For safe drinking water
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Safe potable water has become a scarce commodity. Kerala has its own share of drinking water problem. To a large extent the problem can be solved if households install water purifiers.
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– Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup
Choices aplenty: There is a variety of water purifiers to choose from.
Water is blue gold – so wrote Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke in their international bestseller “Blue Gold: The battle against corporate theft of the world’s water.” The well-researched book documents how fresh water is now “big business” and the “preserve of the wealthy” when it has become a scarcity.
Today Kerala, like most parts of the world, is witnessing an acute shortage of safe drinking water.
Contamination
The problem of water contamination is found not only in surface water sources like rivers, but also in groundwater and during its transmission to homes and unhygienic storage. Contamination of water by harmful bacteria and parasites results in waterborne diseases.
To a large extent the problem can be solved if households install water purifiers. Nowadays, many homes strive to have a water purifier with several companies coming out with new products. Just like any other household equipment water purifier has become a necessity.
Water purifiers
Water purifiers solve the hassles of boiling. These gadgets decontaminate water through three methods. One is physical filtration. The micron-pleated paper filter removes dirt and suspended solids. The next filtration is carbon medium for removing heavy metals including lead and even radium and radon. The final stage is ultraviolet light filtration where the water column passes through a quartz tube. The water thus becomes bacteria-free.
Some models have a fourth method called ultra-filtration, which further treats the water. None of the methods reduce the mineral or salt content of the water. In models having the reverse osmosis technique, the water is allowed to pass through a semi-permeable membrane were sodium and inorganic minerals are removed.
Germ-kill indicator
The Hindustan Lever Pureit comes with a unique germ-kill indicator, which tells you that the water is “as safe as boiled water.” In fact, it has been tested to work with the worst quality drinking water that is encounter in homes particularly during monsoons.
The company says that for just Re.1 you will get five litres of water that is “as safe as boiled water.” You no longer have to incur the cost on expensive Liquefied Petroleum Gas. And, incur any expenditure on electricity, installation, plumbing, service and maintenance.
A few months ago Philips Electronics India launched its ‘Intelligent Water Purifier.’ The product has been priced ranging from Rs.8,500 to Rs.12,500.
The new water purifying system of Philips has features such as battery back-up for 20 litres in case of power failures.
The models have a life of around seven to 10 years and the filters have a life of around 3,000 litres. Retail new filters are available in the market at Rs.450. Aquaguard has several models to its credit. These are priced in the range between Rs.7,500 to Rs.15,000.
Its compact model comes with a two-in-one cartridge eboiling + water purification system. It has a system for decalcification to preserve essential minerals in water.
The booster model has a high flow rate eboiling+ system. Its in-built pressure pump ensures the user to get pure water even if there is no tap water. The built-in voltage stabilizer makes sure that the product works under varying voltage conditions.
While the classic model has an electronic monitoring system, the Total Gold Nova is claimed to be the only water purifier with Patented Surround Purity System. Its Patented Silver Sure Technology removes harmful pesticides. The Water Quality Association, USA, also certifies the model.
High-priced models
The higher-priced models are the total NF, total RO and Forbes Spring Fresh. The total NF has enhanced nano-filtration membrane water purifier for sweet water that stays purer, fresher and longer. It also has the patented anti microbial protection system.
The enhanced reverse osmosis water purification system of the total RO model has an intelligent auto flush. It has a membrane life enhancer, tamper-proof reject water valve, enhanced booster pump, double filtration, transparent tank, weight sensor, dual flow tap, no dry running of pump and enhanced storage capacity.
BIJU GOVIND
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