Water Treatment System
As already brought out - the first step to buying a water treatment
system is to establish the quality of your water supply - on this fact
rests two decisions firstly, if water treatment is needed and secondly, if treatment
is needed, what kind of treatment would be most appropriate. To know the different
types of treatments and the options available - read on. The best option would
be to remove the root cause itself - this is the simplest and the most economical
solution to the problem - remove the source of contamination or obtain a new
source of drinking water. This however, may not be possible and thus the appropriate
solution would be to treat the water with a water treatment system.
Tips: When buying a Water Treatment System : ask the following questions:-
• What type/sort of testing is needed to evaluate the water supply to
my home?
- Irrespective of what any one may tell you, safety of water cannot be determined
by any single test - may it be some fancy capsules, pills, or claimed high technology
processes. Many retailers offer on-site demonstrations - these certainly are
not an accurate indicator of contaminant levels. For viable results, water must
always be tested for suspected contaminants through a certified water testing
laboratory. Here the results shall be accurate and can be relied upon. these
shall put you on the path to choosing the most apt water treatment system.
• Is the water treatment system that I am procuring designed to treat
the specific water quality problem?
- This issue can easily be settled by checking the NSF rating for performance
standards of various water treatment devices and their suitability to your problem.
• How many gallons of treated water does the unit produce per day? Is
the produced amount adequate for your household requirements?
- The requirement in terms of quantity would dictate your choice of device.
For those where requirement of water is low, it may be better and more economical
to purchase a water cooler than
purchasing a complete water treatment system.
• Is there a sufficient water supply (in terms of quantity and volume)
for the treatment unit to work properly?
- Some water treatment systems such as distillation
and RO units use large amounts of water. In areas where water supply is not
in adequate volume, such systems would not work.
• How will you know if the unit is not working properly?
- Most new water treatment systems come with an in-built alarm or indicator
light that should alert you to a malfunction.
• What is the kind and frequency of maintenance required?
- Do not get taken in by statements such as ' this is maintenance free'. Every
equipment requires a modicum of maintenance and service. The type and frequency
of maintenance depends upon the quantity of treatment. More the treatment, greater
your responsibility and requirement of maintenance.
• What routine servicing is offered by the supplier/ manufacturer?
- A good point to consider is the availability of a service contract. There
are very few of us who are motivated, dedicated and determined to work like
robots. Unless you are one of these, it is better to select automated and self-monitoring
features or dealer's service agreements to ensure correct operation and high
quality water. Breakdowns is not what you desire as that is the time you will
be consuming tainted water - the very problem you want to defeat.
• Is there a warranty available with the new system? What all does it
cover and for how long is it available?
- You must ensure that all claims about the performance of the treatment unit
are clearly identified in writing. They must be clearly understood and clarified
with the supplier.
• What is the total cost of the water treatment system?
- When calculating the total cost of the system, one needs to consider all factors
such as the expected life, purchase price, installation cost, maintenance cost
and operation cost. This would give the total cost of the system and allow us
to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different water treatment systems.
• When you choose to rent the equipment, does your agreement include an
option to buy provision?
- You need to compare the rental cost to the purchase price and the expected
life of the equipment. This will allow you to choose between the rent and purchase
options.
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