According to WHO, contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks. Inadequate management of urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewater means the drinking-water of hundreds of millions of people is dangerously contaminated or chemically polluted. This is especially true in the case of developing countries. So it is not a question of if but when water purification systems will be adopted by every household in India. In recent years, RO (Reverse Osmosis) purification system has gained a lot of popularity as it is highly effective in water purification and not exorbitantly priced, either.
Here is a list of considerations to make before purchasing an RO water filter:
Water Quality
When you know about the quality of water being supplied to your home, then choosing a water purifier will be easier for you. You can get your water tested if you see any impurities present in the water. Some heavy metals like Lead, Mercury, and Arsenic present in the water can prove to be a source of many health problems over time.
Evaluate the water that is being supplied, as the water quality always differs from one area to another. Sometimes, the water is loaded with sediments or other invisible germs and viruses that can affect your health. The physical appearance of water can also indicate the kind of sediments present in the water. The odor and the taste of the water can point to the presence of dissolved impurities. If the water leaves white patches behind when stored in a steel utensil, it hints at a high hardness quotient, i.e., the presence of Calcium and Magnesium in the water.
In these cases, an RO Water Purifier is the best choice for you. RO purifiers have a semipermeable membrane that has a pore size of 0.0005 microns. These pores can help remove the tiniest dissolved salts, metals, and impurities.
Daily Usage
Always measure the average daily water consumption of your family. Determine if you need water only for drinking or if you need it for maintaining the entire house. It will give a fair idea about the kind of water purifier you need. If your daily consumption is high, you might need a model with a higher output rate that can effectively filter a large batch of water supply. If it is low, then you can go for a water purifier with a lower output rate. Always try to consider the number of users before buying a product – If you live in a joint family, then the purifier with a lower output rate will be useless.
Know your budget
Determine how much you’re planning to invest in a water purifier. Once your budget is sorted, you must look for a product that fits your bill. A water purifier is a long-term investment, and hence, it is always recommended that you go for a high-quality brand. If you’re opting for a UV or UF purifier, then there are many options that cost less than 12K, and if you are looking for a good quality RO system, then there are many options that cost less than 16K.
Purification process & technology
One of the best ways to select from a wide range of water purifier brands is to compare their purifying technologies. The technology that is used in water purification affects water quality. Every purifier has a unique mechanism by which it can purify contaminated water. There are specific labels like RO, based on the mechanism used. RO stands for Reverse Osmosis and an RO Water Purifier uses a semipermeable membrane that can remove hardness, metals, ions, molecules, and larger particles from the water. Then, there are UV (Ultraviolet) purifiers that use Ultraviolet rays to kill germs present in the water. There is another kind of purifier known as UF (Ultrafiltration) purifier. UF uses hydrostatic pressure against a semipermeable membrane to eliminate bacteria and viruses from drinking water. TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) control in purifiers stands for a purification technique that controls the final TDS and thus the odor and taste of water.
Electricity
UV (Ultraviolet) and RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifiers need electricity to run. So, if you stay in an area where there is a shortage of power or erratic electricity supply, it is better to opt for alternatives like gravity-based purifiers.
Buy a Registered Product
The water purifier has become an important need of every household. There are a number of companies that manufacture water purifiers. Hence, it is important for you to always check for registration of the product before you buy. Many companies offer low-grade products for which quality checks are not done. Always shop for a purifier from a registered franchisee that commits to providing quality products and reliable services.
Body
After you analyze all the technical aspects along with TDS in Water Purifier, the design and the look come into the picture. A purifier’s body must be portable but sturdy because you buy a water purifier once in 8-10 years and you might shift from one place to another in the interim. The design and look must be appealing and ideally, match the interiors of your home.
A good water purifier will ensure the wellness of your family members and protect them from water-borne diseases. Choose a water purifier after gathering data and analyzing your needs instead of being influenced by advertisements and commercials.
