Water Purification Equipment and Supplies Key Terms

Maintain quality water by becoming familiar with water purification equipment and supplies key terms
By Lisa Wilsbacher The needs for water purification equipment vary widely. To choose the best water purification supplies for your business, you will first need to know the condition of your available water supply. The desired condition of the final treated water will also play an important role in your decision. Water for drinking would have more extensive purification needs than water being used for industrial purposes. The combination of these factors will determine which features you will want to look for in a water purification system.
 

Even the most complete water quality analysis won't mean much if you don't know the significance of the findings. Also, to assemble a complete water purification plan you should also become familiar with what condition your final water should be and how best to get it there. To begin to compile this information, think of the following:

1. What impurities may your water contain and how do they affect your water quality?
2. What are the types of water purification and water filtration equipment and how do they work?
3. What is the purification level that you should be striving to meet for your intended water use?
   

Learn about the impurities the water filtration system will reduce

Some elements such as iron and bacteria occur naturally in water. Other impurities, such as pesticides and fertilizers can run-off from farms and lawns and result in elevated ammonia and nitrates. Yet other substances, such as detergents are leftover from water treatment processes. Not all of these impurities can be completely removed, so it's essential you educate yourself on the acceptable levels.
Try: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a list of the water contaminants they monitor, their sources, and the potential problems they may cause. General Electric Company provides information on impurities, their effects, and possible treatments for them.

Know the techniques and purpose of each type of water purification machine

Distillation and deionization provide water quality that may be above and beyond normal usage, but useful for pharmaceutical, laboratory, and some industrial water purification uses, by removing both solid and dissolved impurities. More common techniques, such as reverse osmosis, activated carbon and filtration membranes are often sufficient for drinking and other commercial uses by removing most suspended organic and inorganic particles as well as chemical impurities. All but the most basic water purifier machine you choose will most likely incorporate more than one of these techniques.
Try: ELGA LabWater provides thorough explanations of the process behind several purification techniques. Excel Water Technologies explains common water treatment techniques, including which contaminants each technique removes.

Know where the purity levels your water filtration system should meet

The use of your water will be the main factor controlling your water purity needs. Though drinking water standards are strict, they are by no means the strictest. If you are using your water for any sort of chemical manipulations, such as medical, laboratory or pharmaceutical uses, your purity guidelines will most likely surpass those of drinking water.
Try: Lenntech offers a summary of the World Health Organization drinking water standards, including acceptable levels of naturally occurring substances. Res-Kem provides specialty equipment for extensive decontamination needs. The main terms to look for for these needs are degasification, deionization, and decarbonization.

• Keep abreast of the current technology and water quality developments. New impurities are discovered and water quality guidelines change. Knowing what these developments mean and how they affect your business, as well as what new purification techniques are developed, can help you to know if you need to change your water purifier system.