FlowPure

Introduction to Water Filters

Its is important to understand that sometimes the water available from your tap is not as clean one might hope. The contaminants that often infiltrate water at the source are supposed to be treated. But the process of treatment seldom manages to eradicate every harmful component. Moreover, even if the water is treated, the journey from reservoir to tap can be laden with potential risk factors. Despite piping systems being better than ever before, our water is not without risk due to manmade components delivering our water.

So what is a Water Filter

The definition of a water filter, in layman’s terms, is the process by which particles are removed by filtering. There are various types of water filtration systems that range from basic to extremely complex. Some are designed to remove specific harmful chemicals, and others are designed to be more holistic in their chemical removal. It is important to understand what may be in your water to know which water filter may be best for you. 

There are different types of methods of filtering water. One of which is physical filtration that occurs when a membrane is used to strain water. This ensures the removal of larger impurities. Typically physical filtration is designed to remove metals in the water. Where water originates from underground in anoxic environments these types of filters are necessary. 

Chemical filtration is a treatment process that uses an active material to remove impurities. Fluoride is a substance that can be naturally found in some water sources. Some water companies also add fluoride to reduce tooth decay. However, overexposure to fluoride can result in skeletal fluorosis. This condition is a build up of fluoride in the bones that can lead to weak bones and fractures. Conditions caused by fluoride are particularly harmful to older adults. There is a certain responsibility held by companies supplying water around the country. Overexposure to fluoride can result in particularly nasty conditions.

Water distillation is a process most are familiar with. Distilling water is to bring the water to the point of boiling whereby it eliminates the particles collected. The cooling process condenses water into purified water. 

UV water treatment is another type of water filter that is a chemical-free way to treat your water. The UV exposure inactivates harmful microorganisms in water by passing water through a chamber of UV lighting. The UV light alters the DNA of bacterias making the water safe to use. 

Why should You use a Water Filter

Using a water filter is essential to combat potential harmful effects of supplied water into homes. Despite best efforts from governments to improve the quality of water in our homes, inconsistencies remain. There are numerous benefits to using filtered water as a source for your home.

Taste Improvement 

Depending on where you are in the world, water has different tastes. Sometimes a metallic taste can be found in water, this is typically due to metal that may have been exposed to standing water. You can circumvent any potential poor tasting water by using a water filter to treat the water before consumption. 

Safety 

There are so many known harmful substances in water that could be potentially running through your tap. Lead is one of the primary substances that, if exposed to at any level, can cause extremely dangerous consequences. The neurotoxin in lead can cause damage to the brain and kidneys. Newborns, infants and pregnant women are at particular risk to lead in water. Despite lead being known to be harmful at any exposure level there are varied maximum amounts allowed around the world. The UK, for example, allow a maximum of 10 micrograms per litre. The US stands at 15 micrograms per litre. And the EU is 5 micrograms per litre. Reports state that the goal is zero micrograms per litre. Yet, there is still exposure in many places in the world causing negative effects to people.

Balancing Cost & Environment

As a result of inconsistencies of purified water, many people resort to drinking bottled water. However, the cost of bottled water has risen and continues to rise globally. In the UK the average cost per 2l bottle of water is approximately £0.80, over double the $0.36 in the United States. The generally accepted amount of water to drink daily is around 2.5l. This means the average household of four in the UK would spend £1460 per year on water. It is a significant amount of money to spend on something that is delivered much cheaper to your home.

Plastic water bottles have been at the subject of much global debate. Most of the bottles used around the world end up in landfill or our oceans. There is significant global damage to marine life because of plastic that affects not only life, but our food supply. As such, many have resulted in seeking alternative methods of drinking water. Water filtering has become more popular, in part, because of efforts to reduce plastic usage.

Types of Water Filters

There are several types of water filters in the market and these numbers continue to rise. Water filtering is not just gaining in popularity, but necessary for health maintenance. There is a different between buying a luxury item and buying a necessary product. More people are becoming aware of the dangers of drinking water from their taps at home. As such, filtering water is a way to preserve health, not just benefit it. 

Tap Water Filter 

By using a Flowpure tap water filter you are can remove 100+ contaminants from your water at home. These contaminants include chlorine, arsenic, microplastics and rust, all which can be found in home drinking systems.

Using a tap water filter like Flowpure is one of the most cost effective ways to filter your water. Against the various types of filtering systems for water, Flowpure is a market-leading product. We balance the cost of water purification with a simple and easy to install filter. With over 10,000 happy customers, Flowpure is one of the leading tap filters available today. 

By using a 5 stage filtration process, our water filter progressively targets harmful contaminants. It does this by using 5 filter components in the system that is layered to maximise isolation and filtration. You can read more about our filter by viewing Our Technology.

Flowpure is one of the cheapest ways to filter your water at home, and the least complex. A simple addition to your tap at home is a quick fix for filtering. The savings against other methods of water filtering are considerable too.

Whole House Water Filters

Whole house water filters are becoming more and more popular. These systems have their positives and negatives depending on your situation. As the name suggests, these machines filter your water at POE (point of entry). This means that all the water being delivered to your home is filtered. Many people have invested in whole house water filtering system as, over a longer period of time, it can be cost effective. However, it is advisable that you should consider using a POE system if you own your home. The installation alone expensive in comparison with other filter installations. A whole house filter could set you back anywhere from £500 - £10,000 depending on the complexities necessary. 

There are plenty of positives for those that own their home and wish to invest in a POE system. However, if you are in rented accommodation, or have not quite found your forever home then it could be problematic. You will certainly require the expertise of a plumber to de-install and re-install at the other side. Some of these machines will remove all of the contaminants and chemicals from water coming into your home. While that may sound positive, the removal of fluoride from your water may be a negative. Fluoride is essential for your teeth and so, young children will lose beneficial chemicals for strong teeth. 

Under Sink Water Filters 

Social media has been a factor in the growth of under sink water filters of late. Under sink filters are easier to install than whole house water filters. Therefore, some people have taken the plunge and chosen to install them. These machines can vary in price between £150 - £500 depending on the brand and build specifics. Much like other types of water filters, these machines filter the water before it dispenses from the tap. Many impurities can be taken using an under sink system. Many of our customers have chosen to use a tap water filter as they are able to install the product themselves. 

Pitcher Water Filters 

One of the most common products on the market is a pitcher water filter. These have been around for a very long time. Typically pitcher utilise chemical filtering such as activated carbon similar to our filters to trap contaminants. Some may also use a net-like material to trap contaminants. There are some positives to using pitcher filters. The manual nature of refilling and waiting for the percolation process has been a pain point for many of our customers. In prior years using a pitcher was seen as a cheap way to filter water. Now, however, pitchers can set you back as much as £180. Due to pricing many modern-day water filtering enthusiasts choose to use a method with more autonomy.

Filtered Water: Choosing Health for You and Your Family

Water is essential for people. For all of the benefits that water enables, the main source of water to your home could be worryingly dangerous. There is a fine balance that needs to be struck at every point of water’s journey to your glass. Under-treatment, over-treatment, or poor piping systems can contribute to contaminated water from your tap. Choose Flowpure as an immediate and necessary addition to your tap. You can protect your whole household for under £100. Flowpure is an essential partner for people looking for a water filter at an affordable price.

Lead

One of the most toxic and dangerous substances known to sometimes be transported into home water through pipes. Even the lowest levels of lead in the blood of children can results in behavioural and learning problems, lower IQ and hyperactivity, slowed growth and anemia. 

Consistent exposure to lead in our system and there can be an accumulation over time. The accumulation backs up and stores in the bones. As such during pregnancy, women can be at risk of passing lead as maternal calcium to their foetus. It can also be delivered to unborn children though the placental barrier before birth. There are genuine potential risks for pregnant women drinking unfiltered water. 

Chlorine 

There are potential health effects to drinking water with chlorine. Moreover, the majority of our customers have purchased from Flowpure to negate skin irritation. Chlorine is a protagonist in the drying of skin, making skin itchy, and causing rashes. Skin conditions like eczema can be contracted by consistent contact with chlorine. By filtering your water, you can remove chlorine from your water. 

Arsenic

Arsenic is generally regarded as one of the largest threats to people through drinking water. Long term exposure to arsenic in drinking water increases the risk of cancer. It is also at the centre of skin lesions and skin discolouration. Arsenic is naturally present in high levels in groundwater in some countries including The United States. In its inorganic form it is considered a carcinogen and is the most significant threat to drinking water.