What is the best water filter and how to choose it. What are apartment filters for water purification Which is better to buy a filter for water purification

The water in public water pipes in Russia is fraught with many surprises. Even in those cities where the authorities declare that water can be drunk straight from the tap, it is worthwhile to analyze the water before such experiments. As a rule, it will show that such water does not provide health benefits and is either neutral or harmful to the human body. There can be many reasons for this - even the most modern urban water treatment plants are powerless in front of outdated water pipes, and in sanitary standards the hardness value is allowed such that even after one boil, scale flakes form in the kettle. Looking at this white coating, cloudy or rusty water, smelling chlorine, apartment dwellers often make a simple but wrong choice in favor of buying bottled drinking water. After all, water in bottles and coolers is often the same tap water, but it has undergone special purification through filters. This suggests a solution that will help to avoid storing water in plastic containers, avoid transferring bottles from the store to the apartment and simply not overpay for a brand of drinking water - you need to install your own drinking water filter for the apartment and get tasty and healthy tap water at any time. kitchen!

What types of filters for an apartment exist?

Today, there are quite a few solutions for water purification, which differ in both capital and periodic investments, size, performance, the need to replace consumables - cartridges or filter media. The most common filters for purifying tap water in an apartment:

Faucet filter nozzle
filter jug
Main water filter
Flow-through water purification system for the kitchen
Reverse osmosis system
Compact water softeners for the whole apartment
Filters for washing machines and dishwashers
Filters for steam generators, ice makers and coffee machines

Drinking water treatment

Despite the affordable cost, jug filters and faucet nozzles are gradually losing their popularity - they are being replaced by more efficient and economical flow and reverse osmosis systems. The small resource of cartridges and the low degree of cleaning of jugs make them economically viable only for a short time period. And if water purification is required in an apartment for the whole family, then the filtration systems installed under the sink have practically no competitors.

Reverse osmosis is the most popular type of water purifier in an apartment. Such a system removes insoluble and suspended particles (rust, sand, silt), nitrates, fluorides, nitrites, pesticides, ammonium salts and other chemical elements. Reverse osmosis is also able to filter out viruses and bacteria, reduce hardness, the amount of iron and active chlorine.

There is a widespread myth about "dead water", which is obtained after filtration by such systems, however, experts are sure that it is better to use clean water than one where, along with useful mineral composition, there are excesses in heavy metals, fluorides, chlorine and microbiology. There are also reverse osmosis systems with a mineralizer, which partially restores the salt composition of water. It is also worth noting that a person receives most of the useful trace elements from food, and not from water. If you eat fruits, vegetables and dairy products, then reverse osmosis water will only benefit. The performance of the reverse osmosis system is up to 200 liters of pure water per day. After deep cleaning, drinking water accumulates in a special tank. Therefore, even in the event of an unforeseen shutdown, you will have your own supply of drinking water, which comes under its own pressure created by a rubber bulb inside the tank.

Reverse osmosis water is ideal for ice makers and coffee machines because it does not form scale. A nice bonus when installing a reverse osmosis water purification system for an apartment will be the fact that it is recommended to use it in irons and steamers - there will no longer be whitish stains on clothes, and the equipment will last much longer. The situation is similar with steam generators and air humidification systems. If it is necessary to purify water from suspended solids, iron and chlorine, but retain the mineral composition of water, it is worth choosing a simpler flow-through water purification system. It is worth noting that this is the most inexpensive water filter for washing. In such a system, the same purification steps are used as in the reverse osmosis filter, but the reverse osmosis membrane is not used.

After the filters under the sink, water enters a separate clean water tap or a special kitchen faucet with a tap for drinking water. It is up to you to decide which sink water filter is best for your kitchen, we can offer a wide range of equipment and spare parts, install and service a household water filter. You can buy a water filter for a sink with installation in Ecodar company stores or order a water filter with delivery.

Drinking water machine for an apartment

A modern replacement for coolers is drinking water dispensers, or simply purifiers. If the delivery of water to an apartment is quite profitable for a business, then for residents it is quite an expensive pleasure. In addition to the cost, water for a cooler with delivery is often of poor quality, because. bottled without filtration or in unprepared, dirty bottles. Therefore, more and more corporate and private customers are choosing coolers without bottles - purifiers, the water in which comes from the central water supply and undergoes high-quality cleaning through filtration cartridges. There are even models with ultraviolet water disinfection, so that the water gets perfectly clean into your glass!

Desktop machines, in particular Ecomaster Cube, are especially popular. This innovative development from the English company Waterlogic not only purifies water using cartridge filters, but also disinfects it using a special ultraviolet spiral with Firewall technology. The machine can give you unlimited access to hot and cold water. The equipment is equipped with child protection so that little fidgets do not get burned.

Soda at home? Easily!

Good news for lovers of carbonated mineral water - the company Ekodar offers you floor standing machines with the function of water aeration. You can make it like classic soda water with carbon dioxide, or you can make a healthy oxygen cocktail. Such a machine takes up less space than a cooler. Bottles are not required - the connection is made directly to the water supply line. Water passes deep cleaning through a flow system or a filter with a reverse osmosis membrane.

Stages of water purification in the apartment by reverse osmosis

Mechanical cleaning - preliminary purification of water in the apartment from suspended particles and various insoluble impurities.
Sorption filtration is a cartridge filter filled with activated carbon granules designed to remove active chlorine and its odor, as well as to protect the membrane from chlorine exposure.
Carbon block is a monolithic carbon block that removes unpleasant odors and organic compounds.
The reverse osmosis membrane is the main element of the filter, which provides water purification from toxic metals, fluorides, nitrites, nitrates, various salts, bacteria, viruses and high-molecular components of organic origin.
The mineralizer is a special cartridge designed to enrich water with potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, as well as other microelements and useful mineral salts.
Post-carbon is an additional purification filter that allows you to significantly improve the taste of water, as well as completely remove organic compounds and odors remaining after the previous stages.

Water purification throughout the apartment

The main flow water filter is installed at the water inlet to the apartment. It is designed to filter large contaminants - sand, rust, dissolved iron. Such filters are often installed on both cold and hot water. As a rule, cartridge filters are made of plastic, however, there are also metal counterparts made of stainless steel.

A shower filter in the form of a nozzle is an ineffective way to remove water hardness. The models we tested showed effectiveness for 10-15 times of taking a full shower. After that, the ion-exchange properties of the material ended and the replacement of the filter cartridge was required. The low cost of such a filter is illusory, because the frequency of buying filter elements is quite large and it is much more profitable to install a full-fledged softener in the form of a cylinder with ion-exchange resin and control automation, or a compact office-type softener for an apartment.

The compact softener for the bathroom Ecodar Compact occupies 1/3 m2, while effectively eliminating the hardness of cold water. Because hot water leaves its hardness when heated in boilers, while taking a shower you will get soft water ideal for the human body. Women especially notice the difference - after installing softener filters in an apartment, their skin no longer feels dry and tight, their hair becomes less brittle and easier to comb. The amount of detergents will also be reduced - soap and shampoos in soft water foam much more intensively. Softener without cartridges - once a month you will need to monitor the level of salt, which is necessary to regenerate the useful properties of the ion-exchange filter material.

Buy a filter for water purification in an apartment in Moscow or St. Petersburg

You can buy water filters for washing, as well as softener filters for the whole apartment, in Ecodar company stores. Our experts will pick up and mount the filter for the apartment at a convenient time for you.

Kitchen filters

Domestic osmosis Platinum Wasser Ultra 7 Bio

A seven-stage water purification system with a separate faucet and a storage tank, designed to obtain the highest quality drinking water. The main filter element is a semi-permeable membrane that purifies water at the molecular level. The filter is easy to install under the sink. The system is completed with a tank and a double tap for clean water, which allows you to get drinking water from a separate, independent source, both with minerals (for consumption) and clean water (for coffee machines, steam and ice makers, etc.)

Price: from 13 200

The World Health Organization notes that most human ailments are caused by the poor quality of drinking water. And that even a “respectably” looking liquid can contain a lot of harmful components in its composition. To everyone who values their own health and the health of their loved ones, experts recommend purchasing water filters - we will now tell you how to choose them.

Ways to purify water from a well or water supply

To purify water from harmful substances, it is necessary to pass it through a special environment - this is the principle of filtration technology. Depending on the type of medium used, the properties of the liquid also change. Different filters use their work resources. To ensure the acceptable content of impurities in the liquid, they must be changed before the resource is completely exhausted.

Mechanical

Mechanical water treatment is preliminary

Mechanical filtration is carried out to remove insoluble mineral and organic impurities from water. The positive quality of this process is the ability to use it at normal temperatures without the addition of chemicals. Usually such treatment is a preliminary, in rare cases - the final method of water treatment.

Sorption

Overall dimensions - a significant minus of sorption purification systems

Sorption purification of a liquid implies the use of porous materials that bind contaminants and hold them. Carbon filler is often used. It is effectively used in the presence of inorganic and organic substances, as well as chlorine compounds in water.

The main disadvantage of sorption filters is the very large dimensions of these devices. Fillers are laid in them in several layers to ensure the most complete release from hazardous substances.

Charcoal filters require proper maintenance. Only professional service guarantees high-quality and effective filtration. Since bacteria can settle in the pores of the charcoal, use hot water to flush it out.

Ion exchange treatment

Such systems are expensive.

However, ion exchange purification alone will not be enough, since such filtration:

does not remove heavy metals, minerals and pesticides;
ozone, unlike chlorine, which has a similar effect, decomposes very quickly and there is no residual cleaning effect.

Also, ozonation of water will be expensive, for this reason it is not the best idea to use ion-exchange purification at home.

Membrane

The membrane system provides a high degree of water purification

With membrane filtration, high purification is ensured due to the precise division into elements of impurities present in the liquid. The main advantage of using membranes is that impurities will not remain there, their removal occurs due to the drainage system.

However, this method of water purification has one nuance: during the processing, the accumulation of impurities occurs extremely close to the membrane itself. This phenomenon is called concentration polarization, which can affect the results of filtration, reduce the properties of the membrane.

Electrochemical

When using this method, an electric current is passed through the water

During electrochemical water purification, an electric current is passed through it, as a result of which the impurities contained in the liquid usually break down into non-toxic substances.

The main advantages of this method are the small size of the complex, ease of operation, no need to use reagents, and effective bactericidal cleaning. However, there are certain disadvantages, namely, low productivity and high energy consumption.

UV disinfection

UV disinfection is an environmentally friendly cleaning method

UV disinfection is considered universal because it destroys all types of contaminants. Also noted is the environmental friendliness of the cleaning method, its low cost and the absence of the need for expensive maintenance. After filtration, the structure of water does not change, and all useful elements are preserved in it.

Which cartridges to choose

The choice of cartridge will depend on the filter you are using and what kind of result you want to achieve.

For jugs, there are cartridges with several types of cleaning, in flow and main cartridges, each type of cartridge is designed for a certain type of cleaning, there is also a complex cleaning.

Depending on the type, the cartridge can perform one of the functions listed above.

When choosing, consider a few simple rules:

mechanical cleaning with a filtration fineness of 1 or 5 microns is required;
on the riser, the water must pass through a mechanical deep cleaning of 10 or 100 microns;
if you want to get rid of iron, choose a cartridge containing components designed for this;
for softening, it is better to take cartridges with ion exchange resin;
to improve the taste of water and purify it from chemical impurities, pay attention to carbon cartridges.

The choice of system depending on the contamination of the water

The efficiency of the cleaning system and the quality of the liquid filtration depend on the specificity of the contamination present. Before you decide on a water filter, you need to carry out a comprehensive analysis of impurities. Only after that it will become clear what to choose.

Problem	Which filter to use
Corrosive neutral acid water	Ion exchange filter and reverse osmosis system
High hardness water	Ion exchange filter and reverse osmosis system
Insoluble particles, sand, etc.	mechanical filtration
There is a fishy or woody smell	Sorption and UV-disinfector
The smell of chlorine
Hydrogen sulfide smell
Chemical smell of detergents	Sorption filter
The smell of oil	Filtration by reverse osmosis system
The water is cloudy and smells of methane
Phenolic smell
Salty water	Ion exchange filter
High acidity	Sorption filter

Additional options to keep in mind when choosing a filter

Now you should familiarize yourself with the additional parameters that you need to pay attention to when you move on to choosing a water filter.

There are a few more factors to consider when choosing a filtration system.

Filtration of cold and hot water

Most purifiers are designed to filter cold water. The maximum allowable temperature in this case should not exceed 400C. For this reason, if you wish to purify hot water, then look for filters with a high temperature limit.

Filter module performance and resources

Filter performance refers to its ability to pass and clean a certain volume of water per minute. This indicator is minimal in reverse osmosis systems, since it takes a long time for the liquid to pass through the filter membrane. So when choosing a filter, you need to decide how often it will be used and how much water will need to be cleaned per day.

Almost everyone has a filter module designed to purify a specific volume of water. Once its resource is exhausted, it will not be able to provide adequate water quality and will have to be replaced.

Availability of consumables

You need to pay attention to the cost of filter modules - cartridges, since in most filters they quickly exhaust their working life, which means you will have to pay a lot.

Any cartridges have their working resource

Manufacturer's choice

It is no secret that both domestic and foreign companies are engaged in the production of filtration plants. Some have been realizing themselves in this area for more than a decade, while others are just stepping on this path, without focusing their activities on water treatment systems.

If you can’t decide which is better, we recommend that you abandon the stereotypes that, “they say, everything foreign is better, better, more reliable,” and choose products from experienced companies with a name and positive reviews. By the way, there are enough of them on the Russian market. It is enough to look at the rating of water filters to understand that “our” companies are able to make solid, durable units.

It is better to stop the choice on products whose manufacturers have been working in this market for a long time and were able to recommend themselves well. Each of them has its own developments for different cleaning systems.

Price

If the price of the desired model is very different from the average market value, then you need to think about where this product comes from. If this product was purchased from an official supplier, but the price is very different from prices in other stores, then this is a 100% fake.

Availability of a certificate

If you doubt the quality of the goods, you can ask the seller for a quality certificate. Moreover, this document must be genuine, and not an ordinary photocopy.

Which water purification filter to choose for an apartment and a house

These units may differ in technical characteristics and in the device. Therefore, when deciding which filter to choose for a house, apartment or summer cottage, it is very important to clearly define your needs and objectively coordinate them with real possibilities.

The efficiency of the filter depends on which filter is chosen in each particular case. Modern manufacturers are ready to offer many models of different cleaning equipment and filters.

Prefilters

Pre-filters purify water from solid impurities

Pre-filters are used to purify water from solid impurities that significantly impair its taste and can harm household appliances. When choosing a particular model, consider the amount of water consumed.

Mud filters

Mud filters are used for mechanical water purification. She, passing through a special mesh, leaves solid impurities on it. Mud collectors can be used for preliminary cleaning of both cold and even hot water up to 150°C.

Jug

Pitcher filters - the most affordable water treatment device

These are the most primitive devices, the resource of their cartridges is very small (as a rule, up to three hundred liters). Their main purpose is to rid the water of chlorine and unpleasant odors, and partially of hardness. Pitchers are mobile and compact; they can be successfully used both at home and on the road. With them, clean water is always at hand. The frequency of cartridge replacement is once a month. The maximum degree of purification is 20 microns.

Advantages:

does not need to be connected to the water supply;
extremely easy to use, does not require human control.

Flaws:

in them, the degree of purification is an order of magnitude lower than in those “integrated” into the water supply;
small volumes of purified water.

The amount of liquid purified at a time cannot exceed the volume of the jug itself - usually it is one or two liters. That is, if cooking requires three liters of water, the jug will have to be filled twice anyway. And this is not always convenient.

A jug filter is the best option for those who have a fairly limited budget or, due to the small size of the kitchen, cannot allocate space under the sink for a stationary system.

Faucet water purifiers

The filter nozzle has a compact size and affordable price

These are small-sized devices that are worn directly on the crane. Their advantage lies in the low price and the ability to take with you on trips.

Disadvantages - a small volume of sorbent and low productivity - up to half a liter per minute (if the manufacturers' advertising slogans say that it can be faster, do not believe it). And here, containers are also needed to store the purified liquid.

Dispensers

Filter-dispensers are designed for post-treatment of water

Dispensers are used to carry out post-treatment of drinking water at home. They are easy to use because you do not need to connect this filter to the water supply.

The filter removes unpleasant tastes and odors from water. Replaceable cartridges can remove solid suspensions, many organic and inorganic impurities and soften water.

Flow-through for washing

The cartridge is located next to the faucet and is connected with a flexible hose

Such water purifiers are not put on the faucet itself, but are placed nearby. Such installations are attached to the faucet with a flexible hose.

Their main advantages are sufficient productivity (higher than that of a nozzle on a tap) - up to one and a half liters per minute. Plus, there is no need for separate containers for purified water.

But such a filter takes up precious space in the sink. True, if he is handsome, this item can be excluded from the rank of shortcomings. Well, it should be remembered that it requires connection and disconnection after water purification.

Flow filters for water under the sink

Such a filter has a lot of advantages, but unfortunately, the price is high.

The stationary filter under the sink is built into the water supply. The unit itself is located under the sink, and a separate tap is brought out to it - exclusively for purified water. The frequency of changing cartridges is once every six months. The maximum degree of purification is 0.05-1 micron.

Advantages:

high degree of water purification;
sufficient performance;
great resource;
the presence of a separate tap for purified liquid;
Ease of use;
the required volume of purified water is always available;
location under the sink - no clutter of the working space.

The only drawback is the high price.

Stationary filters are chosen by those users who understand the value and importance of highly purified water and are ready to invest in their health.

Softeners

The disadvantage of the system is that bacteria and metals are not cleaned

Water is softened by reducing the amount of salts, usually chlorides and sulfates. To do this, replaceable filters with a cation exchange resin that adsorb salts are used, instead of saturating the water with hydrogen and sodium ions. The downside is that softeners do not clean bacteria and metals.

Home reverse osmosis systems

Thanks to reverse osmosis systems, it became possible to obtain water at home that is not inferior in quality to bottled water.

These are arguably the best water purifiers available today. They allow you to remove not only excess water hardness, excess iron and chlorine, but also all kinds of bacteria and viruses.

The key filtering component of such systems is the reverse osmosis membrane. Its pores are much smaller than most known viruses, therefore, your body will be protected as reliably as possible.

The main advantages of reverse osmosis systems over other purification plants:

the highest degree of purification;
low cost of purified water;
constant supply of liquid (ten liters).

The configuration of such installations looks like this:

pre-cleaning cartridge system;
reverse osmosis membrane;
special post-cleaning filter.

These units, if desired, can be understaffed with a structurer and a mineralizer - this will make the water rich in useful minerals that can improve digestion and blood circulation.

The maximum degree of purification of such systems is 0.0001 microns. The frequency of replacement of the reverse osmosis membrane is once every three years. The frequency of replacement of post-cleaning cartridges is once a year.

Reverse osmosis systems are chosen by people who want to constantly consume highly purified water without overpaying for it (bottled products).

Trunk

Main filters are installed in the water supply

Filters of this type are mounted directly in the water supply. They are designed to purify water from mechanical formations and chemical compounds. By type, they are divided into systems for coarse and fine cleaning, as well as for water softening.

The most suitable medium-sized apartments or houses are units capable of flowing from 20 to 50 liters per minute. But in some cases, the calculation of the required power is individual and depends on the maximum amount of water consumption. In addition, it must be borne in mind that the pressure in the plumbing system must correspond to 0.1 - 0.5 bar.

The service life depends on the intensity of use and can even be unlimited if used correctly, with the only condition that the cleaning cells need to be washed.

Advantages:

thanks to the complex purification from bacteria and technical impurities, the taste of water improves;
the service life of water pipes and household appliances will be significantly increased;
it is small in size, easy to use, and you can replace the filter components yourself;
Another advantage of these units is the low price of replacement cartridges.

There can be one drawback - the installation process. If you have not been involved in the installation and connection of the water supply, then most likely you will need the help of a specialist. But this is not such a serious minus.

Main filters of Fibos type with flushing system

Unlike mud collectors and mesh filters, Fibos filters produce fine water purification. Their filter element is made in the form of a cylinder with an ultrathin microwire wound round to round. The distance between adjacent turns in the winding does not exceed 1 micron. This makes it possible to retain not only particles of dirt, but also 99% of the bacteria that form a biofilm on these particles. To prevent contamination of the Fibos filter element, the microwire is covered with a thin layer of glass insulation, which prevents particles in the water from adhering to the microwire.

Microwire is a unique technology developed back in the USSR for defense and space purposes, its only mass production in the world is in Russia.

Fibos filters have a direct flush through the outlet cock into any suitable container or into the sewer system. An additional device allows you to automate the flushing process.

The performance of the Fibos filter line has wide limits. Practically without reducing the pressure in the water supply system, the filters purify 5 liters of water per minute when used in the kitchen under the sink, 16 l / min when cleaning in an apartment or in the country, 50 l / min in cottages, 83 l / min in cottages, swimming pools , up to 1000 l/min in production.

Since Fibos does fine water purification, if necessary, inexpensive cartridge filters can be installed after it to soften water, reduce iron content, and remove chlorine. In this case, the service life of the cartridges is significantly increased.

The cost of Fibos filters is from 7990 rubles with a service life of more than 10 years. The filters work in systems of both cold and hot water supply up to +95°C.

Fine filter Fibos - the leader among main filters

Postfilters

These filters improve the taste of water.

Post-filters are used in reverse osmosis systems to eliminate unpleasant odors and improve the taste of water. The active element here is activated carbon. Mineralizer filters are also used in these systems. They are necessary to restore the natural mineralogical composition of water, which is disturbed after the passage of liquid through the membrane.

Video: cleaning filters overview

General requirements for water treatment systems for a house or apartment

Since the filter is constantly in contact with drinking water, it must be made of environmentally friendly, safe materials that do not emit either chemicals or a characteristic odor. Just smell the plastic parts and you'll know if the product is right in front of you or not.

For high-quality operation of the water treatment system, all cartridges must be replaced in a timely manner.

For a stationary system connected to the water supply, strong, durable body materials are very important. Modern high-quality water purifiers are made of glass-filled plastic - it is much better than usual.

The choice of a water filter should be based entirely on the principles of common sense - do not be naive to assume that a jug-type unit will serve you for ten years. But if you are single, accustomed to an active lifestyle, this one (or a faucet attachment) will suit you best. For a large family, it is almost impossible to overestimate the convenience and significance of a stationary device.

Any of the cartridges used in the cleaning system has its own resource, which, if exhausted, should be replaced. It is usually expressed in terms of liters of treated liquid or time of use, however, taking into account the average water consumption per day. Filters used for mechanical cleaning need to be cleaned occasionally to remove accumulated dirt. If you do not follow the rules of operation, then the system, instead of cleaning, will pollute the water.

Often, tap water leaves much to be desired, it is harmful to health and negatively affects the taste of drinks and dishes.

There are 3 ways out of the situation:

Humble yourself.
Buy bottled water.
Put a filter.

The most common type of filter is under the sink. This is a water purification system that is installed under the kitchen sink on the floor or wall. With the help of flexible connections, the filter is connected to the water supply, a separate tap for filtered water is displayed on the countertop or sink surface.

What are sink water filters?

Flow filters

The design consists of 2-4 modules connected in series with each other. Water goes through several stages of purification, each filter has its own purpose:

Mechanical cleaning filter. Removes solid particles from water. It is a cellular fabric or mesh material. Cell size - up to 30 microns.
Fine filter. The carbon filter, which retains particles up to 5 microns in size, effectively fights odors.
Ion exchange filter. Its main purpose is water softening. Calcium and magnesium ions are replaced by sodium, chloride and other soluble compounds. The cartridges contain both artificially synthesized resins and sulfonated carbons.
Iron-free elements. The filter contains chemicals that help bind the iron and oxygen atoms. Metal oxides form a precipitate, which remains inside the filter.
Antibacterial filter. Purifies water from bacteria and viruses, manufacturers claim that silver ions are used in the manufacture of such filters. Less commonly used ultraviolet lamps.
Combined. They are almost never used in multistage systems, only in single-flask filters. One cartridge combines several types of filter elements.

Important! The composition of tap water must be taken into account! The harder it is and the more impurities it contains, the more often you will have to change cartridges.

Reverse osmosis systems

The design of the reverse osmosis system is similar to the flow one, the difference is in additional modules and advanced filters. Most often, membrane filters with micropores are used in such installations. Almost all organic and inorganic substances remain on the filter, pollution is removed by the flow of water into the sewer. By performance, filters are:

50G - this marking indicates the rate of water purification up to 200 liters per day.
100 G - productivity is about 400 liters per day.

Important! Reverse osmosis filters purify water longer than flow ones, so they are often equipped with tanks for storing filtered liquid (up to 10 liters).

In reverse osmosis systems, there must be a polypropylene filter (coarse cleaning), a carbon or iron-removing element, less often an ultraviolet lamp. Only then does the water pass to the membrane filter. It is very important that the water supply system has normal pressure (1.5-3 bar). If the pressure is low, you will have to additionally purchase a pressure pump.

Since the water that has passed through the reverse osmosis system is close in composition to distilled water, it will not bring benefits to the body. The necessary salts and compounds are simply removed from it. The filter-mineralizer restores its structure and saturates it with minerals. The liquid is enriched with magnesium, calcium, sodium, silver ions, sulfites, chlorides, fluorides. A high-quality filter allows you to get water in composition close to mineral.

How to choose a water filter for washing

The first thing to do is to hand over the water for analysis (to a sanitary and epidemiological station or a testing center). In the laboratory, the sample is checked for the presence of heavy metals, salts, organic impurities, and pathogens. Characteristics of color, PH, transparency, smell and others are determined. You will be given a detailed document on the basis of which you can select a cleaning system.

What problems does a water filter solve?

Most often, users encounter the following problems:

The increased content of chemical compounds (chlorine, heavy metals and others). The cleaning system must have a polypropylene cartridge (mechanical), carbon and iron removal.
High water hardness. It is better to give preference to a reverse osmosis system. On flow filters, you will have to change cartridges almost every month - this is extremely unprofitable. In osmotic systems, a membrane filter does an excellent job of this task.
Increased organic content. The water may contain microbes, viruses, bacteria, which will help to cope with a disinfecting filter. This is a silver ion cartridge or an ultraviolet lamp. A reverse osmosis membrane filter is also useful.

What to look for when buying

When buying a filtration system, you should also pay attention to other criteria:

The number of purification levels (from 2 to 6) - the more - the better quality water you get. If the water is slightly different from the norm, a 3-stage filter is enough.
Performance. With flow filters, everything is clear, but the reverse osmosis system purifies water more slowly. The manufacturer must indicate the number of liters per hour in the passport.
Quality. The materials from which the equipment is made must comply with environmental and sanitary standards. Do not be too lazy to ask the seller for certificates.
Availability of accessories. On the model of well-known manufacturers, it is easier to find replacement filters and spare parts.
Dimensions, the presence of a tank for storing water.

The best manufacturers of water filters for washing water

TOP 5 best filter manufacturers

5. Barrier (Russia). Produces filters for over 15 years. There are 4 own enterprises and a research center. Brand of CJSC "METTEM Technologies". The product line includes flow, osmosis systems for domestic and industrial purposes. Of the minuses, users note a poorly developed customer service.

4. Geyser (Russia). The first domestic manufacturer of water filters. The company was founded in 1986. They produce both flow filters and reverse osmosis systems. The produced goods are exported to 45 countries of the world. Components interchangeable with TM "Aquaphor".

3. Aquaphor (Russia). The company was founded in 1992 in St. Petersburg. Production is located in 3 more cities. Products are exported to more than 20 countries. The range includes both flow-through and reverse osmosis water purification systems. Drinking water machines are also offered - the same reverse osmosis technology, but the models take up less space and require less pressure in the system - 2 bar.

2. Aquafilter (Poland). This company has been producing water filters since 1994. Products are exported to 45 countries. The main production facilities are located in Poland and Germany. A wide range of models: from simple to industrial water purification systems. Advanced technologies are used, including micro- and nanofiltration.

1. Atoll (USA). The first filters were brought to Russia in 1994. Now production facilities are located not only in the USA, but also at the Russian plant "Comintex-Ecology" (since 2004). Production has the international NSF certificate. The range includes flow and reverse inspection, main filtration systems.

Also known in Russia are brand filters Praktik (Germany), Novaya Voda (Ukraine), Zepter (Germany) and others.

Rating of water filters for washing

TOP-5 flow filters

Barrier Expert Complex

The average price is 3500 rubles. The filter is recommended for hard water with a high iron content. Cartridge types: polypropylene, ionized resin and carbon with silver ions. Working pressure - up to 7 atmospheres. Average productivity - 2 liters per minute. Water temperature - from +5 to +30 degrees. The system well purifies water from heavy metals. The filter itself is compact, cartridges are easily and quickly replaced. Among the shortcomings, users note the high cost of replacement cartridges, it is not always possible to find accessories in the store.

Performance - 4
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 4
Overall score: 4.5

New Water Expert M420

The average price is 5400 rubles. 5-stage cleaning, 4 filter elements. Types of filters: carbon with silver ions, ion exchange resin, coal with coconut shell, membrane. It is completed with the improved ceramic crane. There is an ultraviolet membrane. Compact device, capacity 1-2 liters per minute. The recommended water temperature is +5 - +35 degrees. High resistance to water hammer. Cleans water of medium hardness well. Of the minuses - cartridges are expensive, not suitable for very hard water.

Performance - 4
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Ease of installation and maintenance - 5
Overall score: 4.75

Aquaphor Crystal Quadro

The average market price is 6500 rubles. System of 4 filter blocks, throughput - 2.5 liters per minute. It is intended for purification and softening of very hard water. Water temperature - from +5 to +40 degrees. Pressure - from 0.6 to 6 atmospheres. There are 5 options for completing the modules, including very fine cleaning. The model has small dimensions, and the cartridges are replaced along with the flask. Users note weak fastenings and the high cost of replaceable elements.

Performance - 5
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Overall score: 4.75

Atoll A-313E Lux

The average price is 5000 rubles. Suitable for water treatment of medium hardness. Three-stage system with a mechanical, iron-removing and carbon filter. Operating temperature from +2 to +42 degrees. Withstands water hammer, working pressure - up to 6 atmospheres. Throughput - 2 liters per minute. It cleans water well, a good resource of cartridges. Components are not cheap, but are sold in most specialized stores.

Performance - 5
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Ease of installation and maintenance - 5
Overall rating: 5

Aquafilter Excito-B

Estimated cost - 7000 rubles. Seven-stage cleaning system (5 cartridges, 2 of which are double action). Working pressure 4 atmospheres. The recommended water temperature is from +2 to +42 degrees. It cleans well even very hard water, it is equipped with a membrane filter for very fine cleaning. The average throughput is 3 liters per minute. Quite compact, filters are enough for 4000-6000 liters of water. The membrane needs to be changed once a year. There are no special complaints from users, except for the high cost of components.

Performance - 5
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Ease of installation and maintenance - 5
Overall rating: 5

TOP 5 reverse osmosis systems

Geyser Prestige 2

The average price is 6000 rubles. Budget version of the reverse osmosis system for water of medium hardness. Three-stage cleaning system (mechanical, iron-removing, membrane filter). Faucet and fittings included. Productivity - 300 liters a day. The recommended water temperature is from +4 to +40 degrees. Working pressure 1.5-8 atmospheres. The pre-treatment unit replaces the three-stage pre-filtration typical of reverse osmosis systems. Of the shortcomings - weak fastenings, no water tank.

Performance - 5
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 4
Ease of installation and maintenance - 4
Overall rating: 4.5

Aquaphor DWM-101S Morion

Cost - from 11,000 rubles. Six-stage cleaning system. The filter is completed with a 5-liter plastic tank and the crane. There is a pre-filter, a water treatment unit, a membrane filter, a fine filter, a mineralizer. Productivity - 190 liters a day. The recommended water temperature is from +2 to +40 degrees. Pressure from 2 to 6 bar. Of the minuses - lower productivity, a plastic water tank.

Performance - 4
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Ease of installation and maintenance - 5
Overall rating: 4.75

New water Expert Osmos MO530

The average cost is 11,000 rubles. Four-stage cleaning system, equipped with a tap and a storage tank with a volume of 15 liters. Productivity - 280 liters a day. It is completed with a polypropylene, iron-free, softening filter and a membrane. There is a mineralizer. Working pressure 2-29 atmospheres. The recommended water temperature is from +5 to +35 degrees. A compact unit that does its job well. Of the minuses - a plastic tank.

Performance - 5
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Ease of installation and maintenance - 5
Overall rating: 5

Aquafilter RX-RO6-75

The average price is 10,000 rubles. Six-stage cleaning system, complete with faucet and storage tank for water, with a volume of 12 liters. It is completed with filters: coarse and fine cleaning, coal, membrane, post-cleaner. There is a mineralizer. Withstands pressure up to 6 bar. Productivity - up to 300 liters per day. The recommended water temperature is +2-+40 degrees. Of the shortcomings - a plastic tank.

Performance - 5
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Ease of installation and maintenance - 5
Overall rating: 5

Atoll A-550 Max

The average price is 20,000 rubles. It is completed with the crane and a tank for storage of pure water, with a volume of 12 liters. The capacity of the system is 280 liters per day. A 5-stage filtration system ensures proper water quality even with increased hardness. There is a pre-filtration cartridge, 2 coal cartridges, a membrane and a post-filter for fine cleaning, a mineralizer. Operating temperature from +5 to +40 degrees. Pressure - from 2 to 6 atmospheres. The storage tank is made of metal. No particular deficiencies were identified.

Performance - 5
Water purification quality - 5
Availability of components - 5
Ease of installation and maintenance - 5
Overall rating: 5

Filtration systems are a necessary purchase, because your health depends on the quality of water! A high-quality filter will allow you to get really clean and healthy water, the main thing is not to forget to change cartridges in time.

Write in the comments if you use water filters, how do you like the result?

In apartment buildings there is a centralized drinking water supply system. Of course, water treatment is carried out before entering residential apartments, but it cannot be said with certainty that even after it the water is completely ready for use. To get really purified water from mechanical impurities and dissolved salts, it is necessary to use additional purification systems, which are presented in a wide range.

Peculiarities

The current water purification in water pipes follows the same type of scheme, it consists of several stages.

First you need to put a mechanical filter- here it is optimal to use trunk options that are equipped with replaceable polypropylene cartridges. Such purifiers effectively trap iron, sand, and other suspensions, which not only improves water quality, but also prevents rust. The main devices are cut directly into the water supply, this allows you to completely clean running water by 100%.

Keep in mind that for hot water treatment it is necessary to use special designs that are resistant to high temperatures. The use of coarse filters allows not only to purify water from mechanical impurities, but also significantly increase the service life of the entire plumbing system in the apartment.

At the next stage, hot and cold water is purified from impurities of chlorine and metals., for this they also use main water filters with carbon cartridges, and the result of using the cleaning system is immediately noticeable to the naked eye - after passing through it, the water acquires a bluish tint, and the unpleasant smell of chlorine also disappears.

While taking a shower from water purified in this way, the inhabitants of the apartments do not complain about the unpleasant feeling of skin tightness that occurs after hygiene procedures using unfiltered water.

At the third stage, hardness salts (calcium and magnesium) are removed, which contribute to the formation of scale and plaque on the inside of the pipeline and other plumbing elements in the apartment. The filters that are used for this contain special softeners.

Well, at the finishing stage, a filter is used, which is installed directly on the sink - it is used to obtain high-quality drinking water.

The most stringent requirements are imposed on modern water purification systems.– it must be efficient, environmentally friendly, ergonomic and reliable. It usually includes filters, as well as hoses and containers for supplying clean water, but at the same time it has minimal dimensions - the most popular options are compact models that can be easily placed under the sink.

Of course, a private house or cottage has a great advantage over apartments when it comes to creating a water purification system, since a separate room or isolated space can be allocated for it, in an apartment the space is limited in size and layout. Therefore, all elements of the cleaning system are constantly in contact with residents.

But it should also be borne in mind that apartment buildings are fed from a common central water supply, therefore, there is no need for preliminary purification, since water enters the house already purified from mechanical impurities, pathogens and dangerous compounds. The main purpose of filters in apartments is the removal of calcium, magnesium salts, as well as excess chlorine.

In the conditions of small apartments, filter jugs and other systems equipped with storage tanks for storing the filtrate are optimal.

Often, water purification systems in apartments contain non-standard methods of water preparation: magnetic field, ultrasound and the like. However, most urban residents prefer the standard approach to water treatment, which over the years of use has proven itself to be reliable and fully compliant with current norms and standards.

Varieties

To remove solid impurities, mechanical filtration is used, while the filters are divided into options with and without auto-washing.

The former are compact in size, their diameters correspond to the parameters of the pipe into which they are mounted.

Typically, the body of such products is made of brass or stainless steel, and threaded connections can be of a wide variety of materials and sizes, they are selected individually in each case. Such filters have a fairly low price - as a rule, their cost does not exceed hundreds of rubles, although there are more expensive branded models.

Since the screens are periodically clogged, they have to be cleaned regularly, so the lower part of the flask is usually removable, it can be easily unscrewed and removed, and after cleaning the screen, it returns to its place.

The filter with auto-washing is equipped with a pipe and a tap, which are installed at the bottom of the flask. With the help of a hose, the branch pipe has access to the sewer, so if you need to clean such a filter, you just need to open the tap, and the water flowing under pressure will wash away all the contents into the sewer. After that, the valve is closed and the device can be operated further.

As a rule, such filters are equipped with a pressure gauge reducer, with which they determine the degree of clogging of the mesh: if the pressure drops, then it's time to clean the filter. However, if the filter is equipped with a transparent flask, then a pressure gauge is not needed - the degree of contamination can be determined by appearance.

Depending on the type of connection, all mechanical filters can be flanged or sleeved. Flanged filters are usually used for the production of main filters that are installed in high-pressure water pipes.

Disc filters are less popular. They are a set of rings, the surface of which has scratches of different depths. At the same time, the disks are very tightly pressed together, the water, when passing through them, contacts all the hollows so that ever larger particles settle on their walls. Since the movement is spiral, the removal of suspensions is quite high quality.

Water purified from mechanical impurities can be used for washing, washing dishes, cleaning and other household needs. However, it is not suitable for drinking or cooking. Relatively speaking, it can be used for ingestion only after boiling, and in order to be able to drink water without heat treatment, you need to use fine filters that can effectively remove most of the substances dissolved in the form and disinfect it.

Most often, one of several popular options is used for this.

filter jug

This is the most budgetary and affordable option that effectively reduces the content of chlorine, copper and iron in the liquid, softens the water and retains mechanical impurities.

Cleansing occurs when water passes through a replaceable cartridge, which contains:

activated carbon - necessary to remove chlorine-containing compounds and microorganisms;
polypropylene fibers - which are used to precipitate the remnants of solid impurities;
ion exchange resin - allows you to remove calcium and manganese salts, as well as heavy metal compounds and radionuclides.

The advantages of filter jars include ease of use and low price.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting the short life of the cartridge and the inability to restore them.

When purchasing jugs, you should give preference to brands of well-known manufacturers, since cheaper options often produce only a rough cleaning.

Attachment on the crane

Another popular type of filters, which are similar to jugs in principle. At the time of water passing through such a nozzle, all chlorine compounds and mechanical impurities are removed at the inlet. Certain varieties can also remove hardness salts, heavy metals, iron ions and aluminum, and in addition, nozzles containing activated carbon are cleaned of most varieties of bacteria, phenol and organics.

The popularity of nozzles is due to their ease of installation and small dimensions. The disadvantages are the same as those of jugs, and in terms of the cost of cleaning per input liter of water, it turns out that these filters are more expensive than multi-stage cleaning systems.

Multi-stage cleaning

The effectiveness of cartridge filters largely depends on the number of purification levels - that is, individual filter elements that can trap certain types of contaminants.

Such systems can be one-, two-, three- or even four-stage.

Single-stage contain universal inserts with a multi-layer structure, they are quite cheap. However, their effectiveness raises many doubts, since the composition of water varies greatly in each region, and in the case of using universal systems, it cannot be expected that impurities specific to a particular area will be removed from the water.

Multi-stage filters are a housing of several flasks, each of which contains a special filter component that removes strictly defined types of contaminants. These flasks are interconnected by means of overflows, flowing through which the water is gradually purified. The advantage of such a system is the ability to install a specific filter for your analysis of tap water - this significantly improves the quality of cleaning. However, such filters require free space, are difficult to install and high cost. In reverse osmosis of such filters, a significant amount of water is required - in order to purify 1 liter of water, up to 5 liters of "waste" is needed.

There is an opinion that deep water purification leaches all trace elements useful for humans from it, this theory has not been confirmed or refuted, however, for those who fear the loss of their beneficial properties by water, water mineralizers are always on sale.

Let us dwell separately on filter options that are used in multistage systems for purification from various types of dissolved substances.

If the water acquires a brown hue and a characteristic taste, then this may indicate a high iron content in it, this phenomenon often occurs when water from wells and wells is used. Such water causes the formation of deposits on the walls of sanitary appliances and clogs shut-off equipment, if the concentration of ferrocompounds exceeds 2 mg/liter, then they must be removed.

The best way out in this situation would be to use a catalytic filter- it is a rather large cylinder in which catalysts are placed; such equipment requires connection to the electrical network.

With the introduction of the backfill composition of special components, manganese, chlorine and other substances can be removed.

As a rule, the removal of deposits is carried out according to a certain schedule, most often at night. The backfill is effectively washed under the influence of water pressure, all pollutants are discharged into the sewer, usually night time is set for this.

Catalytic filters are very complex and by no means cheap equipment, but they are the most reliable and durable of all on the market.

There is another way to remove iron salts from water - aeration. To do this, water is supplied to the tank with air, which is pumped through the pump through nozzles in the form of a suspension, the iron contained in it reacts with oxygen, oxidizes, and the resulting oxides remain in the filter at the outlet.

There are two types of water filters of this type - pressure and non-pressure. For more active oxidation, an oxidizing agent - hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite - can be supplied to these installations. In this case, biological water treatment is also carried out - from microbes and bacteria.

Famous manufacturers and reviews

When buying a water filter, it is very important to choose a truly high-quality product that will effectively purify water from all types of contaminants. Unfortunately, today's market is literally flooded with a wide variety of fakes that claim to produce complex cleaning, but in fact only remove solid particles and chlorinate.

Based on consumer feedback, a rating of manufacturers was compiled, whose products have established themselves as high-quality and reliable.

The absolute leaders are the products of the Aquaphor brand. This company sells a wide range of various cartridge filters - for drinking water, for showers, as well as for washing and dishwashers. Among the products of this brand, you can always choose installations focused on cleaning both cold and hot water, which completely neutralize all types of chemical compounds. However, among the products you can also find such filters, whose tasks include only rough cleaning - all information about the functional purpose is placed on the packaging.

No less popular are the filters of the German manufacturer Honeywell., which offers devices that can withstand significant excesses of the working pressure in the water supply system, which can reach 10 times. Among the products offered by this brand, you can find both coarse and fine filters, and the main filter element is a special metal mesh, which is closed in a reliable high-strength flask.

Among domestic companies, Novaya Voda purification systems are very popular. Products of this brand are distinguished by affordability and exceptionally high quality. The product range includes main filters with a separate tap, the degree and level of water purification in which can be adjusted by changing cartridges.

A large number of users prefer the brand "Geyser", the company tirelessly introduces the latest technological developments into production, thanks to which treatment systems based on ion-exchange polymer were created.

It should be noted that under the brand name "Geyser" a lot of various filters are produced, the products are presented in all regions of our country. In stores, you can find both the simplest household models and complex industrial installations that can purify fairly large volumes of liquid at once.

Atoll - the company operates in the market of treatment systems for more than a decade and tirelessly invests in the improvement of its products. As a result, each newly created model released at this production has an ever more perfect and reliable fastening and a longer period of use. At the same time, the cost of production is low, which makes filters of this brand available to the Russian user.

Coolmart is a Russian company based in Vladivostok. The enterprise began its activity more than 20 years ago, starting with the production of one of the first remineralizing water purifiers in our country. To date, the main volume of products is sold in the Primorsky Territory, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

And also users note the high quality of Fibos products.

You can learn more about the filters of the Novaya Voda brand by watching the following video.

How to choose?

To choose the optimal water treatment system for installation in an apartment, it is not enough to find out the reviews of relatives and friends, you must take into account your own operating parameters.

If financial possibilities allow, then the best option would be a nanofilter that will serve faithfully for many years and does not require replacing the cartridge, and the water after it will be perfect.