Everything You Need to Know About Sediment Water Filters

Everything You Need to Know About Sediment Water Filters

What do these things have in common: aluminum, arsenic, and lead? They're all common contaminants found in drinking water. 

And these are just the tip of the contaminant iceberg.

Depending on where you reside, contaminants can include toxic pesticides and fertilizers heavily used in agricultural areas. The same goes for water near warehouses, industrial plants, and manufacturing facilities. 

But what about sediments commonly found in water? Not only does sediment increase the price to treat drinking water, but it can lead to odor and taste issues. Luckily, sediment water filters can correct a host of issues. 

Keep reading to learn more about sediment filtration. 

What Is Sediment In Water?

You may be wondering, "What is sediment?" In short, sediment is organic grainy material moved from one location to another. Typically, it's rocks and minerals, as well as the remains of plants and animals. 

Although relatively innocuous, sediment in drinking water can cause an unpleasant taste and odor, and the concept of drinking it is offputting. 

If you're unsure if there's sediment in your drinking water, check the bottom of your glass for silt. 

These grainy deposits at the bottom of your glass are rust, clay, and sand, to name a few. And even though it's said to be harmless, you probably don't want it in your drinking water, as it can ruin pipes and wreak havoc on plumbing and appliances. It can also cause stains on your clothing or appliances and faucets. 

You may even see excess sediment after a particularly large storm or after pipes are replaced. 

Types of Sediment Water Filters

Luckily, sediment filters can correct the issue of sediment in your water. Cartridge sediment filters can remove sediment and in some cases, remove harmful parasites and organisms such as cryptosporidium and giardia, gut parasites found in drinking water that can lead to waterborne disease outbreaks. 

If you notice turbid, cloudy water, chances are you have sediment in your water and would benefit from sediment filters. They remove loose organic material in water, such as silt, sand, and clay, while helping remove harmful parasites and bacteria. 

Additionally, sediment water filters can work to remove iron and manganese. There are various types of sediment water filters, each with your specific needs in mind.

Spin-Down Filters

These filters rely on centrifugal force to remove sediment from your water. The water spins around a clear chamber where heavier sediment is flung outside the housing using centrifugal force, settling at the bottom of the chamber. A mesh screen further separates sediment from the water. 

Bag Filters

Bag filters filter water through small pores. They're made of polyester or polypropylene felt and are used for everything from reverse osmosis prefiltration to chemical processing. 

String-Wound Filters

These filters are made from melt-blown filters. They consist of tightly wound cotton, polypropylene, or polyester string with a core that traps particulate matter. 

As the filters become overloaded with sediment, the strings loosen. Once you see sediment begin to re-appear in your water, you know it's time for a new filter. 

Melt-Blown Filters

Melt-blown filters consist of intricately layered fibers with a denser inner core. The filter clarifies finer particulate as low as 10 microns or below. They're ideal if you have very fine particulate you need to be filtered out.  

Pleated Filters

These filters are easily recognized by their accordion shape. They consist of thin sheets of polyester or polypropylene. You may even hear them referred to as surface filters. 

Their pleated nature provides them with more surface area than other filters, making them an ideal choice for removing sediment from your water. These filters are best for filtering out larger particles.

Depth, Surface, and Absorptive Filters

You may hear the generalized terms "depth", "surface", and "absorptive" filters, which cover a broader range of filters that the aforementioned typically fall into the category of. Let's take a deeper look at each one. 

Depth Filters

Depth filters rely on a thick wall to filter any water passing through them. The filter material has a graded density in some models. This means the filter becomes tighter when water passes through it. 

These filters can remove particles of all different sizes, as the outside catches big particles while the inside catches smaller ones. 

These filters may come in the wound string or melt-blown variety. The most common is wound string, and these filters can be made of a broad range of materials, including polypropylene, acrylic glass, polyester, ceramic, and cellulose. 

Surface Filters

Surface filters are comprised of a thin sheet that traps particles. Often, pleated filters fall into this overarching category. They have pros, being that they're washable and reusable, saving you money. 

While depth filters hold more dirt and work better with various particle sizes, pleated filters offer more surface area and can catch particles that are similar in size. 

Surface filters may be easier to manufacture for a specific micron size.

Absorptive Filters

The last type of overarching filter is an absorptive filter. They've gained popularity due to their pleated or depth format. They even come in "charged" versions, relying on electrokinetic absorption.

This provides them with broader filtration properties, holding negatively charged microorganisms. These microorganisms might pass through other filters, but absorptive filters prevent this colloidal matter from seeping through. 

As such, these filters can come in a 2-micron format.

Water Filtration System Compatibility

Sediment filters work best with other water filtration systems. They're often seen in tandem with reverse osmosis (RO) and ultraviolet purification (UV) systems. Let's take a look at each kind.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

A reverse osmosis water filtration system requires the use of a sediment water filter. As your RO system removes salt, metals, and dissolved solids, it requires sediment filtration to retreat and protect the RO system. 

As the RO system rejects the particulate matter, the water drains through a tiny flow restrictor, pressurizing the RO membrane. From here the recovery ratio of the RO system is controlled. 

That's where the sediment filter comes into play. It protects the flow restrictor, preventing it from clogging. 

Ultraviolet Purification Systems

Sediment filters also work with ultraviolet purification systems. UV systems, like RO systems, are required to utilize sediment filters. 

UV systems work to neutralize harmful bacteria, microorganisms, and parasites using germicidal ultraviolet wavelengths. UV light can damage these organisms, compromising their DNA. From here they're unable to reproduce.

This type of system is especially important for water deemed microbiologically unsafe. Unfortunately, if water is turbid (cloudy), UV purification systems become less efficient. 

The cloudier the water, the less likely the UV lights can penetrate the harmful organisms. When used with a sediment pre-filter capable of removing as low as 5 microns, the UV purification system can best do its job. 

How Sediment Affects Plumbing and Appliances

If you've noticed an increase in your appliances breaking down or malfunctioning, sediment may be to blame. Soil erosion often leads sediment to travel through drainage systems. Although this is a natural process, the effect on your plumbing and appliances can be costly, to say the least. 

When you fail to remove sediment, these tiny particles settle in your appliances. For example, sediment can settle in pipes, clogging fittings. It can also settle in dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. It can even lead to reduced energy efficiency

Washing Machines

The average washing machine costs $700, with some being much more expensive than others. So why ruin your brand new purchase? Sediment can destroy your washing machine, accumulating in the washing tub, pump mechanism, lint screen, and any other motorized parts that move during the washing cycle. 

The result? Your washing machine will eventually cease working. 

Even worse, sediment buildup can prevent soap from properly washing your clothes. The result is excessive use of soap, a failing washing machine, and more money unnecessarily spent. 

Pipes

As sediment settles in pipes, it restricts their output flow. Your pipes may clog and you may notice a decrease in your faucet's water stream.

As your pipes clog, your water runs the risk of contamination. This is why sediment filter cartridges are essential. 

Sediment can also cause pipes to deteriorate over time. Leaky pipes can cause significant damage to your home. 

Water Heaters

Sediment accumulates inside your water heater as the water heats up. It can clog your water heater, leading to costly repairs.

Water heaters range in size, most commonly from 40 to 80-gallon tanks. If your water heater fails and leaks, you could be looking at a lot of water damage due to sediment accumulation. 

Sediment filters are the best line of preventative defense. 

Dishwashers

As sediment settles into your dishwasher, you run the risk of reducing its lifespan and efficiency. Sediment can erode your dishwasher's surface and leave spots on your dishes. 

Your glasses may look murky and streaky. 

Choosing the Best Sediment Water Filter

The type of sediment water filters you'll need to purchase revolve around the type of water filtration system you presently have or are considering. Reverse osmosis and ultraviolet purification systems require sediment water filters, providing you with the highest-quality drinking water.

Remember that sediment can greatly affect your home's pipes and appliances, leading to costly - and unnecessary - repairs. 

No matter what type of water purification system you have, Supreme Water Sales has you covered. You can browse our complete one of water purification systems and filters. We're your one-stop shop for all your water filtration needs. 



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