Comparison of In-Home Water Treatment Methods

Reverse Osmosis

Water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane, removing a large amount of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), metals, bacteria, and other possible carcinogens.  

An R/O membrane can be combined with quality pre and post filters to address specific water problems.  Also can be combined with an ultraviolet light for added purification.  

It is more convenient than a distiller and requires less maintenance.

Concerns - R/O can't separate dissolved gases, so they must be used in combination with an activated carbon filter. Some bacteria can destroy R/O membranes, so they should be used with a KDF pre-filter. For every one gallon of purified water produced, three to five gallons of water are drained.

Distillation

Distillers boil water to create steam. This steam is then captured and allowed to condense. The high heat kills biological contaminants, and sediments, heavy metals, dissolved minerals, and radioactive particles and left behind.

Concerns - Dissolved gases such as chlorine and radon cannot be separated from the steam, so they need to be removed by other filters such as activated carbon or KDF.

Distillers are expensive and require maintenance to prevent sediment build up. Only a stainless steel distiller should be considered.

Activated Carbon

Can remove chlorine, most volatile chemicals, and nearly all naturally occurring gases.

Concerns - They cannot kill bacteria or microorganisms, so the water is not considered purified. Bacteria can build up and thrive.

They should only be used with chlorinated water. They cannot remove radioactive particles. Granular activated carbon can channel, meaning there is less carbon surface area in contact with the water. Carbon block is better, since all the water molecules are forced to travel through the compressed carbon.

Kenetic-Degradation-Fluxion (KDF)

A high purity alloy made up of copper and zinc, which has a high potential for electrochemical reduction/oxidation reactions. For example, chlorine is converted to a zinc chloride.

It is estimated to be ten times more effective at removing chlorine than activated carbon. Zinc and copper create a minute electric current resulting in KDF being naturally bacteriostatic, and resistant to bacterial contamination.

Concerns - KDF can't remove certain volatile chemicals and naturally occurring gases. KDF is not a water purifier and not be used on water that is not chlorinated. It is also granular so channeling can occur resulting in inefficient filtering.

Ultraviolet Light Purifiers

Kills waterborne bacteria and biological contaminants. UV light penetrates the membrane of microbes and inactivates the protein structures inside the cells. UV light purifiers are often used in conjunction with reverse-osmosis systems.

Concerns - Has no effect on contaminants other than microorganisms.

Sediment Filters

Come in ratings ranging from 1 to 25 microns, which is the minimum size of the particles they will allow to pass through. They will remove heavy concentrations of suspended soil in water.

Concerns - They will not remove any biological contaminants, dissolved gases, or chemicals.