A potable water treatment system is a drinking water purification unit designed to render safe drinking water from contaminated or brackish water sources. The two main types of potable water treatment systems are point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE). POU systems are typically installed at the tap, while POE systems are installed at the main water line coming into the home.
In order for a water treatment system to be considered “potable,” it must meet or exceed the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or your local health department. A potable system will remove contaminants from your water that could potentially make you sick if ingested. These contaminants can include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, cysts, inorganic chemicals (such as lead and mercury), organic chemicals (such as pesticides and herbicides), and radionuclides (such as uranium).
It’s important to note that not all potable systems are created equal – some are better at removing certain contaminants than others. For example, carbon filters are very effective at removing chlorine taste and odor from municipal tap water, but they do not remove other contaminants like lead or bacteria. Conversely, reverse osmosis systems excel at removing dissolved inorganic minerals like calcium and magnesium, but they require more maintenance than other types of systems and their performance can be impacted by high turbidity levels in source water. The best way to determine which type of system is right for your needs is to have your source water tested by a certified lab so you know what specific contaminants you need to target.
Once you have your test results in hand, you can start shopping for a potablewater treatment system that meets your needs. There are many different brandsand models on the market today – so take your time doing research before makinga purchase!