How to choose the right replacement water filter cartridges

If you're enjoying the benefits of water filtration at home, you'll want to know how to keep this luxury going. The cartridges don't last forever, as you'll know, so how do you choose the right replacement water filter cartridges?

Quality water is an important part of your lifestyle. With the right cartridge, your filtered water will provide you with safer and healthier water for drinking, cooking and ice cubes.

Filtered water also protects your skin and scalp, appliances, pipes, shower heads and more.

There are many different types of filter cartridges on the market for different applications. It’s quite understandable that the amount of choices can seem overwhelming. There are simple steps you can take to ensure you're getting the right one for you. It starts with understanding the main issues with water.

The key issues with water

Understanding the problems that can occur with water will make you better informed for choosing the right replacement cartridge.

Here are some of the main issues:

• Bacteria. Even though chlorine eliminates bacteria, things such as broken distribution pipes occur, dirt gets in and bacteria and dirt can still get through to your house.

• Chlorine. This leaves a bad taste and smell. Chlorine can also react with what's in the water to form triholmethanes which are linked to cancers and non-cancerous side-effects.

• Hardness which causes scaling. This residue is composed of calcium and magnesium. It can reduce the life of your appliances and can also reduce the appliance's energy efficiency.

• Iron. This causes staining in the laundry and almost everywhere else it touches. It affects the taste of water, can block your filter cartridges and interferes with disinfection.

• Fluoride. While this reduces tooth decay, too much can cause dental fluorosis or skeletal fluorosis, which can damage bones and joints.

• Heavy metals. These pose a risk to our health and are linked to a variety of cancers

Once you understand the problems associated with water, the next thing to look at is, where is your water coming from?

What is the source of your water?

An important thing to know when you're looking for the right replacement water filter cartridges is, where does the water come from? This will vary depending on where you live.

Your water supply could be:

• Mains water
• Rain water
• Bore water
• River, lake, dam, or channel
• Another source

For each different source, there are specific types of cartridges to deal with the issues related to water from that source. Let's look at the most common sources.

Cartridges for filtering mains water

Mains water in Australia undergoes a strict treatment process to ensure it is safe to drink. It's a part of living in this great country. However, there are still issues that arise with mains water that compromise the quality.

The key issues with mains water are:

• Hardness
• Chlorine
• Fluoride
• Sediment
• Heavy metals
• Bacteria

Water filtration companies have produced cartridges to deal with these issues. Depending on the one you buy, it can focus on just a few of the issues, a combination of many, or filtration from all of them.

Cartridges to deal with rainwater

If you're on a property where there is no mains water, or you switch from mains to rainwater, then you'll need to address the serious issues that occur with your rainwater supply.

The key issues with rainwater supply include:

• Sediment
• Taste and odour
• Bacteria
• Organics

With birds and animals on your roof, dirt and dust blowing onto it, decaying leaves, rust particles and more, the right filter cartridge for water tanks to stop harmful bacteria and sediment coming through to the house is a must.

Cartridge replacement for filtering bore water

Another major source of water might be right in your backyard. Bore water. This is a highly variable water source.

The issues with water from bore water include:

Hardness

• Iron and manganese
• Low pH levels
• Sediment
• Bacteria
• Salinity
• Heavy metals
• Chlorides

The Victorian government released a statement saying that some groundwater supplies in Victoria have been found to contain high levels of chemical contaminants, such as arsenic.

Some also contain high levels of dissolved salts which can cause corrosion in pipes. This can lead to the release of harmful metals such as lead and copper into the water.

The right cartridges are essential if you only have access to bore water.

Choosing the right cartridge

Next comes choosing the right replacement water filter cartridges. You'll normally find that each one has the specifications outlined, and you'll be able to see which nasties they remove.

By comparing the specifications with the issues faced with your water source, you'll be able to choose an effective replacement cartridge for your water filter. You can also check the specs to ensure it's suited to your filter.

Whether it's for domestic, commercial, or agricultural applications, you're equipped to select the best replacement cartridge.

There are highly regarded brands of water filters and cartridges on the market, such as the Puretec PL011 Pleated 1 Micron Sediment Water Filter Cartridge 2.5" x 10" for mains and rainwater supply, available at Plumbing Sales.

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For all your plumbing supplies, head online to Plumbing Sales. You'll find a massive range of products from the most trusted brands and made to Australian standards.

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