Water Filters

With all kinds of pollutants in the air nowadays, it is no longer peculiar to see different modes of cleansing or purifying water. It may seem ironic – the water we use to cleanse ourselves needs to be cleanse first – but such is the price for modernization. For this very reason, water filters are as much a necessity in daily living as power, heat or electricity.

There are many types of water filters to cater to the rising demand for them. From fixed structures to movable ones, there are ways of filtering your water no matter how busy your schedule, how small or large your available space is or even when you are constantly on the go. Basically, the different types of water filters cater to different lifestyles, needs and kinds of individuals.

One of the most common places to find a water filter in the home is in the refrigerator. Fridge water filters come built in and exclusive to the manufacturer, although there are many that claim to be generic. The best fits for filters in the fridge, however, are those that are match with the make and model and for this, it is always best to refer back to its manufacturer, as inconvenient as it may be.

Fridge water filters are very extremely practical and necessary for fridges that dispense drinking water. Not only do they purify the water, they also help remove unwanted smells and color. One point to remember is that they should ideally be replaced every six months.

Water filters can be divided into two kinds:

1. Commercial water filters

2. Household water filters

Commercial water filters are slightly different from those for private or home use. For one, they are usually a lot bulkier as they tend to be larger. Their size is mainly due to the fact that they have to be able to accommodate a lot of "traffic" – as in more people using the taps leading to more water flowing through the filters. Commercial filters also focus on economy of maintenance – filters have to be longer-lasting and made of more durable material to be able to withstand rough handling and heavy usage.

Household water filters, on the other hand, usually focus on convenience and aesthetics. Mainly located at close to the tap where the source of water is, these are also placed discreetly under the sink or in some closed-off space that could be made specially for it. These filters are not usually large in size – although a variety of sizes is possible in the market today to cater for larger families or community homes. As their usage is significantly lower than their commercial counterparts, household water filters are lower in maintenance but may not last as long.

Commercial or private, these are filters which are fixed structures in their surroundings. In total contrast to these are the portable or mobile water filters. These are often used on camping trips or more seriously, by the military. Those travelling by boat or caravan will also need to have a portable water filter on board, for obvious safety and health reasons when on holiday. Generally, there are two types of filters:

1. Firstly, there is the simple, straightforward filter whose job is to cleanse the water from chemicals like chlorine and remove odor at the same time. These will give you purified water from the tap at any time of the day.

2. Secondly, there is the more complicated version of (1) which has a larger scope of capabilities. These types of filters are meant to be installed in the water storage tanks and can remove bacteria and other organic matter. This will be highly useful particularly when you have to top up your water supply from dubious sources.

Whether you are planning a travel or not, it is a good idea to have a portable or caravan water filter on standby for a possible emergency where evacuating your home may be a possibility.

Another method of purifying water is with reverse osmosis – a scientific system where water is forced through a thin filter that traps the unwanted sediment on one side and leaving pure, clean water through. This type of system comes with its own initial water filter, which will need to be replaced on every six months.

The reverse osmosis water filter is a fine membrane that has minute pores that efficiently traps micro organic matter. The common belief is that the smaller the pores, the more purified the water that is produced. This does not, however, extend to the stages of purification – more so-called purifying stages does not necessarily equal cleaner water. It just means more water filters to replace.

Whether at home or on the go, water filters are increasingly important today. With so many pollutants in the water, it\'s essential that we have clean water at our disposal for all the cooking, drinking and cleaning that we do.