Water purification technology dates back thousands of years, beginning with distillation. At first, however, people mainly distilled alcohol. This method increased the alcohol content.

Some methods of water purification are appropriate for home, and this is one of them. What you would need is a commercial distiller and collection tank. You might also need a lot of time, if you plan on purifying a large amount of liquid - distilling does not produce quick results.

This is how distillation works: Fluid is turned to vapor when it comes into contact with a heating element. The vapor flows upward through piping, which leads to a cooling chamber, where the steam is cooled until becomes fluid again.

Compounds like lead, calcium and magnesium will remain in the first tank. Bacteria are destroyed by the heat. Chemical contaminants also become vaporous and pass through the tube along with the water. Cancer causing compounds such as THMs are not removed through distillation methods of water purification. Per gallon, the cost of use is 20 to 26 cents.

It used to be that reverse osmosis (also known as RO) was the most advanced water purification technology. These methods of water purification put fluids under high pressure and direct them through a semi-permeable membrane. Minerals as well as a number of contaminants do not pass through the filter, because most have larger molecules than water does.

To get rid of smaller molecules, like pesticides, herbicides, and many other man-made compounds, a carbon filter is necessary in addition to RO. These two methods of water purification should be used together. However, the combination calls for considerable water pressure and maintenance, as well as the additional cost of a storage unit. Also consider that every gallon of purified water takes an hour to produce and several gallons of wastewater. The total cost of use: 18 to 24 cents per gallon.

Pitchers and carafe-style filters are handy and self-contained. The water purification technology that they employ is activated carbon and micron filtration to remove some chlorine and lead. They are expensive to purchase, but costly to maintain because the filters have a short life span. These methods of water purification cost about 25 cents per gallon.

The most advanced water purification technology for the kitchen is a multi stage system that combines a multi-media block, with granular carbon filters, sub-micron filtration and ion exchange. These methods of water purification are recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency as the best water purification technology available for removing VOCs, THMs and chlorine.

Adsorption is the water purification technology that they employ. Adsorption methods of water purification work in this way. The contaminant bonds chemically or physically to the surface of the filter medium. Ion exchange converts lead ions to harmless potassium, balances mineral content and improves pH level.

Multi-media blocks are made with microscopic grids that filter out cysts like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, as well as fine sediment. No water is wasted, because water does not flow around the filter. You also do not need any electricity with this kind of set up. It is far and away the most effective and economical water purification technology for the home. The proof: Per gallon, it costs less than 10 cents.