Water Filtration Vs Water Purification: Which is Better – Clean water is essential for health and safety as the concerns about contaminants, pollutants, and waterborne diseases are increasing. However, it is important to choose the best method of water treatment for your home or business. When you explore your water treatment options bring you to two commonly used methods: filtration and purification.
At Valley Water Solutions, we regularly receive the question, What is better- filtration or purification? The first factor to consider is your water source, and then we need to understand what you want and need for treatment in your current home or business, and your long-term goals. In this blog, we will discuss the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of water filtration vs water purification. Additionally, we will help you to make an informed decision to choose the best options.
What is Water Filtration?
Water filtration is a mechanical or physical process that uses the forces of mechanical or physical interactions to remove impurities, sediments, chlorine, and particulates from water. Water filtration systems commonly use activated carbon, ceramic filters, or sediment filters to sequester contaminants. Water filtration improves taste and odor by changing the physical or chemical properties of raw water.
Popular filtration methods include:
Activated Carbon Filters-—Remove chlorine, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and bad tastes or odours.
Sediment Filters-—Remove dirt, sand, rust, and any physical particulate matter.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems – Use a semi-permeable membrane to reject heavy metals, salts, and other dissolved solids.
What Is Water Purification?
Water purification is a general term for the process of cleaning water for drinking. It removes biological, chemical, and physical contaminants. Water purification typically goes a step further than filtration, disinfection, or killing of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which could pose serious problems for health.
Common purification methods are:
Ultraviolet (UV) Purifier: Kills bacteria, viruses, and pathogens by using UV light.
Chemical Disinfectants Chlorination: Kills microorganisms using chlorine or chlorine dioxide.
Distillation: Boils the water and condenses the steam (water vapor) , killing the most impurities.
Water Filtration Vs Water Purification—The Differences
| Aspects | Water Filtration | Water Purification | |
| Physical Particles | Good at removing dirt, sand, rust, and other visible particles. | Water purification also removes physical debris, especially when combined with the pre-filters. | |
| Germs and Pathogens | It does not always kill bacteria or viruses unless combined with a UV or RO system. | Water purification is specifically designed to kill or remove bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms. | |
|
Taste & Smell |
Great at getting rid of bad taste or chlorine smell. | Water purification also gets rid of taste but removes the invisible hazards. | |
| Use of Chemicals | Most filtration systems use no chemicals | Water purification methods, like chlorination, use chemicals, while methods such as UV and distillation do not. | |
| Maintenance Needs | Filter changes depend on the type of system, and it needs maintenance every few months.
|
May require more regular checks, lamp replacements (for UV), or system cleaning. |
Benefits of Water Filtration
1. Cost-Effective
Filtration systems are usually cheaper than advanced purification systems. They work well for residences using municipal water with little microbial contamination.
2. Better Taste and Odor
Carbon filtration systems can eliminate chlorine and organics and improve the taste of your water.
3. Simple to Install and Maintain
Many filtration systems are easy to install, especially which are designed under-sink or countertop. It also requires little maintenance regularly such as filter change.
4. Eco-friendly Options
The water filters are sustainable and provide eco-friendly solutions, and include options from gravity-based or ceramic.
Benefits of Water Purification
1. Kills Dangerous Microorganisms
Purification methods, such as boiling and UV treatment, are incredibly effective for destroying bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The water purifiers are extremely important for untreated water or well water.
2. Safe for Vulnerable People
Purified water is a safe option for the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses.
3. Suitable for Different Types of Water
If your water is from a river, lake, or private well, then a water filtration system can give another level of protection against biological contaminants.
4. Extremely Effective During Emergencies
Portable purification tablets and devices provide purification methods that are useful for emergency kits and travel.
When to Select a Water Filtration System?
Select water filtration if:
- Your water supply is pre-treated municipally.
- You want to remove sediment, chlorinated taste, and improve taste.
- You desire a cost-effective solution that requires little maintenance.
- Physical impurities are your primary concern, and you are less concerned about microbial threats.
If you lived in a city where water is treated for bacteria, then a carbon filter or RO system is likely all you would have to deal with for taste or particulate removal.
When to Select a Water Purification System?
Select water purification if:
- You use well water or an untreated source
- You are concerned about bacteria, viruses, or protozoa
- You want comprehensive solutions.
- You or someone in your household has weak immunity or health concerns.
In these situations, UV purification, boiling, or distillation should provide you with peace of mind that your water is not just “clean,” but safe for drinking and cooking.
Can I Combine Filtration and Purification?
You can combine a water filtration and purification system to maximize safety. A multi-stage system can include:
Sediment filter → Physical debris removal
Activated carbon filter → Taste improvement and chlorine removal
UV sterilizer → Deadly pathogen destruction
You can now have a combination of both systems, providing you with the best of all worlds: clean, delicious tasting, and biologically safe.
At Valley Water Solutions, we often recommend hybrid systems according to your local water quality. Our team of experts do a water test and help you provide right water system for you.
Environmental and Health Considerations
While both filtration and purification processes aim to make water ‘safe’, each has its own environmental and health considerations. For example, some purification methods, such as distillation and RO, waste more water and may consume more energy. However, filtration systems are especially designed for reuse and continuous use may provide a sustainable alternative.
Consider always:
- Local water quality
- Your daily consumption volumes
- The health of your family members
- The costs of maintenance and operation
- Environmental impacts
Conclusion: Which is better?
The answer is going to depend on your water source and personal needs.
If your major concern is taste, odor, and some basic impurities from already-treated municipal water, then you should use filtration.
If your water source is potentially unsafe or you know that your water is not treated (like from a private well or tank), you should choose purification.
However, the best option is a combination of both. At Valley Water Solutions, we can design and install a customized water treatment system that combines filtration and purification. It provides you with water that is not only clean but also safe, healthy, and good-tasting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Water Filtration Vs Water Purification: Which is Better
1. Is filtered water the same as purified water?
No. Filtered water typically removes physical contaminants and chlorine, but purified water has undergone processing to remove bacteria, viruses and dissolved chemicals, meaning it offers a finer level of safety from biological threats.
2. Can I use a water purifier without a filter?
It depends on the purifier system. Most systems require some form of pre-filtration in order to protect spirit components or to allow for a more efficient process. While UV filters are a fine method to kill bacteria, they need water that does not contain any sediment, so you would put in a sediment filter before the UV system.
3. What is the best solution for well water?
If you have well water, it is recommended to have a multi-stage treatment, which entails filtration (for sediments and metals) and purification (for bacteria and viruses). A UV solution with a pre-filter is a common option.
4. How do I know if I need purification for my water?
You should consider water purification if:
- You have private well water
- There is an odd taste or smell
- You or your family have health concerns
