ACCEPTED COMMERCIAL WATER TREATMENT METHODS

  EXAMPLE(s) HOW THEY WORK/WHAT THEY DO TYPICAL LIFE WHAT THEY PRIMARILY REMOVE
SEDIMENT FILTERS (Standard) 10 micron string wound filter Particle filtration based on pore size of media. Rated to provide up to 80% removal of particles to the specified size. 3-6 months Larger suspended particles
SEDIMENT FILTERS(Absolute) 0.5 micron depth filter Particle filtration based on pore size of media. Rated to provide up to 99% removal of particles to the specified size. 1-3 months Small suspended particles - such as crypto & giardia
CARBON FILTRATION GAC 10" filter Activated carbon - specifically designed for chlorine removal through adsorbtion. Can also remove small quantities of some metals such as lead, copper and mercury 3-6 months Chlorine, chloramines
OXIDATION/
DISINFECTION		 Chlorine, ozone, UV Used to kill bacteria.  Most common is chlorine/chloramines Varied Bacteria
SEQUESTERING AGENTS Polyphosphatefilters A coating agent that forms a thin passivating film on metal surfaces to control corrosion.  3-6 months Nothing: used to coat pipes& prevent oxidation of salts 
ION EXCHANGE Water Softening Using negatively charged resin beads, watersofteners remove multivalent ions (calcium, magnesium & some ferrous iron), and replacewith monovalent ions: sodium or potassium 5-10 years Hardness: Calcium &magnesium - plus some ferrous iron
ULTRAFILTRATION UF Membrane systems Membrane technology: ultrafiltration (UF) is used primarily for the removal of high molecular weight dissolved organic compounds 1-3 years Humic Acids, Fulvic Acids,Pesticides, Herbicides & other oganic compounds
REVERSE OSMOSIS RO Membrane systems Membrane Technology: Reverse Osmosis (RO) isused for the removal of most ionic contaminants.  RO will remove between 90% & 98% of most contaminants found in water. 1-3 years Salts, metals, organics, etc.