Depending on your geographic location types and levels of contaminants in your household water may vary. Some of the common impurities you might face include excess minerals like calcium or magnesium, iron, tannins, sulfur, arsenic, viruses and bacteria. A water test can reveal exact ratios and levels, and then the appropriate level and type of filtration can be determined. Contaminants affect your water in different ways, but most commonly they present as unusual colors, poor taste, upset stomach, or chronic illness. The key to prevention is to have your water tested professionally and to take action to remedy as soon as possible.
Which method for my home?
There are a few popular water filtration methods used in residential properties, with reverse osmosis and carbon filtration being most popular. Reverse osmosis filters the water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove the impurities that are present. Carbon filters use various layers of carbon that remove contaminants as the water passes through them. Many homes are equipped with point-of-use filters that remove impurities as the water leaves the faucet, but for total filtration, a whole-house system works best.
How’s the water near me?
In 2016 the State of MN reported the following after testing of water throughout the state:
- 60 percent of test wells in the state’s central sands area, which is extremely vulnerable to agricultural pollutants, have nitrate levels exceeding the state’s drinking water standard of 10 parts per million.
- 30 percent of drinking water wells tested around the state had high levels of chloride from road salt, and many are getting worse.
- 37 pesticides have been detected in groundwater, but none exceed safe drinking water standards.
- 35 different chemicals were found from antibiotics, hormones, fire retardants and other products that can be harmful to humans, albeit levels were low.
Call us today for your Drinking Water Filtration System needs!
“It costs 10 to 30 times more to fix contaminated groundwater than to prevent contamination in the first place.” – MN Pollution Control