Water purifying systems
The water that comes from your tap may not necessarily be good for your health, which makes the purifying of drinking water an important consideration for any household.
Not only is South Africa experiencing a water scarcity due to drought conditions and population growth, but we are also experiencing water quality issues because of a failing and outdated infrastructure.
Drinking enough water daily is essential for the proper functioning of our bodies. Benefits of drinking a sufficient amount of water daily include improved physical performance, assistance with weight loss, mood enhancement, enhanced brain function, the prevention of headaches and protection against certain diseases.
Dr. Anthony Turton, environmental risk analyst and water expert, warned in 2015 that South Africa has polluted its national water resources to such an extent that it now faces a crisis of induced scarcity. Turton said that, each day, municipalities are discharging around 4 billion litres of untreated or partially treated sewage into the country’s rivers and dams.
According to Professor Bob Scholes, a Wits University climate change expert, contaminants are not diluted adequately when dams reach critically low levels. The temperature of the water in our dams also tends to be warmer because of lower water levels, which leads to the risk of bacterial contamination.
There are a number of purifying options available on the market to treat water before it is consumed, some of which are:
Granulated, activated charcoal filters
These types of filters, including charcoal stick water filters, reduce chlorine in the water and improve the water’s taste, but are less effective in removing pollutants and heavy metals.
Reverse osmosis (RO)
Reverse osmosis is a filtration process that uses a membrane to remove contaminants from water. These systems are usually used in conjunction with a granulated activated charcoal filter to remove chlorine, and can be fitted under the sink. The negative aspects of RO are that a large amount of water is wasted in the filtration process, filters need to be replaced regularly, it is a slow process and beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium are also removed from the water.
Mineral multi-stage filtration systems
These units typically consist of a water dispenser with a multi-stage filtration system that removes 99% of bacteria while retaining essential trace elements. Carbon in the filter removes chlorine odour and other chemical contaminants and a ceramic ball filter works in conjunction with the replaceable multi-stage filter cartridge to purify the water. The negative aspects of these systems are that they take up counter space, need to be filled manually and filtration is slow.
Countertop water purifiers
An active carbon block in the filter removes chlorine, while a polyethylene filter cartridge removes harmful bacteria. These units require no installation and are easy and convenient to use.
Under-counter multi-stage filters
Under-counter multi-stage filters purify water through a multi-stage process, which can include UV filtering and the addition of essential minerals. These systems remove the widest range of contaminants and are very easy to use, with no manual filling.
Whole house filters
Whole house filters use a three-stage system to purify a home’s water supply. A sediment filter removes contaminants before the water is passed through a carbon block filter that removes chemical pollutants. A UV-C steriliser finally sterilises the water of bacteria and other harmful organisms. Your family will bath and shower in purified water, as all tap water in the home is purified.
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