Arizona’s desert climate presents unique challenges to water quality. Drought conditions, combined with intense seasonal rains, contribute to reduced water levels and elevated concentrations of pollutants in local water sources. Additionally, the region’s mineral-rich geology creates hard water issues in many homes. For Arizona homeowners, investing in a water filtration system is a practical step toward healthier living. Here’s everything you need to know before purchasing a water filtration system for your home.
Step 1. Evaluate Your Water Supply
Not all homes in Arizona have the same level of pollutants in their water. Factors such as proximity to agricultural lands and industrial zones, local geology, and the water source itself determine the specific types and concentrations of contaminants present in your water. That’s why it’s essential to understand your water quality before selecting a filtration solution.
First, request a water quality report from your municipal water company. This report, which is often called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), details the types of contaminants found during routine testing and whether their levels comply with federal safety standards. You can also find it on the EPA’s Drinking Water and Tools site.
While this information paints an important picture of your water quality, it is not comprehensive. CCRs report on the quality of water leaving the treatment facility but not necessarily what reaches your tap. Along the way, aging supply lines, corroded service pipes, and even your home’s internal plumbing can introduce additional contaminants into your drinking water. Furthermore, the report focuses primarily on pollutants regulated by the EPA. It may not cover other potential contaminants such as microplastics, pharmaceuticals, or unregulated chemicals.
To get a complete assessment, consider testing the water directly at your tap. Hire a licensed plumber with experience for a more accurate and comprehensive analysis. Alternatively, you can collect samples from multiple areas of your home, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor spigots, and send them to a certified lab for evaluation.
Step 2. Identify Key Contaminants and Filtration Goals
Your water quality test will pinpoint the specific contaminants present in your home’s water supply. The next step is to match those contaminants with the appropriate filtration technologies. For example, if your water contains high concentrations of calcium and magnesium, a water softener should be included in your overall water filtration system. Similarly, if testing reveals microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, viruses, or fungi, a UV purification component would be an essential addition. This is where different water filtration systems technologies come into play.
Step 3. Understand the Different Water Filtration Technologies
Five primary technologies are used in residential water filtration systems. They include:
1. Activated Carbon
Activated carbon water filters are effective against chlorine, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, magnesium, and substances that alter the taste and odor of water. They remove impurities by binding them to their surface as water flows through.
2. Ion Exchange
Ion exchange water filters eliminate radioactive materials like radon, hard water minerals, and lead. As the name suggests, they work by replacing one type of ion with another to improve water safety. For example, they can swap calcium and magnesium ions, which causes water hardness, with potassium or sodium ions, effectively softening water.
3. Reverse Osmosis
A reverse osmosis filter is a comprehensive solution for most water contaminants found in Arizona. It effectively removes nitrates, arsenic, salt, lead, fluoride, and other dissolved solids that other filter types may miss.
Reverse osmosis filters work by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane. In normal situations, water moves from a region with a low concentration of solutes to a region with a high concentration — a process known as osmosis. Reverse osmosis reverses this natural flow by applying pressure to push water through pores that are around 0.0001 to 0.001 microns in size. In comparison, viruses are 0.005 to 0.3 microns in size, meaning they’ll be left behind.
4. Mechanical Filters
Mechanical water filters are ideal for physical particles like dirt, sediments, and waste matter. They are often used as a pre-filtration method to protect the finer components of more specialized filters from clogging or damage.
Mechanical filters can be made of nylon, synthetic foam, or pleated cellulose. Their effectiveness is measured by micron rating, which is the size of particles they can trap. For example, a 0.5-micron filter can remove cysts such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, as well as other typical sediment found in Arizona’s water supply, especially after seasonal storms.
5. Ultraviolet Filters
UV filters use lamps that emit UV-C light at a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers. This specific range is highly disruptive to the DNA and RNA of microorganisms. DNA contains the instructions for building and operating an organism, while RNA carries out those instructions.
By compromising these genetic components, bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi lose the ability to reproduce, feed, infect, and survive. They die immediately upon exposure, making UV filtration an effective chemical-free method for neutralizing biological contaminants.
Step 4. Deciding Between POU vs. POE Filters
You’ll either install a point-of-use (POU) filter or a point-of-entry (POE) filter. POU filters are installed at specific locations, such as the kitchen faucet or directly on an appliance, to treat water just before it’s used.
On the other hand, POE filters, also known as whole-home water filters, are installed at the main water line where water enters your home. This means all incoming water is purified before it reaches any fixture or plumbing appliance. The comprehensive coverage makes them very well-suited for Arizona homes.
POE filters combine multiple filtration technologies to provide a layered defense against a wide spectrum of contaminants. For example, your whole-home POE system will include a water softener, an activated carbon filter, and a UV-C purification lamp if you face hard water, microbial contamination, and taste or odor issues.
POE systems effectively protect the plumbing system. By removing sediment, minerals, and other corrosive agents before water enters your pipes, these filters significantly reduce the buildup of scale and rust. This not only extends the lifespan of your pipes, water heaters, and appliances but also helps maintain water pressure and efficiency throughout your home.
Step 5. Understand Maintenance Requirements
Some water filtration systems require regular filter changes and professional servicing, while others require low maintenance. For instance, reverse osmosis systems need filter and membrane changes twice a year for optimal performance in Arizona. In contrast, certain whole-home carbon filters can operate for up to five years before needing replacement. Strike a balance between performance and recurring costs.
Contact AZ Family Plumbing for More Information
Reach out to AZ Family Plumbing for expert guidance in water filter selection as well as installation and ongoing maintenance services. We’ll test your water, recommend the most effective filter types for your specific concerns, and ensure your system is properly installed for optimal performance and longevity.
Our plumbers are highly skilled, experienced, and always available. We also offer flexible financing options to make clean, healthy water more accessible for every household.
Call AZ Family Plumbing today for water filter installation in Glendale.
