How to select the right water purifier for your home

With the advent of the rainy season, we get immense relief from the scorching heat, but the threat of waterborne diseases from the contaminated water cannot be neglected. Diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhea and many other gastrointestinal problems pose a serious concern.

Most of us still follow the traditional ways of boiling and filtering water at home for water purification by using either fine cloth or traditional water filters. Though this is one of the easiest and effective ways to get pure drinking water, it consumes a lot of time and energy. Others prefer bottled water as an alternative but it is expensive. These methods are not safe enough though. The best inexpensive option for purifying water is a water purifier.

A water purifier is helpful in removing all the harmful impurities from water, making it fit for consumption. In the market, there are a multitude of brands and models of water purifiers with different advanced purifying technologies that vouch that they are the best. This leaves you confused. You need to make the right decision as good health and well-being of you and your family is at stake. So, how do you go about buying a water purifier?

Water-quality check

By performing a water analysis test in a laboratory, it is possible to determine if the water we use for drinking purposes is really safe. Identify the source of your tap water and get it tested for hardness, salinity, TDS (Total Dissolved Salt) and pH levels.

If the TDS value is below 500 ppm, water is fit for drinking, but it is hazardous and unhealthy if the TDS levels are above 1000 ppm.

Storage capacity

Water purifiers come with or without a storage tank of capacity 4 to 20 litres, and above. Determine the capacity of the water purifier by analyzing your family’s daily water consumption. Choose the purifier that comes with a storage tank if there is an erratic water supply in your area. This way, you have access to pure water stored in a tank.

Choose a purifier with high water storage if there are frequent electricity fluctuations.

5-8 litres is good for 2-4 members. 8-10 litres is ideal for 4-6 members and 10 litres is recommended for more than 6 members.

Purification technologies

Based on the quality and source of water, you can choose from a range of purifiers.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology

Invisible impurities can be effectively removed by water purifiers with RO technology through permeable membranes. With the removal of harmful chemicals, there is a reduction in hardness of water. Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, minerals, and particulates are also eliminated, providing purified water.

RO filtration technology is applied for underground water sources or water that is made available by water tankers. Seawater too can be distilled and made potable by this method. If the TDS of your drinking water is of high levels of above 500 ppm, it is advisable to choose a RO water purifier. For many locations, an additional UV feature will work well.

Ultraviolet (UV) technology

UV water filtration technique is recommended for soft water sources such as river water or rain water supplied by municipalities. With the help of this technology, microorganisms present in the water are destroyed, but it is not helpful in removing dissolved water chemicals. Key minerals are retained. So you should choose a UV water purifier if there is a huge presence of bacteria and microorganisms in the water and also if TDS level is below 200 ppm.

A purifier with both RO and UV filtration technologies should be considered if the water has a mix of solid impurities along with contaminants and has a TDS level between 200-500 ppm. Essential minerals like Calcium and Magnesium are added back in the RO purified water.

Ultra–filtration (UF) technology

The non-electric purifiers with storage tanks mainly have UF filtration technology. These types of purifiers effectively remove solids and impure particles present in water, but are not good at removing dissolved impurities. If your drinking water has very low TDS values, it is better to opt for UF + UV filtration water purifiers, in order to make it safe for drinking.

Activated carbon technology

Water purifiers using activated carbon technology consist of two or more bar shaped sticks made up of charcoal granules, which help absorb pesticides or chemicals present in water.The taste of water is improved. These purifiers do not require electricity to function and find use in rural areas where the water sources are mainly freshwater reservoirs.

Additional safety features

Go for more evolved features and functionality while selecting a water purifier. For example, filters are an essential part of water purification. Do not overuse them and make it a point to change them as and when they expire.

Service and maintenance

Always consider the promptness of service and overall maintenance cost while buying a water purifier as water is purified through various filters that need maintenance at regular intervals.

Thus, it is best to install a water purifier at your home to filter impure water. A combination of RO + UV + UF purification technologies is utilized in a majority of water purifiers. Though these are more expensive, it is worth the investment when your health is the top priority.

Head on to Kannankandy E-store, the best online home appliance store in Kerala to buy water purifiers online. It is the topmost home appliance dealer in Kerala that deals with top-notch electronic home appliances.