Astonishing. We have now filtered the readers who most need to read this article. If you are here because your water supply is #nofilter, you may find this information also useful.
Together with our friends at 3M (yes, 3M, which is famous for inventing Post-it™ notes), we narrowed down some of the common mistakes that Malaysians make when using water filters and help you understand the water filters Different types of markets available; from RM60 tube filters to RM6,000 machines.
You may want to install a water filter in your home for many reasons, which can be roughly divided into:
So the problem is that the treated water is actually clean enough to drink directly from the faucet-the problem is the pipe from the factory (and possibly the water tower) to your home, and the pipe from your home to the faucet. Because pipes cannot be maintained or replaced frequently, they are prone to rust or accumulate materials such as moss and sand over the years. As a reference ratio, in 2018, 30% of Malaysian water pipes were made of asbestos cement installed more than 60 years ago. The same goes for the pipes in your house or apartment, and unless major renovations are made, they may never be replaced.
Usually, the special (some say chemical) taste you get in tap water comes from the trace amounts of chlorine that are used to kill bacteria and other pathogens during processing. Other factors that affect taste may be minerals from the water source, traces of elements from plastic or metal pipes in your home, or even how certain chemicals in the water react when they are boiled. If you are interested, there are many reasons for the strange taste you get in the water.
With this in mind, if you only want to use clean water to wash items and avoid stains on clothes, then you are looking for a filter that can remove fine particles and sediments. Ideally, this would be the water filtration of the entire house System instead of a kitchen sink type filter. On the other hand, if you want to get safe, tasty water and water for washing food, you will look for filters with activated carbon and other ingredients or unique pharmaceutical grade membranes to remove chlorine, taste, odor, and bacteria in the water .
Most filters claim to be effective, and some may even have test results, certifications, or at least a picture showing before and after. You should bet your money on test results and certification, but also remember that these also have different levels.
Unless you are willing to spend money to hire an independent laboratory to test your water quality, your best indicator is certification-and you definitely want to find one from NSF International, which is an organization that independently tests product quality and claims compliance with the public Hygiene and safety standards.
Screenipped NSF International from the 3M product catalog has different certification standards according to the function of the water filter, so here is a complete list for reference.
Filters are not disposable because you must replace or repair them regularly… and you really should. Unless you are using a faucet with a replacement indicator or the company will call to remind you, most of us will adopt the “if the water looks clean, no need to replace it” method. You might guess that this is not a good idea, but my god, my life and breathing; it’s worse than you think.
Because filters capture all kinds of garbage, they may become breeding grounds for bacteria, making drinking water more unsafe. If the filter stays the same for too long, you risk the bacteria forming a biofilm in the filter, making it easier for more bacteria to attach and grow into colonies—a bit like the Zerg worms in StarCraft. To make matters worse, biofilms are inherently irreversible and require a lot of work (or complete replacement) to get rid of them. A study conducted in Doha found that improperly maintained particulate filters can actually degrade water quality, and that changes in water pressure may bring collected garbage, bacteria, and biofilms into your home’s water supply system.
It can be said that keeping the water filter well maintained and upkeep is a very good idea, which is why you should also check:
For example, many 3M™ water filters have a hygienic quick-change design, allowing easy replacement of the filter element (as simple as replacing a bulb, no ladder required!), and even mechanisms such as LEDs and filter element life indicators to remind you when you need to change.
The true story-a few years ago, after the writer’s family discovered that the water looked a bit turbid (in the house for more than 30 years), they decided it was time to install a sediment filter. Unfortunately, we never read this article, so we only chose an article that “looks like it can get the job done.” result? Our water pressure is too low to reach the auxiliary water tank, which requires the purchase of an additional water pump. Cleaning and maintenance are also troublesome, so we had to call the service representative, which also increased the cost…when we remember to call.
In a way, buying a water filter is a bit like buying a car—you need to know what you want, check the options that fit your budget, prepare for regular maintenance, and be made by a reputable brand. At least for water filters, 3M will be one of those brands that might check all of your checkboxes. They also have a rich product list, from basic countertops and under-sink filters to UV-enabled hot and cold water dispensers-you can view their full range of products here.