Access to clean, safe water in your Newburgh, NY home is essential for your health and well-being. Contaminants in your water can cause various issues, from skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems to headaches and other health concerns. In addition to affecting your health, poor water quality can also damage your plumbing system, leading to corrosion and blockages caused by mineral buildup. This article will explore common water contaminants and how a water treatment system can help improve the quality of your home’s water.
Common Water Contaminants
Municipal water is treated to meet safety standards. However, the treatment methods used may not be sufficient to remove all the contaminants that can affect your health. In addition, chemicals like chlorine are often used to disinfect public water and can leave an unpleasant taste and odor in your drinking water. These chemicals can also cause dry skin and hair. Homes with private wells face unique water quality challenges. Bacteria and viruses, such as E. coli and coliform bacteria, can enter well water through sewage runoff, animal waste, or poor well maintenance. Regardless of whether your home relies on municipal or well water, hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium can lead to scale buildup in pipes and appliances.
Different Types of Water Treatment
The first step in choosing the right water treatment system is to test your water. Selecting the right system based on the results can make a significant difference in the quality of your water and help protect your family and plumbing from the harmful effects of contaminants.
Under-Sink Filters and Reverse Osmosis Systems
If you are looking to improve the quality of the water you drink, installing an under-sink filter or a reverse osmosis (RO) system can be an excellent choice. Under-sink filters are compact systems that typically sit beneath your kitchen sink and filter water as it flows to a dedicated faucet. These filters effectively remove contaminants from your drinking water but do not filter all the water that comes into your home. Some systems may require a holding tank, so ensuring you have the space for installation is important.
Reverse osmosis, another popular option for drinking water, pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants such as salts, minerals, and heavy metals. The RO process can filter out particles as small as 0.0001 microns, which also makes it highly effective at removing harmful contaminants, including some bacteria and viruses. While RO systems are effective at purifying water, they also remove beneficial minerals that some people prefer to leave in for taste and health reasons.
It is important to note that RO systems are impractical for whole-home water filtration for several reasons. First, they waste a significant amount of water. RO systems use three to four gallons of water to produce just one gallon of purified water, with the remainder being discarded into your sewer system. Additionally, the filtration process can be slow, which makes it inefficient for the larger volumes of water needed for daily household use. Finally, the cost of a whole-home RO system can be high, both in terms of initial installation and ongoing maintenance, which makes it an impractical choice for most homeowners. Ultimately, whether you choose an under-sink filter or a reverse osmosis system depends on your specific needs and the available space in your home.
Whole-home Water Filtration Systems
Water passes through multiple filters in whole-home water filtration equipment, such as a sulfur removal system. Each serves a specific purpose. The process typically begins with a pre-filter that removes large particles such as sediment. This filter also protects the more expensive filters deeper in the system. The water then passes through activated carbon filtration to eliminate chemicals and improve taste. The final stage uses polishing filters to remove any remaining contaminants, leaving clean water ready for drinking, cleaning, and showering.
UV Light Sanitation
UV light sanitation is particularly effective at eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses in your water supply, especially when using well water. This method works by exposing water to ultraviolet light, which damages the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them incapable of reproducing and causing illness. UV light systems are an excellent addition to multi-stage whole-home water filtration systems, providing an extra layer of protection against harmful microorganisms that other filtration methods may not capture.
Ion Exchange Filtration
Ion exchange filtration is another technology used to remove harmful contaminants, such as lead, copper, and cadmium, from your water. This process works by exchanging harmful ions with more beneficial ones, improving both water quality and taste. Often combined with activated carbon filtration, ion exchange systems provide clean and crisp-tasting water. While it may be confused with reverse osmosis, ion exchange works through ionic bonds rather than using pressure and a semi-permeable membrane.
Water Softeners
Water softeners are designed to reduce the effects of hard water, which contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. A water softener passes water through resin beads that trap the minerals, leaving softened water for your household use. Although water softeners don’t filter out contaminants, they’re an affordable and low-maintenance option to protect your plumbing and appliances. Regular maintenance, like adding salt to the unit, is required to keep it working efficiently.
Water Treatment System Maintenance
Regardless of the type of water treatment system you choose, regular maintenance and filter replacement are crucial for ensuring continued water quality. Depending on your system and water usage, filters typically need to be replaced every six to 12 months. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for a proper maintenance schedule to keep your system working at its best.
Other Considerations
Investing in a water treatment system can be a significant expense, so choosing a system that aligns with your budget and your long-term needs is important. Many homeowners with minor water quality issues choose more affordable systems that are easier to maintain, such as those with fewer filters. On the other hand, while more elaborate systems come with a higher price tag, they may be worth the cost if you are dealing with water quality issues that could make you ill.
In addition to the health benefits, using a home filtration system can save you money and reduce your environmental footprint. By eliminating the need for bottled water, you can significantly cut your spending over time. According to some estimates, buying bottled water can cost several hundred dollars a year per household. Plus, choosing filtered water instead of bottled water reduces the waste generated by plastic bottles, helping to lower your environmental impact.
Contact the Pros
At Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we have served the residents of Newburgh, NY and the surrounding areas since 2019. We are an expert plumbing company in the area, we can help with all your drain cleaning, leak detection, and sewer repair needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.
