Filtration Versus Distillation
Water often contains impurities that can make it either unpleasant or unhealthy to consume. Dissolved minerals, iron, chlorine and microbes such as bacteria and viruses are all known to be present in untreated water. While there are many ways to purify water, two of the most frequently used are the processes of filtering and distilling water. While each of these methods will take care of the job of purifying your water, there are pros and cons to both mentioned, which are discussed below:
• Filtering Water:
Filtration is the process in which impure water is forced through a filter membrane that screens out impurities. The force of the water moving through the filter at a high rate of speed allows the impurities to be caught in the filtration screen and therefore removed from the water altogether. How well filtration works depends largely on the size of the pores of the actual filter being used. While filtration is quick and relatively easy to carry out, it is not completely effective in removing all possible impurities present in the water. While it will remove small microbes, filter pores are not effective in removing viruses such as Hepatitis A. Filters with an activated carbon or resin added to the filtration process allows for the expansion of the number of chemicals that can be removed from the water.
• Distilling Water:
Distillation occurs when water is placed in a sill and heated to a boiling point, at which time water vapor that has resulted from boiling rises naturally and drifts down a specifically designed tube downwards into another container. The majority of the impurities will be left behind in the sill. The distillation results in extremely pure water. It removes even the minerals that are found in normal tap water and are safe for human consumption. Distillation is an extremely slow process and requires a significant amount of heat to begin the boiling process. A typical distillation apparatus is also often very large and not easily transported.
Contact Water Consultants of America at 800.645.1350 and speak with our representatives about which method works best for you. We can answer any questions you might have in regards to water purification and which system works best for which project.