Filtration Technique

How it Works

 

 Effect on Viruses Effect on Bacteria Effect on Protozoa Advantages Disadvantages Who uses it
Distillation

 

 Purification through evaporation and condensation High High High Good overall quality May distil organic compounds over with the "purified" water Le Bleu

Micro-Filtration

 

 Water passes through a disposable membrane and particles that are unable to pass through (contaminants) are cleared away Low Low High Good for removing cryptosporidium from bottled water Requires sophisticated engineering and disposable parts (membranes), indicating it as an expensive technique and one that may not be so great for the environmnent Springtime (private label brand); Prestige (private label); Crystal Geyser

Ozonation

 

 Ozone gas, a form of oxygen, is used to oxidize inorganic and organic compounds as well as bacteria Good Good Fair Prevents residual odors and tastes and negates the need for chemicals It cannot be used on its own; it must be used in conjunction with some other technique

Prestige

Le Bleu

Springtime

Reverse Osmosis

 

 Water is applied under high pressure using a pump to a semi-permeable membrane that serves as a filter for impurities Good Good High Considred to be the best removal mechanisms-able to remove impurities as small as ions Bacteria can grow on the membranes, which must be monitored carefully

Aquafina

Dasani
Ultra Violet Light Energy rays are added to the water using a UV-producing lamp. The UV rays deactivate the microorganisms living in the water by altering their DNA structure ? High High No chemicals are used, therefore no refuse is created. Does not work for organic or inorganic compound; Customers may shun the idea of UV irradiation in their water, assocating with the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin Prestige

What does all of this mean?

Different processes are better at removing certain impurities, therefore, many of these processes are used in conjunction with each other for the most comprehensive filtration possible.

You will notice that there are no high-end brands listed above in "Who uses it." This is because high end brands, such as Evian and Volvic, come from such protected sources that no man-made filtration is necessary. It is all natural and occurs underground in the aquifer. This implies that a naturally underground, pure water source is more expensive than using a more municipal water supply that requires man-made filtration.