With all of the frightening facts coming to light about the contents of tap water, water treatment systems are quickly increasing in popularity. Not all systems are created equal, however, and it is important that you compare these systems not only by cost, but by how safe and clean they make your water as well. Today, we will briefly consider the most popular systems and shine some light on the pros and cons of each.

One of the most popular systems, available at many grocery, drug, and department stores, is the pitcher system. When originally considered, it appears to be the least expensive system, but not so when the cost of the filter is factored in. This in fact is the most expensive method of acquiring filtered water. Another issue to consider is the fact that these filters only remove large particles like sediment and lead, but still leave in a variety of bacteria and chemicals. Although, these filters are much better than tap water, they are not the most cost-efficient or effective available.

If we want to compare water systems with the purpose of finding out which one works most effectively, the two we need to explore and examine closely are reverse osmosis and multi-stage systems. Both systems provide far healthier and safer water than either filtered or tap water. We also need to examine the cost and effectiveness of each unit.

Reverse osmosis is a water treatment system that works by passing water through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out anything larger than a water molecule. These filters must also be used in conjunction with a carbon block filter, because bacteria and chemicals are smaller than water molecules.

Reverse osmosis systems remove the majority of contaminants and impurities from water, but also remove the trace minerals that are needed by the body to function properly. These include trace minerals such as potassium and magnesium. One aspect of these systems that is worthy to consider is that they waste about two gallons of water for every gallon that is transformed into pure drinking water. The cost of these units varies from 200 dollars for a kitchen unit to about 1,500 dollars for a whole house system. The total cost per gallon of water is roughly twenty-five cents.

Multi-stage water treatment systems use a number of different patented filters to pass the water through in order to obtain drinkable or purified water. The multi-stage systems remove practically all impurities, but the valuable minerals that are necessary to the body are left in. Consequently, impurities like lead, rust, all sorts of chemicals and even the chlorine that is added to all tap water are removed in this process.

Multi-stage systems cost about 150 dollars for a counter unit or 1,000 dollars for a whole house system. The total cost including filter replacement, which is only every three years, means you pay only about ten cents per gallon of water. These systems also produce far less waste than reverse osmosis systems.

When comparing water treatment systems, it is meaningful to highlight the differences between kitchen and whole house systems. While kitchen systems are essential because they clean the water your family drinks, whole house systems purify water in the bathroom which is the room where most of the toxins are absorbed when you shower.

While taking a shower or hot bath you the toxins from your water into your blood through your pores, and also you inhale them in the water vapor you breathe. Practically every chemical in your water is dispersed into the air in the form of water vapor. Because of these facts it is extremely important and strongly encouraged the use of a whole house water filtration system.

In short, water treatment systems are extremely beneficial. Whether you use the recommended whole house system or simply a kitchen unit, treating your water is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. With so many pollutants, carcinogens, and toxins in our tap water, purification is one of the best things we can do to help ourselves stay healthy.