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Water Treatment System
As already brought out - the first step to buying a water
treatment system is to establish the quality of your water
supply - on this fact rests two decisions firstly, if water
treatment is needed and secondly, if treatment is needed, what
kind of treatment would be most appropriate. To know the different
types of treatments and the options available - read on. The
best option would be to remove the root cause itself - this
is the simplest and the most economical solution to the problem
- remove the source of contamination or obtain a new source
of drinking water. This however, may not be possible and thus
the appropriate solution would be to treat the water with a
water treatment system.
Tips: When buying a Water Treatment System : ask the
following questions:
What type/sort of testing is needed to evaluate the
water supply to my home?
- Irrespective of what any one may tell you, safety of water
cannot be determined by any single test - may it be some fancy
capsules, pills, or claimed high technology processes. Many
retailers offer on-site demonstrations - these certainly are
not an accurate indicator of contaminant levels. For viable
results, water must always be tested for suspected contaminants
through a certified water testing laboratory. Here the results
shall be accurate and can be relied upon. these shall put you
on the path to choosing the most apt water treatment system.
Is the water treatment system that I am procuring
designed to treat the specific water quality problem?
This issue can easily be settled by checking the NSF rating
for performance standards of various water treatment devices
and their suitability to your problem.
How many gallons of treated water does the unit produce
per day? Is the produced amount adequate for your household
requirements?
The requirement in terms of quantity would dictate your choice
of device. For those where requirement of water is low, it may
be better and more economical to purchase a water cooler than
purchasing a complete water treatment system.
Is there a sufficient water supply (in terms of quantity
and volume) for the treatment unit to work properly?
Some water treatment systems such as distillation
and RO
units use large amounts of water. In areas where water supply
is not in adequate volume, such systems would not work.
How will you know if the unit is not working properly?
Most new water treatment systems come with an in-built alarm
or indicator light that should alert you to a malfunction.
What is the kind and frequency of maintenance required?
Do not get taken in by statements such as ' this is maintenance
free'. Every equipment requires a modicum of maintenance and
service. The type and frequency of maintenance depends upon
the quantity of treatment. More the treatment, greater your
responsibility and requirement of maintenance.
What routine servicing is offered by the supplier/
manufacturer?
A good point to consider is the availability of a service contract.
There are very few of us who are motivated, dedicated and determined
to work like robots. Unless you are one of these, it is better
to select automated and self-monitoring features or dealer's
service agreements to ensure correct operation and high quality
water. Breakdowns is not what you desire as that is the time
you will be consuming tainted water - the very problem you want
to defeat.
Is there a warranty available with the new system?
What all does it cover and for how long is it available?
You must ensure that all claims about the performance of the
treatment unit are clearly identified in writing. They must
be clearly understood and clarified with the supplier.
What is the total cost of the water treatment system?
When calculating the total cost of the system, one needs to
consider all factors such as the expected life, purchase price,
installation cost, maintenance cost and operation cost. This
would give the total cost of the system and allow us to compare
the advantages and disadvantages of different water treatment
systems.
When you choose to rent the equipment, does your agreement
include an option to buy provision?
You need to compare the rental cost to the purchase price and
the expected life of the equipment. This will allow you to choose
between the rent and purchase options.
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