Filtration Types and What They Filter

Sediment filters remove suspended matter such as sand, silt, clay, loose scale, organic matter from the water.

Untreated water passes through a filter medium (such as pleated filter or polyspun filter) which traps for larger particles of suspended matter on the surface or within the filter.

Removes contaminants through adsorption, with molecules attaching to outside surface of carbon particles. Primarily for chlorine removal and odour removal.

May be in cartridge or loose media for larger systems.

Combination of sediment filtration to remove larger particles, then carbon filtration. Using both filters extends life of carbon Sediment filters reduce load on more refined, carbon filtration.

Addition of third filter can act as an Antiscalent.

Sediment, Dirt, Rust, taste and odour, Organic matter

Highest level of filtration, removing 98% of contaminants, leaving pure water molecules.

Removes metals including heavy metals (copper, lead, chromium)

Minerals, scale and hardness (fluoride, sodium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium), chemicals (such as PFAS, chlorine, chloramine), microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi), scale.

UV and LED light are used as a method of disinfection, as an alternative to using chemicals.

Light is a highly effective way to remove the risks caused by microorganism contamination, such as mould, parasites, bacteria, viruses and cysts that can grow in stored water, rivers or catchment systems.

Chemical dosing is the injection of chemicals into water, as a method to assist in treatment. Dosing is the addition of chemicals to water, used to remove certain contaminants.

Dosing is used in waste water treatment, using chemicals containing substances such as iron, aluminum and salts to remove the high levels of chemicals.

Dosing is also used as a method of disinfection for drinking water. An common example of dosing is the addition of chlorine and chloramine in municipal mains water supplies, to make and keep water safe for consumption in its journey to your tap. It is used to kill bacteria, viruses and other contaminants in large volumes of water.

Chemicals can be removed from water by other filtration methods, such as carbon filtration, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.

Water softening is the process of treating water to remove ‘hard’ minerals from water, such as magnesium and calcium.

Water softening is usually achieved through exchanging hard irons (magnesium, calcium), with soft ions (such as sodium).

Softening water results in reduced scale build up, and is commonly favoured for its ability to lather easily (eg with soap or shampoo, in showering).

Remineralising is a process of adding minerals to water, to gain a desired mineral profile.

To add calcium, magnesium or sodium. Note, adding calcium and magnesium adds scale and hardness to water.

pH alteration is the process of changing the level of acidity of water.

It is often achieved by passing water through resin-impregnated with calcium carbonate or magnesium oxide, or a combination of both.

People may wish to make drinking water more alkaline, for example, for claimed health benefits, such as slowing aging, prevention of chronic illness or in recovery from certain medical treatments.