Water Purifier is another appliance that has been on the rise with more people in Canada replacing or installing new water purifiers due to high quality water in Canada which is a basic need. No matter if you reside in an urban or a country area, it is very important to make sure the water you consume is safe and is not filled with many dangerous chemicals. Guidelines to take into account when selecting your water purifier includes knowing the type of water found in your region and the kind of water purifiers in the market as well as other significant aspects. In this guide, you will find the steps to choosing the right water purifier for Canada’s market.

1. Analysis Of The Canadian Water Quality Standards:

In Canada, the water policies of quality are highly centralized by Health Canada that operates stringent measures towards drinkable water. These standards are standard tested and treated by municipalities supplying the water but water quality differs with region and source. However, many cities have good municipal water supplies and other dissolved impurities including lead, chlorine, pesticides, microbes etc.

Canada boasts of having some of the highest water quality standards in the world, but getting a water purifier is an added safety measure and you end up with great tasting water. A water purifier can eliminate or minimize the presence of some compounds which municipal water treatment does not address, or that can seep into your water supply through old pipes.

2. Priority Pollutants In Canadian Water:

However, it needs to be always kept in mind that before buying a water purifier, one should get to know what sort of water one has. Here are some of the most common contaminants found in Canadian water supplies:

1. Lead: This chemical dissolves in water especially in old plumbing systems and pipes and is dangerous to the health of humans especially young ones and pregnant ladies.
2. Chlorine and Chloramines: Found in drinking water due to water treatment with chlorine or chloramine these chemicals change the taste and smell of water, and are potentially toxic in the long run.
3. Microorganisms: Water can also contain bacteria, viruses and parasites including Giardia and Cryptosporidium particularly water from rural areas sourced from wells without treatment.
4. Pesticides and Herbicides: Runoff in agricultural areas perhaps for the farms themselves may bring in pesticides and herbicides and pollute water sources.
5. Pharmaceuticals: Residues of some drugs may find their way into water sources through sewage water, which may be a future health risk to man.
6. Fluoride: Though it is added to some municipal water to improve dental health, excessive amounts of fluoride is toxic to some people.

3. Types of Water Purifiers:

Currently, water purifiers come in different varieties and each variety has its own technological ability to remove different contaminants. Knowing the main types of purifiers is useful for selection, because you will be able to choose the right one for you.

1. Reverse Osmosis Water Purifiers:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a very efficient water filter that really pushes water through a semipermeable membrane and this causes many things such as heavy metals and chemicals and dissolved solids in the water to become trapped. RO systems are generally employed where there is water pollution by things such as lead, fluoride, and nitrates in homes. However, RO systems can enhance water taste and smell in addition to eliminating inimical compounds.

1. Ultraviolet (UV) Water Purifiers:

Ultraviolet (UV) water purifiers work by applying UV light to water and killing bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms through destruction of their DNA. The use of this method is very useful especially in the rural homes where water from wells is used and where microbial contamination may prevail. UV purifiers are sometimes used in conjunction with other filtration methods such as sediment or carbon filter in order to make sure water is as clean as possible.

1. Activated Carbon Filters:

Also known as charcoal filters, activated carbon filters are some of the most popular and readily available water filters. These filters operate by trapping contaminants on an outer layer of activated charcoal, thereby eliminating chlorine, VOCs, and specific pesticides in the water. These are pitcher filters, faucet-mounted systems, and under-counter filters, respectively Most taps for use at homes that have activated carbon filters are, pitcher, faucet-mounted units and under-sink taps.

1. Distillation Water Purifiers:

Distillation is one of the oldest and still widely used methods of fresh water produced from sea water which involves boiling the water till it becomes steam, then collecting this steam and converting it back to water which is free of salts and most other impurities. The whole process is proven to reduce various micro impurities such as heavy metals, salts and chemicals in water. Distillers are especially helpful to those homes with worries regarding lead, arsenic, and nitrates among other chemicals..

4. Selecting a Water Purifier:

Consumers have to bear in mind the following key considerations if they are to find the most suitable water purifier for use in homes in Canada.

1. Water Quality in Your Area:

The first consideration that any discerning water purifier buyer should undertake is to find out the quality of his water. The regulation also mandates hike and educate campaigns, whereby, the municipalities are asked to issue the annual water quality reports explaining the kind of harms that are within the water.

1. Budget and Maintenance Costs:

Water purifiers are available in all price categories that span from relatively inexpensive pitcher filters to pricey multi-stage filtration systems including Reverse Osmosis. The reader needs to know both the cost of putting a system as well as the costs of changing filters and other maintenance costs.

1. Purification Capacity:

Another factor that will help you decide the type of water purifier to use, is the size of your household. The larger the household the more water consumed in the house may require a system with a large capacity or quicker purification. For example, a countertop pitcher could be sufficient for a single household, whereas a whole house filtration system would SUFFICE FOR a large family.

1. Space Availability:

Some water purifiers are large and bulky while others are compact and thus when shopping for your water purifier, you should make sure that it will fit into the space available in your home. Filters placed on the countertop or pitchers are small and appropriate for small kitchens, but Reverse Osmosis systems take more space under the sink.

1. Ease of Installation and Use:

There are those models which do not need further installation; examples include pitcher water filters or faucet-mounted water filters. While those simple systems like pitchers or undersink filters do not necessarily require professional installation and maintenance, more complicated ones like Reverse Osmosis or whole-house filters do.

1. Environmental Impact:

Environmental concerns may be classified according to their intensity based on the type of water purifiers. For instance, Reverse Osmosis systems use up large amounts of water during filtering unlike UV and activated carbon filters. Finally, if you have an issue with water and energy use, then you should look at the impact of the purifier that you choose.

1. Mineral Retention:

Most commercial water purification technologies which achieve high levels of purity include Reverse Osmosis and distillation and these strips water of beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. If you wish to keep these health benefiting minerals in your drinking water then go for a type of filter that is going to maintain these minerals in your water like an activated carbon type of filter.

5. List of Water Purifier Companies in Canada:

The following are famous water purifiers in the market that are available for use in Canada, these brands offer various products, which work via varying mechanisms. Some of the top brands include:

1. Brita:

Some of the popular brands that the company own’s include Brita which is a well known brand when it comes to water filtration products. They provide economical pitchers, faucet connectors, dispensers, which help to enhance the taste and quality of water with chlorine removed and other organisms.

1. Aquasana:

Aquasana offers premium water filters, under sink water filters, contemporary water filters and under-counter filters among others. They are effective at eliminating virtually all types of impurities such as heavy metals, chemicals and microorganisms from water while at the same time retaining healthy mineral content of the water.

1. iSpring:

iSpring is focused on Reverse Osmosis systems which are intended to filter out some common elements, which are lead, fluoride and dissolved salts. They sell under-counter and whole house RO systems so they are a go-to choice for many households in Canada that need full-spectrum solutions.

1. Berkey:

Berkey is one of the most reputable manufacturers of gravity-fed water purification systems perfect for use when there is no access to water supply or power. Their purifiers employ both ceramic and activated carbon filters to smudge out different contaminants, microorganisms amongst which are bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals.

Conclusion:

It is important to select the right water purifier for your residence in Canada by examining water quality, cost, cleaning frequency and the kind of water that has to be purified to remove those specific substances. Knowing the different types of purifiers and what is suitable for your home lets you make a good choice for you to drink nothing but safe water daily. Purchasing a good water purifier is among the best decisions that you may take for yourself and your family’s health.