Collection: Technology Comparison
COMPARISON TO OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
| Contaminant | GAC | Carbon Block | Reverse Osmosis with Carbon | Distillation with Carbon | KDF/GAC | KDF/GAC with Ceramic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rust/Sediment | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Taste/Odor | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Chlorine | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Chloramine | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Trihalomethanes (THM) | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Chemicals | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Lead - particulate | - | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Lead - dissolved | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Iron | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Arsenic | - | - | YES | YES | YES(1) | YES (1) |
| Barium | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Cadmium | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Chromium | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Fluoride | - | - | YES | YES | (2) | (2) |
| Mercury | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Nitrate | - | - | YES | YES | (2) | (2) |
| Calcium* | - | - | YES | YES | - | - |
| Magnesium* | - | - | YES | YES | - | - |
| Potassium* | - | - | YES | YES | - | - |
| Cysts | - | YES | YES | YES | - | YES |
| Bacteria | - | - | - | YES | - | YES |
* - Healthful minerals; removal not necessary.
(1) - Inorganic Arsenic
(2) - Has shown reduction, but inconsistent. For complete removal, see our Double Undercounter Filter or call us for information on our fluoride and nitrate selective filters.
ADVANTAGES OF GRANULATED ACTIVATED CARBON (GAC) / CARBON BLOCK
- Removes chlorine, taste and odor, and chemicals.
- Carbon block, if pore size is 3 micron absolute or less, can remove cysts.
- Does not remove heavy metals (carbon block can remove undissolved lead)
- Bacteria can multiply in filter (silver is often used, but is considered a toxin by the EPA and as such must be registered with them).
- Limited life because of dual duty - chlorine and chemicals.
- Carbon block filters can clog with sediment long before filter is exhausted.
ADVANTAGES OF REVERSE OSMOSIS
- Removes chlorine, taste and odor, and chemicals (with carbon prefilter or postfilter).
- Removes heavy metals, such as lead.
- Can remove cysts - but not recommended.
- Slow - 2 hours to make 1 gallon of treated water.
- Wastes water - 4 - 5 gallons of water go down the drain to treat 1 gallon.
- Removes healthful minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
- Removal of these minerals leaves a flat tasting water.
- Bacteria can foul membrane.
- Expensive to maintain.
ADVANTAGES OF DISTILLATION
- Removes chlorine, taste and odor, and chemicals (with carbon postfilter).
- Removes heavy metals, such as lead.
- Kills bacteria and cysts.
- Slow - 5 hours to make 1 gallon of treated water.
- Wastes energy - uses 25 cents of electricity to treat one gallon.
- Removes healthful minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
- Removal of these minerals leaves a flat tasting water.
- Requires frequent cleaning of tank, frequent replacement of carbon post filter.
CRYSTAL CLEAR KDF/GAC FILTER:
- Water on demand - no water or energy waste.
- Removes a WIDE range of contaminants, including heavy metals.
- Leaves healthful minerals intact, leaving tastier mineral water.
- Low maintenance; low operating costs (about 1 cent per gallon).
- KDF media inhibits bacteria growth throughout the unit - uses no silver.
- 5 to 10 times longer life than GAC only filter.
- Optional ceramic prefilter can remove bacteria and cysts.
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