Nowadays the water purification system has become an important home utility appliance in urban living because the water you may be getting from a tap or borewell may not be suitable for direct consumption so when selecting a suitable water purifier for home use, it's important to consider several key parameters based on the water quality in your area, health needs, and budget. Here are the best parameters you should consider before buying a water purifier for your home:
1. The Source of Your Water
- Municipal Tap Water Supply (Generally Soft Water): Generally treated and low in TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), but may still contain chlorine, bacteria, or soluble particles.
- Borewell/Well (Generally Hard Water): Often high in TDS, hardness, and may contain harmful minerals like arsenic, fluoride, and iron.
- Mixed
Supply: A combination of municipal and borewell water, which may need
more complex filtration because the stability or uniformity of raw water
input to the water purifier does not remain the same all the time.
2. The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) Levels in Raw Water
- Low TDS (<200 ppm): UV or UF purifiers combined polypropylene filter and an Activated Carbon filter are suitable as they disinfect the water.
- Moderate to High TDS (200-500 ppm): RO purifiers are ideal as they remove excess salts and minerals, hardness and heavy metals from the raw water.
- Very
High TDS (>500 ppm): An RO+UV combination may be required to ensure
effective purification.
- Recommended
standards for drinking water: As per Bureau of India Standards (BIS)
drinking water norms IS:10500 the drinking water TDS should be below 500 milligrams
per liter.
3. The Types of Purification Technologies Available
- Reverse
Osmosis (RO) System: Best for high TDS water; removes dissolved salts,
heavy metals, and impurities.
- Ultraviolet
(UV) Filter: Kills bacteria and viruses but doesn’t remove dissolved
impurities; ideal for low TDS water.
- Ultrafiltration
(UF) System: Similar to UV but removes suspended particles; works
without electricity.
- NF
+ UV: Nanofiltration is Ideal for areas with moderate TDS of raw
water which is mixed or highly contaminated water is available and you
want most water recovery.
- RO
+ UV/UF: Ideal for areas with mixed or highly contaminated water is available.
- Activated
Carbon Filters: Removes chlorine, and organic compounds, and improves
taste and odour.
4. The Storage Capacity
- For
a small nuclear family (2-4 members), a 10-15 litre storage tank is
usually sufficient.
- For
larger and combined families, consider a purifier with higher storage or faster
purification rates.
5. The Maintenance and Filter Replacement Recurring Cost
- Consider
how often the filters need to be replaced and the cost of replacements.
- Look
for models with filter change indicators.
6. The Water Recovery Rate
- RO
systems typically discharge more wastewater. So opt for a purifier with a
higher recovery rate (ideally >50-80%) to reduce wastage. And consider
to reuse of wastewater in floor or toilet cleaning.
7. The Mineral Retention
- Some
purifiers flush essential minerals. Look for models with a "TDS
controller" or "mineral cartridges" to retain healthy
minerals like calcium and magnesium.
8. The Electric vs. Non-electric Purifier
- Electric
purifiers (RO/UV) are suited for areas with a continuous power supply.
- Non-electric
purifiers (UF/Gravity-based) are better in areas with frequent power
cuts.
9. Certification and Brand Reputation
- Look for certifications like ISI marking ( IS:16240 ) from BIS ( Bureau Of Indian Standards), and NSF to ensure the purifier meets safety and performance standards. The Academy Of Water Science provides the details training for domestic water purification systems.
- Choose
brands with a good track record for customer service and warranty.
10. The Budget
- Basic
UV/UF purifiers are more affordable but may not suit hard water areas.
- RO
systems are costlier but necessary for high TDS water. Factor in both
upfront costs and long-term maintenance. So the less-known brand with a branded membrane could be the most economical option in the long run.
11. The Additional Features
- The Latest
Smart features like app control, auto shut-off, and digital display
can enhance user convenience.
- Portability:
Some models are more portable or easier to install in rented homes.
12. The Model Design and Space
- You
should consider the available space for installation and whether the
design matches your kitchen’s aesthetics and convenience.
