Whether you get your drinking water from a well or a municipal supply line, it’s important to make sure it’s clean and free of contaminants
While tap water might seem clear, it can be filled with bacteria, chlorine, pesticides and heavy metals. Fortunately, water purification systems are designed to remove these contaminants. If you’d like to purchase one, you should know there are two main types: reverse osmosis and ultraviolet (UV) systems. Here are some of the pros and cons of each. Reverse osmosis purification systems These systems work by forcing water through a dense filtration membrane. This membrane catches 90 per cent of heavy metals, minerals, bacteria and pesticides. The purified, low mineral water gets stored in a tank, while the contaminated, high mineral water and debris get flushed down the drain. Here are some of the pros and cons of reverse osmosis systems: • Pros Reverse osmosis purification systems are highly effective. They remove 95 to 99 per cent of minerals, metals, salts, bacteria, viruses and other organic matter. This includes fluoride, chlorine, lead, asbestos and arsenic. In addition, these purification systems can improve the taste of water. Although taste is subjective, reverse-osmosis filtered water has fewer minerals and is rated as tasting better. Cooking with this water also improves the taste of food. • Cons The main disadvantage of reverse osmosis purification systems is that they require regular maintenance, and the filters need to be changed frequently. Chlorine can damage the system and large amounts of bacteria can eat away at the filter and create holes that allow impurities to pass through. You should also keep in mind that reverse osmosis systems work better with municipal water that’s been disinfected with chlorine or with well water that has an accompanying disinfection system to pre-filter harmful bacteria. Ultraviolet purification systems These systems use germicidal UV technology to purify water. They work by passing water around a UV light where it’s exposed to wavelengths of UV radiation that neutralize all living organisms including bacteria and viruses. Here are a few of the pros and cons of UV systems: • Pros UV purification systems are chemical-free and don’t affect the taste of water. Plus, they’re easy to clean and maintain. Most systems only require that you replace the light bulb and filter once a year. • Cons Unfortunately, these purification systems don’t eliminate all impurities. Although they remove virtually all bacteria and viruses, they don’t dissolve impurities like rust, fluoride, pesticides and other contaminants. Water purification in the GTA Black Forest Plumbing provides residential and commercial plumbing services across the Greater Toronto Area. We install and service high-quality water purification systems, including reverse osmosis and ultraviolet systems. We’re committed to providing excellent customer service (you can read our client testimonials), and we stand by the work we do. Contact us today to learn more.