Types Of Water Purifiers For Your Home

Water pollution in India is a serious problem and a growing concern for Indians. Today, many households invest in water purifiers, so that they have access to clean drinking water at home. But, deciding on the right water purifier for your home is not an easy task. One has to choose from various types of water purifiers available in the market that boast of different types of water treatments. You also have to consider different types of water purification methods and the types of water filters used in the water purifiers.

If you are struggling to decide on the best water purifier for your home, we give you all the details you'll need to come to a decision.

RO water purifier

How it works: Water purification through reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most preferred systems of water treatment at home. In this process, the water is pushed through an RO membrane (RO water filter), which is a semi-permeable membrane. Through this method contaminants like sodium, chlorine, urea, lead, copper, chromium, selenium, pesticides and fluoride also get filtered out. The best RO purifier also helps treat bacteria and virus to a certain degree. Many RO water purifiers also have a Post Filter or a Carbon Filter that removes any remaining odour or taste from the water.

Advantages of RO water purifiers

• RO is the best way to treat hard water and remove chemicals and metals from drinking water.
• It also removes bad odour or taste from the water.
• RO water purifiers are easy to maintain and are cost-effective.

Disadvantages of RO water purifiers

• In the process of treating water, RO water purifiers also remove important natural minerals like sodium, iron, calcium and magnesium.
• RO water purifiers don't treat all bacteria and viruses.
• A lot of water gets wasted during the filtration process.

UV water purifier

How it works: Ultraviolet (UV) water purifiers have a UV light source that is placed in front of the water chamber. As the water passes through the chamber it is treated by the UV rays that kill harmful pathogens present in the water. Many companies combine both water purification technologies to treat water and recommend RO UV water purifiers.

Advantages of UV water purifiers

• UV filters' maintenance costs are low as only the UV lamps need to be changed once in a year. They also consume less electricity.
• UV water purifiers work faster and can purify 2 to 3 litres of water in a minute.
• UV water purifiers do not change the taste of water and the essential minerals are preserved during the filtration process.

Disadvantages of UV water purifiers

• UV water purifiers do not treat hard water or remove contaminants or heavy metals from the water.
• Since UV rays are not visible to the naked eye, it becomes hard to tell when a UV lamp needs to be replaced.
• UV rays do not remove bad odour or taste of water and often need to be combined with an RO water system to provide clean drinking water.

UF gravity water purifier

How it works: Gravity-based water purifiers use activated carbon instead of electricity to treat water. The activated carbons present in the fibre mesh absorb contaminants in the water, and the water is filtered with the help of gravity while it flows from a higher point to a lower one. Most of these gravity water purifiers come with UF technology. Treatment through UF technology includes pushing water through the UF membrane which has pores of 0.1 microns. These microns filter out most pathogens and sediments present in the water. Most UF water purifiers come with sediment filters and activated carbon filters.

Advantages of UF water purifiers

• UF water purifiers are affordable and don't use electricity.
• They remove dust and harmful contaminants from the water.
• They are low maintenance.
• They are portable.

Disadvantages of UF water purifiers

• They don't remove dissolved metals and other contaminants.
• They don't remove bacteria and viruses from the water.

Alkaline water purifier

How it works: Alkaline water purifier, also known as ionised water filter, changes the chemical composition of water and the water is filtered into two groups: alkaline and acidic water.

Advantages of alkaline water purifiers

• Alkaline water has many health benefits.
• It restores the pH levels in the body.
• It segregates acidic water from drinking water.

Disadvantages of alkaline water purifiers

• Drinking too much alkaline water may lead to side effects like nausea and tingling.
• Alkaline water filters are more expensive than the other water treatment systems.

Also read: 4 Ways To Encourage Children To Drink Water

Activated carbon water purifier

How it works: Activated carbon water filter removes chlorine and other harmful chemicals from the water and improves the taste of water. It also removes odour from water. While there are several varieties of high-tech activated carbon filters, there are two main activation methods - steam activation and chemical activation. RO water purifiers often come with activated carbon water filters installed in them.

Advantages of activated carbon water purifiers

• Remove harmful toxins like pesticides and chlorine from the water.
• Filter out heavy metal contaminants.
• Remove water odour and improve taste.
• Help maintain the RO water membrane.

Disadvantages of activated carbon water purifiers

• They do not treat hard water.
• They do not remove pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
• At times, if the carbon filters have not been used in a long time, there is an increased chance of bacteria growth on the carbon surface.

Ceramic water filter system

How it works: Ceramic water purifiers filter the water as it passes through the pores of the water cartridge surface. Because of this, contaminants like sediments and cysts get removed from the water. Because of the small size of the pore in these water filters, even certain types of bacteria get filtered out.

Advantages of ceramic filters

• These are natural filters that do not remove healthy minerals present in the water.
• They remove bacteria, cysts and certain viruses.
• The filters are easy to clean and maintain.
• They are not expensive.
• They work well with gravity filters and pressure filters.

Disadvantages of ceramic filters

• They do not remove chemical contaminants like chlorine or arsenic.
• Ceramic candles are breakable.

Water purifiers' price list in India

The following are some of the best water purifiers in India:

1. Kent Grand 8-Litre Wall Mountable RO+UV+UF+TDS Water Purifier

• Price range: Rs 11,000 to Rs 15,000
• Type of water filter: Sediment, Carbon Block Filter, UF
• Filter Cartridges: Spin-welded RO Membrane Housing, UF Membrane
• Storage capacity: 8 litres

2. Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Enhance RO + UV + UF + TDS Regulator water Purifier

• Price range: Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,000
• Type of water filter: RO, UF, TDS Regulator, I-filter
• Filter Cartridges: RO Membrane Housing, UF Membrane
• Storage capacity: 7 litres

3. Havells Max RO+UV 8 Litres Water Purifier

• Price range: Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000
• Type of water filter: RO, UV, Sediment cartridge, Activated Carbon Cartridge
• Filter Cartridges: RO Membrane, UV filter
• Storage capacity: 8 litres

4. Livpure Glo 7L RO+UV+Mineralizer Water Purifier

• Price range: Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000
• Type of water filter technology: RO + UV + Mineralizer
• Filter Cartridges: Sediment Filter, Pre-activated Carbon Filter + Absorber, RO Membrane, UV Disinfection Column, Silver Impregnated Post Carbon Filter, Mineral Cartridge
• Storage capacity: 7 litres

5. Kent Pearl 8-Litre Mineral RO+UV+UF Water Purifier

• Price range: Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000
• Type of water filter: RO + UV + UF
• Filter Cartridges: Sediment, Activated Carbon, UF Membrane
• Storage capacity: 8 litres

6. HUL Pureit 5 Litre Advanced RO+MF Water Purifier

• Price range: Rs 9,000 to Rs 10,000
• Type of water filter: RO + MF
• Filter Cartridges: Sediment filter, RO Carbon filter, RO Membrane, Micro Filtration,
• Storage capacity: 5 litres

7. Blue Star Majesto 8-Liter RO + UV Water Purifier

• Price range: Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000
• Type of water filter: RO+UV water purification
• Filter cartridges: Sediment filter, RO Carbon filter, RO Membrane, UV Filter
• Storage capacity: 8 litres

The type of water purifier you choose also depends on your place of residence. In some areas, the water is harder and contains more chemicals. Depending on your budget and the quality of water you get at home, choose the water purifier that'll suit you and your family's needs.

About the author:

Written by Leena Ghosh and published on 21 August 2019

The author is a journalist, writer, editor and the mother of a spirited young girl. In between juggling the roles of being a full-time cheerleader for her daughter, a thorough professional and a part time chef, she dreams of finishing the first page of her unwritten book.

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