Understanding Your Water: The First Step to Purification

Before diving into the world of water purifiers, it’s crucial to understand the quality of the water
you’re dealing with. Several factors influence this, and each plays a role in determining the most
effective purification method

Water Source

• Municipal Supply: Municipal water undergoes treatment to remove contaminants, but it may still contain traces of chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals1. An under-sink purifier can effectively eliminate these, ensuring your water tastes better and is healthier.
• Borewell/Groundwater: Groundwater often contains higher levels of dissolved salts, minerals, and potentially harmful contaminants like arsenic, nitrates, and pesticides1. These can pose significant health risks, making RO purification a necessity.
• Rainwater Harvesting, Rivers, Lakes: The quality of water from these sources varies significantly depending on location and environmental factors. Getting your water tested is crucial to determine the appropriate purification method.

TDS Levels:

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) refers to the amount of inorganic salts and minerals present in
water. Understanding your water’s TDS level is crucial for selecting the right purification
technology

• Soft Water (TDS 50-200 PPM): Requires minimal filtration. UV or UF purification might suffice
• Hard Water (TDS 200-500 PPM): RO with a TDS adjuster is recommended to remove excess
  minerals while maintaining a palatable taste.
• Very Hard Water (TDS above 500 PPM): RO purification is essential to remove high levels of dissolved salts and potential contaminants24.

Water Purification Technologies Explained: Choosing
the Right Fit

Different purification technologies target specific contaminants and water quality issues. Here’s a
breakdown of the most common types:

RO(Reverse Osmosis):

RO is the most comprehensive purification method, forcing water through a semipermeable membrane that removes up to 90% of TDS, including heavy metals, salts, and other impurities.

• Pros: Highly effective for water with high TDS levels, removes a wide range of contaminants.
• Cons: Removes essential minerals along with impurities, requiring a mineralizer to replenish them. Requires electricity to operate. May wastewater as part of the purification process

UV(Ultraviolet Light):

UV purification uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses, making water safe to drink

• Pros: Effective against microorganisms, uses minimal energy.
• Cons: Does not remove dissolved impurities. Often combined with other technologies for comprehensive purification

UF(Ultrafiltration):

UF uses a membrane with larger pores than RO to remove suspended solids, bacteria, and some viruses

• Pros: Suitable for low TDS water, does not require electricity to operate
• Cons: Does not remove dissolved salts and minerals. Less effective than RO for removing
  very small particles

Multi-Stage Purification:

Many modern water purifiers combine multiple technologies for optimal purification3. Common combinations include:

•  RO+UV: Combines the comprehensive purification of RO with the germ-killing power of UV.
• UV+UF: Suitable for low TDS water, providing protection against microorganisms and larger impurities.
• RO+UV+Mineralizer: Offers complete purification while replenishing essential minerals

3. Key Considerations for Selecting Your Under-Sink Water Purifier

Once you understand your water quality and the different purification technologies, you can start
narrowing down your choices. Here are the key factors to consider

Capacity

Choose a purifier with a storage tank capacity that meets your household’s needs. Consider your family size, water usage habits, and frequency of power outages in your area.

• Families of 2-4: 6-8 litres is generally sufficient
• Larger Families or Frequent Power Outages: A larger tank (10 litres or more) is recommended

Water Pressure

 RO purifiers require adequate water pressure for optimal performance. Low pressure can cause slow purification and reduced efficiency.

• Check Your Water Pressure: You can use a pressure gauge to measure your water pressure.
• Solutions for Low Pressure: A booster pump can be installed to increase water pressure411.
  Consider a non-electric purifier like an activated carbon filter if your water pressure is consistently low

Power Requirements

Most under-sink RO purifiers are electric, meaning they require a continuous power supply to operate

• Unreliable Power Supply: If you experience frequent power outages, consider an electric purifier with a large storage tank or a non-electric option like an activated carbon filter
• Energy Consumption: Look for energy-efficient models to minimize your electricity bills.