• Main Page
  • Common Water Problems
  • Well Water
  • Background Information
  • Ground Water Contaminants
  • Common Problems
  • Swimming Pool Water
  • Background Information
  • Swimming Pool Contaminants
  • Common Problems
  • Water Treatment Process
  • Pond Water
  • Background Information
  • Pond Water Contaminants
  • Common Problems
  • Hard Water
  • Drinking Water
  • Home Water Treatment Systems
  • Water Filters
  • Reverse Osmosis
  • Water Softners
  • Water Conditoners
  • Water Treatment Chemicals
  • Other
  • Water Treatment Comparison
  • Water Facts
  • Author Information
  • Contact Form
Logo

Water Treatment Comparison

This page shows a summary of various water treatment methods and their relative advantages and disadvantages. If you are unsure which system you need, perhaps you should take a look at the problem pages.

MethodAdvantagesDisadvantagesCostingSuppliers
Water ConditionersOutput water is suitable for low sodium diets

Prevents Limescale, water utilizing appliances last longer

Increases heating efficiency

Improves soap efficiency

Calcium retained, good for diet

Low running cost
Won't treat anything but specific hard water problemsSmall Property - $146 (£95)

Typical System - $244 (£150)

Large Residential / Industrial - $511 (£95315))
Water Improvements Limited
Water SoftenersPrevents Limescale

Increases heating efficiency

Lengthens lifespan of clothes
Output water may not be suitable for drinking

Expensive to install and maintain
£400 ($765) 35,000 grain capacity

£460 ($869) / 48,000 grain capacity
Plumbing World
Activated Carbon (AC) Water FiltersEffective in removing organic contaminants from water, will also remove chlorineAC filtration does not remove microbes, sodium, nitrates, fluoride, and hardness.

Assume that it wont remove lead or other heavy metals unless specified by the manufacturer
Point of use system - $50+

Whole house system- $550+
Big Brand Water Filters
Ultraviolet (UV) Water FiltersGenerally kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses

High Filtration Capacity (10 Gallons per minute)
Only kills bacteria, doesn't remove the dead cells and won't remove other contaminentsapprox $500Quality Water Treatment
Water DistillersMimics the natural water cycle process.

Distilled Water is almost completely pure, free from all forms of contaminent
Low Filtration Capacity (6 Gallons per day!)
High running cost (25 cents per gallon)
$250 - $1700The Water Site
Sand FiltersRemoves most bacteria, and turbity.

High Filtration Capacity

Generally best used for swimming pools and ponds.
Take up a lot of space
Sulphates and Calcium generally not removed
$300+Swimming Pool Store

Barry Pool Company
Reverse OsmosisRemoves substances that would otherwise cause the water supply to be unhealthy or unappealing, for instance foul tastes, smells or colours.

Removes Salts and Minerals (lead/mercury)
Typically, reverse osmosis systems will only recover about 5% of the water that passes through them, the remainder of which goes down the drain as wastewater.

The storage unit for treated water will support bacteria growth unless regularly disinfected.
From $259
(comes self assembled and ready to install)

Replacement Membranes $5-$130
PurePro

Plumbing Supply