What Happens To The Water At Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants?

Humanity has been destroying the environment for a long time, throwing large amounts of concentrated toxins into the air, soil and water. It is the same water we purify to drink it. And yet, when it comes to drinking water, the main threat is microorganisms. Why?

Imagine you have two glasses of water, one contains gasoline at maximum contamination (MCL), and the other contains bacteria at MCL. We mention that MCL is the legal limit of allowed contamination that does not cause serious health damage.

If we leave them for a week, which water filter will be more contaminated? The answer is obvious – the one with bacteria, because they reproduce and produce waste. Therefore, bacterial removal is the main objective of drinking water purification.

The typical process of municipal wastewater treatment begins with a pipeline that collects water from a lake or river. Then, a coagulant, usually an aluminum salt, is added, which facilitates the formation of larger groups of colloidal iron, humic acids and other organic substances. The resulting suspension is filtered through a renewable sand filter. Finally, the water is treated with bactericide, in most cases, chlorine.

After chlorination, most plants provide water for consumers. In addition, some plants carry out disinfection with a UV lamp, ozone treatment or even activated carbon filters, which improves the quality of the tap water and increases its cost.

Chlorine is the substance that protects us from serious diseases such as plague or typhoid. In fact, many epidemics in the Middle Ages occurred because people used contaminated water.

At the same time, chlorine is toxic to us. It can affect the liver, lungs and other organs, it can create carcinogenic organic compounds, it can cause allergies and many more. But it is well studied and easy to remove from the water by most active carbon filters.

Although some water plants around the world have undergone experiments to replace chlorine with organic bactericides, these alternatives still need to be studied in depth.

In conclusion, purifying tap water at the city level is crucial to our well-being and is a sure guarantee against the same problems that mankind faced in the Middle Ages. This treatment has the disadvantage of exposure to chlorine, which is easy to manage at home.

The Water In The Aqueduct Is Good

The water that comes from the aqueduct to our homes is drinkable and therefore is often called “good”.

In reality to say that water is good does not mean anything at all, in fact the water of the aqueduct is defined with the term drinking because it respects the parameters to be defined as such.

There are no parameters to identify good water.

But if it were really how it is defined, why are there still people who buy bottles or install a water filter purifier?

If It Really Was “Good” What Would Be The Reason?

The truth is that certain products are rightly used to make drinking water and avoid the proliferation of the bacterial load.

Do you know when you fill the pot with water and you smell like chlorine that you feel like being at the swimming courses you did as a child?

Well, that water is drinkable, but would you call it good?
If you then have a glass pot you will be able to observe with the naked eye the whitish “cloud” that forms in the water and that slowly goes towards the bottom until it is completely deposited.

Very good!

There Is Not Only the Smell of Chlorine

In addition to the strong smell of chlorine that tap water can have, there are other factors that can alter the taste.

For example, the pipes of the dwelling, especially the older ones, are still in iron and inside these tubes heavy deposits are formed where they grow and become large squadrons of bacteria which then end up in your pot together with the much-loved tomato paste.

No pasta this evening!

The salts that it contains can also determine the taste of water.
A high concentration of certain substances can make the taste of water from salt to sweet based on the quantity and type contained.

This explains why people still buy bottles of water or decide to install a purifier.

Buy bottles of water if we wanted to ignore the environmental disaster we are going to encounter because of the plastic, and the enormous effort that is made to go and buy them could also be a possible choice.

Yeah, for sure.

Buying bottles not only for drinking but also for cooking would involve a very high monthly cost (more than double) and it would take a warehouse to stockpile it in quantity.

If you are not willing to use tap water to drink, avoid using it for cooking!

Acala Quell water filter – stand filter and can filter – for clean drinking water at home and on the move

The water filters from Acala Quell overview, comparison and test

At Filterforfridge.com you will find the ACALA Quell water filters such as the ACALA Quell Smart and ACALA Quell Mini water filter systems, which are ideal for multi-person households or single households, as well as the ACALA source Swing, One, Sunny and Wassetto can filters. the ideal water filter for a smaller household, for the office or on the go.

Question 1: Why filter tap water for clean drinking water?

Water is not the same as water or the chemical symbol H2O. Many people are unaware of the huge differences in water and the impact it has on our well-being. Although the drinking water in Germany is the best monitored food, the taps often do not have the desired quality. Reason: obsolete pipes, soiling and substances that are not measured. If you want to have clean, lively and tasty drinking water every day, you have to filter your water. With an Acala water filter you get best quality drinking water every day and with the taste of a pure source.

Question 2: What makes Acala water filters so special?

With an Acala water filter you are completely independent and flexible. Especially the can filters are ideal for the office, travel or on the go. Even the stand filters – such as the Acala Mini – can be taken on a journey, as there are special travel tanks for traveling. So the Acala Quell Mini is ideal for the journey with the camper. It is independent of the mains and the device does not have to be connected directly to water pipes. The water can be poured directly into the pot and after a short time you can drink the clean and fresh water.

The Acala water filters are also unbeatable in the filtration of tap water. The filter cartridges effectively filter and make the drinking water livelier and tastier.

Question 3: Acala Can Filter or Acala Stand Filter for Clean Drinking Water?

Can filters such as Swing, Wassetto, One or Sunny from Acala Quell

Ideal for home, office and traveling

Flexible use

Fits well in the refrigerator door

Capacity: filling tank approx. 1.0 liter

Running costs: about 12 Euro per month for many liters of fresh and pure drinking water

Cartridge with 3 chambers (activated carbon, high performance activated carbon and Pi technology)

Filtering time with microsponge: 4 to 10 minutes per liter

Change interval: The filter cartridge should be changed every 2 months

Stand filters such as Mini or Smart from Acala Quell

Water supply of clean drinking water for several liters of water

Is usually stationary in the kitchen

Capacity: 5 to 10 liters of water

Running costs: about 12 Euro per month for many liters of fresh and pure drinking water

Premium cartridge with 5 chambers (activated carbon, zeolite, alkaline organic ceramics, tourmaline organic ceramics and pi magnets, quartz sand with ceramics EM

Filter time: 30 to 60 minutes per liter

Change interval: The filter cartridge should be changed every 4 months

Question 4: How is the water purified while passing through the Acala water filter?

Acala Stand Filter (Acala Mini and Acala Smart): In the first step, the water flows through a ceramic prefilter. Its pores are so small that dust, rust and small suspended particles are held back and bacteria do not get into the water. Thereafter, the water flows through the activated carbon layer. Activated carbon has a surface that is up to 600 times larger and can filter harmful substances such as heavy metals and nitrates out of the water. These undesirable substances are removed or reduced by ion exchange from the water. Already after this step, many harmful substances are filtered out of the water.

In the next step, the water goes through a layer of zeolite. Zeolite is a catalyst and molecular sieve. 1 gram of zeolite has up to 1,000 square meters of internal surface and can therefore absorb many substances. Zeolite filters, binds and provides the wonderfully fresh taste of the filtered water. Another step is the alkaline bioceramics, which slowly release calcium and magnesium ions and make the water slightly basic. The tourmaline bioceramics is also a catalyst and enhances the energetic properties in the Acala cartridge. The quartz sand simulates the function of the stream in nature and the water gets its natural taste back.

Acala Can Filter (Swing, Wassetto, One, Sunny):The multi-layer filter cartridge physically and chemically cleanses the water, making it more vibrant and tastier. The Acala Quell Wassetto filters out substances such as cadmium, lead, uranium, silver, chlorine, drug residues and hormones from tap water. In the first step, the water flows through a microsponge. This retains dust, rust and small suspended particles and prevents bacteria from entering the water, thus providing effective protection against germs. Then the water flows through the filter cartridge.

The mixture of ion exchanger and high-performance activated carbon filters substances such as heavy metals and nitrates as well as lime out of the water. Already after this step, many harmful substances are filtered out of the water. In the next step, the water passes through a layer of high-performance activated carbon with an iodine retention capacity of 1200. The majority of the unwanted substances are filtered out of the water. The last layer forms the Pi technology. Advanced ingredients such as magnesium and calcium balls, various ceramics with tourmaline, quartz, EM ceramic powder (EM_ effective microorganisms according to Prof. Liga) and a Pi magnet give the water positive properties and the wonderful and soft taste.

Question 5: Which harmful substances are filtered out of the water using an Acala water filter?

The Acala water filters reduce lime, nitrate, heavy metals, drug residues and pesticides for clean drinking water.

Question 6: What can I use the Acala Water for?

The water, which has been cleaned with an Acala water filter, is ideal as drinking water, for the preparation of baby food, for pets, for cooking, for the coffee machine, the kettle and suitable for irrigation.

Question 7: Where is the ideal location for my Acala water filter?

The Acala water filter should ideally be placed in a sun-protected place in the kitchen. The filter should therefore not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Question 8: How do I best clean the Acala water filter?

The stand filters of Acala Quell should be thoroughly cleaned once a week. To do this, take the stand filter completely apart and clean the filling tank and the water tank with a light detergent or only with water. The plastic parts (base, possibly intermediate part, cover) should also be cleaned briefly from the inside and outside under running water.

The can filters from Acala Quell should be thoroughly cleaned once a week. Clean the lid, the plastic carrier of the cartridge and the entire can filter from inside and outside.

Question 9: How long can I leave the water in the water filter?

The water in the stand filters of Acala Quell can easily be left for 2-3 days. However, it is ideal if you refill with fresh water when removing water, so that the water fountain is always in motion.

Canisters should ideally be refilled daily.

Water that has been in the tank for a long time can also be used for watering flowers.

Question 10: What about the Acala water filter when I am away from home or on vacation for a few days?

If you want to travel for a few days or more and therefore can not use the Acala water filter, empty the water filter completely and remove the filter cartridge. Put the filter cartridge in a plastic bag and store it with the filter cartridge in the refrigerator. When you return home, you can continue to use the water filter as usual.

Question 11: The Acala water filter variants in detail: Which color and which model with which additional packages?

Acala Quell Mini: perfect for single households, 5 liter storage tank

possible variants:

with plastic tank or glass tank, upper tank is always made of plastic
with additional scale filter: suitable for particularly calcareous water
with flower of life: energy symbol on the bottom of the glass tank (only possible on the glass tank)

In addition, there are still attractive annual or 2-year packages in which you are supplied with cartridges and pre-filters for a year or 2 years, without having to reorder something. If you opt for the standard version, you can initially use the stand filter for 4 months and then reorder cartridges. A stand filter cartridge costs € 41.90, that is about € 12 costs per month. The pre-filter lasts one year and costs € 27.80 when reordering. Also when reordering we have discounted annual packages for you. Just look under spare parts and accessories for water filters in the menu.

Acala Quell Smart: perfect for families, 8 liter storage tank

with additional scale filter: suitable for particularly lime water
with flower of life: energy symbol on the bottom of the glass tank (only possible on the glass
tank ) The storage tank of the Smart water filter is always of glass.

In addition, there are still attractive annual or 2-year packages in which you are supplied with cartridges and pre-filters for a year or 2 years, without having to reorder something. If you opt for the standard version, you can initially use the stand filter for 4 months and then reorder cartridges. A stand filter cartridge costs € 41.90, that is about € 12 costs per month. The pre-filter lasts one year and costs € 27.80 when reordering. Also when reordering we have discounted packages for you. Just look under spare parts and accessories for stand filters in the menu.

The Can filter Acala: Swing, Wassetto, One and Sunny

The bucket filters Swing, One and Sunny have the same capacity in the water tank of 1.3 liters, the new model Wassetto of 1.5 liters. This Wassetto canister filter is one step ahead of the other models: when filling the water in the upper tank, you do not have to wait until the water in the lower tank has filtered through, but you can use the filtered water immediately. For the other models you have to wait until the water is filtered.

All can filters are available as standard variant, in the half-year package, in the 1-year package or in the 2-year package. For the standard version you can use the can filter for 2 months. After that you have to order filter cartridges. A filter cartridge costs 24 € in the unit price. The microsponge must be changed every 6 months. Also when reordering we have discounted packages for you. Just look under spare parts and accessories for can filters in the menu.

Question 12: What are the mineral stones for?

The Acala Stand Filter contains mineral stones. These make the water from the Acala Quell water filter slightly basic, as the minerals release ions and thus enrich the water. About the amount of stones you can influence the taste of the water that you put in the water tank itself. The more stones are added to the Acala water filter, the spicier the water becomes. The fewer stones you place in the water tank of the Acala water filter, the milder the water tastes.

Question 13: What is the flower of life?

On the bottom of the glass tank of the Acala Smart water filter, which is available either in white clear glass or blue glass, the Flower of Life can be engraved. The engraving of this powerful, geometric symbol is only possible on the glass tank. The engraving is engraved from the outside on the bottom of the glass tank. This is unfortunately not possible with the plastic tanks of the Acala Mini water filter.

Question 14: Are all parts of the Acala water filters available as replacement parts?

All parts of the Acala water filters are naturally available as spare parts. If you can not find a part in our shop

Question 15: What is the monthly operating cost of an Acala water filter?

The monthly operating costs of the Acala water filters are on average at 12 euros per month – no matter if can or stand filters. The operating costs result from the costs for the cartridges, microsponge or pre-filter as well as the additional mineral stones and limescale filters. Here are the refill packages for the can filters » and for the stand filters»

Question 16: Why do Acala water filters help protect the environment?

With an Acala water filter you relieve the environment considerably. A study on the life cycle assessment of the Institute ESU Services has shown that the purchase of 1 liter of bottled water pollutes the environment 90 to 1000 times as much as with 1 liter of tap water. Another great advantage is that in the future no heavy boxes of water bottles need to be taken home from the supermarket. You can easily and conveniently use the tap water.

Jugs, Filters And Water Purifiers: What Are The Differences?

There are many systems on the market but the reverse osmosis purifier is certainly the safest and most efficient.

Filters and water purifiers: never more bottled water

As much as environmental experts and associations continue to defend the quality of the water coming from most of the USA aqueducts, thanks to the regular checks on the chemical and bacteriological level carried out by the managers and local ASLs, there are still many people who opt for the purchase of bottled mineral water.

This bad habit, fortunately less and less widespread, in addition to leading to an increase in waste potentially polluting the environment (whether plastic or glass), appears increasingly expensive and impractical . In fact, due to the increase in transport costs , the cost of buying bottled water has grown considerably over time and to mitigate this increase in cost, one often has to store large stocks of water purchased at home special offers periodically offered by various discount stores and supermarkets.

The smart alternative to bottled water

Fortunately, in recent years other systems have spread, from carafes to purifying filters , up to the reverse osmosis water purifiers , very different from each other. Pros and cons will be considered in the following lines. Filtering pitchers (or pitchers) are the most common water filtration systems. Their diffusion has certainly been favored by the price within everyone’s reach. They are mainly based on the presence of activated carbon filters , an element known for its ability to retain only chlorine and bad tastes .

Activated carbon is also often added to a percentage of ion exchange resin , useful for intervening in water hardness. However, filter jugs have some negative factors. First of all, the water that stagnates inside the jug is likely to lead to the proliferation of bacteria , especially when the filters do not contain compounds based on silver salts. Furthermore, discontinuous use and non-regular replacement of the same filters can lead them to release potentially harmful substances. Criticisms concerning the excessive increase in the levels of bacterial charge, potassium and sodium by carafes are not rare .

The activated carbon filters, the latter are useful especially when the water coming from the aqueducts has a strongly marked chlorine taste . Just the chlorine is used during the purification in order to avoid that the passage inside the pipes contaminate the water from viruses and bacteria .

In addition to retaining chlorine, the filters are also effective against various organic pollutants . However, they cannot eliminate nitrates , arsenic, bacteria and do not have the slightest influence on most pollutants and undesirable substances often found in water. Furthermore, these devices have very small holes, so that sometimes only a few liters of water are needed to fill them; this makes frequent spare parts and maintenance operations indispensable .

Reverse osmosis: the best technology for water treatment.

In recent years, reverse osmosis purifiers have become increasingly widespread . Installing a water purifier with this technology in your home allows you to have an ideal filtration system in keeping almost all of the salt content in the water. In this regard, we are talking about a percentage of dissolved substances between 90 and 99.9%. The adopted technique, reverse osmosis, is mechanical and therefore does not add any chemical substance to the water .

The water is conducted, exerting an increase in pressure, through a special semipermeable membrane . The latter allows only a small part of mineral salts to pass, removing all the possible polluting and unwanted substances . Furthermore, the latest generation reverse osmosis water purifiers are equipped with a special deacidifying and re-mineralizing post-filter with natural calcium carbonate able to rebalance the right concentration level of salts dissolved in water. In this way, it will escape from your faucet only pure water of high quality mineral, characterized by a low dry residue, then slightand extremely pleasant taste.

Water Filters For Purifying Drinking Water

Water filters : the right solution for those who want to purify their drinking water, eliminate the consumption of plastic bottles and correct the water with targeted technologies according to the specific case.

Water filters

The category of these very useful products consists of activated carbon filters to eliminate chlorine from water, as well as specific filters to counteract bacteria, heavy metals or other. In the category you can find different models and brands of home water filters, just to name a few: Everpure, Swan, Profine etc.

The filters were divided into water filters and residential water filters catering.

What is water filtration?

Filtration is a very good technique to remove solid substances present in water. In its most general definition, filtration consists of the passage of a liquid or a gas through a medium that has a purifying action.

Water filtration on activated carbon

Water filtration on activated carbon takes place through the adsorption process . This particular process is used for the removal of a soluble substance in water. There are different models of activated carbon filters:

GAC. Granular activated carbon filters used mainly in reverse osmosis systems

Carbon block Filters composed of a single piece of coal used as a prefilter in reverse osmosis systems

Pre-coat. Pre-coat filters, probably the best degree of phytolysis in circulation, the only ones thanks to the micrometer 0.5 micron mesh

Water filter brands

The brands of domestic and restaurant water filters in our category are the following:

Everpure : the most famous brand in the world for water filtration, many models according to different needs.

Swan : the compatible Everpure Italian that uses the same technology at a lower price.

Profine : also Italian brand compatible Everpure.

Refiner : brand with twenty-five years of experience in the water filtration field.

Oceano : Water Perfection before the restyling, the Oceano brand is present in the water filters category with two different filtration models.

There are many models for water filters , so we have tried to answer some questions about the type of filter to choose through our blog. As for the Everpure at this link you can read an article on the distinctions between some models, as regards instead the Swan filters at this link you can find the dedicated article.