COMPARISON TO OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
Contaminant Removal Comparison
| Contaminant |
GAC |
Carbon Block |
Reverse Osmosis with Carbon |
Distillation with Carbon |
KDF/GAC |
KDF/GAC with Ceramic |
| Rust/Sediment |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Taste/Odor |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Chlorine |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Chloramine |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Trihalomethanes (THM) |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Chemicals |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Lead - particulate |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Lead - dissolved |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Hydrogen Sulfide |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Iron |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Arsenic |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES(1) |
YES (1) |
| Barium |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Cadmium |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Chromium |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Fluoride |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
(2) |
(2) |
| Mercury |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Nitrate |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
(2) |
(2) |
| Calcium* |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
| Magnesium* |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
| Potassium* |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
| Cysts |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
| Bacteria |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
* - Healthful minerals; removal not necessary.
(1) - Inorganic Arsenic
(2) - Has shown reduction, but inconsistent. For complete removal, see our reverse osmosis
page or call us for information on our fluoride and nitrate selective filters.
ADVANTAGES OF GRANULATED ACTIVATED CARBON (GAC) / CARBON BLOCK
-
Removes chlorine, taste and odor, and chemicals.
-
Carbon block, if pore size is 3 micron absolute or less, can remove cysts.
DISADVANTAGES OF GRANULATED ACTIVATED CARBON (GAC) / CARBON BLOCK
-
Does not remove heavy metals (carbon block can remove undissolved lead)
-
Bacteria can multiply in filter (silver is often used, but is considered
a toxin by the EPA and as such must be registered with them).
-
Limited life because of dual duty - chlorine and chemicals.
-
Carbon block filters can clog with sediment long before filter is exhausted.
ADVANTAGES OF REVERSE OSMOSIS
-
Removes chlorine, taste and odor, and chemicals (with carbon prefilter
or postfilter).
-
Removes heavy metals, such as lead.
-
Can remove cysts - but not recommended.
DISADVANTAGES OF REVERSE OSMOSIS
-
Slow - 2 hours to make 1 gallon of treated water.
-
Wastes water - 4 - 5 gallons of water go down the drain to treat 1 gallon.
-
Removes healthful minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
-
Removal of these minerals leaves a flat tasting water.
-
Bacteria can foul membrane.
-
Expensive to maintain.
ADVANTAGES OF DISTILLATION
-
Removes chlorine, taste and odor, and chemicals (with carbon postfilter).
-
Removes heavy metals, such as lead.
-
Kills bacteria and cysts.
DISADVANTAGES OF DISTILLATION
-
Slow - 5 hours to make 1 gallon of treated water.
-
Wastes energy - uses 25 cents of electricity to treat one gallon.
-
Removes healthful minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
-
Removal of these minerals leaves a flat tasting water.
-
Requires frequent cleaning of tank, frequent replacement of carbon post
filter.
PUREEARTH KDF/GAC FILTER:
-
Water on demand - no water or energy waste.
-
Removes a WIDE range of contaminants, including
heavy metals.
-
Leaves healthful minerals intact, leaving tastier
mineral water.
-
Low maintenance; low operating costs (about 1
cent per gallon).
-
KDF media inhibits bacteria growth throughout
the unit - uses no silver.
-
5 to 10 times longer life than GAC only filter.
-
Optional ceramic prefilter can remove bacteria
and cysts.
Back
to the filter page
On-line
filter catalog - pictures, description, prices
How
our water filters work - what's "KDF" and "GAC"?
NSF-53
protocol test results
Water
filter operating cost comparison
Notice: consumer is responsible for following any state and/or local regulations and
plumbing codes pertinent to the purchase, installation and operation of our products.
California Residents: the state of California requires water treatment devices claiming health claims be tested and certified
by them - our units are not. Therefore, only aethetic claims can be made on units shipping to California addresses.
-
Changes last made on: March 25, 2003