Hello -

I'd prefer this question to be answered by a researcher with first
hand experience in water filtration technology, and preferably a
background in chemistry.

I'm looking to implement some water filtration products in my home. I
really only know what I've been "told" by people I've spoken to, and
things I've read on the net.

My house is in upstate New York, and we have your typical hard city
water that's very chlorinated.  We've been using delivered bottled
water as drinking water for quite some time, but we'd like to get
something for the main tap, to make that the new source for
drinking/cooking water.  We'd also like to have something at the
point-of-entry for the house to remove chlorine.

"The best technology" seems very subjective.  This site seems
beneficiary: http://www.aquatechnology.net/carbonfiltration.html, but
I don't know what's true, false, or hype.  I was thinking reverse
osmosis was the best bet, until I some scary things about it on that
site.  Carbon block is the best way to go according to this site:
http://www.water-filter-news.com/filters.html.

I was thinking about the Fleck ProFloSE for the point-of-entry [at
www.raindancewatersystems.com], which would eliminate most of the
chlorine into the house, and then something like this system
[http://www.home-water-purifiers-and-filters.com/under-sink-water-filters-five.php?PHPSESSID=52b2ffcaf1456637ccdd4ae1996f2eee]
for under the sink.  I don't know if these are NSF certified.  And I
don't know if this is the best methodology.  I've got about a
$1000-$1600 budget.

I'm looking for a researcher to help demystify this stuff and give me
some real advice here.

Sites I've looked at:

http://www.nsf.org/Certified/
http://www.water-filter-news.com/filters.html
http://www.raindancewatersystems.com

Thanks!

---

Clarification of Question by barryf-ga on 04 Apr 2003 16:38 PST

"Background in chemistry" or "scientifically oriented background" so
as to understand the terminology and implications of implementing
these technologies.

Hi,

I used to work for a supplier of water treatment plant and our
starting point was always a chemical analysis of the water to be
treated.

If you are intending to use tap water then you probably have the
safest source available ... better than bottled water.

If you use tap water and you want to improve the taste, then get any
of the domestic devices already on the market.

Regards

I think I agree with probono. Tap water is safer and bottled water
tastes better. We use a filter attachment on our kitchen faucet and a
filter water bottle we keep in the refrigerator at a total cost under
$100 per year. Removing the chlorine for the whole house could mean
the water stands in the pipes all day or longer without a sanitizer,
each time the family takes even a short trip. I think this is why our
filter instructions say let the water run a minute if you haven't used
the filter in several hours. It would be rare that a company that
wants to sell you a $1500 system will be completely honest.   Neil

That's a terrific question, and getting an answer from someone who
doesn't also make or sell them seems smart. One thing you might
consider as a small step: take a look at Consumers Reports. I think it
was their January issue that had some basic information. If you are
like a lot of people, you probably have the issue around the house!
Add that to the considerable reading you've already done, and YOU
should be the researcher. Give that a thought.
LMNOP-ga

hello friend
          i have publish my research in drinking water analysis and i
was working for mineral water copany for several months as quality
assurance incharge. now, if you want to have water teratment plant,
first of all you should have to know  the basic chemistry and
microbiology of you raw water(whish you want treat).For instolation of
plant you should know the basic chemistry like total dissolved
solid,ph,recidual chlorine,chloride,total hardness, acidity,
alkalinity etc. and for micobiological concern standard plate
count(SPC),coliform present.
       AS PER AMERICAN STANDARD:
          TDS            :   500 PPM(PARTS PER MILLION) MG/LIETTER
           PH             :      7.2
     ALKALINITY           :      250 PPM
       CHLORIDE           :      250 PPM
         HARDNESS         :        300 PPM
         RESIDUAL CHLORIDE :        5 PPM

  FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL 
        STANDARD PLATE COUNT:   3/ LITTER CFU
            COLIFORM         :  1/ LITTER  CFU
         
        you are talking about the bad test of bottling water but it is
due to the less TDS present in your water. which is good for your
health less TDS gives bitter test to water. your talking about the
reverse osmosis. but you said your having higher chloride in your
water but chloride damage the membrane of you RO plant. which is
expenssive part of RO system. so you also required the
demineralisation plant or water softner. In marcket RO plants avilable
which most suitable instrumentation for water treatment.But RO is most
expenssive and now it is widly used this days.It required to change
membrane every year which expenssive(it is also depends on TDS of your
water).But RO plant is most advance system available in marcket.It
follows US FDA.
   If your water is highly contaminated with microbes then UV system
should be implemented with RO for post removal of microbes.
       
     IF YOU WANT MOR INFORMATION YOU WRITE HERE IF YOU WANT THIS IN
DETAIL CONFIRM YOU CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF WATER AND WRITE HERE. SO I CAN
GUID YOU.
       THERE SO MANY OPTION AVAILABLE IN MARCKET OF TREATMENT.

   THANK YOU