Home Water Purification - The Only Guide You Need!

With so many water purification methods available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. That's why we have created this ultimate guide where we will cover why water purification is important, the different methods of water purification, and how to ensure you're drinking safe water. With our expert tips and advice, you can rest assured that you and your family are drinking clean and safe water. So, let's dive in and learn all about water purification.

What is water purification?

Water purification is the process of removing anything that is suspended, dissolved, or somehow contained within water that you want to remove.

Public water supply

The standards for drinking water quality vary country to country and are typically set by governments. These standards usually include permissible levels of contaminants, depending on what the water is going to be used for. In England and Wales water quality standards are set by The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), and in Scotland the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) monitors the quality of water samples taken by Scottish Water.

Where does the public water supply come from?

Depending on where you are in the world, your water may be collected from various sources and then treated using various methods of water purification before it reaches your tap. These sources include:

• Groundwater: Rain falls through rock and settles deep underground. Water can emerge via springs or may be extracted from boreholes or wells.
• Upland lakes and reservoirs: Usually situated above any human habitation and areas may be protected to restrict the threat of contamination.
• Rivers, canals, and low land reservoirs: Water that originates from these sources will have a significant level of bacteria and may also contain algae, suspended solids, and a variety of dissolved organic compounds.
• Rainwater harvesting: Rainwater is collected from a roof-like surface and channeled to a tank, cistern, or deep pit such as a well, shaft, or borehole. It’s useful for watering gardens, livestock, irrigation, domestic use with proper water purification methods to make it drinkable, and domestic heating systems.
• Desalination: normally carried out on an industrial scale with reverse osmosis systems.

What is the process of water purification?

The purification of water has one main goal and that is the removal of contaminants to ensure the water is fit for purpose, whether that's for drinking or for use in industrial or medical processes.

This process can vary massively and is dependent on the quality of the water being treated, what the budget is, and the expected quality standards of the processed water.

Raw, untreated water can contain several unwanted things such as sediment, micro-organisms including bacteria, cysts and viruses, algae, dissolved organic and inorganic compounds, agricultural chemical residues, fluoride, and pharmaceuticals.

Water purification methods used by water suppliers and local authorities differ depending on local conditions and requirements.

Let's look at the most common methods:

• Coagulation: this process consists of adding a chemical known as a coagulant to the water to destabilise the suspended particles and bring them together. Particles can be inorganic or organic. Examples of inorganic particles are clay and silt. Examples of organic particles are algae, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and natural organic matter. Both inorganic and organic particles contribute to the turbidity and colour of water.
• Flocculation: follows coagulation and involves gently stirring or agitating the water to encourage the formation of larger particles or flocs. This can be achieved through mechanical mixing or by allowing the water to flow through a series of baffles or channels. These flocs can then be easily removed from the water through settling or filtration.
• Rapid sand filtration: These filters effectively remove impurities and ensure clean, safe drinking water for communities. Rapid sand filters are designed to remove impurities from water through a combination of physical and biological processes. Water moves vertically through a bed of sand which often has a top layer of activated carbon or anthracite coal. This top layer improves the taste and smell of the water by removing organic compounds, particles, bacteria, and other contaminants.
• Granular activated carbon (GAC): adsorbs high levels of chlorine and other chemicals to improve the taste and smell of water.
• Ultraviolet disinfection: UV disinfection is a chemical-free method of water disinfection that uses ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms.
• Chlorination: one of the most widely used methods of water disinfection. It involves the addition of chlorine or chloramine to water to kill or inactivate microorganisms.
• Ozone: a powerful method of water purification that involves the use of ozone gas to kill or inactivate microorganisms.
• Desalination: the removal of salts and minerals from seawater to produce water that’s suitable for drinking or irrigation.

Sometimes the water suppliers are required by governments or local authorities to add fluoride to water to improve dental health. Although fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water and some foods, some areas of the UK may still add hydrofluorosilicic acid (fluoride), which is a waste product of the phosphate fertiliser industry.

There is much public disagreement about the safety of adding fluoride to water and whether the benefits to dental health outweigh the possible risks.

Home water purification

With so many water purification methods available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. With our expert tips and advice, you can rest assured that you and your family will be drinking clean and safe water.

People have many and varied reasons why they decide to install a water filter. It can be as simple as just wanting to improve the taste and smell of the water to effectively treating hard water because of the frustrating problems with limescale.

Or you may be receiving regular boil notices from your water company and decide that you want to take control and make your life easier by installing your own system for water purification. 

Alternatively, there may be specific things you want to remove from your water, such as chlorine or calcium and magnesium because you or a family member are suffering from irritating skin complaints such as eczema or psoriasis.

If you’re on a private water supply, that can be a whole different ball game. You may have received notification from your local authority following a water analysis test that you are obligated to remove various contaminants from your water.

Residential Water Purification

There are a variety of water purification methods at home and the solution for you will differ from what’s right for someone else.

It's important that you work out what your goals are for home water purification. What is it that you want to remove from your water? Is it just drinking water you want to treat or the whole house?

Bearing that in mind let’s look at the problems people have with their water, and what can be done about it.

Mains water problems

You may be experiencing one or many problems with your mains water that you are keen to find a solution for.

Some of the most common mains water problems include:

• The strong smell and taste of chlorine.
• Unsightly limescale deposits on your household surfaces and appliances.
• Objection to the fluoridation of your water.
• Evidence of heavy metals in your water, for example, lead.
• A combination of the above.

Finding a solution to these problems is where we come in. It might be one or a combination of water purification methods that you’ll need.

The smell and taste of chlorine is one of the simplest things to deal with. Carbon filters are highly effective at removing chlorine. These are usually granular activated carbon (GAC) or carbon block, which is made from GAC by pressing it into a solid form. Carbon filter media can be manufactured from a few things including charcoal and bituminous material, but most are made from coconut shell.

As mentioned, carbon filters are highly efficient at removing chlorine – something in the order of 95 to 99%. They also remove a host of other chemicals such as hormones, PAHs, endocrine disruptors, some volatile organic compounds, trace pharmaceuticals, trihalomethanes, agricultural chemical residues, and many more (depending on the quality of the filter cartridge).

Heavy metals in water are often due to old lead pipes in buildings that were constructed before the 1970s. But there can also be lead from the old types of solder used in copper pipe joints. In addition, lead and other heavy metals may be present in the water supply in trace amounts. There are some carbon block filters that remove metals. However, many heavy metal filters made from a combination of GAC and a medium called KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion). GAC/KDF 55 removes up to 98% of metals such as copper, nickel, chromium, lead, and mercury. The benefits of the combination filter are that you get both chemical AND metals reduction.

Reducing and removing fluoride requires a specialised filter. These are usually combined in a multistage filter system with the first part handling the fluoride. The second stage would deal with other things which may vary depending on a person’s wishes. A fluoride filter is a container filled with Activated Alumina (AA), not to be confused with aluminium (which is completely different), specially manufactured for the task.

AA is often used as a desiccant, but in this instance it’s a different form that’s specifically developed as a food grade material that doesn’t leach into the water. Bearing in mind that levels of fluoride in water are low a typical 93% removal efficiency means that AA filters do an excellent job. As with most water treatment equipment it’s worth ensuring you obtain good quality filters from a known source.

And then there are the problems associated with hard water. Hard water contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals are picked up as water flows through rock formations, such as limestone and chalk, and will vary in concentration depending on the region. Hard water is generally safe to drink, but it can cause numerous issues within your home.

Hard water can leave behind scaly mineral deposits on surfaces, such as sinks, taps, and shower heads, which can be difficult to remove and look unsightly. These deposits can also build up within your pipes, reducing water flow and potentially clogging pipes up. Furthermore, the minerals in hard water can make it harder for soaps and detergents to lather up and rinse away, causing soap scum on your dishes and making freshly washed laundry stiff and rough.

In addition to the cosmetic and cleaning issues, hard water can also have an impact on your health. Some people may experience dry or itchy skin, as the minerals in hard water can strip away natural oils. Similarly, hair can become dull and brittle when washed with hard water. For those with sensitive skin or certain skin conditions, hard water can exacerbate symptoms and cause further irritation.

You’ll be pleased to know that there are ways to combat those hard ions!

Let's look at the three most common ways to soften or condition hard water:

Salt-based ion exchange water softeners - these are the traditional water softeners that have been used for decades. They replace the calcium and magnesium ions in hard water with sodium ions through a process called ion exchange. While effective in softening water, these systems require regular maintenance and the addition of salt to regenerate the sodium ions in the resin.

As an alternative to salt-based water softeners, salt-free water conditioners use a different technology called Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC). Instead of removing the minerals, these systems convert them into microscopic crystals that are unable to stick to surfaces. This prevents the formation of scale and reduces the negative effects of hard water. Salt-free water conditioners are low-maintenance and do not require the addition of salt or a power supply, making them a popular choice for those looking for an eco-friendlier option.

Magnetic and electronic descalers - these innovative devices use magnetic or electronic fields to alter the structure of the minerals in hard water, preventing them from forming scale. Magnetic descalers utilise powerful magnets that are placed around the water supply pipe, while electronic descalers emit electromagnetic waves to achieve the same effect. These descaling devices are easy to install and require minimal maintenance. However, their effectiveness can vary depending on the hardness level of your water and the specific model used.

By narrowing down factors such as water hardness level, how much water is being used, installation requirements, maintenance, personal preferences and cost you’ll find a system to solve your problems with hard water. 

What kind of water purification system do you need?

Once you know what problems you want to solve and have an idea of which kind of home water purification system you want, you’ll then need to consider the size of the unit.

Our range of easy to install drinking water filters are suitable if you only want to treat your drinking water and they can provide up to 4 litres per minute (depending on water pressure). If water flows through the 2.5” x 10” filter cartridge too quickly there is insufficient contact time with the filter medium for the water to be treated effectively. All our drinking water filters come with a choice of single flow drinking water filter taps which is installed onto your kitchen sink, or you can upgrade your existing tap to one of our 3 way taps which will give you hot, cold, and filtered water.

Cold water tap filters, also known as our Moby range, treat the cold water for your existing kitchen tap only and are good for up to 10 litres per minute. Our cold water tap filters use 4.5” x 10” housings and cartridges. Although bigger than the drinking water filters, they are still small enough to be installed under the sink.

The next size up are whole house water filters, also known as our Doby range. This type of system is plumbed into your mains water supply just after the stop cock and will treat all water from every tap in your house. Because these are bigger units using 4.5” x 20” housings and cartridges they can cope with a flow rate of up to 25 litres per minute. However, they are difficult to fit in undersink cupboards, although it can be done!

And finally, we have our largest units such as our Ofres, HiFlow and Big Bubba range of filters which are suitable for flow rates higher than 25 litres per minute.

You can calculate what size system you’ll need using the following assumed flow rates:

• Kitchen or bathroom tap – 6 litres per minute
• Standard shower – 9 litres per minute
• Power shower – 15 litres per minute
• Toilet flush – 3 litres per minute
• Washing machine – 3 litres per minute
• Dishwasher – 3 litres per minute

You can assume not all water outlets will be used at the same time but do take account of maximum occupancy as well as the usual number of people in the household at any one time.

For example, if you have a 4-bedroom house with two bathrooms and 4 or 5 occupants then assume that maximum water usage is likely to be:

1 shower (9 Lpm) + kettle fill at the kitchen sink (6 Lpm) + dishwasher (3 Lpm) + toilet flush (3Lpm) = 21 Litres per minute.

Private water supply problems

If you don’t receive a bill from a water company, you’re more than likely on a private water supply. Your water may be coming from a well, borehole, natural spring, stream, river, lake or pond and each source will throw one or more problems at you that you’ll need to rectify by installing some sort of water purification process.

You can’t tell just by looking at water if its good quality or safe to drink. Many people think that drawing their water from a private water supply is going to be the ‘purest’ water they’ve ever had. This is far from reality.

The water may have fallen as rain some distance away from where you’re drawing it, travelling underground, and overground collecting various chemicals and microbiological contaminants before it reaches you. There is no way of knowing just how old that water is.

If your supply is from surface water, it may contain animal faeces.

A private water supply could contain viruses, bacteria, or protozoa.

• Viruses: the smallest micro-organisms to be found in water including Norovirus and Hepatitis A.
• Bacteria: A major source of illness in drinking water comes from bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E.coli.
• Protozoa: these are small creatures such as amoebae, for example Cryptosporidium.

There may also be chemical contamination in private water supplies, including inorganic chemicals, organic and physical contaminants.

We are happy to look at any analysis report so we can provide water purification recommendations. The easiest way for you to send this to us is via our contact page.

For any private water supply we highly recommend installing a pre-filter such as our Moby single or twin step-down sediment filter containing 20 micron + 5micron cartridges. For bigger households then a bigger sediment filter will be needed, such as our Doby versions. This type of filter will ensure that any sediment is removed before the main water disinfection process.

If you opt for using UV water treatment, then the pre-filter will protect the UV quartz sleeve. If you choose not to do this any sediment in the water will coat the outside of the quartz sleeve making the UV ineffective and your water unsafe.

Ultraviolet lamps emit UV radiation that kill microorganisms in water and are used extensively to sterilise a huge variety of things. These include items for consumption such as fruit juice and bottled spring water.

If they are good enough to comply with all the regulations food and drink manufacturers have to adhere to it gives you a good idea about how effective they are.

Having said that you need to be sure that you obtain a good quality unit with the correct ratings for your expected water use.

Most UV filters for private residential use are very similar; there is a power supply/controller known as a ballast. Plus, a stainless-steel tubular vessel, called the reactor, with a water inlet and outlet.

Inside the reactor is a quartz sleeve and UV lamp. The sleeve is a glass like tube that separates the lamp from the water it’s sterilising.

The UV radiation shines through the water, killing any biologicals in it. The faster the flow rate the longer the water is required to be in contact with UV. That means a bigger unit correctly rated for your property.

Fortunately, most UVs have the maximum flow rate included in their specifications, so you can calculate your household needs and select something that is more than capable.

There are many cheap, unbranded products available, but the support from the manufacturers can be problematic, so get a decent one.

If you’re very remote or off-grid something to consider is power supply consistency.

Ultraviolet lamps are easily damaged by power fluctuations and being switched on and off. They need to be powered up constantly, even if you’re not there.

That may mean you need an alternative to UV disinfection.

In that case there are filters that have pore sizes so small that no microbiological infection can get through.

This is known as nanofiltration because the filter cartridge pore rating is below the micron range.

Not all nanofilters are the same, some have quite restricted flow rates due to the tiny pore size, but there are modern designs such as Argonide’s NanoCeram that offer high flow rates with a 0.2 micron ratings.

These are ideal for a final stage in a filter set to remove microscopic contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and cysts.

If you opt for this type of filter, you’ll need to replace the cartridge regularly. That is likely to be every six months, depending on how silted up it becomes.

Note that you’ll still need sediment filters prior to a NanoCeram to remove larger particles that would otherwise block up the nanofilter prematurely.

It’s also worth disinfecting the pipes in your house at every cartridge change by placing Milton’s Fluid (or similar) in one of the housings and running it through the plumbing to all outlets.

Conclusion

If you’ve got this far you now know more than most people about the huge variety of water filtration and treatment systems available.

You’ll have learnt that the right system for your situation is not the same as for other people – it’s all about your water supply and how you want to improve it.

When you’ve considered all of this, the best thing to do is speak to an expert who can help guide you through anything you’re not clear about.

Finally, you can get in touch with Fountain Filters with no obligation. We will assess your needs and advise you of what will work best for your needs.

Remember, the best filter is the one that solves your specific water problems, not the one with the highest specs or the most expensive.