What are the Types of Water Filtration Systems for Home?

Water filtering is a process used to remove unwanted contaminants from water such as sediment, bacteria, algae, fungi as well as many other organic and inorganic matter in order to produce clean and safe water. Different types of water filtration systems use different methods like a chemical process, a biological process, or a physical barrier to acquire this. These various types of water treatment systems have their own differences in terms of pricing, safety, usability, and environmental friendliness. Some of them are more budget-friendly while otters can be considered expensive, but they are more efficient. Some of them are 100% eco-friendly and safe while others are more practical and easier to use. All these topics will be covered for each type of water filtration system further in the text.

Water filtration types for homes are listed below:

1. Ionization Water Filtration System
2. Activated Alumina (AA) Water Filtration System
3. Sediment Water Filtration System
4. Activated Carbon Block (ACB) Water Filtration System
5. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Water Filtration System
6. Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Water Filtration System
7. Ultrafiltration (UF) Water Filtration System
8. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration Water Filtration System
9. Distillation Water Filtration System
10. Ion-Exchange (IX) Water Filtration System
11. Nanofiltration Water Filtration System
12. Ceramic Water Filtration System

1. Ionization Water Filtration System

Ionization water filtration is a system that uses electrolysis in order to split water into its acidic and alkaline components to raise the pH of the water. The difference between ionization water filtration systems from other water filtration systems is that you do not only get safe and clean water as an end product, but also alkaline water.  

The importance of ionization water filtration systems is the electrochemical process during which an electric current is used to break water into hydrogen and oxygen, and collect the alkaline water near the cathode while getting rid of the acidic water collected near the anode. As a result, more alkaline water with a pH of around 8 or 9 instead of the neutral pH 7 of regular drinking water is produced.

When a comparison of ionization water filtration systems to other water filtration systems is done, one can say that it is more efficient than activated carbon block (ACB) water filtration systems. The reason is that a water ionizer usually consists of an inlet port at the bottom of the unit to let water in and go through an activated carbon filter to remove all the particulate matter, chlorine, and common pollutants. This is almost the same as what an activated carbon block water filtration system does. Ionization water filtration produces alkaline water on top of that. On the other hand, the ionization water filtration process can be considered insufficient when compared to more complex water filtration systems such as reverse osmosis, during which water goes through a much more detailed treatment.

The price of an ionization water filtration system ranges from about $500 to $5000 depending on the quality and the capacity of the product. Tyent, Air Water Life, Bawell, and IntelGadgets are some of the leading brand names that produce ionization water filtration systems.

Even though using an ionization water filtration system is considered to be safe, there may still be some negative side effects in long-term use. These side effects include lowering stomach acidity that is vital for killing bacteria. Also, increasing the total alkalinity of the body may lead to some gastrointestinal problems and skin irritations.

Lately, the popularity of ionization water filtration has risen as more people have started to drink alkaline water. This has a lot to do with the health contribution of ionization water filtration systems as alkaline water is claimed to have countless health benefits from slow aging to the prevention of diseases like cancer by means of neutralizing the effects of acidic foods and drinks you consume.

When the structure of an ionization water filtration system is examined, one sees that it is not a very complex process. To put it simply, filtered water enters an electrolysis chamber where there is one positive and one negatively charged platinum-covered titanium electrode. During the ionization, positively charged ions are attracted to the negative electrode, forming alkaline water whereas negatively charged ions are attracted to the positive electrode to be siphoned out.

The components of an ionization water filtration system are usually sturdy and will last for long years in case their maintenance is done regularly and properly. Many water ionizers have built-in cleaning systems which means that they do not really require much maintenance. On the other hand, a water ionizer without a self-cleaning system requires you to clean it manually by using a cleaning cartridge every 3 to 6 months. When the maintenance for a water ionizer is done properly the average lifespan of an ionization water filtration system can be very long.

2. Activated Alumina (AA) Water Filtration System

Activated alumina water filtration is a system designed to remove fluoride, arsenic, and selenium from water. The difference of activated alumina water filtration from other water filtration systems is that it effectively removes 99% of fluoride in water. The importance of activated alumina water filtration systems is that they can also remove harmful contaminants like Thallium which can leak into tap water, especially in mining sites.

When a comparison of activated alumina water filtration to other water treatment systems is done, it can be said that an activated alumina filter can remove only a limited number of contaminants from water. For example, an activated carbon filter will be effective against chlorine when an activated alumina filter will not. On the other hand, activated alumina water filtration will remove rare heavy metals like Thallium from water whereas even more efficient filtration systems like reverse osmosis can not.

The popularity of activated alumina water filtration systems is pretty high among whole house water filters as they are mainly sold as a part of whole house filtration systems. The price of activated alumina water filtration systems ranges from $400 to $2500. Apex and Weco and Omnipure are some of the brand names that produce activated alumina water filtration systems.

The structure of activated alumina water filtration systems is highly porous with a surface area significantly over 200 m²/g. This structure can be better understood when the material information of activated alumina water filtration systems is examined. Activated alumina is manufactured from aluminum hydroxide by dehydroxylating it in a way that produces this highly porous material that works as a fluoride adsorbent.

Safety information of activated alumina water filtration systems suggests that they are safe to use even though there are some concerns about aluminum leaching to water if not operated under optimum conditions. Due to a study made by The Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC), treatment of natural mineral waters with activated alumina is suitable for safe use and will not pose a risk to human health. On the contrary, there is a significant health contribution of activated alumina water filtration systems as they effectively remove fluoride, arsenic, selenium, and many heavy metals from water.

The average lifespan of an activated alumina water filtration system is about 6 to 12 months or 5000 gallons, depending on your water use as the cartridge needs to be changed or cleaned with a regenerating agent after this period. 

3. Sediment Water Filtration System

Sediment water filtration is a system that traps and removes suspended solids like dirt, sand, lime, rust, and turbidity from water. The difference of sediment-water filtration from other water filtration systems is that it is highly effective against larger solid particles while it lets smaller molecules like chloride, sodium and other smaller minerals pass through. The importance of sediment-water filtration systems is that they work as guardians for pipes and fixtures, preventing them from getting clogged by sediment buildup.
When sediment water filtration is compared to other water treatment systems, one can say that it is effective against larger particles just like a granular activated carbon filter but a granular activated carbon filter will also attract and remove chlorine from water. While sediment filtration is inefficient against smaller molecules, it helps filtration systems like ultraviolet purification to work more efficiently as it removes coarse impurities beforehand and prevents filters of these systems from getting clogged.

The price range of sediment water filtration systems is very low as they are known to be the cheapest water filters on the market. They are mainly sold as a part of whole house water filters but the price of a sediment filter cartridge generally ranges from $15 to $60. Some of the brand names that produce sediment water filters are Aquaboon, Pureplus, and Excelpure.

The popularity of sediment water filters is high mainly due to their easy installation and use, as well as their low price.

When the structure of a sediment water filtration system is examined, one can see that they work through a process called mechanical filtration. Sediment filters have a porous structure with a large surface area that captures larger debris and particles while letting particles smaller than 1-micrometer pass through. The material information of sediment filters mainly includes wound string or accordion-shaped pleated string types. The average lifespan of a sediment water filter cartridge is around 6 to 12 months. The best way to understand when to change a sediment water filter cartridge is to observe the water pressure. When the water pressure starts to drop, it means that the time has come.

The safety information of sediment water filters suggests that they are entirely safe to use. The water that has been filtered by a sediment filter is instantly safer to drink than tap water. Sediment water filters contribute to your health by removing impurities like lime and rust from your drinking water, making it purer and much healthier.

4. Activated Carbon Block (ACB) Water Filtration System

Activated carbon block water filtration is a system that uses a form of carbon that has an incredibly large surface area to remove contaminants from water through adsorption. Contaminants are attracted to the surface of the activated carbon like a magnet attracts iron. The difference of activated carbon block water filtration from other water filtration systems is that it has a great price-performance ratio. It has a very high filtration capacity despite its highly affordable price. The importance of activated carbon water filtration systems is that they utilize natural materials in the filtration process, like wood and coconut shells while filtering out organic chemicals, microorganisms, chemical germicides, and any other carbon-based elements.

When a comparison of activated carbon water filtering to other water filtration systems like reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration is done, one can say that activated carbon filtration is much cheaper and easier to install and maintain. On the other hand, activated carbon is inefficient to remove chemicals not drawn to carbon, such as arsenic, fluoride, and heavy metals which can be easily removed by an activated alumina water filtration system.

Activated carbon water filtration systems are very popular due to their low prices and high performance in terms of filtering chlorine byproducts and volatile organic compounds. Activated carbon filters are mainly sold as parts of the whole house or point-of-use water filtration systems. The price of an activated carbon water filter replacement ranges from $30 to $90. Some of the brand names that produce activated carbon water filters are Aquaboon, Pureplus, and SimPure.

The structure of activated carbon water filtration systems stands out for its high degree of microporosity. When the material information of activated carbon water filtration systems is examined, it is seen that they are generally derived from charcoal. Wood-based media and coconut-based media can also be used to make activated carbon filters. In terms of the safety of activated carbon water filters, one can say that they can be considered as completely safe as they are derived from natural ingredients. All carbon filters are tested for CTO (chlorine, taste, and odor) removal, too. The health contribution of activated carbon filtration systems is also significant as they remove chlorine, mercury, herbicides, and pesticides from water while retaining all essential minerals.

The average lifespan of activated carbon water filters can be considered as 2 to 6 months. When they are used with another filtration system like reverse osmosis, a cartridge may last up to 12 months. The quality of water and frequency of use affect this lifespan directly.

5. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Water Filtration System

Granular activated carbon block water filtration is a system that removes certain contaminants in water by trapping them on its surface, just like a powdered activated carbon filter. The difference between granular activated carbon water filtration systems is that the larger carbon granules allow weaker adsorption but a higher flow rate. The importance of granular activated carbon filtration systems is that they are inexpensive and 100% green energy as no chemical additives are used during the filtration process.

When granular activated carbon water filtering is compared to other water treatment systems, it can be seen that granular activated carbon filters are not as efficient as activated carbon water filtering systems since they have larger pores and allow larger particles to pass through. Unlike distillation, granular activated carbon filters do not remove the essential minerals in the water. Also, GAC filters can remove chlorine taste and odor while ultrafiltration water treatment systems cannot.

Granular activated carbon water filtration systems are considered completely safe since they are made of raw organic materials like coconut shells and coal and no chemical additives are used during their filtration process. On the contrary, granular activated carbon filtration systems have great health contributions as they effectively remove common disinfection byproducts, industrial pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals like mercury and lead.

The popularity of granular activated carbon water filtering systems is quite high due to the fact that they can easily be used in conjunction with other water filtration systems. Many people use GAC filters for pre-filtering. The price range of granular activated carbon filter cartridges is between $25 to $100. Brands that produce granular activated carbon filters include Aquaboon and iSpring.

The structure of granular activated carbon water filtering systems is very similar to that of activated carbon filtering systems. The material content of granular activated carbon systems is different as they have larger pores due to loose carbon granules and this results in lower adsorption but a higher flow rate. The average lifespan of a granular activated carbon water filter is about 4 to 6 months. This may change depending on how often they have used and the initial quality of the water.

6. Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Water Filtration System

Ultraviolet disinfection water filtration is a system that uses UV light of wavelength 240 – 280 nanometers to destroy the DNA of microorganisms in water. The importance of ultraviolet disinfection is that it kills %99 of bacteria, viruses, molds, algae, and other microorganisms which grow rapidly in water. The difference between ultraviolet disinfection water filtration systems from other types of water treatment systems is that they fight against microbial contamination in water by using only ultraviolet light which is completely natural and safe.

When a comparison between ultraviolet disinfection and other water filtration systems is done, it can be seen that UV disinfection only removes the microorganisms in water whereas other systems like sediment filtration, activated carbon block and ultrafiltration remove suspended particles such as dirt, dust, and debris. Thus, using UV disinfection with another water filtration system like activated carbon block will give the best results as UV light will travel better in filtered water, where there are no suspended particles like iron or manganese to absorb or scatter the UV light.

The popularity of UV disinfection water filtration systems relies on their high efficiency against microorganisms, low operating costs, and low energy consumption. Brand names that produce ultraviolet disinfection water filtration systems include Luminor, Express Water, and Geekpure. The price range of ultraviolet disinfection water filtration systems is between  $150 to $1000.

Ultraviolet water filtration systems are completely safe and harmless. Plus, UV disinfection is beneficial for health since it removes almost all the microorganisms in the water from all kinds of bacteria to viruses.

The structure of Ultraviolet disinfection water filtration systems requires electricity to function. Material information on Ultraviolet disinfection includes UV light tubes and lamps that will require regular maintenance. The average lifespan of a germicidal UV lamp is about 10,000 hours, which is about a year.

7. Ultrafiltration (UF) Water Filtration System

Ultrafiltration is a water purification system during which water is moved through a semipermeable membrane to remove suspended solids, organic molecules, and some viruses. The difference of ultrafiltration from other water treatment systems is that it uses a pressure-driven barrier to catch bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens to produce water with high purity and low silt density. The importance of ultrafiltration is that it is mainly used as a pre-filtration process before reverse osmosis to remove particulates that can harm the reverse osmosis process.

When ultrafiltration is compared to other water purification systems, one can say that it is not very different from sediment filtration or reverse osmosis except for the size of the molecules it retains. Ultrafiltration is a more efficient filtration system than sediment filtration since it can filter out smaller contaminants, down to 0.025 microns. On the other hand, ultrafiltration is not as effective as reverse osmosis in purifying water as it cannot remove dissolved solids and minerals in the water.

The popularity of ultrafiltration is quite high due to the fact that it removes 90% – 100% of pathogens, sustains a high flow rate, and does not require the use of any chemicals. This effective pathogen removal is the greatest health contribution of ultrafiltration. One does not need to worry about the safety of ultrafiltration as it is mainly considered highly safe but it is better to use it in combination with another filtration system like reverse osmosis to get better results. The brand names that produce ultrafiltration water filtration systems include UltraWF and Nigelero. The price range of ultrafiltration systems is between $150 and $600.

The structure of ultrafiltration systems includes porous media with a pore size of around 0.01 microns. The material of ultrafiltration membranes is generally polymer products like polypropylenes. Ultrafiltration membranes have a long lifespan, between 1 to 2 years. In order for ultrafiltration membranes to last longer, they need to be cleaned regularly with cleaning agents.

8. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration Water Filtration System

Reverse Osmosis water filtration is a system that uses a semi-permeable membrane to filter out unwanted molecules and particles from water. This semi-permeable membrane allows water molecules to pass through, but filters out the majority of dissolved salts, iron, mercury, calcium, bacteria, and other contaminants. The difference of reverse osmosis from other water treatment systems is that its membrane has a pore size down to 0.0001 microns and this can filter out 99% of contaminants in the water. The importance of reverse osmosis water filtration systems is that they offer the most efficient filtration against the majority of water contaminants.

In spite of the fact that reverse osmosis is a very effective way of water purification, it still cannot remove chlorine taste and odor, unlike granular activated carbon water filtration, for example. Still, reverse osmosis is better at purifying water than sediment filtration or ultrafiltration due to the smaller pore size of its membrane. Safety information of reverse osmosis water filtration systems suggests that reverse osmosis water is completely safe to drink. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) claims that reverse osmosis water has lower nutrition levels as RO systems remove some of the essential minerals in water and lower its pH level. Thus, remineralizing RO water after the purification process may be the safest option.

The popularity of reverse osmosis water filtration systems is quite high due to the fact that they offer the purest drinking water and RO membranes have a pretty long lifespan. The average lifespan of a reverse osmosis membrane changes from 2 to 3 years if washed regularly. The brand names that produce reverse osmosis water filtration systems include iSpring, APEC Water Systems, and Express Water. The price range of reverse osmosis water filtration systems is between $500 to $3000.

The structure of reverse osmosis water filtration systems consists of flat sheets of thin composite membranes with an active polyamide layer supported by a porous polysulfone layer. In reverse osmosis water filtration systems, hydraulic pressure applied by a pump is used to overcome the osmotic pressure. As a result, water is driven from the concentrated side and collected downstream of the membrane. Wastewater production and slow filtration rate can be counted among the disadvantages of RO systems.

9. Distillation Water Filtration System

Distillation water filtration is a system that uses a heat source to vaporize water so that it is separated from the contaminants in it. Then, the purified steam is condensed back into water form. The difference in distillation water filtration from other water treatment systems is that it does not use a membrane-like most of the other filtration processes to get rid of contaminants. The importance of distillation water filtration systems is that it effectively removes inorganic compounds like nitrate, lead, iron while the boiling process kills most microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.

When a comparison between distillation and other water filtration systems is made, one can say that distillation can remove dissolved solids and excess minerals in the water unlike sediment filtration or activated carbon filtration. Water distillation is a slow process just like reverse osmosis but on the other hand, no filter cartridge change is needed for distillation while RO membranes need to be washed and changed regularly.

Distillation water filtration systems are not as popular as other water purification systems like reverse osmosis or activated carbon block since distillation is a time-consuming process with a low output. Distillation has high operating costs, too, due to the fact that it consumes electricity to heat water. The price range of distillation water filtration systems is between $100 – $500 and the brands that produce water distillers include CO-Z, DC House, and Mophorn. 

Generally, it is safe to consume distilled water but it should be kept in mind that distillation cannot remove organic contaminants with boiling points lower than 212℉. Also, many people think that distilled water has a flat taste as distillation removes oxygen and some trace metals from water, too.

Distillation water filtration systems need regular maintenance but if it is done properly, the average lifespan of a water distiller is about 10 to 15 years. The structure of a distillation water filtration system includes a boiling chamber, a sloping corridor, and a clean container to collect condensed water. Distillation water filtration systems are generally made of sturdy materials which do not break easily.

10. Ion-Exchange (IX) Water Filtration System

Ion exchange water filtration is a system commonly used for water softening or demineralization. The difference in ion-exchange water filtration from other water treatment systems is that it is a chemical process during which unwanted dissolved ions in water, like nitrate, fluoride, arsenic, and sulfate are exchanged for other more desirable ions. In other words, undesired compounds are swapped with more desirable ones. The importance of ion exchange water filtration is that it is one of the most effective technologies for removing dissolved inorganic ions from water.

When an ion exchange water filtration system is compared to other water treatment systems, one can say that it is not as efficient at removing larger particulates as sediment filters or activated carbon block filters. Or, ion exchange cannot remove microorganisms as a distillation water filtration system does. On the other hand, ion exchange water filtration does something no other water filtration system can do, it softens the water. Plus, ion exchange can remove arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, sulfates, uranium, and boron from water.

Ion exchange water filtration systems are popular mostly due to the fact that they can soften water. As hard water is bad for the hair and the skin, causes a lime-scale build-up in the pipes, and is more corrosive than soft water, people tend to install ion exchange water filters in their bathrooms and kitchens. The brands that produce ion exchange water filtration systems include Woder and Aquastar. The price range of ion exchange water filtration systems is between $300 to $4000.

Ion exchange water filtration systems are not 100% safe when used on their own as they cannot filter out larger particles and organic contaminants. Thus, it is best if an ion exchange water filter is used together with another water filter like an activated carbon block. The average lifespan of an ion exchange water filter is between 10 to 15 years. Ion exchange water filtration systems can be considered regenerable for long-term use.

The material information of ion exchange water filters includes a resin made of polymers to create a system of hydrocarbons. The structure of ion exchange resin with positively charged sodium ions allows it to capture calcium and magnesium ions and release sodium ions into the water. During the exchange process, ​​negatively charged ions in water like fluoride, nitrate, uranium, sulfate, boron, and arsenic are also removed which makes it effective against inorganic contaminants.

11. Nanofiltration Water Filtration System

Nanofiltration is a filtration method that uses a semipermeable membrane to purify water. Nanofiltration membranes have pore sizes between 1 to 10 nanometers, which is smaller than the pore size of the membranes used for ultrafiltration but larger than the ones used for reverse osmosis. When compared to other water treatment systems, nanofiltration is more effective against smaller particles than ultrafiltration but not as effective as reverse osmosis.

Nanofiltration can remove most organic molecules, viruses, taste, odor, and a range of salts from water. The greatest health contribution of nanofiltration to the production of safe drinking water is that it removes almost all viruses and nanofiltration is an extremely safe method against viral contamination.

The difference of nanofiltration from other water treatment systems is that nanofiltration can soften water as well as purify it. Also, nanofiltration softens water without adding extra sodium ions, unlike an ion exchanger. Instead, nanofiltration softens water by preserving calcium and magnesium ions while letting other monovalent ions pass through. 

Nanofiltration is an important water treatment method because it can produce large quantities of treated water rapidly and continuously. However, nanofiltration water filtration is not very popular due to the fact that the maintenance of nanofiltration membranes is quite costly. The price range of a nanofiltration membrane is between $90 and $800. The structure of nanofiltration membranes is mainly polymer thin films. The most commonly used materials used to make nanofiltration membranes are metals such as aluminum or polyethylene terephthalate.

12. Ceramic Water Filtration System

Ceramic water filtration is a water filtering method that uses the small pore size of the material ceramic to remove contaminants. Ceramic water filters remove sediment, bacteria, protozoa, and microbial cysts from the water. Ceramic water filters cannot remove viruses because their pore size is too big to filter them out. Also, ceramic filtration cannot remove chemical contaminants and minerals such as chlorine. However, some ceramic water filters feature activated carbon filters, too, in order to eliminate such contaminants.

Ceramic water filters are popular safe since they use natural media for filtration and no chemicals. The risk of using ceramic water filters is that one needs to be careful while handling them. Since ceramic is a brittle material it can easily break or some thin cracks that are barely visible to the eye can form on them. Consequently, larger contaminants would be able to pass through these cracks.

The structure of a ceramic filter consists of a porous ceramic medium that is placed on top of a receptacle where clean water is collected. The contaminated water is poured from the top, goes through the ceramic filter and clean water is collected in the receptacle at the bottom. The maintenance of a ceramic filter is quite simple. The ceramic filters need to be cleaned with a soft brush and water regularly.

The price of ceramic water filters ranges from $15 to $25. One can say that ceramic filtration is a very budget-friendly option. The average lifespan of a ceramic filter is around one year with proper maintenance.

The difference between ceramic water filtration and other water filtration types like reverse osmosis is that ceramic filtration does not remove healthy minerals from the water as an RO system does. However, ceramic filtration cannot remove unwanted chemicals and viruses either. UV filtration is much more effective against viruses when compared to ceramic filtration. Also, ceramic filtration is not the best way to deal with water hardness as it cannot filter excess minerals as ion exchange water filtration does. However, when used along with ion exchange resins or activated carbon, ceramic water filters will be able to remove heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and chlorine as well as dirt, debris, and bacteria.

Which Water Filtration System Types Should be Used for Home?

Sediment filtration activated carbon block and reverse osmosis are the water filtration system types which should be used at home because they are all highly effective while still being affordable. Sediment filters are very cheap and are effective against sand, dust, lime, dirt, and rust. They are a very good option to prevent the fixtures and other filters in the home from getting clogged. Sediment filters can easily be used in conjunction with other filtration systems, too. Activated carbon block filters are also a very good option for home use because they have a very good performance to cost ratio. In addition to their great filtration capacity, they can remove chlorine taste and odor from water. Longer filter life and easy installation are further reasons to prefer activated carbon block filters for home use. Reverse osmosis is one of the most popular water filtration systems to be used at home because of its great performance and significantly longer lifespan. When there is a reverse osmosis filtration system in a house, no other water treatment systems for further filtration will be needed.

Despite the popularity of sediment, activated carbon block, and reverse osmosis water filtration systems,  they may not be the best solution for consumer needs. In case of high water hardness levels when the priority is to prevent scale build-up in pipes and fixtures, ion exchange filtration will be a better option. Or, in close proximity to mining sites where there is suspicion that some heavy metals may be leaking into tap water, an activated alumina filter should be preferred to remove these heavy metals. As for more environmentally-friendly options, one should go for ultraviolet disinfection instead of reverse osmosis since reverse osmosis produces a lot of wastewater while UV disinfection is a chemical-free solution with almost no waste products. Reverse osmosis systems also require a water tank to store the filtered water and small apartments may not have enough space for this.

What are the Prices for Different Water Filtration System Types for Home?

The price range for water filtration system types for home are listed below:

1. Ionization Water Filtration System price range is between $500 – $5000.
2. Activated Alumina (AA) Water Filtration System price range is between $400 – $2500.
3. Sediment Water Filtration System price range is between $15 – $60.
4. Activated Carbon Block (ACB) Water Filtration System price range is between $30 – $90.
5. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Water Filtration System price range is between $25 – $100.
6. Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Water Filtration System price range is between $150 – $1000.
7. Ultrafiltration (UF) Water Filtration System price range is between $150 – $600.
8. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration Water Filtration System price range is between $500 – $3000.
9. Distillation Water Filtration System price range is between $100 – $500.
10. Ion-Exchange (IX) Water Filtration System price range is between $300 – $4000.
11. Nanofiltration Water Filtration System price range is between  $2000 – $320,000.
12. Ceramic Filtration Water Filtration System price range is between  $15 – $25.

What are the Safety Differences for Water Filtration System Types for Home?

Water filtration safety is measured by the quality of the water it produces for health criteria. A safe water filtration system should produce safe drinking water which has met or exceeded the quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Sediment water filtration systems are safe to use for particles larger than 1 micron but they are inefficient for smaller particles. This means that sediment filtration is not enough to produce safe drinking water on its own, further filtration is needed. Active carbon filters are considered to be one of the safest water filtration systems as they are derived from natural elements but active carbon water filtration systems cannot remove microbiological contaminants like viruses and small bacteria. 

The greatest safety concern about reverse osmosis water filtration systems is that they remove essential minerals in the water while processing it and lower the pH, too, making the water more acidic. Even though you get completely clean water with a reverse osmosis system, it may be less nutritious. Distilled water is safe to drink but just like reverse osmosis, distillation water filtration systems are said to reduce the mineral content of water like calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Therefore, drinking only distilled water may lead to mineral deficiencies.

Ultraviolet disinfection is a safe type of water filtration system too as it is a completely chemical-free process. However, Ultraviolet water filtration systems cannot be used alone to purify water because while UV filtration is extremely efficient against microorganisms, it requires a pre-filter to get rid of suspended particles and impurities in the water. 

What is the Overview of Water Filtration Systems Comparison?

In the table below, water filtration system types for homes are compared to each other and pointed between 1-5.