This publication is intended to be a guide for domestic water purification rather than a suggestion. Before installing a domestic water treatment system, seek advice from your local health department’s environmental health group.

home water treatment systems have the following types:

Nanofiltration

• A nanofiltration filter has pores around 0.001 microns in size (pore size ranges vary per filter from 0.008 microns to 0.01 microns; Molecular Weight Cut Off (MWCO) of 200 to 2000 Daltons).
• Nanofiltration is extremely good at removing protozoa.
• Nanofiltration is extremely good at removing microorganisms.
• Nanofiltration is highly successful in removing viruses.
• Nanofiltration is only moderately successful at removing pollutants.

Distillation Methods

• Distillation systems work by heating water to its boiling point and then collecting the water vapor as it condenses, leaving behind many impurities.
• Distillation systems are successful in removing protozoa.
• Distillation systems are good at removing microorganisms.
• Distillation Systems are successful in removing viruses.
• Common chemical pollutants removed by distillation systems include arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, nitrate, salt, sulfate, and many organic compounds.

Systems for Ultraviolet Treatment

• Ultraviolet treatment with pre-filtration is a method of disinfecting water or reducing the amount of microorganisms present.
• Ultraviolet Treatment Systems are successful at removing protozoa.
• Ultraviolet Treatment Systems are highly effective at removing microorganisms.
• Ultraviolet Treatment Systems are highly successful at removing viruses.
• Chemical removal is ineffective with ultraviolet treatment systems.

Systems for Reverse Osmosis

• Reverse Osmosis Systems employ a method that reverses water flow in a natural osmosis process, allowing water to pass from a more concentrated solution to a more dilute solution over a semi-permeable membrane. Pre- and post-filters are frequently included with the reverse osmosis membrane.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems are successful at removing protozoa.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems are extremely good at removing microorganisms.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems are highly successful at removing viruses.

Ultrafiltration

• The pore size of an ultrafiltration filter is about 0.01 microns (pore size ranges vary per filter from 0.001 microns to 0.05 microns; Molecular Weight Cut Off (MWCO) of 13,000 to 200,000 Daltons). Particles are removed via ultrafiltration filters based on their size, weight, and charge.
• Ultrafiltration is relatively successful at removing protozoa.
• Ultrafiltration is highly successful in removing germs.
• Ultrafiltration is only somewhat successful at removing viruses.
• Ultrafiltration is ineffective at removing chemicals.

Conclusion

You may protect yourself and others from waterborne sickness by practicing proper personal hygiene and providing safe drinking water to your household. As a result, these home water treatment systems must be followed.