Water filtration has a long history and is in fact, as old as the history of man's need and use for clean water. This need became especially apparent when human communities moved in together and water sources became contaminated. Because water is such a vital component of life, the need to produce water that is clean and safe became apparent. It was only a matter of time before water filters were born.
Is there such thing as pure water?
The good and bad thing about water is that it is considered as the universal solvent. Therefore, it is capable of dissolving materials. Natural water, such as those found in lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, contain many contaminants, some of which may be good for health – such as salts and minerals – and some that are very harmful, such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, heavy metals, radioactive matter and some organic chemicals. Since the human body has no natural filtration method that can discern bad contaminants from good ones, water filtration is essential.
What is water filtration?
Water filtration, put simply, is the method of using a device or appliance that can help to physically remove harmful contaminants from water. Water filtration, unlike other forms of water purification, will not alter the chemical make-up of matter in the water. It will simply separate small, solid matter from the water itself.
The very first water filters were crude makeshift devices made with cloth, which, when placed at the water source, could act as a fine sieve to separate contaminants from the liquid itself. They have since evolved into more efficient methods using a variety of materials and techniques.
How water filters work
The process of water filtration requires the use of a filter medium which blocks the passage of harmful matter and contaminants. Depending on the type of water filter used, filtration may involve plain physical obstruction of contaminants or it may also involve a chemical process.
The materials used for the filter medium vary, although the most commonly used these days are filters made with carbon materials. The filters are made in such a way that water passage is slowed down as they go through the media. The presence of carbon in the filter helps block more contaminants and can even bring about the process of adsorption. This breaks down the bond between water and contaminants and encourages the contaminants to stick to the filter instead, leaving the water pure and safe to drink.
The ideal water filtration method is for water to go through several filtration stages, each one with a filter medium with holes that gradually grow tinier, ensuring that even minute contaminants will not pass through and be poured into a drinking glass.
Advantages of water filtration
Advocates of water filters say that filters are better at blocking and removing more contaminants than other methods of water purification. Since water filters encourage adsorption, they do not remove trace minerals that are essential for the body's health.
Water filtration is also very effective in removing cryptosporidium and protozoa giardia, two of the most dreaded organisms that have caused gastrointestinal diseases and epidemics in the past. Water filters can also remove chlorine, its byproducts and VOCs or volatile organic compounds. These are considered as the most health-threatening contaminants present in drinking water.
On top of it all, water filtration is also the least expensive of all purification methods and does not require the use of extra sources of energy as distillation or reverse osmosis does. Water filtration also does not waste a lot of water in the process of water purification.
Disadvantages of water filtration
Water filters are not created equal and while chemical adsorption is a feature in many water filters, not every unit has this capability. As such, some granular filters may not be able to block certain contaminants from passing through the media. There may also be water filters that allow rapid passage of water and not enough contact time with the media. This reduces the number of contaminants that are removed.
The disadvantages, however, are easily remedied. By adding extra devices such as a carbon block to the water filtration system, the contaminants that escape the filtration process may be stopped.
The need to filter water
It is extremely difficult to determine whether water is safe to drink or not just by observing its physical qualities. Sometimes, even discolored or cloudy water may not be harmful to health and clear water may contain odorless, colorless and tasteless contaminants that can lead to diseases. To make sure none of these contaminants cause harm, water filtration systems should be utilized.
Spread the Word!
Filed under water filtration by WaterBlogger
I have heard that sometimes we wind up teaching what we need to learn the most ourselves. That is really the case here. So…although this sounds like I am on rant about water and water filters, and like I am sort of preaching this stuff, remember it's mostly for myself I am writing this.
and you too if you want to listen up. Why did I continue drinking R.O. water alone after I knew that was not the thing to do? Of course, I don't anymore. I add celtic sea salt now, but soon I will own my under the counter Aquasana. If I didn't have the investment in my R.O. I would get the inexpensive countertop Aquasana right now. 
