Water is typically made up of different chemicals, heavy metals and may carry bacteria. A lot of these chemicals, metals and bacteria are benign but some of them can have health implications. When this is used for your garden, these few harmful chemicals can affect your plants. They can as well affect you and your pets if you intend to drink the water.
To forestall this, there are ways to purify your tap water but this depends on what you use it for. It also depends on what the water authority in the city where you live add into it before it was supplied. Typically, chlorine is often added to disinfect local water.
The problem with chlorine is that although it is meant to get rid of impurities and bacteria, it can also eliminate beneficial microorganisms. Asides from chlorine, chemicals can infiltrate water through factory waste, fertilizer run-off, or contamination from plant treatment.
Additionally, the pipes or hose for carrying water may be rusty, contaminated, or may contain other chemicals. Chemicals like BPA are usually released when plastics or rubber get warmed up by the sun and hoses are often made of rubber. You can see the effect of this pollution on your plants here.
Filtering water coming from a hose can help to take care of these issues and provide you with safe water. However, making a decision to install a hose filtration system is personal. You have to do your research to know if you need a filter.
When Do You Need to Use a Filter?
A hose filter can remove more than half of potentially harmful substances. It is also easy to use as well as economical. When used, it softens your water before it is used in your garden. As a result, your plants can grow better.
A garden hose filter helps in preventing scale build-up by gradually dissolving it. It also slows down oxidation and this prevents scale and rust from forming in the future. Asides from this, it helps to remove chlorine and other threats.
Filters are used in many applications. In addition to gardening, it is used for others purposes such as camping. It may be used in features such as waterfalls and ponds where there is an issue of evaporation. It may as well be used for purposes such as for drinking on a farm, irrigation systems and for different garden hoses.
They can either be connected directly to your source of water such as your tap or directly to your hose. Additionally, some can provide you with as much as a hundred thousand gallons of water.
Which Are The Best Filters?
There are numerous types of garden hose filters but they are usually self-contained and are simply screwed to the end of your hose. Different types come with different components. Some use activated charcoal while some use poly screens that should be changed regularly.
Some systems use carbon blocks and these types are quite effective. They help to diminish the presence of heavy metals as well as herbicides and pesticides. They also help to reduce chloramine and chlorine.
Filters that use ion exchange may even be able to do more. They are able to remove bacteria, algae, lime scale, mold spores and many different chemicals. The best garden hose water filter to use is dependent on various factors. These include what you intend to use it for and the filtration technology.
If you will need it just for watering your plants, most filters will suffice. If you or your animals will be drinking from it, then you might need to look at a more effective technology. Another thing to consider is the size of your garden or area you need to use it for. While some filters can supply you a large amount of water, some will supply fewer gallons.
A Deeper Look At The Different Filtration Technologies
Quantum Disinfection technology (QD)
Filters use a variety of technologies. One of the best is Quantum Disinfection technology (QD). This technology helps to kill bacteria. The technology uses the movement of electrons to create surfaces that are positively charged.
These surfaces kill microorganisms when they come in contact with it. The filter media is doped with cationic silver which is a disinfectant. It is also layered with titanium dioxide.
These two combined attract electrons from microorganisms and kill them. This type of filter may also have a granular activated carbon that helps to remove sediments, odor, chlorine as well as further organic matter.
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
This type of filtration system helps to get rid of certain chemicals from your water. These can include chemicals such as aluminum, mercury, chlorine, lead, chloramines, hydrogen sulfide and heavy metals. This means it can be used to eliminate odor as well as bad tastes from fluid.
This makes the water great for drinking, your plants as well as for your pets and livestock. This filtration system requires periodic maintenance. After a while, the ability of the filter to remove chemicals is diminished.
At this point, the GAC should be changed. This is largely dependent on your usage and the level of contaminants present. When used frequently and with a high level of contaminants, then it would need frequent changes. You can learn more about GAC here https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/gac.html.
Catalytic Carbon Filtration
Another technology used for filters is catalytic carbon. It is used for its antibacterial properties instead of using copper. The carbon is made from the shell of coconuts and activated using steam activation. The activation helps to create millions of micro pores and this increases its surface area.
The carbon then gets a catalyst coating which helps to break chorine and ammonia bonds. When used, it reduces chloramines by up to 97% and organic chemicals up to 99%. It also helps to get rid of other chemicals like PCE, TCE, and MTBE as well as pesticides and herbicides.
Water from this filtration method might not be the best for drinking as it does not get rid of microorganisms. However, it is suitable for use in your garden.
Conclusion
Filters are devices that help make water softer and better for a variety of uses. Water can come from any source and depending on its source, it can contain harmful chemicals, microorganisms and heavy metals. By installing a good hose filter, you can make it more suitable for use in your garden.
Additionally, you may even be able to drink it or give it to your pet and livestock. There are various filtration systems. Some are more effective than others but you can be certain that with them your water is much better for use.
