efficiency.

Water filtration systems in Fort Worth, TX usually include several filtration methods. Microporous depth filters are frequently installed as prefilters because they remove 98% of suspended particles in water. An ideal system depends on specific contaminants in the water and the purpose of filtration. A system meant to remedy hard water is designed differently than a system for disinfecting water that contains microorganisms. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can help install a water filtration system and choose appropriate filters or equipment.