\nFilter method<\/strong><\/td>\nDescription<\/strong><\/td>\nRemoves<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Carafe in the fridge<\/td>\n | To simply get rid of the chlorine the simplest method is to leave a carafe of unfiltered water in the fridge over night. Generally most of the chlorine evaporates in 12-24 hours.<\/td>\n | About 80-90% of the chlorine evaporates.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Active Carbon<\/td>\n | Grannular activated carbon (GAC) or Carbon Blocks are made from raw organic materials (such as coconut shells or coal) that are high in carbon. Carbon is the most absorbent material known, and it is uniquely efficient because of thousands of tiny pores that can absorb. Some also use secondary media such as silver to prevent bacteria growth.<\/td>\n | Active carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine, sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), taste and odor from water. Remove most bacteria. High quality carbon blocks can also remove micro plastics, lead, nitrates and many other contaminants.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Reverse Osmosis<\/a> (RO)<\/td>\n | Commonly referred to as RO, is a process where you demineralize or deionize water by pushing it under pressure through a semi-permeable Reverse Osmosis Membrane. RO filters are usually combined with\u00a0an active carbon filter\u00a0to\u00a0trap organic chemicals and\u00a0chlorine or CTA (cellulose tri-acetate) membrane prior to the RO membrane.<\/td>\n | Capable* of removing 99%+ of the dissolved salts (ions), particles, colloids, organics, bacteria and pyrogens from the feed water (RO system should not be relied upon to remove 100% of bacteria and viruses).
\n* Capable = industrial grade RO systems<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| UV Purifier<\/td>\n | UV Water Purification systems use special lamps that emit UV light of a particular wavelength that have the ability, based on their length, to disrupt the DNA of micro-organisms. As water passes through a UV water treatment system, living organisms in water are exposed to UV light which attacks the genetic code of the microorganism and rearranges the DNA \/RNA, eliminating the microorganism\u2019s ability to function and reproduce.
\nNormally UV filters are combined with\u00a0another fitler such as active carbon.<\/td>\n | Remove\u00a099.99 percent of bacteria and viruses that may be present in your tap water. See below for longer list.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Ozone<\/td>\n | A home based system is very similar to those used in municipalities except on a far smaller scale. They are systems that include a recirculation pump, an ozone generator, a water recycling tank, and an ozone line vent. Ozone drinking water purifiers are generally located at the water intake point for the home between the intake and the storage tank. Ozone also uses UV light but in this case to create unstable oxygen molecules.
\nOzone is often combined with activated carbon filtration to achieve a more complete water treatment.<\/td>\n | Ozone has been found to effectively remove 99 percent of all biological pathogens including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It also is effective at removing iron and manganese as well as freeing up chlorine to kill even more microbes if used in a multiple step system.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Ion Exchange<\/td>\n | The ion exchange process percolates water through bead-like spherical resin materials (ion-exchange resins). Ions in the water are exchanged for other ions fixed to the beads. The two most common ion-exchange methods are softening and deionization. Deionization is generally used in combination with active carbon filters. Softening is primarily used before RO filters.<\/td>\n | Primary use is to soften the water and to reduce contaminets. Generally used in combination with a active carbon or a RO filter. Also frequently marketed as making the water alkaline (pH level above 7) and thus healthier for the body.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Distillation<\/td>\n | Water is first heated to boiling. Then the water vapor rises to a condenser where cooling water lowers the temperature so the vapor is condensed, collected and stored. Most contaminants stay behind in the liquid phase vessel.<\/td>\n | Removes most contaiminats. Destillation is mostly used in industrial processes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Boiling<\/td>\n | Not really a filter system but as it\u2019s used by many people as a last resort it\u2019s included.<\/td>\n | Removes bacteria and viruses<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nPros and cons of each of the filter technologies?<\/h2>\nKeep reading our filter guide.<\/p>\n \n\n\nFilter method<\/strong><\/td>\n| Pros<\/b><\/td>\n | Cons<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Active Carbon<\/td>\n | Easy to install and replace filters (with the faucet and carafe models)Sufficient for most common water issues in developed countries<\/p>\n No waste of water<\/p>\n Leaves minerals and salt in the water<\/p>\n Cost as little as \u20ac60 per year (e.g.\u00a0Tapp Water<\/a>)<\/td>\n | Doesn\u2019t remove all contaminants such as bacteria and viruses.<\/p>\n The best filters remove\u00a090% or more of the chlorine but may still leave some poor\u00a0taste.<\/p>\n Doesn\u2019t reduce hardness or remove calcium (resulting in limescale)*<\/p>\n * Note: Active carbon filters with Ion Exchange may also remove calcium\/limescale<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Reverse Osmosis (RO)<\/td>\n | Output is very clean water and can be used to make undrinkable water potable (drinkable)<\/p>\n Filter replacement approximately every 2-12\u00a0months (differs by brand and utilization)<\/td>\n | Waste as much as 2-6x the water output<\/p>\n Remove many of the desirable minerals from the water<\/p>\n Expensive and difficult to install and maintain versus caraffe and faucet filters (requires a professional)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| UV Purifier<\/td>\n | Very effective in removing bacteria and viruses
\nReliable and cost effiecient\u00a0 \u2013 only lamp & sleeve replaced annuallyClean \u2013 no dirty parts to dispose of<\/td>\n | Cannot be used on it\u2019s own in most casesDoes not remove any other contaminants from water such as heavy metals, salts, chlorine or man-made substances like petroleum products or pharmaceuticals.UV light is only able to work if water is clear. If the water is murky or contains \u201cfloaties,\u201d a pre-filter should be used; UV light cannot effectively reach microorganisms because the rays are blocked by the other particles.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Ozone<\/td>\n | Primarily a disinfectant that effectively kills biological contaminants.Oxidizes and precipitates iron, sulfur, and manganese so they can be filtered out.Will oxidize and break down many organic chemicals including many that cause odor and taste problems.<\/td>\n | More expensive than the other technologiesUnstable oxygen (i.e., ozone) acts as an oxidant in the body and may contribute to cellular damage, aging, diseases, etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Ion Exchange<\/td>\n | Great for reducing water hardness and for filtration of certain difficult substances such as nitrates and heavy metals<\/p>\n No wasted water and no electricity needed<\/p>\n Fast flow rate<\/p>\n Ideal for whole house filters<\/td>\n | Must be used in combination with other filters such as activated carbon<\/p>\n Does not effectively remove particles, pyrogens or bacteria<\/p>\n High operating cost over time<\/p>\n There is no scientific proof that alkaline water is better for the health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Destillation<\/td>\n | Removes a broad range of contaminantsReusable<\/td>\n | Does not remove bad taste\/odor<\/p>\n Consumes large amounts of energy<\/p>\n System usually takes a large space on counter<\/p>\n Does not contain any minerals or salt afterwards<\/p>\n May not remove pesticides and herbicides<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Boiling<\/td>\n | Doesn\u2019t require any equipment<\/p>\n Vastly reduces risk of getting ill from short term consumption of water<\/td>\n | Does not remove a lot of contaminents like metals<\/p>\n Very expensive and time consuming method for high volumes of water<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | | | | | | | |