Filtration of water from a well in a country house. Types of water filters and their characteristics Filtration of water from a well in a country house

It is generally accepted that water from deep wells is fresh, clean and tasty. However, it is not. Water from autonomous sources must often be passed through multi-stage purification systems, as it does not comply with sanitary rules and regulations. Not only natural factors are to blame, but also man-made impacts, as well as non-compliance with construction and operational rules.

Well water contains sulfur bacteria, which are not afraid of a depth of 50 meters. Thanks to them, the water smells of hydrogen sulfide. Deep waters are very rich in minerals, as they are constantly in contact with various rocks.

Deviation of water quality indicators from the norm may not be visually noticeable. But this does not mean crystal purity. The water must be tested in laboratory conditions. Based on the test results, the necessary water filtration system is selected.

Well water analysis

How to properly collect water for analysis

The result of the analysis directly depends on the correct sampling. It is not enough to pour water from a tap or water pipe into a bottle. Sometimes a sanitary and epidemiological station employee may ask about the method of collecting water. If it was assembled incorrectly, the owner of the well will be sent back with the necessary recommendations. It may turn out that a water sample will be accepted without questioning and analyzed. Naturally, it will be irrelevant and you will have to deal with imaginary problems.

There are certain principles of water intake:

You should only use glass or plastic containers, but never metal ones.
You can use used mineral water bottles. The containers should not be used after drinks, as they contained persistent dyes that cannot be washed off with hot water.
The maximum volume is up to 1.5 liters.
A plastic bottle is doused with hot water, and a glass bottle is doused with boiling water. Next, you should wash the bottle a couple of times with tap water from which the sample will be taken. Do not use any cleaners, including baking soda.
Before drawing water, it is necessary to drain the water for 20 minutes to prevent stagnation and the ingress of metallic substances from the pipes.
To reduce the concentration of oxygen, which causes chemical reactions, it is necessary to draw water from a thin stream.
The container must be filled completely so that the water flows out when closing the lid. This eliminates additional air supply.
The bottle must be wrapped in light-proof fabric or paper.
The test must be taken within 3 hours. If this is not possible, then storing water in the refrigerator for up to 2 days is allowed.

It is mandatory to submit water for analysis when opening a well, and then once every 2 years. If the water becomes cloudy or has some kind of aftertaste, you should immediately take a sample of the water to the sanitary and epidemiological station. Poisoning can be caused by industrial emissions or wastewater.

Signs of poor quality water

Poor quality water can often be identified by external signs. At the first suspicion, you should avoid drinking raw water. A visual inspection will help identify the culprits and eliminate them:

The smell of rotten eggs - hydrogen sulfide, which is very dangerous for the body, has entered the water.
The water turned slightly yellow, and a rust coating formed on the sink - a high concentration of iron. Water must be boiled before use.
A sediment forms at the bottom of the dish - the mesh filter is clogged or the walls of the well are covered with silt. It is possible that gravel will be washed away from the fill.

Methods for purifying water from wells

Today there are many different schemes that can be combined or used alone.

Mechanical water purification is mandatory for any water intake.

Thanks to mechanical cleaning systems soil particles and organic matter are removed, eliminating the possibility of clogging of plumbing equipment and subsequent filters.

At the first stage, submersible pumps are used for wells, which are not enough for complete cleaning. Additionally, filters for mechanical cleaning should be installed.

Aeration is the process of enriching water with oxygen to activate oxidative reactions.

Thanks to this from the water ferrous iron is removed, which becomes insoluble and is easily filtered later. With the help of this technology there is oxidation of hydrogen sulfide and heavy metal ions.

Magnetic processing appeared quite recently and softens water. Dissolved salts crystallize in water and are then filtered.

Reagent methods used in extreme cases when other methods of neutralization are ineffective.

Reagent-free cleaning involves filling with synthetic or natural components. With its help, various problems are solved. The components act as a catalyst for oxidation reactions and as a sorption material.

Ion exchange technologies are based on the use of certain resins for the demineralization of water.

Water without impurities and completely safe for drinking can be obtained after reverse osmosis. The liquid is passed through membranes that allow only water molecules to pass through.

The choice of an effective well water purification system depends on the composition of the water.

Modern filtration of water from a well

Filtration of water from a well will allow all family members to use safe water, extend the life of heating and household appliances, prevent clogging of plumbing equipment, etc.

As written above, the number and types of cleaning elements are selected individually and depend on the initial degree of contamination.

The standard option is: a mechanical coarse filter, fine filters, chemical and biological filters. However, not everything is so simple: filters require a lot of space, have different input parameters and energy consumption, and it is necessary to coordinate technological parameters.

An ideal option for a private house that takes water from a well is to use complex modular systems.

They represent the required number of modules, which are matched in all respects and installed in the required sequence. Often, owners of private houses additionally install pumps to ensure good water pressure.

Types of filters for purifying water from a well

The following types of filters are used to purify water:

Mineral - mesh cylinders filled with mineralized substances. Remove salts and chemical compounds from water. Filters with different bandwidths are used.
Woven - cylinders that are wrapped with rope or fabric. Retains metal oxides, crystallized salts and chemical additives.
Fine cleaning has two holes at different levels. The filter body consists of activated carbon or silver ions.
Reverse osmosis – universal filters. Oxygen-containing molecules pass through the nanomembrane. Purification degree – 99.9%.
Filters based on ultraviolet radiation, which has a detrimental effect on many microorganisms. No reagents are used, and the water becomes softer.
Ozonating filters remove germs and viruses.
Aerators remove hydrogen sulfide, manganese and iron. The oxygen concentration in the water increases.

A comprehensive treatment station is purchased once and solves all problems with the quality of drinking water from a well. The cost of the equipment is quite high, but after a couple of years of operation it will completely pay for itself.

Thanks to inventions, namely filtration, any liquid is purified. During filtration, water goes through purification stages; the quality of purification depends on the number of stages.

The first stage - mechanical filtration - removes debris and visually makes the water cleaner. Next, the chemical composition changes, a device equipped with an ion exchange cartridge copes with this task - heavy substances such as manganese and lead are retained.

A liquid that can be consumed without harm to health must undergo another cleaning through a carbon cartridge - it is cleared of chlorine and the unpleasant odor is neutralized. When the three stages are completed, the water is considered safe.

Types and characteristics of water filters

The main part of cleaning devices are cartridges. Each type and model is designed for its own service life.

They are divided into types with corresponding functions:

Mechanical: consists of polypropylene; removes sand, rust, mechanical suspensions.
Coal: consists of activated (pressed) carbon; removes organic and inorganic substances, eliminates unpleasant odors and color of liquids.
Softening: composed of Na-cationic resin, removes heavy metals from water.
Iron-reducing agents: consists of 2 backfills, which contain calcite; removes hydrogen sulfide, improves pH, eliminates metallic taste and odor.

Types

Filter jug: distinguished by its simplicity and budget price. It contains a carbon cartridge. It effectively copes with its purpose, but in operation the cartridge is designed to clean 500 liters. Cartridges are produced in two types: universal and specialized. Specialized - equipped with additional functions that soften the liquid, add fluoride, and remove excess iron.

Attachment on the crane: Equipped with a carbon cartridge. When using this type of filter, the pressure should be 2-3 l/h; it cannot cope with a large flow of water.

Standing separately: Installation consists only of connecting the filter to the water supply using a flexible hose. The maximum number of stages in a cartridge is with two degrees of purification.

Standard - polypropylene, activated carbon, 10 inch cartridge is enough for 6 months, or 4 tons of water.

There are models that are installed not only next to the sink, but also on the wall. Some also have an indicator that indicates the need to change the cartridge.

The change should be made once every 4-5 months. Although this type is connected directly to the water supply, it is possible to turn on (off) filtration using adapters - there is no need to disconnect the hose every time.

Under the sink: connects directly to the water supply. Washing filters purify water more effectively, standard equipment includes 3 cartridges - cleaning methods change by installing the required cartridge, but the first stage of cleaning is always mechanical. Copes with any contaminants that are not affected by the speed of water flow. Changing cartridges depends on the selected type of filters.

Trunk: installed directly on the main pipe that supplies water at the entrance to the apartment or room, that is, in front of the plumbing units. Installed for both cold and hot water.

Main filters not only purify drinking liquid, but also protect plumbing equipment, extending the life of household appliances connected to the central water supply - dishwashers, washing machines.

Pre-filter: installed on a water pipe, intended for cleaning and protecting household appliances from mechanical debris. The design consists of a fine mesh, some models are made with protection against water hammer. During operation, periodic washing is required.

Purifyer(cooler): a separate device purifies and heats or cools drinking water to the required temperature. Models differ in size, appearance, and functions. The main direction of such devices is work in enterprises and offices.

The advantage is not only increased quality and taste, but also functions that allow you to heat and cool the liquid. The quality of the liquid that the cooler filters is superior to bottled water.

Tourist: Designed for hiking, traveling, traveling. The main purpose is to purify liquid from any container, which ensures reliable and high-quality use in difficult conditions.

Nano filters: developed on the basis of nanotechnology, equipped with a semi-permeable membrane, the pores of which are close in size to the size of a water molecule - retains all impurities.

The functions of the filters determine the options that we recommend you pay attention to when choosing:

Reverse osmosis is a process in which, using pressure, liquid through a unidirectional membrane moves from a concentrated composition of water with impurities to a low-concentrated one. That is, the membrane works as a filter valve, allowing water to pass in one direction, retaining impurities, and then the impurities are discharged into the sewer.
No reverse osmosis.
Capillary membrane: devices with this function are installed mainly under the sink. There are different stages of purification with capillary membranes. The basis is an ultrafiltration membrane consisting of capillary tubes, the main purpose of which is to remove mechanical debris and bacteria, while at the same time such cleaning preserves the mineral composition.
Attention, this type is for fine water purification; if the liquid is heavily contaminated and requires a coarse type of purification, it is necessary to install pre-filters.
Water mineralization is a necessary and useful process. The main task of mineralization is to make the liquid healthy and palatable. The mineralization system is mainly provided on filters with reverse osmosis. Since the liquid passing through the membrane is devoid of minerals. Manufacturers have provided such an opportunity so that after purification the water is not only suitable for drinking, but also healthy.
UV cleaning is used not only in apartments, but also in wells and wells, as it destroys germs and bacteria. This method works without auxiliary reagents - it ensures safety and improves water quality, does not change the chemical and physical composition - it is installed for the final stage of purification, it is not recommended to use it without preliminary filtration with one of the above filters.
Water cooling and heating: filter models that provide cooling and/or heating of water. This function is primarily common in purifiers, but there are also multifunctional filters that are equipped with this system.
Cartridge replacement indicator – signals the need to change the cartridge.
The consumer does not always monitor the service life, so there is concern about drinking low-quality water.
The included faucet is provided for filters that are installed under the sink, which saves unnecessary costs when installing them, since different faucet models do not have suitable connectors.
A pump is provided to increase the pressure. Since for some filters the pressure supplied from the central water supply is not enough, and without them the device cannot function normally.

The direct purpose of filters is water purification. Filters are used to purify not only drinking but also household liquids.

Devices that allow you to purify water for any purpose are installed on water pipes. Thus, all liquid entering the apartment or room is purified.

Devices used for hot water are made of more durable materials and are resistant to high temperatures.

There are degrees of cleaning that allow you to get rid of:

Active chlorine.
Finola.
Pesticides.
Nitrates.
Cadmium.
Petroleum products.
Organic impurities.
Colloidal iron.
Heavy metal ions.

Filters also differ in connection sizes: ½’’, 1’’, ¾’’.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of filter jugs:

Reasonable price.
Convenient and easy to use.
Cleaning from chlorine and impurities.

Advantages of the faucet attachment:

Eliminates impurities and chlorine.
Compactness.
Reasonable price.

Advantages of free-standing and washable filters:

Quick cleansing.
Easy to replace cartridges.
Eliminates impurities, chlorine, organochlorine compounds.

Advantages of reverse osmosis filters:

High quality perfect cleaning.
Comfortable to use.
Has a supply of water.
Destruction of bacteria, viruses, heavy metals.

Advantages of filters with an ultrafiltration membrane:

High-quality cleaning to a safe condition.
Does not remove mineral salt.
Fast work.
Compactness.

Advantages of nano filters:

Maximum cleansing.
Destruction of bacteria, viruses, metals.
Complete removal of all toxic substances.
Unchanged mineral composition.
Normalizing pH.
Negative ions enter the water.
Processing of organic salts.
Performance.
Long-term operation of cartridges that are easy to replace.
During installation, different options are considered.
Monitoring the degree of contamination.
Additional installations of various functional accessories are provided.

Problems

Disadvantages of filter jugs:

Low quality of cleaning.
Fragility of cartridges.
Cannot cope with some bacteria.
Single use does not cope with large volumes of liquid.

Disadvantages of the faucet attachment:

Reduces pressure power.
Low productivity.
If it is not equipped with a switch, you need to remove the nozzle for household needs.
Low degree of purification.

Disadvantages of tabletop and washable filters:

Cannot get rid of some bacteria and viruses.
Does not fully cope with nitrates, nitrites, fluorides.
The price is above average.

Disadvantages of reverse osmosis filters:

Big size.
Removes minerals from water.
Poor quality liquid for consumption.
Low productivity.
Uneconomical to operate.
High price.

Disadvantages of filters with ultrafiltration membrane:

Contaminants remain in the membrane after filtration.
The water remains hard - it does not soften.
The price is above average.

Disadvantages of nano-filters are high cost.

How to choose a water filter

When choosing water filters, decide what degree of contamination the unit will have to deal with. How much purified water is required per hour?

The material from which the device is made is an important element, since it comes into contact with drinking liquid. The characteristics of the units indicate the range of operating pressure with which it can cope, so you must know what water pressure is supplied from the central water supply.

The volumes that the filter can handle are important, so costs are taken into account, since a small device cannot cope with a large volume of liquid.

Each device contains cartridges that have different wear periods.

Pay attention to the presence in the water you drink:

Metallic taste.
Scale.
Traces on silverware.
Smell.
Sediment.

Which is better

A family that consists of two people and lives in areas where the water does not require deep purification will make do with jug filters, faucet attachments and free-standing above-wash filters. These species cope with small amounts of water and pollution. Systems of this type do not require complex installations, are easy to use, and are affordable.

But for cleaning with serious contamination, powerful units are required. Under-sink and reverse osmosis systems provide deep cleansing. Processes large volumes of liquid - suitable for large families, especially with small children, as it copes with dirt (sand, rust) and bacteria.

The devices are easy to use as they do not take up much space. They are equipped with 3 degrees of cleaning depending on the manufacturer’s model; different types of cartridges are used, which makes it possible to select the device to suit the needs of the consumer.

Devices with a reverse osmosis system effectively and efficiently purify liquid, but you should pay attention to the pressure that is inherent in the plumbing system.

These models require high pressure. Please note that when cleaning with this device, useful minerals disappear, so make sure that the filter is equipped with a mineralizer.

Ultrafilters do an excellent job, just like devices with a reverse osmosis system, they get rid of all contaminants, bacteria and viruses, and after cleaning the mineral composition of the liquid remains normal.

Exploitation

The cartridge itself must be immersed in water for 20 minutes, and then installed in the device. Then you need to pass the liquid through the filter. The subsequent filtered water can already be consumed.

Please note that devices designed to filter cold water do not tolerate high temperatures. If the unit is not equipped with a cartridge replacement indicator, it is necessary to monitor the service life and timely replacement is required. When not in use, you need to repeat the washing procedure.

It is necessary to monitor the integrity of the cartridge and avoid mechanical damage. The device should be protected from falls. During transportation, the device must be placed in special protective packaging. Be sure to read the manufacturer's recommendations for using filters.

Guarantee

The repair guarantee only covers breakdowns and defects that are solely the fault of the manufacturer. In order for the consumer’s claims to be accepted, you need to fill out a warranty card, where you need to indicate the date, model, serial number, and seller’s stamp.

If defects are discovered in the product you purchased, you can make demands under the terms of the article “On the Protection of Consumer Rights.”

Also note that the warranty is valid in cases where the consumer complies with all the rules specified in the operating instructions.

Malfunctions

If there is a water leak, you need to check the four-way valve, also the reasons for this may be clogged elements or low pressure; to eliminate it, you need to replace the cartridges or install an additional pump that increases the pressure accordingly.

Another problem is the lack of water that should come from the tap. The reasons for this may be low pressure, membrane clogging, low temperature (operating 4˚C-40˚C). In order to fix this, you need to install a pump that increases the pressure or replace the membrane.

If a sufficient amount of purified liquid is not collected into the vessel, it is necessary to replace the prefilter, membrane or flow restrictor.

Also in this case, flushing the valve can help.

If there is air in the system, the liquid may become beige in color, but this problem disappears after 2 weeks of using the device.

If there is no carbon cartridge, clogged membranes or incorrectly connected tubes, the liquid after cleaning will have a bad taste. This can be corrected by rechecking the tube connections. Replacing the post-filter and membrane will help.

A clogged water flow restrictor causes fluid to not flow into the drain; to fix the problem, you need to replace the restrictor.

If the drain is clogged or the pressure is high, operation may become noisy; in this case, the blockage must be removed or the pressure adjusted.

If the pump does not turn off, the vessel may not be drawing enough liquid; if this is the case, the pressure needs to be adjusted.

Water filter manufacturers

Peculiarities	The Aquaphor company surpasses its competitors: effective cleaning from mechanical and organic impurities; the liquid gets rid of bad taste, unpleasant odor, scale; effectively eliminates heavy metal ions, colloidal iron; effective destruction of viruses, bacteria, microbes; high performance; long service life.
Specialization	Specializes in developing new ideas and manufacturing a wide range of products for drinking water purification and household water purifiers.
Quality	To manufacture products, manufacturers use high-quality materials that are constantly being improved. The quality of products is constantly improving. The manufacturer uses new modern technologies to manufacture devices. The company guarantees safe liquid for the body after filtration.
Guarantee

Atlas Filtri

Peculiarities	Thanks to its wide range, Atlas Filtri occupies one of the first leading positions on the market. Filters remove all chemical and organic impurities. Significantly improves the taste of water. The filters are also fast in operation; the filtration cycle takes place in a few seconds. The manufacturer constantly monitors the market for innovations and technologies, implementing them in the manufacture of its products.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of filters, cartridges, cleaning equipment, integrated water treatment systems, pumps, chemical products for household and industrial purposes.
Quality	The products are tested and meet international standards. For production, the company uses high-quality safe materials and modern technologies, which results in a high-quality product. The brand is known for high product quality, reliability and safety.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Atoll

Peculiarities	Atoll filters have a thoughtful design that makes them easy to work with without much effort. They provide the opportunity to select a cartridge for the region in which the consumer lives. Along with reliability and quality, there is a design that will satisfy the taste of anyone.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of filters and has a wide range that adapts to any customer needs.
Quality	The manufacturer uses reliable, time-tested technologies to produce filters. For assembly, only high quality materials and components from trusted brands are used.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Peculiarities	The range is of high quality and is characterized as a high-tech product. Thanks to the wide selection, the consumer circle is constantly expanding. The production is equipped with a personal research laboratory, which is fully automated and robotic.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of filters for water purification, water softeners, and professional purification systems for domestic and industrial needs.
Quality	Innovative projects are used in production to achieve the quality and safety of the filtered product. In the products manufactured by the Barrier company, you can be confident in reliability and quality, since all stages of production undergo quality control.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

BRITA

Peculiarities	The peculiarity of the BRITA company and its goal are not only clean and high-quality water, but also taste. All efforts, developments and technological processes are aimed at achieving results in the area of taste. The manufacturer cares about the environment, minimizing pollution from waste.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of various filters and accessories for them. They are developing devices for installation in coffee machines and refrigerators.
Quality	The brand's products carry out research and development, which yield good results and receive international awards. The products use technological innovations that add convenience and ease of use. The quality of the product after cleansing undergoes constant checks, so it is always at the highest level.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

BWT

Peculiarities	In the market, BWT outperforms its competitors with new products. The company tries to develop and optimize everything related to international innovations first in the manufacture of its products. In the field of water treatment, the manufacturer tries to find new, convenient, safe and high-quality solutions.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of filters, softeners, anti-scale devices, dispensers, ozonation systems, and pool care products.
Quality	The manufacturer cares about the quality of its products and the end result. The products undergo laboratory tests, so the range offered by the manufacturer meets the quality marks.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Peculiarities	The brand is known for using only environmentally friendly natural materials to make filters and components. They went through all stages of control. Thanks to this uniqueness, the product can be considered one of a kind.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of filters for drinking water, main devices and cartridges.
Quality	Thanks to the scrupulous selection of materials, as well as multiple laboratory tests, the liquid that is purified through filters of this brand is of high quality, reliability and safety. High-quality material and its harmlessness constitute considerable competition in the modern market.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Peculiarities	focuses not only on the quality and safety of purified water, but also on taste. The company uses various technological innovations in production, with the help of which the company achieves certain successes. Has a wide range of uses. The assortment satisfies the aesthetic needs of the buyer.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of filters, coolers, purifiers, wine coolers and spare parts for them.
Quality	Ecotronic offers a wide range of products, thanks to which the consumer receives a quality product. The range of services satisfies consumer tastes not only in quality, but also in pricing.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Peculiarities	A scientific and production holding, which has a research department and an analytical laboratory, is a feature of Geyser. The brand is engaged in development and research, thanks to which it has unique products and patented technologies. Research and development work allows us to produce high-quality and cost-effective products.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of household, cottage, industrial filters and accessories.
Quality	The manufacturer monitors not only the quality of the resulting product after filtration, but also the quality of the product itself. Research and development allows us to have a wide range of product choices for consumers of any class.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Novaya Voda

Peculiarities	The manufacturer Novaya Voda is relatively new to the filter market, so it tries to justify the trust of customers by producing justifiable products that offer a good selection, a wide range, which gives a high-quality, clean product.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of systems for home, cottage, drinking water purification systems, replacement elements, ultraviolet systems, cartridges and other accessories for filters.
Quality	The company tries to keep up with the latest technologies, using them in the production of its products, which helps to achieve good results in the quality of both the product itself and the final result after filtration. Modern technologies make it possible to achieve a product that is safe for humans.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Peculiarities	The manufacturer applies innovations aimed at consumer health. Philips produces only those products, and so that it is for good and not for harm. The company finds new solutions and unique ways to provide consumers with the best products.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of electronics, medical equipment, and lighting equipment. One of the largest manufacturers of household appliances.
Quality	Philips has high quality standards and high demands on products, which is one of the most important factors that influence quality. The manufacturer cares about the consumer, focusing on safety, health and convenience.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Peculiarities	In production, the manufacturer uses components that are absolutely safe for health, as confirmed by numerous tests. The latest technologies are used in our work. This creates modern and safe systems for purification. The assortment allows the consumer to choose what he needs.
Specialization	The company specializes in the production of household and industrial filters, cartridges, fittings, pipes, taps and other components.
Quality	The brand caters to the consumer. Research shows that the products manufactured by the company meet quality marks and are capable of producing high-quality, clean, safe drinking liquid when used.
Guarantee	Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

In some countries, such as India, drinking tap water is dangerous and can cause stomach upset or intestinal infections. In Russia, things are better with water supply, but many still use a filter. Why is it necessary and which device is more effective?

In large Russian cities, water supply stations guarantee the safety of tap water. But before it gets into our tap, the liquid goes through pipes. Many pipes are old, rusty and worn out. Through them, harmful substances enter the tap water.

Some people don’t drink tap water because they smell a suspicious taste in it. But even if the water tastes normal, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. To check whether it contains impurities and contaminants, contact the sanitary and epidemiological service and submit a sample of the liquid there for testing.

You can roughly determine the water quality yourself:

If scale appears in your kettle, white stains remain after washing the dishes, and after brewing tea a film appears in the mug - the water is hard, that is, it contains a lot of salts.
A putrid taste of water indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide, and a tart taste indicates an excess of iron.
If after washing your clothes have a gray tint, it means there is manganese and heavy metals in the water.

In addition, you can take a look at the Internet project of Rospotrebnadzor “Russian Water Map”. The website has a map of laboratory water tests in different regions. Most of the research is in the Moscow region.

Some people prefer bottled tap water from the store, but this also has its own nuances. According to experts, bottled water does not always meet safety requirements. A list of “unsafe” brands is available on the Roskontrol website. In addition, water from the store is usually more expensive than filtered water at home. That's why many people start buying filters.

The filter improves the quality of the liquid: it cleans it of heavy metals, impurities, viruses and bacteria. The worse the water, the more powerful and expensive the device is needed. We reviewed the types of water filters and at the end of the article we provided recommendations for their selection.

Rough or mechanical cleaning- from large solid particles of sand, rust, clay, etc. Coarse filters are meshes made of steel or polymer materials with small cells.

Filters fine cleaning use the following technologies:

Sorption purification– from chlorine, petroleum products and other harmful compounds. During cleaning, water passes through a sorbent - as a rule, it is activated carbon.
Ion exchange– water passes through ion exchange resins. As a result, magnesium and calcium ions, which give water hardness, are replaced by harmless sodium atoms.
Reverse osmosis– the most effective cleaning technology. Under pressure, water passes through a membrane that allows almost nothing to pass through except the liquid itself.
Ultraviolet disinfection– eliminates most microorganisms. In urban water supply centers, water is already treated with ultraviolet light, so it is more likely to be used for water supply from a well or borehole.

Types of filters for water purification in an apartment

The most popular kitchen filter for drinking water. The device consists of three parts:

Jug made of glass or plastic. Capacity volume – 1.5–4 liters.
Receiving bowl, or the funnel takes up almost half of the jug. A cleaning cartridge is attached to its bottom.
Cartridge purifies water. It needs to be replaced periodically: depending on the model, it is designed for 100–450 liters. There are cartridges with and without threads. The latter can be installed incorrectly, then untreated water will leak into the tank.

The liquid flows through several cleaning layers inside the cartridge:

prefilter traps solid insoluble particles;
Activated carbon removes most harmful organic compounds. Typically, this is the main filter component;
ion exchange resins soften water and remove heavy metal impurities;
silver iodide kills bacteria;
postfilter blocks particles of filter materials - for example, coal - from entering the water.

Sometimes consumables contain minerals and trace elements that make water more useful.

Pros:

A filter jug is a budget option. A jug costs from 300 rubles, a cartridge – from 150.
You don’t need to understand the installation, it’s simple to use: pour water, wait, drink.
The jug does not take up much space and is easy to lift and carry.

Minuses:

Poor performance. Water flows slowly, so the jug is designed for a family of two or three people.
May not remove all contaminants. If the tap water is of extremely poor quality, it is worth purchasing a more powerful device.
Small tank volume.

When choosing a jug, pay attention to which cartridges are compatible with it and how long they last.

The principle of operation is the same as that of a jug: water passes through a cartridge into a reservoir. Only in terms of volume the tank is more spacious; There is a small tap on it through which water is poured. Typically, dispensers have a longer cartridge life than jugs. This type of water purifier is optimal for small offices and families of more than three people.

The nozzle is attached to the mixer and purifies the water from chlorine, rust and small suspended matter. Inside there is a cassette (cartridge), which must be changed every one to three months. The main filter component is activated carbon.

Pros:

Relatively inexpensive - from 170 rubles.
Easy to use and install.
The cleaning speed is higher than that of jug filters.

Minuses:

You need to constantly remove and put on the nozzle so as not to waste purified water for washing dishes and other needs.
If excessive water flow is passed through the device, the filtration quality may be reduced.

The apartment filter is placed near the sink and connected to the faucet using a flexible hose. The device has its own tap from which purified water is supplied. The cartridge needs to be changed every 2–4 months.

Pros:

Easy to use.
The productivity is higher than that of jugs and nozzles - about two liters per minute.

Minuses:

Need free space next to the sink.
The price is higher than previous types - from 1,000 rubles.

Other names: pre-filter, mechanical (pre-) cleaning filter. It is inserted into the cold or hot water supply line. It is needed primarily to protect plumbing fixtures, dishwashers and washing machines. It is also used as a filter to purify water from a well.

For cold water, a standard prefilter is used, and for hot water, it is made from heat-resistant materials. The service life of such devices is up to 30 years.

A prefilter is not a panacea. It removes only large insoluble impurities, thus extending the life of the main filter.

Main filters are divided into several types:

Strainers trap large particles of contaminants using a mesh. The smaller the mesh cells, the more particles of different sizes it will hold. There are flushing and non-flushing devices. In the first, dirt is automatically washed off with running water. To clean the no-rinse filter, you need to rinse the mesh yourself.
Disc main filters They also clean from mechanical contaminants, but their performance is higher than that of mesh ones. Filter elements are compressed polymer discs. When the discs compress, the grooves on them form a mesh. They need to be washed promptly under running water.
Cartridge filters are replaceable cartridges. They need to be changed much more often than the mesh or discs, but the quality of cleaning is higher. Cold water cartridge housings are made of transparent or opaque plastic. Transparent is more convenient, because through it you can see how dirty the cartridge is. For hot water, housings are made of opaque heat-resistant plastic or stainless steel. Cases come in different sizes: the larger they are, the higher the performance of the device and the longer its service life.

You can install the device into the water supply yourself, but this is a labor-intensive procedure. If you are not confident in your abilities, ask a specialist for help.

Prices for prefilters start at 1,500 rubles, there are models for 13,000.

When purchasing this type, you need to know the cross-sectional diameter of the water pipe and the water temperature for which the device is designed.

Pros:

Do not require frequent replacement.
Serves for many years.
Has high performance
Easy to use.

Minuses:

Removes only large particles.
The pre-filter is difficult to install without the help of a specialist.
To replace a cartridge cartridge, you need to shut off the water supply.

These are the most effective household filters for purifying tap water. The water goes through several stages of purification, is disinfected and softened. The system contains 3–5 sections – flasks with cartridges. Cartridges are replaced after six months to a year.

You need free space under the sink and space for an additional tap. The liquid is supplied through a separate mixer with a filter for drinking water. The device is connected to water pipes.

There are two types of under-sink filters: flow-through And reverse osmosis.

A flow-through water filter consists of three to four modules (cartridges):

pre-cleaning– from sand, rust, silt;
carbonic– from chlorine, salts, organic compounds, heavy metals;
with ion exchange resins– for deferrization and water softening;
with small particles of silver– cleanses from bacteria.

You can experiment with a set of cartridges - this way you will adjust the degree of water purification.

Some models are equipped with an ultraviolet lamp - it destroys dangerous microorganisms.

Reverse osmosis system– a special case of the “under the sink” type. A comparison of water filters shows that this is the most effective option. In such a system, water can be purified by 99%.

Cleaning goes through the following stages:

The pre-filter purifies water from large contaminants;
Water passes through the membrane - a material rolled into a roll, pore size 0.0001 microns. The membrane allows only water molecules to pass through; all other compounds are discharged into the sewer system by a forced flow of liquid.
The water is then stored in a 4-12 liter tank.

Membranes are not changed as often as cartridges - their service life is 1–5 years. The productivity of household reverse osmosis systems is 150–300 liters per day.

After such thorough purification, beneficial minerals are also removed from the water, so a mineralizer is built into the reverse osmosis system. This is a cartridge with a mineral filling that gradually dissolves in water, saturating it with magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron and other elements. Thanks to mineralization, the taste and quality of water improves. The cartridge resource is 3–4 thousand liters.

The transparency of water does not guarantee its purity: any liquid, both from the tap and from the depths of an artesian well, may contain various substances and metals in doses hazardous to health. Often, installing a water filtration system can help solve this problem. We will talk about their varieties and operating principles in this article.

People “drink” 80% of diseases with water. The reason is pathogenic bacteria and high concentrations of dissolved impurities harmful to the body. Wells and boreholes installed in dachas are especially vulnerable in this regard. A water purification system helps solve the problem.

Filtration methods: “living” and “dead” water

The water in wells and artesian wells is rightfully considered “living”: a nearby garbage dump or hazardous industry, coupled with rain, can endow it with all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Of course, this does not threaten home owners in ecologically clean areas, but they are not immune from calcium and magnesium in the water. These hardness salts regulate various chemical processes in the natural environment, but have a destructive effect on the human body and household appliances. Iron can also get into the water from collapsing rocks, which also sometimes causes premature breakdown of washing machines, skin problems and exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases. An excess of hydrogen sulfide even leads to serious poisoning, not to mention an unpleasant odor. In city apartments the situation is better, if we are talking about new buildings and areas with a good water deferrization station. However, the older the house, the more worn out the communications there are: for example, cast iron and steel water pipes with corrosion guarantee an additional dose of iron in the water. In a word, there are many risks, so water filtration in our time is not a fashionable fad, but a necessity.

A jug-type filter and a faucet attachment are ideal as a water filtration system for an apartment. The first consists of two containers separated by a filter module through which water passes. Its resource is on average from 200 to 400 liters, and the water purification speed is approximately 10 minutes per 1.5 liters. The advantage of a water filtration jug is its mobility, because you can easily take it with you when moving to a new apartment or even on a mini-vacation. To connect the nozzle to the faucet, you need to unscrew the mesh from the mixer and instead attach the tube from the filter. More modern models also have a so-called diverter - a switch that allows water to flow through or past the filter. The rate of water filtration through the filter of the nozzle is several times higher than that of a pitcher-type filter; the service life of replaceable filters reaches several thousand liters, however, they are more expensive. Note that both water filtration kits will be relevant for non-critically polluted water and relatively small volumes.

Trunk filters are often used as a water filtration system for summer cottages. This is a cylindrical flask that is mounted into the water supply line - hence the name of the filter.

According to the type of cleaning, main filters are mesh, cartridge and column type. Mesh filters are suitable for cleaning large mechanical elements from 50 to 500 micrometers. The basis of the design is a stainless steel mesh, which needs to be changed every few years. Cartridge filters remove small particles from 5 to 25 micrometers. They come in several types, designed for different water chemistry. Column-type filters are special containers that are shaped like columns. Such filters are made of durable anti-corrosion materials and are filled with filter material. A control unit is installed at the top of the column, which determines the parameters of the filtration procedure and the frequency of regeneration of the filter material. The degree of purification of column-type filters is up to 30 micrometers.

Methods for “catching” iron are divided into two types: reagent and non-reagent.

Reagent-free water filtration devices efficiently defer the liquid and remove hydrogen sulfide and manganese from it. They work using two technologies. First, aeration technology, consists in artificially creating intensive air exchange in the aquatic environment. The liquid absorbs oxygen, the dissolved substances are oxidized and sink to the bottom of the aeration tank in the form of III-valent particles. Next, the oxides enter the backfill filter to remove iron from the water, where they remain. The advantages of this method are full automation, environmental friendliness, the ability to purify large volumes of liquid and an affordable price compared to other methods. In addition, oxygenated water becomes pleasant to the taste. Aeration can be ejector, pressure and non-pressure. In pressurized air, air is forced into the water column using a high-pressure compressor. With non-pressure aeration, the liquid is sprayed at the top point of the aeration tank. The resulting droplets absorb oxygen as they fall. Ejector aeration takes place using a compact installation that operates on the energy of water flow without connecting to the electrical network.
With the second technology , catalytic loading, iron removal is carried out using filter materials with catalysts “Sorbent AC/MC”, “Birm” or “Pyrolox”. Sorbents act as oxidation catalysts. They filter out iron, petroleum contaminants, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese, and are sold as granular media. The production rate for ferrum is 99.2%, for manganese - 96.1%. The best oxidation characteristics are found in the combination of MC and AC catalysts in a 1:1 ratio. Sorbents work for 6 years without replacement. “Burm” is a porous backfill charge made of synthesized aluminosilicate coated with iron, silicon, and manganese. Removes ferrum up to 7 mg/l, manganese up to 0.5. Loading is easy and does not require much flushing pressure. The deferrization filter for water with Birm backfill, depending on the contamination of the liquid, lasts 2–5 years. "Pirolox" is a natural filter material with manganese dioxide. It has been used in water treatment for 75 years. Areas of application of the substance are demanganation, deferrization, removal of hydrogen sulfide. Removes iron - up to 4 mg/l, manganese - up to 0.5. This filter material is heavy, so it is important to provide good pressure for flushing. To increase the oxidation rate in treatment plants, filters with Pirolox are often combined with aeration. Service life - 4–7 years.
Reagent filters remove large concentrations of impurities: iron - up to 15 mg/l, hydrogen sulfide - up to 5, manganese - up to 12. For this, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and potassium permanganate (KMnO4), better known as potassium permanganate, are used. Potassium permanganate has good oxidizing characteristics: it is used to disinfect water, oxidize soluble “ferrum” and trap some other pollutants. It is supplied to the liquid in front of deferrization filters for rapid oxidation and conversion of dissolved II-valent iron into insoluble III-valent iron. Potassium permanganate is also often used as a regeneration solution for iron removers. Sodium hypochlorite disinfects, removes iron, manganese, organic compounds and hydrogen sulfide. In water treatment, a method of proportional dosing of an aqueous hypochlorite solution is used. Potassium permanganate and hypochlorite are used mainly in the form of solutions in water treatment. They are supplied in purification plants in close proximity to the deferrization filter or sediment filter. A special dosing pump measures the solution. It pumps in an amount of solution proportional to the volume of incoming water and makes a specified number of injections. The more fluid passes through the pipeline, the more injections. Thus, the water deferrization filter does not pollute the water with chemicals. Solutions of NaOCl and KMnO4 are supplied in strictly dosed quantities, change during oxidation and settle in the backfill filter layers along with oxidized pollutants. Purified water without impurities goes into the water supply system. Ion exchange granular resins are also included in the group of reagent filter materials. The cleaning method using ion exchange is used in everyday life and in industrial enterprises. Ion exchange is an effective technology for softening, purifying and deferrizing water. With its help, heavy metals, lime, hardness salts and radioactive substances are removed. The advantages of the ion exchange method are high-quality removal of iron (up to 30 mg/l), affordable price of equipment and versatility, because one cylinder is required to remove iron, hardness and manganese. Ion exchange resin is an artificial filter material consisting of yellow or orange granules. If the substance is obtained using polymerization technology, the granules are round; if polycondensation is used, the granules have an irregular shape.
When water comes into contact with the ion exchange resin granules, calcium and magnesium ions responsible for hardness, as well as iron and other pollutants, are removed from it. This happens as a result of the exchange of charged particles. Impurity ions remain in the ion-exchange filter layer, securely secured by a chemical bond. Resin-based iron removal filters lose their ion exchange properties over time. This happens due to the fact that iron and hardness salts replace resin ions. However, the process can be reversed - the filter material regenerates if a solution of table salt is passed through it. After this, the ion exchange backfill will again efficiently purify the water.

What to consider when choosing filtration equipment

When choosing a water filtration system for your home, you must first do an analysis of the liquid. At the same time, it is better not to waste time and money on laboratory research in order to choose the most suitable option.

In addition, you need to take into account:

Work resource. If you use the equipment regularly, it is not profitable to buy an expensive water filtration system for your home with a short service life, so as not to waste money on replacing it.
Performance. This is the maximum water flow rate that the filtration system is designed to handle. This item directly depends on the type and nature of the water supply in the house.
Degree of purification. When choosing a water filtration device, you need to clearly understand for what purpose the purified liquid will be used. Watering garden beds or washing a car is one thing, and quite another thing is cooking, where you need the cleanest possible water without impurities harmful to the human body.
Water consumption. First of all, it is related to the number of its consumers, but the presence of a dishwasher and washing machine in the house also plays an important role. It is not difficult to calculate water consumption per person, but it is better to buy a system “with a reserve”. This is especially true for cottages and country houses, where people come for weekends in the winter, and live full-time in the summer, receiving guests.
Cleaning object: hot or cold water. For cold filters, any filters are suitable; for hot filters, only steel or special plastic. Replacement cartridges must also be resistant to high temperatures.
Features of service and care. Service includes checking the serviceability of the system, delivery of consumables, changing the program of automatic filters for regeneration, adjusting compressors and dispensers, cleaning injectors and much more. All this costs money, so before purchasing a water filtration system, you should carefully study its warranty period and the cost of various components.

Overview of water filtration systems

The market for water filtration equipment is vast, but, unfortunately, it is not without fly-by-night companies that sell obviously low-quality products at reduced prices and then “unexpectedly” go bankrupt. To avoid becoming a victim of such a scam, it is better to order a water filtration installation from a trusted organization. Below are five companies whose household water filtration equipment and home water filtration systems have proven themselves well in the market.

ProfWater

He has 18 years of experience in installing domestic and industrial water purification systems, as well as equipment for water filtration in a country house. The company's product range includes a separate category of filters for purifying water from wells and boreholes. The ProfWater company sells both individual installations for iron removal, aeration and softening, as well as complex systems suitable for private and country houses. Such devices include the “Complex 1” multifunctional filter, which removes up to 15 mg/l of iron, up to 5 mg/l of manganese, as well as hydrogen sulfide, heavy metal salts and pesticides. In addition, the company also offers volumetric systems for iron removal and water softening for enterprises, in particular reverse osmosis installations. Own production allows the organization to maintain affordable prices, which start from 15,000 rubles.

"Geyser"

It has a wide range of filter jugs that are perfect for offices. The jug filters are equipped with patented AQUACONTROL water movement control technology, which distributes flows for maximum filtration efficiency, which completely eliminates tunnel and wall effects. AQUACONTROL technology allows you to use the entire volume of filter materials, increasing its resource. The cartridges have a threaded connection to the receiving funnel of the jug, which completely eliminates the mixing of dirty and purified water. The models themselves are available in six different colors, so they can harmoniously fit into almost any interior. In addition, the company produces industrial filters, as well as water filtration systems for cottages.

"Water Doctor"

It sells unique household and industrial filters, taking into account technological processes of varying complexity, the customer’s financial resources and requirements for treated water. The cost of such filters is calculated individually. In addition, this company offers softener filters and devices for deferrizing water in a private home, as well as luxury purifiers for offices, fitness clubs, schools and shopping centers. Among them is the water purifier-corrector “Water Doctor VD-TM 205 Lux WF” with a water softening function in a floor-standing VATTEN purifier.

"Barrier"

It has been producing household filters for water purification since 1993 and successfully sells them in Russia and abroad. In addition to a large assortment of filter jugs, Barrier produces kitchen faucets with a built-in faucet for water purification. For example, the elegant BWT 3C model, which has a classic design, will significantly save space on the sink due to the combined supply system of tap and purified water in one device. These faucets are available in different colors, including black and bronze.

"Aquaphor"

It has a large selection of compact filters that you can easily take with you on a trip. In particular, we are talking about the Aquaphor Crystal Echo model with a resource of 8000 liters and a filtration rate of 2.5 liters per minute. It comes with three different modules. This company also offers shower filters and water filtration systems in apartments, cottages and offices.

When choosing a water filtration system, you should not only compare the models you like, but also carefully study the website of the company that sells them. It is quite possible that there will be various seasonal discounts and bonuses in the form of free water analysis or equipment installation. Before purchasing, you should pay attention to the warranty period of the product.

While a person can live for quite a long time without food, he cannot live long without water. The human body is 80% water. What kind of liquid forms the internal environment of our body is of great importance. It is unlikely that anyone will argue that water quality directly affects a person’s health and well-being. Many of us are confident that it is enough to simply boil the water drawn from the tap in order to safely use it for drinking and cooking. But that's not true. The issue of low-quality water, which can have a detrimental effect on our body, is currently resolved simply: it is enough to use certain types of filters. After reading this article, you will learn about what types of water filters exist and you will be able to choose the most suitable option for yourself.

From this article you will learn:

What are the different types of filters for rough water purification?

What types of water purification filters are suitable for an apartment, and which ones are best to buy for a private home?

What are the different types of filter cartridges?

How to choose the right type of water filter

What groups are all types of water filters divided into?

It is generally accepted that in many regions of Russia, water supply systems supply water in a form acceptable for consumption. If we compare the situation with tap water in our country and abroad, the difference is huge. In many countries around the world, the tap liquid called water can not only be drunk, but also used for washing. But Russia is also rapidly approaching this, so different types of filters are installed in almost every apartment, and this will not surprise anyone. If you want to be healthy, take care of your water purification system.

A water filter is necessary to purify water supplied from natural sources from impurities, heavy metals, viruses and chlorine. The cleaning devices that Russians use in their apartments and houses are called household ones. They can be ranked according to the degree of filtration into the simplest, the average degree of purification and the highest. The last type of filters is represented by reverse osmosis systems. And today it is the most effective and modern technology.

Each of the three groups of filter types is designed for its own purposes and differs significantly in price. Users, when choosing a method of water purification, are guided by their place of residence and their financial capabilities.

Where should you start when choosing a water filter? First of all, take the water for analysis to the SES. This is a paid service, as a result of which you will find out what impurities and contaminants the drinking water entering your home contains.

Knowing the water parameters, you can choose the appropriate replacement unit for the filtration system. After all, in order to effectively purify a liquid, you need to find out what it should be purified from.

Based on the results of the analysis, you will find out how much iron your water contains (total and dissolved), what its hardness, turbidity and color are, how much manganese it contains, what its oxidability and PH level are. If there are distortions and deviations in the parameters, then you need to select just such a replacement unit that will bring the composition of the water back to normal.

The filtration system does not begin with the filter that you install yourself at home, but with a pre-filtration device that purifies the water from large impurities such as rust and sand. Typically, a plumbing system is equipped with such a device at the very initial level of its equipment.

There are different types of filters for hot and cold water supply systems. The hot water prefilter must be made of heat-resistant material. If you install a regular filter on a hot water supply system, it will instantly become unusable. Therefore, different prefilters are usually installed for cold and hot water. Heat-resistant ones are more expensive.

But the system for purifying water from coarse fillers that are visible to the eye does not make it clean and suitable for drinking. It is needed simply to make the work of fine filters easier. You also need to install basic filters that will turn the liquid entering your home into safe drinking water.

To decide which water purification device is most suitable for you, you need to carefully read about the features of different types of filters.

What types of water filters are there?

Water filter in the form of a jug

This is the simplest device that can be purchased at the lowest price, consisting of:

Jug with a lid.

Funnels for collecting water.

Cartridge for filtration.

The name “jug” conjures up a picture of a beautiful clay vessel that is easy to drop and break. But in fact, water filters are made in the form of plastic containers; they only vaguely resemble a jug - by the shape of the spout. The plastic glass has a printed scale and can hold from 1.5 to 4 liters of water. The cost of the filter depends on the volume and complexity of the device. Thus, the lids of some models are equipped with valves that protect the water collected in the jug from dust and germs.

Whatever volume of water the jug can theoretically hold, in practice only half will fit into it, since the other part is occupied by a water collection tank, also made of plastic, at the bottom of which there is a cleaning cartridge. It has its own service life. Different models have individual characteristics regarding the amount of water they can purify by passing through their filter. This quantity varies from 170 to 450 liters. After this, using the jug becomes pointless.

If the filter cartridge has a liquid meter, then you will not forget to replace it. At the very beginning of using the device, water passes through the valve quite quickly: up to 35 liters per hour. But over time, the speed of fluid passage slows down.

Which fragments of the cartridge are capable of purifying the water being passed through:

Chlorine is removed thanks to a layer of activated carbon. It also disinfects liquid from bacteria and improves the organoleptic (smell and taste) properties of water.

A layer of ion exchange resin allows you to remove excess minerals from the water, making it soft, while maintaining the required level of important trace elements.

The polypropylene layer filters mechanical impurities contained in water.

Jugs are a budget option, designed for no more than three people. They are easy to move, take with you to the dacha, they are easy to use and inexpensive. However, the cartridge will have to be changed frequently, otherwise there will be no point in using this filter.

Coarse filters

These filters must be installed in the pipes of the water supply system. Their job is to remove large particles from water. They are designed for the first stage of liquid purification on the way from the well to the living space. Thanks to coarse filters, the water supplied to us is free of sand, silt, clay and other impurities. If you install such a filter on the water that comes into the apartment, it will clean the liquid from lime, rust, and scale.

The rough cleaning method is primitive: those particles that are not able to pass through the mesh holes remain on the filter. That is, this device is a metal or polypropylene mesh with small-diameter cells.

There are the following types of filters for rough water purification:

The filter is in the form of a mesh or in the form of a cartridge.

Flanged and coupling.

With or without washability.

Straight and oblique.

A mesh filter with holes with a diameter of 50 to 400 microns is most often used. Made of stainless material, it can last up to 30 years. We are also very familiar with filters that purify water using a cartridge, namely through a replaceable device made of polypropylene fibers.

Flange and coupling filters are often used to purify water in pipes. The latter are distinguished by the fact that the coupling connection leads to minimal bending deformation of the flange relative to the body; accordingly, its diameter is no more than 50 mm.

The division of filters into straight and oblique depends on the location of the tank and the outlet pipes from it in relation to the water flow. In oblique filters the reservoir is installed at an angle to the flow, and in straight filters it is installed perpendicularly. Large particles of impurities settle in the tank itself, and smaller ones - on the filter mesh.

Oblique filters, some straight and all cartridge filters are non-washable. All that remains is to replace the filter element as it wears out. If the device is called a flushing device, it means that it can be separated from the overall structure, take out the filter mesh, wash it, clean it and put it back.

Direct filters are often washable. They are equipped with an additional outlet valve that can wash away accumulations with a stream of water. But such coarse cleaning devices are only possible in those areas where the pipes are located horizontally with the tank pointing downward. And oblique filters are installed regardless of the location of the pipeline. The main thing is that the water moves from top to bottom, and not vice versa. In this case, a sump will be located below. Coarse filters are inserted into the pipeline up to the installed meters.

Pre-filters

Among the many types, coarse pre-filters are used almost everywhere. They are simply necessary for the normal functioning of washing machines, dishwashers, plumbing fixtures, and water heaters, because if all these household appliances use untreated water, they will quickly fail. Such filters are installed after the shut-off valve, but before the meters.

They consist of:

Metal mesh that filters grains with a diameter of 30-50 microns;

A cartridge with a polypropylene fiber insert that holds particles of about 5-20 microns.

Metal mesh is easy to remove and wash, removing rust and sand. This flushing is performed every 1-2 months. Some filter systems are equipped with a self-flushing mechanism that allows you to clean the mesh without dismantling it. A more advanced option is automatic flushing with removal of contaminants into the sewer.

A more expensive version of the filter has water pressure measuring devices (pressure gauges) installed before and after the filter. Whenever the fluid pressure drops excessively after the filter, the mesh must be flushed. The pressure gauge is installed according to the diameter of the pipe.

The grids last a long time and are washable. Cartridge filters cannot be washed, but they have a higher degree of cleaning. They not only remove mechanical impurities, but also disinfect water and enrich it. Often, replaceable elements contain not only carbon, but also silver, as well as ion exchange resins as filter layers.

Important points when installing pre-filters:

Capacity must match the water flow;

Cartridge filters are suitable for pre-purified water, and for pre-purification - only meshes;

It is important to install the filter correctly, so it is worth inviting a specialist.

Therefore, if a filter with fine mesh membranes has already been installed or is planned to be installed, then it is necessary to install pre-cleaning filters in order to protect the delicate cleaning valve from coarse debris. This way you can achieve optimal results.

What does the pre-filter do:

Frees water from large coarse particles that cannot dissolve;

Accumulates debris and dirt on the mesh, which can be removed from time to time by washing it;

Protects household appliances from damage by purifying the water they use.

Almost all types of coarse filters are small in size and easy to use. But their significant drawback is that they are able to remove only large insoluble debris from water. What about all the other impurities?

There are filters that do an excellent job with running water when installed directly in the water pipe. These are main filters consisting of either a plastic or steel collapsible flask containing a cleaning element.

A fairly high throughput (20-50 l/min) screens out all coarse particles and also removes chlorine from the water. Thus, not only the quality of the water improves, but also its taste.

The main cleaner must be suitable for the type of main and the degree of cleaning that is planned to be achieved. Different types of water filters of similar properties differ from each other in the type of housing and cartridge, performance and level of hydraulic losses. Main filters are equally suitable for cold and hot water supply pipes. Devices for hot water are made from heat-resistant materials; they will also work well on pipes with cold water. But placing a filter for cold water on a hot pipe will not work. There are three types of mainline cleaners:

Single stage clean water from sand, small sedimentary debris and rust;

Two-stage in addition to the properties of single-stage filters, they also remove chlorine, unpleasant odors and organic impurities;

Three-stage models are also capable of softening water, removing excess iron from it.

According to the method of functioning, main types of water filters are mesh (a mesh cartridge purifies water from coarse mixtures), corrugated, propylene and winding.

Experts know that for higher floors it is important to select a filter with a lower hydraulic loss (no more than 0.1-0.6 bar). Also, depending on water consumption, filters with a housing diameter from 114-130 mm (at the most modest consumption) to 184 mm (with active water use) are selected.

An excellent filtration option is a main-line device with a grain load, which removes large debris, chemical and biological contaminants, and softens the water. The filter has a layer filled with rocks, grains of quartz sand, expanded clay, anthracite and even marble chips - all these natural elements carefully purify the water and fill it with natural components. Such filters vary significantly in price.

It only makes sense to install a filter to specifically purify water from iron in places where its content is high. This is extremely harmful to human health and the condition of household appliances. Science knows four states of presence of iron on Earth:

Colloidal;

Bivalent;

Trivalent;

Organic.

When analyzing water supplied through central pipelines, we can see iron only in the divalent and trivalent states. The coarse filter is able to cope with ferric iron. An ultrafilter with waste disposal and membrane backwashing is also suitable for this task.

Ferrous iron can be filtered by more complex installations, for example, bulk-type installations with multi-component mixes (Ferosoft B/L/A/Ecomix). These multi-component mixtures are not only ion-combined resins, but also, thanks to their increased sorption capacity, are actively able to filter iron and other compounds. Accordingly, such a mixture will effectively cope with water problems such as hardness, iron, manganese, etc.

Why is a filter using a reverse osmosis system considered the most effective at the present stage? Yes, because it purifies water by 99%. A high figure, would you agree? The system performs several stages of water purification, as a result of which you get a liquid similar to drinking water from the best brands sold in stores.

Let's figure out what a multi-stage cleaning system consists of.

Pre-cleaning(chlorine and coarse impurities are removed from the water, which can further damage the membrane for finer purification; pre-purification is carried out in three flasks).

Membrane filtration(represents cleaning through a material made of synthetic fiber, twisted in the form of a roll, it passes water through its pores with a diameter of 0.0001 microns).

Automatic accumulation of water in the tank as it is consumed(capacity 4-12 liters, made of steel and covered with enamel).

The flow of purified water into the tap. A special tap provided by the system cuts into the sink along with a regular tap for water supply (before it starts flowing from the tap, the water passes through an activated carbon filter).

Now let's look at why we need to perform preliminary purification in three flasks. The first is needed for mechanical purification of the liquid from coarse grains of rust and sand measuring more than five microns. The second contains granular activated carbon, which purifies water from chlorine and organics. The third flask also removes mechanical particles, but no larger than one micron in size.

Why does the membrane have such small pores? The thing is that only molecules of water and gases that enrich it (oxygen and hydrogen) have a size of 0.0001 microns; everything else is larger. These are impurities that were not sufficiently filtered by the flasks, which will now be discharged through the drainage into the sewer.

The reverse osmosis system is equipped with a mineralizer to fill the water with normal amounts of magnesium, sodium and calcium. To structure water to its natural state, the system includes a cartridge with tourmaline. The outside is made of plastic, but inside there is a glass container with ceramic balls made from a natural mineral.

A reverse osmosis filter is a set of elements:

Cleaning flasks (4-6 pieces);

Replaceable cartridges and membrane;

Storage capacity;

Drinking tap;

Set of installation tools.

This type of water filter is a rather cumbersome system, which is most often installed under the sink, hidden by a cabinet. A more complex installation option involves connecting additional hoses that will supply clean water and drain dirty water. The osmosis system operates at 2-6 bar. If the pressure readings are lower or higher than those declared by the manufacturer, then specialists will use a special pump to regulate this pressure to normal.

Like any other option, in addition to its advantages, this filtration system also has disadvantages: the water is purified slowly and most of it goes into the sewer along with impurities (2/3 of the volume).

Filters for washing

A reverse osmosis filter is not the only option for cleaning systems that are usually installed under the sink. All those devices that purify water in several sections require space for their operation. Sink filters are flasks that can be made of steel, plastic or glass. Each flask has its own cleaning cartridge and is responsible for one of the stages of water filtration. This entire structure is connected to a cold water supply pipe, discharges purified water through a special tap, and dirty water into the sewer.

Among the filters installed under the sink:

Flow-through;

Reverse osmosis.

You already have an idea about the design of a reverse osmosis filter. The flow filter works as follows:

The water is first mechanically purified in flasks to remove sand and other particles that pollute the water;

The coal sorbent frees water from insoluble impurities of rust, silt, sand and other debris from chlorine and organic compounds, also filtering out heavy metals and salts;

A layer of ion exchange resins makes the water softer, removing iron from it, as well as excess magnesium and potassium.

To disinfect water, an ultraviolet lamp is installed in the flow filter. Such devices use water more economically than reverse osmosis filters and purify water faster.

It is not recommended to install the filter blindly. You need to know the composition of the water in the house in order to choose a specific one. In fact, you can choose the filter that you like best, but the cartridges for it should be selected taking into account the properties and quality of the water that will have to be filtered.

All water filters for sinks have many advantages:

They do not cause any difficulties in operation;

All elements of the system can replace each other;

Save space due to ergonomic installation;

Long service life of elements (in flow filters - six months, in a reverse osmosis system - a year);

Saving the cost of clean water.

Disadvantages: inability to transfer the system to another location and high price.

Water passed through filters that can soften it passes through ion exchange resins, which replace heavy calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions.

The following types of filters have softening abilities:

Main ion exchange filters;

Reverse osmosis systems;

Electromagnetic filters;

Ultrasonic filters.

Among softeners, Russians are most familiar with the regenerative ion exchange filter. It works using a flask filled with resin, which purifies the water. The device sends everything screened out to the sewer, and fills the container for the regeneration solution with clean water.

The resource of the ion exchange resin is not infinite. It needs to be restored from time to time. This is done through a chemical reaction. The resin is “revived” with a regeneration solution of tableted table salt. Due to this, hard ions accumulated in the resin are replaced by sodium ions.

The filter elements can be washed either manually or automatically. Regeneration occurs as follows: the device stops working for 0.5-2 hours with regularity twice a week. If the system has only one ion exchange filter, then stopping its operation is inevitable. Among the many types of water purification devices, this one is considered a variable filter. But if there are several filter sections, then they replace each other.

Water softening filters come in different designs:

Balloon type;

Compact, where the filter and tank are connected into a single housing;

Automatic systems.

All types of filters that are aimed at softening water remove heavy salts and excess trace elements, making it useful and healthy. They serve for quite a long time.

Magnetic filters are considered the most compact type of softening filters. They are a device with magnets built into the body, which is installed in the water supply pipe. Due to the magnetic field through which water passes, hardness salts do not settle on heating devices and pipe surfaces and therefore cannot combine into crystals that can destroy elements of the water supply system and household appliances. To protect radiators, boilers, washing machines and other devices that use tap water, softening flasks filled with polyphosphate crystals or ecozone, a special material that lasts for about six months, are installed before the liquid enters.

But do not forget that softening the water alone is not enough to make it suitable for regular use. It contains many other compounds besides heavy salts that also need to be removed.

Types of cartridges for water filters

Mechanical cleaning cartridges

Capable of filtering large insoluble particles with a diameter of 5-50 microns, making water more transparent. Mechanical cleaning to some extent also contributes to a longer service life of household appliances and water pipes.

Carbon cartridge (granular coconut carbon filter)

Works to improve organoleptics: purifies water, making it more transparent and palatable. The porous structure of activated carbon absorbs free chlorine and, along with other organic compounds, removes it from the water that the user ultimately receives.

Carbon block

There are two elements at work here. On the one hand, this is a polypropylene prefilter - the outer shell of the block, and on the other - the inner part, pressed carbon, which filters chlorine and organic matter from the water, ultimately making it cleaner and more pleasant to the taste.

Ion exchange resin

Works optimally in a three-stage filtration system. The first of them is the stage of rough mechanical cleaning, the second is a capsule with ion exchange resin, and the third is a carbon block.

The activity of ion exchange resins is determined by their structure. The molecules form a network with active ions (functional groups), creating a special environment capable of exchange reactions.

The synthetic medium is a collection of solid electrolytes obtained as a result of special processing of resins. Polymerization of a substance leads to the appearance of functional groups intended for electrolytic dissociation.

To store such resins, it is necessary to create certain conditions. The temperature in the warehouse should not be less than 2 °C. The resin should be stored warm, but not near heating appliances. The ion exchange resin has a warranty period, after which its quality indicators should be checked. Its anion exchangers and cation exchangers may lose their properties. The same will happen if stored under unfavorable conditions. When the resin loses its properties, it takes longer to filter the water, and regeneration also takes longer. A decrease in the strength properties of the resin causes it to begin to crumble. As a result, resin crumbs can be transferred from the filter to the water supply, and this is unacceptable.

Granular activated carbon cartridges

Activated carbon is a porous material. Depending on the size of the granules, the properties of the cartridge will vary. Along with its ability to collect all the unnecessary substances contained in water, coconut charcoal emits very little dust. This is its undoubted advantage. But in addition to granular carbon, the cartridge must contain a mechanical cleaning agent to prevent coarse particles of sand and rust from eroding the granules.

Pressed activated carbon cartridges

Coal can be used not only in granular form, but also pressed. Then the cartridge works in the form of a carbon block. Coal can be coconut, or it can consist of a mixture of different types. This coal is pressed to create a dense and durable mass. During manufacturing, the desired level of porosity is achieved. Due to the dense structure of the block, the possibility of washing out coal particles is practically eliminated.

Each manufacturer tries to develop a unique filtration method. Likewise, carbon blocks for each brand differ from each other. Some also add hydrophilic fiber to the filter block - aqualene, which promotes the penetration of water into all areas of the carbon block and increases its absorption properties. Additives to the blocks make it possible to increase the strength of compressed coal, virtually eliminating the possibility of leaching.

Powdered activated carbon cartridges

You can often find filters with powdered carbon cartridges. In this state, it has an increased ability to adsorb impurities. It has a larger working surface than other types of charcoal appliances. The longer the water contacts the carbon while passing through the filter, the better the cleaning result. A mechanical filter is installed at the outlet, which prevents the powder from leaving the filter capsule.

Whatever the carbon cartridges, whatever type of carbon they use, all cleaning systems based on the properties of activated carbon have the following characteristics:

They are excellent adsorbents, capable of eliminating not only organic compounds, but also heavy metals or oxidizing agents such as chlorine and ozone;

They provide a favorable environment for the development of viruses and microbes. By themselves they are not capable of disinfecting water;

They are not intended to soften water, since they are indifferent to the hard calcium and magnesium salts contained in it;

They cope well with impurities with high molecular weight and poor solubility;

Activated carbon does not absorb water. As water passes through it, it tends to create channels for itself that allow it to flow through the filter more easily. The water pressure forces her to look for all possible ways to overcome the retaining carbon filter. The more channels that form in the coal, the less effective water filtration becomes. After all, now not all water will interact with coal, but only that which did not manage to seep through the channels;

Coal dust particles often end up in the water;

The cartridge works more efficiently if the area of contact between coal and water is larger, which means its sorption capabilities are greater;

To effectively purify water, it is necessary to extend the time of its contact with the working fluid. So, the cartridge must retain water for the most favorable result. When purchasing a filter, look at its efficiency indicator, which reflects the properties of the cartridge included in its composition.

Carbon filters are not bactericidal; they are bacteriostatic types of filters. While bactericidal ones cause the death of bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms, bacteriostatic ones, on the contrary, promote the growth and reproduction of bacteria.

In an effort to improve the performance of filters, manufacturers fill carbon cartridges with a small amount of silver, which does not have a harmful effect on the human body (no more than 50 μg/l). But this minimum is not enough to kill harmful bacteria. They die only at a concentration of silver molecules of 150 µg/l and above. It is easy to guess that the use of this element in such minute quantities does not eliminate the problem of bacteriostaticity of carbon cartridges. The requirements of sanitary standards and regulations set the maximum amount of silver at the outlet of the device at 0.05 mg/l. In other words, it should not be washed out of the filter.

What should you pay attention to when choosing the most suitable of the many types of filters? Please note the following information:

Service life and resource of filtered water;

Cartridge lifespan (replacement frequency);

Type of water suitable for use by the filter (domestic, technical, etc.). Each specific type of filter is intended only for use in the conditions for which it was designed. The manufacturer states these requirements in the product specifications;

Possibility of extending service life through the use of bacteriostatic additives.

Some manufacturers set the cartridge resource to 1 year, others – 1.5 years. But be that as it may, when a cartridge comes to the end of its service life, it needs to be replaced, even if it has not yet exhausted its declared resource. Because at the end of its service life, a large number of bacteria and harmful microorganisms accumulate in the cartridge. This means that by continuing to use it, you risk harming your body with contaminated water.

If the service life of the cartridge has not reached the end, and the limit of filtered water has already been used up, it is also not advisable to use it. The volume of water was not stated by chance. It is when such a quantity of liquid passes through the filter that it becomes significantly dirty. So it is not recommended to use it in the future.

At best, the cartridge will become useless. At worst, it will introduce bacteria into clean water during sudden water shocks of the cartridge (this happens as a result of pressure surges in the water supply system).

There are many companies on the Russian market that develop water treatment systems. It is quite difficult to choose one or another water filter on your own, without the help of a professional. And even more so, you should not try to install a water treatment system yourself, even if you have read several articles on the Internet and it seems to you that you have figured it all out.

It is safer to contact a filter installation company that provides a full range of services: specialist consultation, water analysis from a well or well, selection of suitable equipment, delivery and connection of the system. In addition, it is important that the company provides servicing for the devices.

One such company is Biokit, which offers online a wide selection of reverse osmosis systems, water filters and other equipment that can return tap water to its natural characteristics.

Biokit specialists are ready to help you:

Connect the filtration system yourself;

Understand the process of selecting water filters;

Select replacement materials;

Troubleshoot or solve problems with the involvement of specialist installers;

Find answers to your questions over the phone.