| METHOD |
WHAT IT DOES |
LIMITATIONS |
BRANDS |
| Activated Carbon Filter |
- Adsorbs organic contaminants that cause taste and odor problems.
- Some designs remove chlorination byproducts;
- Some types remove cleaning solvents and pesticides
- Efficient in removing metals such as lead and copper
|
- Does not remove nitrate, bacteria or dissolved minerals
|
Brita |
| Ion Exchange |
- Removes minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium that make water “hard”
- Some designs remove radium and barium
- Removes fluoride
|
- If water has oxidized iron or iron bacteria, the ion-exchange resin will become coated or clogged and lose its softening ability
|
Brita |
| Reverse Osmosis |
- Removes nitrates, sodium, other dissolved inorganics and organic compounds
- Removes foul tastes, smells or colors
- May also reduce the level of some pesticides, dioxins and chloroform and petrochemicals
|
- Does not remove all inorganic and organic contaminants
|
|
| Distillation |
- Removes nitrates, bacteria, sodium, hardness, dissolved solids, most organic compounds, heavy metals, and radionucleides
- Kills bacteria
|
- Does not remove some volatile organic contaminants, certain pesticides and volatile solvents
- Bacteria may recolonize on the cooling coils during inactive periods
|
|
