As you know, water is the source of life. But, unfortunately, for many reasons the quality of drinking water is deteriorating every day. Of course, in the conditions of centralized water supply, water is purified from pollution, harmful impurities and organic compounds by filtration, ozonation and chlorination. But the problem is that even before reaching the final consumer, the water is polluted again, hitting the pipes, the state of which leaves much to be desired. And chlorine - the simplest and cheapest means of water purification not only affects its taste and smell, but also negatively affects our health. Part of this problem can be solved by water conditioning, chlorine is a volatile compound and after a while water is released from it, but it is not a panacea either. Realizing these nuances, we are clearly following the prohibition in our childhood of drinking tap water and betraying it to our children.
But, you can drink tap water and even ... it is useful! Provided additional measures are taken to clean it. With all the variety of water filters offered to date, choosing the right one is not so easy, because you want to get a decent ratio of quality and price. The optimal option to date are flow-through filters for cleaning water "under the sink."
Why do we need flow filters?
Flow-through water filters are designed to clean cold tap water to the drinking state in a domestic environment. On the quality of cleaning, they occupy an honorable second place after complex and costly reverse osmosis systems. From simple filters - jugs, table tops and nozzles on the faucet, these filters differ in the features of the installation - they are stationary and, as the name implies, they hide under the sink, as well as a higher degree of purification.
Principle of operation
The flow-through filter for water consists of plastic flask-cylinders, inside of which there are replaceable filter cartridges. Water, passed through each of them alternately, is fed into a special small tap, which is fixed on the sink or countertop. Depending on their quantity, two-, three- and four-stage systems are distinguished. Each of the filters performs certain functions, for example:
- The 1st stage of purification is designed for mechanical filtration and removes insoluble impurities from water - rust, silt, sand;
- The second stage consists of a modern ion-exchange material and purifies water from salts of heavy metals, chlorine compounds, pesticides, most bacteria;
- 3 and 4 stages perform a more refined cleaning, disinfect and soften water, adjust its color and taste.
This is a generalized principle of the operation of such filters, naturally, the features of the purification degrees depend on the materials and substances included in the cartridges, which vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
Advantages of water filters for washing:
- high speed of cleaning - water is delivered directly to the tap, there is no need to wait for the water to accumulate in an intermediate tank in sufficient quantity;
- a large potential resource - on average, each cartridge can successfully cope with the purification of 4-5 thousand liters of water;
- saving space - filters for running water are compactly placed under the sink and do not require a specially allocated space;
- ease of use - to get drinking water, just open the tap;
- high degree of purification - such filters allow you to get almost perfectly clean water at the output;
- economy - the filter very quickly pays off.
How to install a flow filter?
The filter is connected to the water supply network with the help of additional parts that are included in the package. The installation process is fairly simple and even an amateur can do it. Filters for washing are good in that they do not violate the existing concept of the interior and do not take up space on the working surfaces of the kitchen.
It is also advisable to take care of both the technique that works with water and install a filter for the washing machine and other devices.