Filters (we will talk about streamline filters, those that are installed under sink) for tap water, of course, are useful and necessary especially if water has obvious signs of pollution: color, smell, turbidity. When making the right choice and installation, filters solve the problem of water purification quite well. In addition, before installing streamline filters, it is necessary to conduct a chemical analysis of water and define water pressure in a water supply (there are certain limits of the level of water pressure for many streamline filters). As a rule, flow filters can eliminate excessive water hardness (it can be determined by scale in a kettle), smell (including that caused by hypochlorite), increased turbidity and unpleasant taste of water. These are obvious advantages of such filters. Also, when installing filters, we recommend buying insurance. Very often these filters leak. Specialists in installing filters should also tell you the approximate time of replacing cartridges based on a chemical analysis of water.
Now we need to talk about disadvantages of streamline filters. Each filter has its own specialization (there are exceptions, but such filters remove all impurities and useful minerals from water). It is hard to believe (and you don’t have to believe !!!) that streamline filter system (and even more pitcher filter) is able to rid water of all possible pollutants. Filters have the ability to clog, and in this case they turn into an incubator for pathogenic microbes. One can speak about some kind of water quality control only at industrial plants, which have completely different water purification systems and automatic water quality control systems different from domestic installations. Another obvious problem is that such filters are not able to make water of initially low quality into physiologically complete water. If water has no minerals necessary for human body, then filter is not able to enrich water with them (excluding magnesium, calcium and other ions). Of course, filter manufacturers will assure that their filters make water clean and healthy, but in fact this is a very controversial issue. Yes, water after filters is cleaner, and can be even more healthfully then unfiltered water, but there is no guarantee that such water will be physiologically complete.
A reasonable way out of this situation is to have such a filter at home, but if possible use bottled water from natural sources. It is necessary to find for yourself the drinking water that will meet all the parameters of physiologically complete water (by its mineral composition). It is very important that the water is from natural sources. The most valuable natural sources are springs in ecologically clean areas. Water from a well, as a rule, is additionally cleaned up, disinfected, and its stiffness is reduced.
And now some words about water for children and filters:
SanPiN (Sanitary Regulations and Standards): “Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for the quality of water packaged in containers. Quality control. SanPiN 2.1.4.1116-02”
Sectioon of SanPiN related to water for children.
4.11. The packaged water for preparation of baby food (during artificial feeding of children) must comply with the standard values for the main indicators of water of the highest category, as well as the following additional requirements:
– the use of silver and carbon dioxide as preservatives is not allowed;
– the content of fluoride ion should be in the range of 0.6 – 0.7 mg / l;
– the content of iodide ion should be in the range of 0.04 – 0.06 mg / l.
the highest category is water that is safe for health and optimal in quality (from independent, usually underground, preferably spring or artesian, water sources that are reliably protected from biological and chemical pollution).
While keeping all the criteria for water of the 1st category, drinking water of optimal quality must also meet the criterion of physiological usefulness in terms of the content of the main biologically necessary macro- and microelements and more stringent standards for a number of organoleptic and sanitary-toxicological indicators.
