Modern water supplies are among the safest in history. However, that doesn’t mean that water filtration is unnecessary. Whether you have municipal or well water, there are many good reasons to consider installing a water filtration system in your home.
Chlorine
Chlorine is a major contributor to the safety of municipal water systems. However, it can irritate skin and eyes, interfere with cooking, and impart an unpleasant taste. Likewise, strongly chlorinated water smells like it came from a pool.
Fortunately, chlorine is one of the easiest chemicals in water to filter out. Activated carbon is the most common solution, but other methods like reverse osmosis and UV light treatment also eliminate chlorine.
Hard Water
Dissolved solids are the second most common reason for homeowners to choose water filtration. The presence of dissolved solids is often known as hard water. Calcium and magnesium can be problematic.
The worst effects of hard water tend to involve homes’ pipes. Minerals can build up inside both plumbing and drainpipes. This mineral buildup narrows the pipes, creating issues with everything from water pressure to drainage. In the worst scenarios, hard water can even destroy expensive appliances.
Hard water interferes with many household activities. It reduces the effectiveness of detergents, making washing machines and dishwashers less effective. Hard water influences everything from how bread bakes to the way your morning coffee tastes, too.
The good news is that water softeners can usually treat hard water. These are ion exchange systems that replace minerals with sodium. Reverse osmosis once again is a common alternative.
Pathogens
Concerns about bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are mostly an issue for folks with well water. Pathogens can sneak into your water supply and make you sick. Reverse osmosis is the best available physical filtration method, but UV light is also a good option. Unsurprisingly, many people use a mixture of methods to maximize safety.
Heavy Metals
Metals from decades of mining also affect our region’s water supply. Old water pipes can also contribute to the presence of heavy metals. These are elements like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, and copper that can cause serious health conditions.
Activated charcoal is good for treating the presence of lead and mercury. If you’re worried about other heavy metals, take a strong look at reverse osmosis.
Sediment
Sand and rust also appear in water systems. For the most part, these materials don’t affect health negatively. However, they can clog systems like appliances and water heaters. Also, most people find it unpleasant to encounter a bit of sand or the ruddy color of rust in their water.
Sediment filters are available and consist of a propylene material. A good multistage filter is an excellent choice because it can remove coarse materials before handling finer ones. Many people have a sediment filter as a pre-filter for other systems, reducing the strain on the membrane of a reverse osmosis system.
Chemicals
Many chemicals show up in the water, and some are small enough to escape many popular filtration methods. Activated carbon does well in treating volatile organic compounds, chemicals that are in a wide range of everyday products. Catalytic carbon offers a more aggressive solution. Once again, reverse osmosis is an option for removing chemicals like nitrates, salts, and fluoride.
Hydrogen Sulfide
While not a particularly meaningful health risk, hydrogen sulfide is known for producing a rotten egg smell in water. Many people are happy with the results that adding an aerator to a faucet provides. Activated carbon is a good alternative, but the filter can saturate quickly if there are heavy concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the water. Notably, municipal water chlorination tends to remove hydrogen sulfide, but it may be present in well water.
Frontline Plumbing is proud to serve the residents of Henderson, NV, and the Greater Las Vegas region. We employ licensed plumbers who can handle work on everything from point-of-use to whole-house filters. We base our recommendations on 30 years of experience and our strong understanding of the water treatment challenges facing our community. Our professionals can help with all your home’s water treatment needs. We also provide water heater solutions.
If you’re interested in water treatment for your Henderson residence, contact Frontline Plumbing today.
