In order to meet the requirements set by the governments and the NSF, chlorine is added to sterilize our water.
Sometimes, especially in the winter, the ammonia and the chlorine in the water combine forming chloramine, which makes the chlorine odor stronger.
The bacteria level in our water is rising by the day and the government cannot refrain from using more chlorine to kill the bacteria. Adding chlorine is the most commonly used and cost-effective way to sterilize water.
The rain aggravates the erosion in the reservoir area and makes the water even cloudier and more yellowish.
The accumulated dirt and corrosion in the pipes also adds color to the water.
At times of road construction, house construction or fire, the sudden heavy flow in the pipes pulls out the accumulated dirt into your water. In this situation is to use a sediment cartridge to remove the silt, mud, dirt, rust.
Boiling water to kill germs and ensure safety is only applicable at rural areas or areas where no chlorine is added into water.
City water is generally processed by chlorine and the chance of germs growing in the water is so slim that boiling becomes unnecessary. Not only that the mud and the metal content stays in the water, but boiling may also actually serve the opposite of your intentions.
According to reports from Osaka Water Authority in Japan, the increase in temperature intensifies the chemical process of carcinogenic materials like trihalomethane. When the water reaches 100oC, the trihalomethane content rises 3 times more than normal. Therefore the safest method is still to filter out the chlorine, trihalomethane, mud and metal content before boiling.
Filters do not take out every content regardless of them being useful or harmful. For example, activated carbon commonly used among filters can effectively take out chlorine and trihal omethane chemicals (in molecules) but not good minerals (in ions) in water.
Hair loss is a very complicated problem, and the reason varies with every individual.
However, according to hair specialist Brian Thompson, chlorine is a strong bleaching agent and can damage the protein content in our hair, which becomes brittle and breaks. Using chlorine-added water to wash your hair does make hair fall.
Yes. Skin is the biggest organ of our body and is highly absorbent and permeable. Chlorine is a chemical element that absorbs water. It absorbs the water from our skin and makes it dry, crease and itchy. This explains why our skin feels dry after washing our hands and/or face and needs some products (mostly containing chemical content) to moisturize our skin.
A research report prepared by cancer researcher Professor Wilkins in 1998 says, "one in every 10 cases of bladder and colon cancer can result from years of drinking and showering with chlorine-treated water." The American Biology Association estimates that the chemicals absorbed during the shower, including chlorine, is 10 times higher than drinking.
Shower Filter designed for removing chlorine recently become available. While most drinking water filters can only be used for cold water, the new shower filters can be used with warm water. Due to the low price, easy installation and good performance, these filters are quite popular. But if you want all the sink water to be chlorine-free, you should consider a whole house centralized filter system.
Yes. Fluoride was added into the water of most cities to prevent tooth cavity. Recent researches found that drinking water with high fluoride content can affect the health of our teeth. The best way to prevent cavity is still to have a fluoride treatment at the dentists. There only Reverse Osmosis system can remove fluoride (heavy metal).
Before buying a water filter, you have to know the problems with the water in your house and select accordingly.
The water quality in every district is different, and more so with the influence of different water source, environment, and the building structure.
Not every filter serves its intended purpose. Filters of poor quality or being misused not only cannot clean your water but can affect your health.
It is different for everybody - depends on the quality and effectiveness, cost- effectiveness. The "best" filter is what suits your needs.
Some people want the best quality regardless of money and complicated installation. Some want average quality and reasonable price but are most concerned with easy installation and maintenance/care. Some are only concerned with exterior presentation. A balance should be sought among quality, price, operation, and repair when buying a filter.
Depending on the water quality problem, and the user needs, the following methods are the common filtration system:
1) Reverse Osmosis
2) Ultrafiltration
3) ion-exchange resin
4) granular activated carbon
5) ionization/ electrodialysis
6) filtration by fiber
7) filtration by ceramic
8) Ultra-violet
Each has its own advantages depending on the needs of the user.
There are basically three categories:-
1) On-tap type -- Directly installed on the sink tap. Small in size. The filter operates with the turn of a knob. This requires frequent change of cartridge with only limited effectiveness, but installation is easy.
2) Countertop type -- Water flows through a plastic pipe connected to tap, then to filter and comes out. The filter is bigger and the cartridge is more durable and effective. Installation is still simple and therefore quite popular.
3) In-line type -- connected within water pipes and in line can be classified into 3 kinds:
-- a) under-sink
-- b) whole house centralized system
-- c) ice maker unit/appliance cartridge
The installation has to be done by a professional plumber and would need pipe parts.
It is important to change cartridges regularly. There are some cheap cartridges that are not bacteria resistant thus becoming a bacteria breeding ground. Drinking water filter cartridges should be bacteriostatic to ensure safe use.
The frequency in changing cartridges varies according to the features of each model. We recommend some not bacteria resistant filter must be changed at least once every year.
Other factors to consider when selecting a filter include flow rate, installation, the complication in changing cartridges, price, and maintenance.
If water passes through too fast, the cartridge does not have enough time to absorb impurities in the water, and its filtering capacity will be reduced. The water pressure in the pipes can also affect filters. Some filters cost relatively cheaper but cartridges are expensive and vice versa. Customers are advised to choose according to their needs.
