Types of Water Filters: Portable and Homemade

Water filters eliminate the impurities from water by the means of chemical or biological processes or by using a fine physical barrier. Water usually gets contaminated by suspended particulates like inorganic salts and mixtures, organic compounds, micro-organisms, and dissolved gases. Safety and taste are the two most important factors to be addressed while choosing a water filter. Filters may incorporate sieving, adsorption or ion exchanges, as methods for cleansing water. Stable functioning, maximum efficiency and minimum maintenance, are some of the common features of water filters.

The type of water filter one should choose for their home depends on many factors. If you own a home, then any type of water filter can be installed. Else it is better to have a non-invasive or portable water filter. Cost is another factor which is to be considered, as the degree of filtration varies from filter to filter.

Types of Water Filters

Portable Water Filters
The different types of portable water filters are:

• Katadyn hiker microfilter is a highly rated portable water filter which is best for backpacking, when you want to carry less weight and travel light. It removes giardia, cryptosporidium and bacteria from water through its filtration system. It is simple in use and comes with a nalgene bottle and hydration pack attachments. It is highly efficient and produces a high volume of water with each stroke.
• Mini ceramic micro is another type of portable water filter which is ultra lightweight. It comprises of a pre-clarifier, bottle clip, carry bag, measuring gauge and cleaning pad. It utilizes the 0.2 micron ceramic depth clarifier and provides 2,000 gallons of water.
• Micro bottle microfilter is a portable water filter, which is again lightweight and zero maintenance. The filter eliminates microorganisms like bacteria and giardia, and provides water with an improved taste and manageable flow rate.

Homemade Water Filters
The fundamental principle in making a homemade water filter, is to have the right materials at hand. A homemade filter not only serves the need of clean water, but it is also inexpensive and easy to make. A housing configuration is required to house the filtration system. As per the filtration needs, single, double or triple filtration housing systems can be selected. A housing configuration should comprise of housing, spout, stand, diverter and different fittings. After the housing configuration is done, the next step is to chose the filter that suits your house. Some of the common homemade water filters that one can choose from are as follows:

• Granulated activated charcoal (GAC) is the most commonly used filter. In this filter, tightly packed charcoal particles create a network to trap the unwanted particles like lead and other contaminates.
• Silver sterasyl ceramic is another type of filter that acts upon harmful bacteria and cysts like giardia. It uses a proprietary silver impregnated ceramic for its microfilter.
• Carbon block filter is the most popular type of water filtration system. It contains powdered or solid carbon blocks that filter out contaminated and harmful particles as well as unwanted chlorine and fluoride, when water is forced through them. Usually, carbon block filters have a higher contaminant removal ratio than GAC.

It is essential that whenever you choose a water filter it should be capable of removing chlorine, guardia, unwanted impurities and particulates, but should also allow minerals to pass through, that are essential for our health.