Are Tap Water Filters Effective? The Truth Behind Them

Despite the fact that most residents receive already treated water, many Australian households choose to utilise a water filter or any type of home water filtration equipment to get rid of the contaminants.

People usually prefer tap water filters, which is a common type of water filter used in households. However, several filtering systems have better filtration than the tap filters.

This causes some individuals to wonder, “Are faucet filters effective?” Is it worthwhile to spend the money, or should I acquire a more costly model?

So, we’re ready to find out this question and all of the confusion around this water filtering system.  

The Difference between Purifying and Filtering 

Because contaminant-free water is closely related to our health, individuals will go to great lengths to obtain the cleanest water for their families.

However, it appears that many individuals do not grasp the phrases purifying and filtration, and often confuse the two.

Despite the fact that most people use these terms interchangeably, they are really different. Similarly, purifiers and water filters aren’t the same thing.

Filtering is the process of removing bigger pollutants from previously treated water.

Because the water has been treated with bleach and other chemicals, it has an unpleasant odour that we notice when we drink it.

In addition, your treated water may include chlorine and lead, which are both harmful to your health.

Filters such as faucet and pitcher filters are used to filter chlorine and lead and make the treated supply water odourless.

Furthermore, these filters eliminate dust, debris, bacteria, cysts, mercury, and other toxins from water.

Purifying, on the other hand, indicates that the filtering system removes everything, even if it’s microscopic particles the size of arsenic.

If the water has not been treated or has been handled incorrectly, it must be purified. The RO – Reverse Osmosis water purification system is a prime example of this.

Many nations provide clean water to their populations; nonetheless, the water appears to include hazardous chemicals such as arsenic.

How Does a Tap Filter Work?

Now that you have a better understanding of water filtration and purification, you will find it much easier to grasp faucet filters.

A faucet filter works by trapping different sediments like dirt and sand. It also removes chlorine and lead from your water.

Installing a tap water filter in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house will allow you to drink odourless and tastier water. When you attach the filter to the tap, it’s plastic or metal shell surrounds the tap’s mouth. 

Inside the shell is a filter cartridge that handles all of the filtrations for you. This filtering procedure consists of many phases.

Sediment Filtration 

When you turn on the water, it passes through a non-woven screen wrapped around the filter cartridge. This screen collects dirt, sand, and other fine particles.

Activated Carbon Block 

After the water gets free from sediments such as dirt and sand it passes through a film of activated carbon block that traps the impurities quickly.

The film has an absorbing surface with crevices and nooks due to the millions of tiny microscopic pores.

When water flows through this stage, nooks and crannies capture pollutants and effectively remove chemicals, mostly lead and chlorine.

More contaminants are removed as water travels slowly through this block of carbon. If the surface of the activated carbon becomes clogged, you will not receive effective results unless you clean or replace the cartridge.

More sophisticated faucet filters include extra layers that remove more impurities than standard ones.

Some versions use pre-treated activated carbon, which impregnates another material into the carbon to improve filtering. Some manufacturers add slivers to the filter to kill fungus and germs.

Chemical Removal 

The last process significantly minimises the number of chemicals. Although the activated carbon block removes the impurities significantly, the tap filters go one step ahead, and remove the chemicals from water.

This step ensures that you always obtain odourless, tastier water. The number of impurities trapped is determined by the length of time the water is in contact with the cartridge.

Water that flows slowly is cleaner than water that flows quickly. That is why many versions allow water to trickle slowly through the tap, resulting in cleaner water.

Are Tap Water Filters Effective?

The efficacy of a tap water filter is determined by where it will be used. When it comes to filtering treated water, you will receive great outcomes.

The filter will eliminate chlorine and lead while also decreasing sediment levels. Furthermore, it will enhance the general flavour of the water as well as remove the chemical odour.

You can easily remove impurities from your tap water and drink chlorine- and lead-free water that tastes better. It is the most affordable water treatment equipment that provides better drinking water. You can increase total water quality by 20% by using such a gadget.

However, utilising a faucet filter to filter untreated, untested, and severely polluted water will not work. Don’t buy a faucet water filter if your water supply is heavily polluted.

You should opt for a more modern system, such as RO – Reverse Osmosis, which can successfully remove up to 95% of impurities and offer you the cleanest and purest water available.

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know everything about the effectiveness of tap water filters, you can decide whether to use such filters or not. At Sydney Plumbers, we are the number one licensed plumber in the area that can install full-house as well as partial water filters.

Click on the Contact Us button to hire our expert technicians today.