Types of water filters for apartments and houses
The liquid flowing in the centralized water supply system can only very conditionally be considered suitable for technical use - for washing, washing dishes, etc. With a very big stretch, it can be used for cooking, but you can’t drink it without boiling it at all. To bring it up to the norm, it is necessary to use different types of filters for water purification. There are inexpensive installations, but they, as a rule, are characterized by low productivity and average cleaning quality, and there are expensive systems that can give ideal results.
The situation is no better with water supply from a well or a well. There is still a high probability of bacterial infection, so cleansing should be even better. In general, it is necessary to take the sample for analysis, and then, based on the results, select the required types of filters for water purification. In private homes, this is usually a multi-stage system that results in potable quality water.
Purification from mechanical impurities
The water that flows in our plumbing contains grains of sand, fragments of rust, metal, windings, etc. These impurities are called mechanical. Their presence has a bad effect on the durability of valves (faucets, valves, etc.) and household appliances. Therefore, in apartments and private houses they put filters at the entrance to remove them. There are few types of filters for water purification from mechanical impurities. This is with mesh and discs as filter elements.
The filter element in mechanical filters is a mesh. According to the cell size, these filters are divided into coarse (300–500 microns) and fine (larger than 100 microns) devices. They can stand in a cascade - first coarse cleaning (mud), then fine. Often a coarse filter is placed at the inlet to the pipeline, and devices with a smaller cell are placed in front of a household appliance, since different equipment may require different degrees of water purification.
According to the orientation of the flask in which the filter element is installed, they are straight and oblique. Oblique ones create less hydraulic resistance, therefore they are most often installed. During installation, the direction of flow must be observed, it is indicated by an arrow on the body.
Mechanical filter
There are two types of mechanical filters - with and without auto-flushing. Devices without autoflush are small in size, their inlet / outlet diameters are selected according to the dimensions of the pipe in which they are installed. Body material - stainless steel or brass, threaded connections - different (external or internal threads are selected as needed). The cost of this type of mechanical filters is low - in the region of hundreds of rubles, although branded ones can cost much more.
Mechanical filters without backwash: straight and oblique
Since the screens get clogged and need to be cleaned periodically, the lower part of the flask is removable. If necessary, it is unscrewed, removed and washed with a mesh, then everything is returned back (all work is carried out after shutting off the water).
Mesh with autowash
A mechanical filter with auto-washing (self-cleaning) has a branch pipe and a tap in the lower part of the flask with a filter element. The branch pipe is discharged into the sewer with a hose or a piece of pipe. If it is necessary to rinse such a filter, simply open the tap. Water under pressure flushes the contents into the sewer, the tap closes, you can continue to operate.
This type of mechanical water filter often contains a pressure gauge. It determines whether the grid is clogged or not. The pressure is low - it's time to clean the filter. If the flask of the device is transparent, there may not be a pressure gauge - you can determine by the appearance of the grid or the walls of the flask. In this segment, oblique water filters are rare, but still there are.
A pressure reducing valve can be integrated into the body to neutralize pressure drops. There are models with the possibility of installing an auto-flushing unit.
Tying this type of mechanical filter is a little more complicated - it needs to be drained into the sewer, but there are also models with different types of threads so that you can use as few adapters as possible.
Connection types
Mechanical cleaning filters can be sleeved, they can be flanged. Flanged - this is usually main equipment for water pipes with high pressure and diameters. It can be used in the device of water supply of a private house.
Disc (ring) filters
This type of equipment is less common, although it is less prone to silting, has a large filtration area, and can retain particles of different sizes.
The filter element is a set of polymer discs, on the surface of which depressions-scratches of different depths are applied. The discs in the assembled state are tightly pressed against each other, water passes through the hollows in the discs, while particles of a larger diameter settle on them. The movement of water is spiral, so that suspensions are removed efficiently.
When the water filter becomes clogged, the discs are removed from the housing, moved apart and washed. After that, put in place. Periodically, the discs must be replaced, the service life of the filter element depends on the amount of contamination and the quality of the discs themselves. There are models with autowash.
Mounted in a pipe break, the flask can be directed up or down (see installation instructions).
Inexpensive types of filters for water purification to drinking
Water purified from mechanical impurities can be used for domestic needs, fed into household appliances, but it is only conditionally suitable for drinking or cooking - after boiling. In order to drink it without boiling, fine filters are needed, which retain a significant part of the substances dissolved in water and disinfect it. Consider how to make tap water drinkable, the types of filters for water purification that can be used.
filter jug
The easiest, but not very productive way to make tap water drinkable is to pass it through a filter jug. Purification takes place in a replaceable cartridge through which water passes. A good cartridge contains the following filter media:
- polypropylene fibers for the deposition of residual mechanical impurities;
- activated carbon with additives to remove microorganisms, chlorine compounds;
- ion-exchange resin for removing manganese and calcium salts, radionuclides, iron compounds, heavy metals;
- porous activated carbon for water clarification, organic sedimentation.
Filter jug - simple, cheap
Filter jugs differ in the composition of the cartridge, its resource (how much water it can clean) and in volume. The smallest models of desktop filters can purify 1.5-1.6 liters of water at a time, the largest - about 4 liters. Just keep in mind that the column "filter volume" indicates the volume of the bowl, the useful volume (the amount of purified water) is much less - about two times.
| Name | bowl volume | Cleaning module resource | Cleaning degree | Additional devices | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQUAPHOR Art "Ice Age" | 3.8 liters | 300 l | 4-6$ | ||
| AQUAPHOR Prestige | 2.8 l | 300 l | Slightly reduces water hardness, removes mechanical, organic impurities, active chlorine, heavy metals | resource indicator | 5-6$ |
| AQUAPHOR Premium "Dachny" | 3.8 l | 300 l | Reduces water hardness, removes mechanical and organic impurities, active chlorine, heavy metals | Large funnel - 1.7 l | 8-10$ |
| Filter jug Barrier Extra | 2.5 l | 350 l | 5-6$ | ||
| Filter pitcher Barrier Grand Neo | 4.2 l | 350 l | Depending on filter type | Cassettes for different types of water they go to + to the cost of a jug | 8-10$ |
| Filter jug Barrier Smart | 3.3 l | 350 l | Depending on filter type | Cassettes for different types of water they go to + to the cost + mechanical resource indicator | 9-11$ |
| Filter pitcher Geyser Aquarius | 3.7 l | 300 l | For hard water with bacterial treatment | Cartridge replacement indicator | 9-11$ |
| Filter pitcher Geyser Hercules | 4 l | 300 l | From heavy metals, iron, organic compounds, chlorine | Receiving funnel 2 l | 7-10$ |
Faucet filter nozzle
Very compact filter for running tap water, which is put on the faucet. Cleansing speed - from 200 ml / min to 6 l / min. The degree of purification depends on the composition of the filtering part, but usually differs little from pitcher filters.
According to the method of operation, there are two types of filters on the faucet - some are put on immediately before its use, others have the ability to switch to the "without purification" mode. More convenient, of course, the second option, but the switches often break. As a temporary measure - an excellent solution, but "permanently" it is better to choose another device.
| Name | Performance | Cassette resource | What cleanses | Manufacturer country | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defort DWF-600 | up to 20 l/h | 3000-5000 l | China | 2$ | |
| Defort DWF-500 | up to 20 l/h | 3000-5000 liters or 6 months | organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, chlorine and radioactive elements | China | 2$ |
| Aquaphor Modern-1 | 1-1.2 l/min | 40000 l | from active chlorine, lead, cadmium, phenols, benzenes, pesticides | Russia | 13-15$ |
| Aquaphor "B300" with bacterial post-treatment | 0.3 l/min | 1000 l | it is recommended to use in case of possible bacterial contamination of water | Russia | 4-5$ |
| Geyser Euro | 0.5 l/min | 3000 l | carcinogenic and organic compounds, chlorine, iron, heavy metals, nitrates, pesticides and microorganisms | Russia | 13-15$ |
| Philips WP-3861 | 2 l/min | 2000 l | chlorine compounds | 180$ | |
| Sorbent RODNIK-ZM | 2 l/min | 3600 l | purification from free chlorine, iron removal | 8-10$ |
Filters under / on the sink - a way to get a large amount of drinking water
For greater performance and better water purification, filters are used that are installed under or on the sink, they can also be mounted on the wall.
There are two types of such systems - cartridge and reverse osmosis systems. Cartridge ones are cheaper, and this is their plus, and the minus is that you need to monitor the condition of the filter element and change it in time, otherwise all the accumulated dirt goes into the water.
Reverse osmosis systems are already more technologically advanced equipment that has a much higher cost, but the quality of cleaning and productivity are much higher. These water treatment plants use a multi-layer membrane, each layer of which traps certain types of contaminants.
Cartridge
In cartridge filters, the quality of cleaning depends on the number of cleaning stages - individual filter elements that "catch" a certain type of pollution. There are single-stage systems, there are two, three and even four-stage filters.
In single-stage, universal inserts with a multilayer structure are used. They are inexpensive, but it is difficult to predict whether you will be satisfied with the degree of cleaning. The composition of water in different regions is very different and it would be desirable to select / replace filters as needed. And so, we have to hope for the universality of the liner.
In multi-stage cartridge filters, the housing consists of several flasks, each of which has a separate / special filter element that removes certain contaminants. The flasks are connected in series with overflows, flowing from one flask to another, the water is purified. In this case, it is possible to choose the types of filters for water purification specifically for your analysis, which will undoubtedly improve the quality of purification.
| Name of cartridge filter | A type | Number of cleaning steps | For what water | Cartridge resource | Performance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWT Woda-Pure | Household with the possibility of washing | 1 cartridge + membrane | medium hardness | 10 000 l or 6 months | 1.5-3 l/min | 70$ |
| Raifil PU897 BK1 PR (Big Blue 10”) | Trunk | 1 | cold tap water | 26$ | ||
| Geyser Lux | under the sink | 3 | soft/medium/hard/glandular | 7000 l | 3 l/min | 70-85$ |
| GEYSER GEYSER-3 BIO | under the sink | 3 + protection against viruses and bacteria | soft/hard/very hard/glandular | 7000 l | 3 l/min | 110-125$ |
| Geyser-1 Euro | desktop version | 1 | normal/soft/hard | 7000 l | 1.5 l/min | 32-35$ |
| Pentek Slim Line 10 | Trunk | 1 | 19 l/min | 20$ | ||
| Expert M200 | under the sink | 3 | normal/soft | 6,000 - 10,000 l depending on the cartridge | 1-2 l/min | 60-65$ |
| Brita On Line Active Plus | under the sink | 1 | flowing | 2 l/min | 80-85$ | |
| AQUAFILTER FP3-HJ-K1 | under the sink | 4 + protection against bacteria and viruses | for cold water | 3 l/min | 60-90$ | |
| Barrier Expert Hard | under the sink | 3 | for hard water | 10,000 l or 1 year | 2 l/min | 55-60 $ |
| Atoll D-31 (Patriot) | under the sink | 3 | highly chlorinated water | 3.8 l/min | 67$ |
Desktop cartridge filters for running water
The most inexpensive version of cartridge filters is installed next to the sink. These are miniature models that differ in small dimensions. They can be one or two-stage, there is a small tap on the body. The filter is connected with hoses to a special outlet of the mixer, it can be connected directly to the water supply.
Trunk
These are usually cartridge single-stage filter flasks, which are placed after a mechanical filter. They remove a significant amount of impurities, making water suitable for drinking and protecting household appliances from the formation of scale and other deposits. Their disadvantage is the need to change the filter elements.
For the convenience of monitoring the state and degree of contamination, the flask is made transparent. In case of visible contamination, it is necessary to replace the cartridge with another one. In some models, self-restoration of the cleaning element is possible - it is washed under running water. In other models, this is prohibited, so read the instructions carefully.
Multistage filters
They differ from those described above by a large number of flask cases, each of which has a cartridge that removes various types of contaminants. The more stages of purification, the cleaner the output water is. It is necessary to select the composition of the filter elements for the specific composition of the water (carefully read the technical specifications and description).
These installations can also be placed on the main line, or they can be placed under the sink and receive high quality drinking water.
reverse osmosis
The most advanced water purification technology today is reverse osmosis. Multilayer membranes are used here, which allow only water and oxygen molecules to pass through, not passing even the smallest pollution. Water is obtained practically without salt content, which is also not good. This is precisely the disadvantage of reverse osmosis systems. To neutralize it, the installations are equipped with mineralizers that add the necessary minerals.
| Name | Number of cleaning steps | Resource / frequency of replacement | Filtration speed | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geyser Prestige 2 | 6 | 1 time per year | 0.15 l/min | Purified water storage tank 7.6 l | 70-85$ |
| Atoll A-450 (Patriot) | 6 | pre-filters - 6 months, membrane - 24-30 months, carbon post-filter - 6 months. | 120 l/day | Has an external tank | 115-130$ |
| Barrier Profi Osmo 100 | 6 | 1 step - from 3 to 6 months, 2 steps - every 5 - 6 months, 3 steps - from 3 to 6 months, 4 steps - from 12 to 18 months (up to 5000 liters), 5 steps - every 12 months | 12 l/hour | Has an external tank | 95-120$ |
| Aquaphor DWM 101S Morion (with mineralizer) | 6 | pre-filters - 3-4 months, membrane - 18-24 months, post-filter mineralizer - 12 months. | 7.8 l/h | External tank + mineralizer | 120-135$ |
| Barrier K-OSMOS (K-OSMOS) | 4 | 5000 l (no more than a year) | 200 l/day | External tank | 120-150$ |
| Atoll A-450 STD Compact | 5 | pre-filters - 6 months, membrane - 24-30 months, carbon post-filter - 6 months. | 120 l/day | External tank | 150$ |
The disadvantages of this system include their low productivity - only one glass or so of clean water can run per minute. It is clear that such a speed causes inconvenience, so that it is felt less, manufacturers complete the installations with tanks for purified water, to which taps are already connected.
Filters for purification of water from dissolved substances
In addition to mechanical impurities in tap water, there is also a decent part of the periodic table: iron, mercury, manganese, potassium, calcium (hardness salts from which scale is formed), etc. All of them can be removed, but different filters are needed for this.
To make water drinkable, different types of filters are used to purify water.
To remove iron
Most often, water from wells or wells contains a large amount of iron. It gives the water a reddish tint and a specific taste, is deposited on the walls of plumbing fixtures, clogs shutoff valves, so it is desirable to remove it. It makes sense to do this if the amount of iron exceeds 2 mg / l.
Divalent iron dissolved in water can be removed from the water using a catalytic filter. This is a large cylinder into which catalysts are poured, the work is controlled by a small processor, that is, this equipment requires power supply.
The backfill located in the catalytic filter greatly accelerates the process of oxidation of ferrous iron and its precipitation. Depending on the backfill, impurities of manganese, chlorine, and other substances dissolved in water can also be removed, and mechanical particles also settle to the bottom during the cleaning process. Removal of accumulated deposits occurs according to a predetermined schedule, usually at night. The backfill is washed under the pressure of water, everything is drained into the sewer, for the time of washing, the water supply stops. Catalytic filters are complex and expensive equipment, but they are the most durable in existence.
Another way to remove iron and water is aeration. Water is supplied in the form of a fine suspension into a cylinder with air pumped by a pump (through nozzles). The iron in it reacts with atmospheric oxygen and its oxides are filtered out at the outlet. There are two types of water filters of this type - pressure and non-pressure. For more active oxidation, an oxidizer — hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite — can be supplied to these plants. In this case, biological water treatment is also carried out - from microbes and bacteria.
Purification of water from hardness salts
To soften water, filters with ion exchange resins are used. In the process of interaction with water, harmful impurities are replaced with neutral or useful ones (an increase in the amount of iodine and fluorine).
Externally, this equipment is a tank partially filled with ion-exchange material. Paired with it is a second similar regenerator tank filled with a highly concentrated salt solution (special sold in tablets, highly purified).
The advantages of filters for water purification of this type are high performance, low noise level during operation, rare backfill replacement (it lasts for 5-7 years). For softening water, ion exchange filters are the best choice. Cons - the need to use a regeneration tank with a concentrated salt solution. To get drinking water, you need to install an activated carbon filter.
