Drinking Water Treatment Technologies
The NSF/ ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard, which pertains to each, is located in parentheses. For a more complete listing
please visit: http://www.nsf.org/
Adsorption (NSF/ANSI 42 & 53)
The physical process that occurs when a liquid, gas, dissolved or suspended substance sticks to an adsorbent medium.
Example: Carbon filters.
Distillers (NSF/ANSI 62)
Water is heated to the boiling point and the vapor is collected as it condenses.
This process leaves a majority of the contaminants behind. However, certain contaminants such as volatile organic chemicals may contaminant the water vapor, thus contaminating the water.
Reverse Osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58)
Uses pressure to force water over a semi-permeable membrane, separating solid contaminants like dirt and sediments, as well as dissolved solids like chemicals that have entered our water supply. Many reverse osmosis systems also integrate pre- and post-filters as well as the membrane.
Softeners (NSF/ANSI 44)
Water softening devices that are covered under the Standard 44 use action exchange resin which is coated with sodium chloride or potassium chloride that replaced the calcium and magnesium that is found in hard water.
Ultraviolet Treatment (NSF/ANSI 55)
Class A systems uses UV light to disinfect water.
Class B systems uses UV light to reduce the amount of heterotrophic bacteria present in the water.
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