Home Water Filtration: A Practical Guide

With the recent Taumata Arowai report highlighting gaps in water safety, now is the time to consider home water filtration as a viable solution to protect your family. In this guide, we’ll review the most effective filtration methods for different water concerns, including bacteria, heavy metals, and chemical contaminants.

Types of Household Water Filtration Systems (commonly use a combination of the below options)

• How it works: These filters use carbon to absorb impurities such as chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other harmful chemicals.
• Benefits: They improve the taste and odor of water, making it more pleasant to drink.
• Commonly used in: Faucet filters, countertop filters, and pitcher filters.
• Pros and Cons: Affordable, improves taste, and easy to install but limited in removing dissolved substances.
• Recommended Product: Ionza Active Pure Xtra 3-Year High Performance Prefilter – This prefilter is designed with advanced technology to effectively filter out not only chlorine and other harmful chemicals but also heavy metals like lead and mercury, a capability not typically found in standard carbon filters. By reducing these contaminants, it significantly enhances the taste and odor of drinking water, making it more pleasant to consume. It is often a key component in our water filtration system collections, ensuring superior prefiltration and extending the life of the main filters.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

• How it works: RO systems use a semipermeable membrane to filter out contaminants like lead, nitrates, fluoride, and pesticides by pushing water through the membrane.
• Benefits: This method removes up to 99% of harmful substances, providing extremely clean water.
• Commonly used in: Whole-house systems and under-the-sink filters.
• Pros and Cons: Removes a wide range of contaminants but wastes some water, more expensive, and strips minerals from water.
• Recommended Product: PureRevive RO Water Enricher – A comprehensive underbench RO system that not only removes a broad range of contaminants but also remineralizes water, ensuring high-quality, nutrient-rich drinking water.

UV (Ultraviolet) Water Purifiers

• How it works: UV systems use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can be present in water.
• Benefits: Excellent for homes concerned about biological contaminants.
• Commonly used in: Whole-house and point-of-entry systems.
• Pros and Cons: Effective at killing bacteria but doesn’t remove chemicals or sediment.
• Recommended Products: LifeSpring 10 UV Twin/Triple Whole House Filter System – This system offers robust sediment filtration combined with an activated carbon filter, producing clear, high-quality water for highly effective UV sterilization, making it ideal for medium-sized homes looking to reduce contaminants and safeguard against microorganisms. Alka UV Alkaline Filter System – A cost-effective solution that combines UV sterilization and alkaline filtration, perfect for underbench installation to provide safe, pH-balanced drinking water, and protecting against biological contaminants.

Alkaline/Water Ionizers

• How it works: These systems filter water while also adjusting the pH, typically making the water more alkaline and rich in antioxidants.
• Benefits: They help neutralize acidity in the body and are often praised for enhancing hydration.
• Commonly used in: Countertop systems and water ionizing jugs
• Pros and Cons: Typically enhances hydration, boosts antioxidants but does not remove bacteria or viruses.
• Recommended Products: Ionza Alka Spring Cartridge, Alka Jug and Bottle, Ionza Ionizer Machines that come with prefiltration that suits your needs.

Sediment Filters

• How it works: These filters trap large particles like sand, silt, and rust from water.
• Benefits: They prevent debris from entering and damaging plumbing systems and other water filtration equipment.
• Commonly used in: Pre-filtration for more advanced systems, well water filtration systems.
• Pros and Cons: Protects plumbing, affordable but doesn’t remove chemicals or microorganisms.
• Recommended Product: Ionza Sediment Filter – A high-capacity sediment filter that efficiently removes large particles like sand and rust, protecting your plumbing and enhancing the longevity of other filtration systems.

• How it works: The Ultra Filter uses 0.1-micron hollow fiber membranes to trap bacteria, sediments, and cysts, ensuring clean water without electricity or chemicals.
• Benefits: Efficiently removes up to 99.9% of bacteria, cysts, and sediments, improving water quality without the need for electricity or chemicals.
• Commonly used in: Ideal for kitchen under-bench systems, whole-house filtration, and portable water units for safe and clean drinking water.
• Pros and Cons: Offers high bacteria removal, is easy to install, and environmentally friendly, but has limited chemical filtration capability and may require regular cleaning for optimal performance.
• Recommended Product: Ionza Ultra Filter – Provides comprehensive bacterial and sediment removal, ensuring safe and clean drinking water without requiring electricity or chemical additives.

• How it works: Hydrogen water machines infuse water with molecular hydrogen to enhance its antioxidant properties, serving as a water enhancer rather than a filtration system.
• Benefits: Provides potential health benefits like improved hydration, reduced oxidative stress, and better athletic performance..
• Commonly used in: Typically used in homes, gyms, and wellness centers to promote overall health and wellness.
• Pros and Cons: Offers enhanced hydration and antioxidant benefits, but doesn’t filter contaminants.
• Recommended Products: Ionza Hydrogen Water Jug and Bottle, KYK Hydrogen Midi, KYK Hydrogen Max

Once you’ve chosen the right water filtration system for your household, regular maintenance is key to ensuring it continues to perform optimally. Over time, filters can become clogged with the contaminants they remove, which reduces their effectiveness and can lead to water quality issues.

1. Prolongs filter lifespan: Regular cleaning or replacing filters prevents buildup and keeps the system running smoothly.
2. Maintains water quality: A clogged filter can allow contaminants to pass through, diminishing the benefits of filtration.
3. Improves system efficiency: A well-maintained system uses less energy and functions more effectively, leading to long-term savings.
4. Ensures health safety: Neglecting filter maintenance can lead to bacterial growth and a higher risk of waterborne illnesses.

Conclusion

Investing in a reliable water filtration system is an excellent step towards improving your family’s health and well-being. Whether you opt for an activated carbon filter, a reverse osmosis system, or a UV purifier, it's important to understand the strengths and limitations of each type of filter. Just as crucial is maintaining your system, as proper care ensures it continues to deliver safe and clean water.

Installation and Maintenance: Ensure you regularly replace filters and perform maintenance as recommended. A neglected system can become a breeding ground for bacteria and may even introduce contaminants into your water supply.

Investing in a home filtration system allows you to take control of your water quality and protect your family. Review your local water quality report and select a system that addresses your specific needs. For personalized recommendations, get in touch with us here.