Crystal ClearWater Quality

As Canadians, we enjoy some of the cleanest water on the planet - incidentally, our great country holds about seven percent of the world's renewable fresh water. Water from our lakes and rivers is one of our most valuable resources. But even the best can be made better. When it comes to the water in your home - your family's drinking water and the water you cook with - there are a variety of ways to ensure you are getting the very best.

Although city dwellers across the country are provided with safe drinking water that is monitored by provincial and municipal governments, you still may have concerns about its quality. And if you weren't aware, those who live in rural areas or cottagers are responsible for the safety of their own drinking water, so should be testing it periodically to ensure that it's safe. (Information on testing private wells is available from your provincial department of health or environment.)

Whether you simply want your water to taste better or want to make sure it's free of contaminants, there is a water treatment product designed to address your needs. Here are the main water-purity problems faced by Canadians and the five most popular and effective methods to address the issues (according to the National Sanitation Foundation, which has been accredited by Standards Council of Canada SCC in Canada).

The Problem: Chlorine, parasites, hydrogen sulphide and metals in your water

The Solution: Water filters
As the name suggests, these products filter impurities out of tap water by flowing it through either a particle filter, resin filter or, more commonly, an activated carbon or AC filter - and are available in various models, from water pitchers and faucet-mounted attachments to countertop and under-counter units. Although water filters are commonly labelled for the type of substances they remove, generally they are designed to improve the taste, odour and colour of water by reducing chlorine, parasites, contaminants including hydrogen sulphide, and metals such as mercury, copper and lead.

The Problem: Silt, sediment, clay, salts and minerals, heavy metals and pesticides in your water

The Solution: Reverse osmosis systems
Products that use reverse osmosis force pressurized water though a very fine plastic membrane which traps impurities and flushes them down the drain. It's a process that reduces the presence of a wide range of elements, from silt, sediment, and clay particles, salts and minerals, to heavy metals, such as copper, mercury, chromium and lead, as well as pesticides. These systems are often combined with an activated carbon filter (see above) to improve water's taste and smell, and are designed as portable, countertop, under-sink or larger basement units.

The Problem: Minerals and metals in your water

The Solution: Distillation systems
Designed to improve the taste of water and remove both hardness and impurities, distillation systems work by boiling water, which turns to vapour and is then condensed back into water in a separate chamber. This method disinfects water and eliminates minerals and metals, such as arsenic, chromium and lead, as well as calcium and magnesium (which make water hard). Generally made to be a countertop appliance, some units include a carbon filter (see above) to improve taste, odour and appearance.

The Problem: Viruses, bacteria and moulds in your water

The Solution: Ultraviolet treatment systems
This type of water treatment uses ultraviolet or UV rays to disinfect water. Units contain a light source that emits UV rays which, as water passes through, kills viruses, bacteria, moulds and parasites. (UV rays do not remove dirt, minerals or metals such as lead or iron.) Ultraviolet systems - available in portable, countertop (which attach to your faucet) or under-counter models, as well as whole-home units - are often used in addition to other treatment products.

The Problem: Hard water

The Solution: Water softeners
Also called ion exchangers, water softeners are designed to reduce calcium and magnesium from your water supply by replacing them with sodium or potassium ions. Calcium and magnesium make water hard, cause lime residue on bathroom fixtures and create mineral build-up in water heaters, pipes, dishwashers and showerheads thus reducing their flow. Because they treat water at the source, they are installed where the water line enters your home. (Note: Water Softeners cannot remove microbiological contaminants that cause illness and should only be used to treat drinking water that is considered microbiologically safe.)