The following inorganic contaminants, if present in your drinking water in normally found concentrations, will be removed or reduced to safe levels by filtration with reverse osmosis membranes, such as found in our reverse osmosis systems.
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant | MCL (mg/L) | Source/Industrial Occurrence | Health Effects | Treatment | |
| Antimony | 0.005 | Coal and ore mining, petroleum refining, paint and ink formulation, textile mills, explosives mfg., foundries timber product processing, iron and steel mfg. as a hardening alloy. | Carcinogen. Irritation to eyes and skin tissue. | Reverse osmosis, coagulation and filtration, distillation. | |
| Arsenic | *0.05 *USEPA to consider MCL between 0.002 to 0.02 mg/L |
Defoliants, soil sterilants, wood treatment compounds, used in textile mills, paint and ink formulation, petroleum refining, porcelain enameling, pharmaceutical manufacturing, ore mining and dressing, foundries and metals manufacturing. | Malignant tumors or skin and lungs. Affects nervous system. | Reverse osmosis, activated alumina, ion exchange, lime softening, coagulation with filtration distillation. | |
| Asbestos | 7 MF/L | Natural mineral deposits, insulation, fireproofing materials and cement pipe. | Probable cause of cancer. | Reverse osmosis, filtration, distillation. | |
| Barium | 2.0 | Natural forming ore as barite and witherite in GA, MO, AR, KY, CA, NV, Canada and Mexico. | Affects nervous and circulatory systems. | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, lime softening, distillation. | |
| Berrylium | 0.004 | Natural ore in CO, ME, NH, SD, Canada. Nonferrous metals manufacturing as a copper alloy, iron and steel manufacturing, ore and coal mining, textile mills petroleum refining, paint and ink formulation. | Carcinogen. Effects skin and lung tissues. | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, activated alumina, coagulation and filtration, lime softening, distillation. | |
| Cadmium | 0.005 | Natural mineral deposits. Used in leather and tanning and iron and steel manufacturing, coal mining, textile mills, gum and wood chemicals, pharamacuetical manufacturing, petroleum refining, rubber processing and foundries. | Kidney disorders, bronchitus, anemia. | Reverse osmosis, Ion exchange, coagulation with filtration, lime softening, distillation, corrosion control. | |
| Chromium (total) |
0.1 | Natural mineral deposits. Used in leather and tanning and iron and steel manufacturing, coal mining, textile mills, gum and wood chemicals, pharmaceutical manufacturing, petroleum refining, rubber processing and foundries | Liver and kidney disorders. Affects skin and digestive system. | Reverse osmosis, Coagulation with filtration, ion exchange, lime softening, distillation. | |
| Copper | 1.3 (action level) | Formation occurs during corrosion of interior household and building pipes. | Stomach and intestinal distress. Wilson’s Disease. | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation. | |
| Cyanide | 0.2 | Leather tanning and finishing, iron and steel manufacturing, paint and ink formulation, extermination materials, explosives manufacturing. | Nervous system, endocrine system. | Reverse osmosis, chlorination, ion exchange. | |
| Fluoride | 4.0 | Natural forming material deposits, additive to public supply as fluorsilicic acid, sodium silicofluoride or sodium fluoride at a concentration of 1.0 mg/L. | Fluorosis or mottling, a brown discoloration of the teeth. | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation, activated alumina. | |
| Lead | 0.015 (action level) | Solder and other plumbing products, batteries, gasoline as tetraethyl lead. Used in explosives manufacturing, textile mills, petroleum refining, paint and ink formation, rubber processing, porcelain enameling and foundries. | Affects nervous and reproductive systems and kidneys. Causes hypertension. | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, coagulation with filtration, distillation, corrosion control, carbon. | |
| Mercury | 0.002 | Fungicides, bactericides in antifouling paints and mildew-proofing preparations. Also found in thermometers and barometers. Used in coal mining, textile mills, timber product processing, petroleum refining, rubber processing, paint and ink formulation. | Affects nervous system and kidneys. | Reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, lime softening, coagulation with filtration and with powdered activated carbon, distillation. | |
| Nickel | 0.1 | Natural ore in Ontario, Canada, iron and steel manufacturing as low alloy steel, nonferrous manufacturing as copper and brass. Alkaline storage batteries, electroplating, foundries, timber product processing, petroleum refining. | Carcinogen, dermatitis. Affects gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. | Reverse osmosis, lime softening, ion exchange, distillation. | |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 | Fertilization, sewage. Natural forming mineral deposits, feed-lot runoff. | Methemo-globinemia (“Blue Baby” Syndrome) | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation | |
| Nitrite (as N) | 1.0 | Fertilization, sewage. Natural forming mineral deposits, feed-lot runoff. | Methemo-globinemia (“Blue Baby” Syndrome) | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation | |
| Selenium | 0.05 | Natural mineral deposits. Commonly found as a trace element in animal feeds. Used in textile mills, timber processing, porcelain enameling, pharmaceutical manufacturing and foundries. | Affects nervous system. Causes irriation to the mucous | Reverse osmosis, distillation, lime softening, coagulation with filtration, activated alumina. | |
| Sodium | none (20 mg/L recommended level) |
Geological, road salting. | Possible increased blood pressure in suseptible individuals. | Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation. | |
| Thallium | 0.002 | Pesticides, nonferrous metals as an alloy, photo electric applications, semi conductor processing, petroleum refining, paint and ink formulation. | Skin irritation. | Reverse osmosis, activated alumina, ion exchange, distillation. | |
The following organic contaminants, if present in your drinking water in normally found concentrations, will be removed or reduced to safe levels by filtration with granular activated carbon, such as found in our reverse osmosis systems.
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant | MCL (mg/L) | Source/Industrial Occurrence | Health Effects | Treatment | |
| Acrylamide | TT | Flocculents in sewage and wastewater treatment. | Affects nervous system. Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Benzene | 0.005 | Used in fuels (leaking underground storage tanks). Used as a solvent in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, plastics, pesticides and paints. | Leukemia, anemia and possibly cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Carbon tetrachloride | 0.005 | Used as a cleaning agent and in manufacturing of refrigerants, fumigants, propellants, resins, paint and ink formulation. | Affects nervous system, liver and digestive system. Causes cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Dibromochl-oropropane (DBCP) | 0.0002 | Soil fumigant on soybeans, cotton; discontinued in 1977. | Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Dichloro-methane | 0.005 | Paint removers, solvent degreasing, aerosol sprays, fumigants, plastics manufacturing, photographic film, textile and leather coatings, foam products. | Carcinogen | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Di(ethylhexyl) adipate | 0.4 | Plasticizer and polymer production, lubricants. | Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Di(ethylhexyl) phthalate | 0.006 | Plasticizer in resins and elastomers | Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| p-Dichloro-benzene | 0.075 | Used in moth repellent, germicides, pesticides and soil fumigants. | Affects nervous system, kidneys and liver. Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| o-Dichloro-benzene | 0.6 | Used in manufacturing of fumigants, insecticides, waxes, resins, rubber and asphalt. | Affects lungs, liver and kidneys. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.005 | Used in manufacturing of gasoline, paint, varnish, metal degreasing and insecticide fumigants. | Causes damage to kidneys and liver, can cause nausea. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 0.007 | Used in manufacturing of dyes, plastics, perfumes and adhesives. | Affects kidneys and liver, can cause nausea. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.07 | Used as an industrial solvent in manufacturing of dyes, perfumes and lacquers. | Affects liver, and nervous and circulatory systems. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.1 | Used as an industrial solvent in manufacturing of dyes, perfumes, lacquers and rubber. | Affects liver, and nervous and circulatory systems. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | 0.005 | Used in insecticidal fumigants, dry cleaning fluids and in manufacturing of resins, waxes and petroleum products. | Affects lungs, liver and kidneys. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Epichlorohydrin | TT | Epoxy resins and coatings. Flocculents used in treatment. | Affects kidneys, liver and lungs. Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Ethylbenzene | 0.7 | Used in manufacturing of gasoline, insecticides and asphalt. | Affects nervous system, liver and kidneys. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Ethylene dibromide (EDB) | 0.00005 | Used as gasoline additive and soil fumigant. | Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Hexachloro-benzene | 0.001 | Fungicide/wood preservative | Digestive system, cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Hexachloro-cyclopentadiene | 0.05 | Pesticides, fungicides, dyes and resins. | Skin irritant, lungs and digestive system. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Monochloro-benzene | 0.001 | Fungicide/wood preservative | Digestive system, cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| PAHs – Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Benzo(a) Pyrene | 0.0002 | Coal and core processing, heat/power processing, shale refining | Cancer | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Styrene | 0.1 | Used in manufacturing of plastics, resins and foams. | Affects nervous system, liver and kidneys. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| 2,3,7,8-TC-DD (Dioxin) | 3×10-8 | Defoliants/herbicides | Carcinogen, mutagen, tetragen | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Tetrachloro-ethylene (PCE) | 0.005 | Used in dry cleaning, degreasing agent for metals, for manufacturing rubber, waxes, paints and inks. | Affects nervous system. Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Toulene | 1.0 | Used in gasoline, paints, thinners, lacquers and adhesives | Affects nervous system, liver and kidneys. Causes narcosis. Irritant to respiratory system. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | 0.009 | Insecticides, lubricants, dye processing, transformer fluid | Digestive system and lungs | Granular activated carbon. | |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 0.2 | Used in manufacturing of pesticides, plastics and metals. | Affects nervous system. Causes narcosis and probably cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | 0.005 | Solvent used in oils, fats, waxes and resins, rubber processing. | Immune system. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Trichloroethylene | 0.005 | Used in dry cleaning and as a degreasing agent. Used in manufacturing of rubber, paints, adhesives and resins, oils, and fumigants. | Irritant of body tissue. Affects nervous system. Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Total trihalomethanes (THMs) – Chloroform, Bromoform, Bromodichloro-methane, Dibromochloro-methane | 0.1 | Formation occurs when water containing organic matter is treated with chlorine. | Affects nervous system and muscles. Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Vinyl chloride | 0.002 | Used as a plastic adhesive and refrigerant, the main component of PVC pipe. | Affects nervous system. Probable cause of cancer. | Granular activated carbon. | |
| Xylenes (total) | 10 | Used in manufacturing of paint, ink, petroleum and detergents. | Affects nervous system, kidneys, lungs, liver and mucous membranes. | Granular activated carbon. | |
A boil-water advisory or boil-water order is a public health advisory or directive given by government or health authorities to consumers when a community’s drinking water is, or could be, contaminated by pathogens.
Learn how to make an emergency water filter for disaster situations out of some common items.
This method does work and can keep you heathly if clean potable water or a manufactured water filter system are unobtainable.
The Hydrologic Cycle (also called the Water Cycle) is the continuous movement of water in the air, on the surface of and below the Earth.
This cycle is the exchange of energy which influences climate. When water condenses, it releases energy and warms the environment.
90% of the garbage floating in the Earth’s oceans is plastic and less than 5% of all plastic is recycled.
The patch mostly consists of pelagic plastics, formed from plastic bags, plastic water bottles, bottle caps and styrofoam.
Hydraulic fracturing (sometimes referred to as fracking or hydrofracking) is a relatively new form of natural gas extraction.
The fluids used in the fracking process flow back to the surface, often entering the water table or polluting the drilling area, and sometimes improper disposal of waste water from the wells.
As our technology advances, so do new forms of pollution and contaminants that effect our environment and our health.
Read more about drinking water contaminants and their health effects.
Chlorine has long been recognized as an oxidative agent, meaning that it not only kills the germs in the water supply; it will damage any living tissue with which it comes in contact. And your skin, like the rest of your organs, is living tissue. But that’s not the only problem.
Since the discovery of its health benefits in the mid-1940’s, fluoride is often added to the public water supplies of industrialized countries in order to reduce the populations tooth decay, which is especially effective in low income communities, where good dental hygiene may be too costly.
Chromium-6 was found in the drinking water supply of the southern California town of Hinkley and brought to national attention by Erin Brockovich.
The EPA is reviewing effects of Chromium-6 after a recent report brought to light dangerous levels in a number of major US cities.
Giardia is a flagellated protozoan parasite that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestines of humans and other animals, which can cause giardiasis.
Symptoms of Giardiasis usually show after 3 to 4 days, and include gastrointestinal and constitutional problems.
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum.
Since a outbreak in 1993 in Wisconson, new attention has been focused on determining and reducing the risk for Cryptosporidiosis from community and municipal water supplies.
What is reverse osmosis? What is a 4-Stage system? What are the components in a system? Visit our ‘How Reverse Osmosis Works‘ guide to find the answers.
Also see out list of contaminants RO removes and comparison chart for particle sizes to learn more about reverse osmosis.
What is ultraviolet light? Do I need to filter the water before the UV process? How exactly can light kill organisms?
Visit our ‘How Ultraviolet Purification Works‘ guide to find out how it works.
The typical water softener is a mechanical appliance that’s plumbed into your home’s water supply system. All water softeners use the same operating principle: They trade the minerals for something else, in most cases sodium. The process is called ion exchange. More…
Step by step instructions on installing replacement cartridges and sanitizing filter housings. It is highly recommended that you clean and sanitize your system once a year.
Need help installing your new RO system, how to perform maintenance, or how often to change your cartridges?
View our printable Reverse Osmosis Installation Guide to learn more.
Step by step instructions on making a connection with Quick-Connect fittings. Quick-connect fittings allow you to connect and disconnect tubing without the need of tools. For larger, plumbing size fittings read our using twist lock guide.
Step by step instructions on making a connection with Twist and Lock fittings. Twist-Lock fittings allow you to connect and disconnect tubing without the need of tools.
Step by step instructions on making a connection with SharkBite Push-To-Connect fittings. SharkBite fittings allow you to connect and disconnect pipes without the need of using PVC glue or welding copper.
Need to filter water but not sure about the differences between or applications of our systems?
Use our Water Filter Systems Guide to find out which system is best for your filtration needs.
Need to replace your system’s cartridges but not sure what type is best for your system?
View our Cartridge Replacement Guide or contact us to find out what you need.
View a chart comparing the specifications of all the reverse osmosis systems we sell on this site. All bladder tanks are NSF certified.
The size of your water softener depeneds on the total grain per day that need to be removed.
This is determined by the number of people in your household, grain per gallon (GPG) hardness and the amount of Iron present in the water.
A micron is a unit of measurement for how small of particles a filter will catch. The lower the micron size, the tinier the ‘holes’ in the filter cartridge are that allows water to pass through, ranging from 0.1 absolute to 150 microns.
Use our Pore Size Efficiency Guide to find out what micron size to use.
Pleated sediment cartridges remove dirt, rust and sediment from water while providing an increased surface area and longer life. Pleated filters down to 5 microns are washable and reusable.
Use our Pleated Sediment Cartridge Comparison to find the filter cartridge you need.
Aquariums need three types of filtration to maintain a healthy environment for freshwater, saltwater or amphibian aquariums (sediment filtration, carbon filtration, and removal of biological contaminants).
When traveling around the state or the country in a RV you might not always know where you will be getting the water from or what might be in it. Water that is stored in a RV holding tank will not stay potable for long and can become a breeding ground for algae and bacteria.
Chemicals added to public water supplies, like chlorine, can be harmful to the living cells of plants.
When brewing beer with tap or bottled water, chlorine and chloramine present in the water can combine with malt phenols in the wort to create a compound called chlorophenol, which can give the beer a medicinal taste.
View our Filtered Water for Home Beer Brewing guide.
Bottled water requires a lot of resources to manufacture and ship, and costs a lot more than reverse osmosis water.
Use our Bottled Water Cost Calculator to find out how much of an impact you have on the environment.
