What To Ask When Purchasing Home Water Treatment Equipment
The water treatment sector is at the forefront of treating contaminated drinking water which is both a health issue and a household annoyance. Companies and products that provide home water treatment services and supplies offer to deliver safe, contaminant-free drinking water.
To choose the best treatment procedure, buyers must filter through advertising claims and technical data. The first step in selecting water treatment equipment is to get your water analyzed for pollutants and other features that may be causing a problem. An undesirable taste, odor, color, or the presence of sediments and stains alerts most individuals to possible concerns. To detect and evaluate specific contaminants, rely on independent water testing conducted by a state-certified lab. Beyond this, it can be hard to know what questions to ask when purchasing home water treatment equipment. Continue reading to find out more!
What Does a Water Analysis Show?
Several water treatment firms offer free in-home water testing as part of their services. This method cannot be used to assess all pollutants. Many man-made compounds, for example, must be evaluated in a laboratory with advanced technology after being linked to major health concerns. Consumers should be careful of companies who claim to be able to assess more than basic water quality elements like hardness, pH, iron, and sulfur with their home analyses. In a perfect world, you'd double-check your in-home tests with a water test from a state-approved lab. Once you've pinpointed which contaminants and features are present in your drinking water, the level of contamination will determine which treatment system, if any, is most effective.
Has the Product Been Rated By NSF International?
NSF International is a non-profit organization whose mission is to establish performance standards for water treatment equipment and to assess test findings to determine whether claims are reasonable. The NSF listing mark may be shown on items or in promotional brochures if they have been tested and certified by NSF and meet their basic requirements. A list of manufacturers and models that meet the appropriate standard is provided twice a year.
Do You Need a Second Opinion On Treatment Procedures?
Consider getting a second opinion on the water treatment equipment that has been recommended. Check with at least one more dealer to find out what treatment process and equipment are advised and ask questions. Compare at least two brands and seek out other sources of information.
How Can I Tell Whether the Dealer Is Experienced?
The Water Quality Association (WQA) is a trade group comprised of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers that establishes minimal knowledge requirements for water treatment companies, salespeople, and equipment installers. Inquire if the dealer is a member of the Water Quality Association (WQA) and if any of its personnel are WQA-certified water specialists, sales representatives, or installers. Because WQA is a non-profit organization, non-members are not assumed to be less qualified. Persons who have attended training sessions and completed examinations to demonstrate their knowledge, on the other hand, should be familiar with their industry.
What Kind of System Does Your House Require?
Depending on the type of contamination and its concentration, you may need to treat all the water entering the house, or just the water used for drinking and cooking. If a pollutant, such as lead, is only an issue when you consume it, you may just require point-of-use (POU) treatment. To purify water for drinking and cooking, POU treatment units are commonly put near the kitchen faucet. If the contaminant is also dangerous when it comes into contact with your skin or when you inhale it, such as a volatile organic compound or radon, you'll need to treat all of the water entering the house at the point of entry (POE). After the water pressure tank, POE treatment units are usually installed in the basement. Many treatment devices, such as granular activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, and microfiltration units, are available in both POU and POE variants.
Will the Unit Produce Enough Treated Water for My Home?
The customer must be certain that there will be enough purified water available for daily consumption. Distillation systems, for example, can yield anywhere from 3 to 12 gallons of treated water per day, depending on the model. Furthermore, the treatment device's maximum flow rate should be suitable for the peak residential use rate. Install a flow water meter to figure out what your peak household water usage is.
What Are the Service Intervals and Costs Involved?
Filter cartridges must be replaced as needed, and the water must be checked on a regular basis to ensure that everything is working properly. Increased levels of various pollutants may be caused by unserviced equipment. Determine what supplies and equipment are required, as well as the estimated expenses. Determine how often a filter membrane, UV light, or media must be replaced, and who is in charge of doing so. Inquire with the dealer whether there are any additional water quality issues, such as pH or sedimentation, that could impair the treatment system's efficacy.
How Will the Treatment Unit Affect Water Quality?
Consumers should be informed that some water treatment equipment corrects a contamination problem by adding something to your drinking water. Some water softening devices, for example, use sodium to replenish the iron removed from the water.
Is Follow-Up Water Testing Included?
A month after the equipment is installed, the homeowner can test the water to ensure that the item is performing as expected. Have the test done by a state-approved laboratory. Furthermore, water utilized for outdoor uses should not be treated. This will provide you with a raw water tap that you can use to compare the efficacy of your treatment system on a regular basis. The results of water tests taken from the raw water tap can also be used to assess changes in your water quality.
We hope this article has helped you adequately understand the most important questions to ask when purchasing home water treatment equipment! If you are considering installing your own water filtration system, be sure to reach out to Premier H2O today!
