| Method | DESCRIPTION | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Activated Carbon Filter | There 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
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| 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.
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| 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 Radiation | Ultraviolet 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.
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