Particulate Water Filter Alternatives

Particulate Filtration

• Particulate, or particle filtration, is a water purification process that removes tiny suspended particles from water, ranging in size from sand to clay. Water in need of such treatment may appear cloudy. Common home filtration systems, such as activated carbon filters, cannot remove these particulates. But, membrane filtration systems are appearing as a more reliable way to remove particulates as well as bacteria and microorganisms and are usually located at the point where water enters a home.

Microfiltration

• Microfilters are ideal for removing sediment such as sand, silt and clay. Usually small home filters do not adequately remove particulates, but larger filtration systems located where the water enters the house are usually capable of this. Microfiltration can also remove bacteria and pathogens, but cannot disinfect large amounts of water. The system is simple to install and involve a feed pump, cleaning pump and a few other units. It is expected that membrane filtration will become more common in small systems in the future.

Ultrafiltration

• Ultrafiltration works by sending materials through a membrane with very small pores, so that many bacteria and viruses as well as particulate material is removed. It allows water to pass through, while retaining particulate matter, protozoa and bacteria. Though not all contaminants are always removed, in some systems the treatment may be adequate alone. Either way, enough of these contaminants are removed to allow for ease of purification with additional UV radiation, ozone treatment or chlorination.

Distillation

• Distillation is an effective method for removing inorganic sediment and particulates, such as minerals and metals. It works by heating up water until it turns to steam, leaving contaminants behind. Without any minerals in the water, it may taste somewhat sweet or flat compared with mineral water. Pathogens and organic contaminants are also removed in this process. Some organic chemicals including benzene vaporize along with the water, so they should be removed prior to drinking. Many home distillation kits have carbon filters for this purpose.