If you live and work in New York City, you may wonder what types of treatment your water has already undergone before it reaches you, as well as whether you should be conducting further treatment on your own for your home or business.
As you investigate the various types of water treatment options available, consider that your specific water may benefit from more than one method simultaneously. You do not need to figure all of this out on your own, however; a skilled water treatment expert can offer personalized guidance to help you achieve your water clarity and use goals.
Water Filtration and Types of Filters
Water filtration is a much more common solution for cleanliness issues in NYC. In filtration, water passes through progressively smaller holes in a mesh, bag or other medium. Any suspended solids or contaminants in the water that are larger than these holes cannot pass through and are captured, while the now cleaned water proceeds onward.
The exact type of filter that will work best for you will depend upon the composition of your water. Learning what makes up your water will equip you with the knowledge to determine how big your filter size needs to be (usually measured in microns) so that you can capture the desired particles. Sediment filters serve as a physical barrier to prevent solids from getting through, while UV filters stop light from reaching microorganisms that would proliferate if given UV.
You will need to clean the filters in your water system from time to time; how to clean them and how often depends on the type of system you have. Some can be manufactured to be self-cleaning with minimal maintenance. Others require just a simple rinse of a bag or filter replacement every now and then.
Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment
In many ways, reverse osmosis water treatment works like water filtration. In reverse osmosis, the water is forced under great pressure through a semipermeable membrane. During this process, unwanted contaminants and ions are left behind in the medium, while the clean water is collected immediately for storage.
This is one option for removing unusual tastes or smells from water because reverse osmosis is effective at capturing some of the most common culprits, such as lead and nitrates. Reverse osmosis is also one of the most effective means of getting chlorine out of your water source.
Ultraviolet Light as a Sterilizer
There is a reason that many common water pollutants such as algae and bacteria grow in damp, dark places. Ultraviolet light from the sun is known to be damaging to some types of bacteria and viruses, which is why ultraviolet light can be used to sterilize and treat water in NYC. In this type of system, the water will flow through a chamber that is exposed to strong UV light.
Any susceptible organisms in the water are destroyed when exposed to the UV, and they are rendered harmless so that the water is cleaned by the time it exits. Some of the most notorious bacteria and germs you can find in water can be tackled with a resilient ultraviolet light water treatment system, including giardia, E. coli and salmonella.
A Professional Water Treatment Company Can Offer Customized Suggestions
If you are considering one or more of the many types of water treatment available to you in New York City, you do not have to make the determination on your own. The experts at Tower Water set the standard in water treatment and would be happy to examine your building to determine a customized approach to improving the quality and safety of your water. No matter what you use water for, Tower Water can keep it clean with a personalized strategy. Reach out to schedule an appointment.