Technical Information on Home Water Treatment Technologies | Home Water Treatment | Drinking Water | Healthy Water | CDC

Note: A PDF version of this document with information conveyed visually in table format is available (please note that the PDF is not accessible for screen readers; this HTML page contains the same information as that found within the PDF): A Guide to Drinking Water Treatment Technologies for Household Use [PDF – 1.26 MB].

Introduction

This document is designed as a guide for household water treatment, not a recommendation. Before installing a household water treatment system, contact your local health department’s environmental health group for consultation.

Filtration

• Filtration is a physical process that occurs when liquids, gases, dissolved or suspended matter adhere to the surface of, or in the pores of, an absorbent medium.
• Filtration of contaminants depends highly on the amount of contaminant, size of the contaminant particle, and the charge of the contaminant particle. Depending on the household’s water needs, pretreatment before filtration may include the addition of coagulants and powdered activated carbon, adjustments in pH or chlorine concentration levels, and other pretreatment processes in order to protect the filter’s membrane surface.

Visit the Water Filters & Other Water Treatment Systems page for more information.