Reference
Understanding water treatment starts with knowing the terminology. This glossary covers 15 key terms and concepts to help you make informed decisions.
C
- Carbon Filtration
- A method of water purification using activated carbon to remove contaminants, chlorine, sediment, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through chemical adsorption.
- Chloramine
- A disinfectant used by many water utilities, formed by combining chlorine and ammonia. Chloramine is more stable than chlorine but requires specialized filtration for removal.
G
- GPG (Grains Per Gallon)
- A unit used to measure water hardness. One grain per gallon equals 17.1 milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate. Water above 7 GPG is considered hard.
H
- Hard Water
- Water containing high concentrations of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Hard water causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances and reduces soap effectiveness.
I
- Iron Filtration
- Water treatment specifically designed to remove iron from well water or municipal supplies. Excess iron causes orange staining, metallic taste, and can harbor iron bacteria.
P
- Point-of-Use (POU) Filter
- A water treatment device at a single water outlet, such as a kitchen faucet or refrigerator line, to provide filtered water at that specific location.
- PPM (Parts Per Million)
- A unit of measurement used to describe the concentration of contaminants or minerals in water. One ppm equals one milligram per liter of water.
R
- Reverse Osmosis (RO)
- A water purification process that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. RO systems typically remove 95-99% of dissolved contaminants.
S
- Sediment Filter
- A pre-filter that removes suspended solids like sand, silt, rust, and debris from water. Sediment filters protect downstream filtration equipment and improve water clarity.
T
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- A measure of the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances in water, expressed in parts per million (ppm). Higher TDS levels can indicate poor water quality or mineral content.
U
- UV Disinfection
- Ultraviolet water treatment that destroys bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms by disrupting their DNA. UV systems provide chemical-free disinfection without altering water taste.
W
- Water Conditioner
- A device that alters the behavior of minerals in water without removing them. Conditioners prevent scale buildup through electromagnetic or template-assisted crystallization methods.
- Water pH
- A scale from 0 to 14 measuring how acidic or alkaline water is. A pH of 7 is neutral. Most drinking water should fall between 6.5 and 8.5 for safety and taste.
- Water Softener
- A filtration system that removes calcium and magnesium from hard water through ion exchange. Soft water extends appliance life, reduces scale buildup, and improves soap effectiveness.
- Whole House Filtration
- A point-of-entry water treatment system on the main water line that filters all water entering a home, providing clean water at every tap and appliance.