A comparison between water filters, purifiers and softeners
Most consumers cannot distinguish between a filter and a water purifier, just as they cannot distinguish between a filter, a purifier, and a softener. There are industries that use the terms interchangeably by mistake, and they think that they all use the same process.
Consumers looking for cleaner drinking water without impurities, such as lead and chlorine removed by filters, would be delighted to know that a softener could not meet their needs. These products are created for an entirely different purpose, such as removing minerals from water to prevent scale build-up. Similarly, consumers looking for a way to remove disease-causing viruses from their water would benefit from a purification method.
As you read, you will see the advantages that a filter offers over a water softener. You may find that when treating your water, you may need one, two, or all three options.
What does your water contain that you want to remove?
When it comes to comparing filters, purifiers, and softeners, the first thing to do is figure out what is in the water that you want to remove. You know very well that the purest form of water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O). However, the purest form does not occur naturally. Along the way, it picks up chemicals, impurities, and minerals.
Various mineral sediments such as calcium and magnesium are desirable, while the others collected in the soil and in the municipal water collection cycle are undesirable. For example, municipal water can contain traces of chlorine, herbicides, industrial waste, pesticides, and sometimes bacteria and viruses.
The comparison
Filters
They help minimize or eliminate impurities such as chlorine, chromium, copper, hydrogen sulfide, iron, lead, magnesium, mercury, and nickel, among others. They prevent algae, bacteria, and fungi from growing further, but should not be seen as the final solution for removing bacteria and viruses. Such a statement is reserved for water purifiers.
Purifiers
By many definitions, purification means that the water does not contain bacterial contaminants or viruses. In this definition, however, this excludes chemical contaminants such as those removed with filters (see above).
This is the reason why the terms filtration and purification are used together. While filters effectively remove undesirable chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride, water filters effectively remove bacteria and viruses.
Softeners
Water softeners are totally different from water filters and water purifiers, but these three systems can be used in combination to produce the cleanest and purest water. Water softeners can be used alone as they are effective in preventing scale build-up in pipes and appliances.
The benefits of removing scale from water are clearly seen in clean cutlery and glassware, taps and shower heads without scale, as well as more effective bath and laundry products. Note that water softeners cannot remove impurities from drinking water or make it safe to drink, but simply remove minerals that make appliances inefficient, thus prolonging their life.