Water Filtration Methods: Their Advantages & Disadvantages

MethodDESCRIPTIONADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
Activated Carbon FilterThere are two types of activated carbon filters: granulated and solid block. Each works by removing contaminants from the water supply as the water passes through the filter.
  • Inexpensive and effective
  • Do the best job of eliminating organic contaminants, heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, and various chemicals.
  • Does not require electricity
  •  Does not remove salts, minerals, or dissolved inorganic compounds
  • Granulated activated carbon filters cannot remove particles and sediment
Distillation The vapor that results from the heating of water is captured, transported to a separate container, condensed, cooled, and allowed to return to its original state. This removes any pollutants that have a higher boiling point than water because when the water is vaporized, the other contaminants are left behind in the original container. Eliminates many different kinds of injurious substances.
  •  Removes beneficial minerals and turns water acidic
  • Slow process that uses a lot of energy and the procedure must be repeatedly performed to have a purifying effect.
  • Any contaminant that has a lower boiling point than that of water will not be removed. This includes substances like herbicides, chlorine, and pesticides.
Ionized Water System Performs electrolysis on your water before you use it. This is an electrical filter that attaches to your kitchen water supply.
  •  Effectively eliminates dissolved inorganic material.
  • Inexpensive
  • No disposal of chemicals or resin
  • No regeneration of chemicals
  • Environmentally safe
 Water must be pre-purified by another type of filter.
Magnetization Water System Magnetic fields are used to change the viscosity, density, nitrogen iron concentration, and pH level of water.
  •  Increased oxygen content and enhanced dissolution.
  • Shrinks water molecules, making them easier for skin, tissues, and cells to absorb.
  • Better taste
 More expensive than other filtration methods
Reverse Osmosis Pressurized water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane. The pore structure of the membrane allows water to pass through it, but contaminants and particles are caught by the membrane.
  •  Eliminates chlorides, nitrates, and some other pollutants
  •  Does not use a lot of energy
  • Membranes last a long time.
  •  Chemicals do not regenerate
  •  Does not remove contaminants that are small enough to pass through the pores, such as pesticides and herbicides.
  • Need a lot of water pressure to function properly and require much maintenance.
  • Wastes a lot of water
UV Light / UV RadiationUltraviolet light passes over the water supply, killing various kinds of contaminants.
  •  Allows beneficial minerals to remain in the water
  • Improves the taste and smell of water
  • Eliminates many types of bacterial contaminants.
  • Eliminates some types of organic contaminants.
  • Kills or renders inactive pathogenic microorganisms
  • Necessary contact time is minimal
  •  Cryptosporidia may not be eliminated by this method.
  • Water must be pre-purified by another type of filter.
  • Does not eliminate ions, colloids, or particles.
  • Operated by electricity
  • Does not eliminate non-organic contaminants.
  • Lowers resistivity.