Many homeowners in Jacksonville are interested in learning about ways to remove fluoride from the water they use for drinking and cooking. There are several types of water filtration systems that can remove fluoride and other contaminants. It’s important to understand the benefits of each option as well as what they are limited to and how to maintain them.
Fluoride in Your Water Supply
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that local water municipalities often add to water. Currently, there is a regulation set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that indicates the maximum contaminant level for fluoride in drinking water cannot be more than 4.0 milligrams per liter (mg/L). This number may vary from one local area to another, though 4.0 mg/L is not exceeded. The United States Public Health Service (PHS) recommends that fluoride be added at a concentration of 0.7 mg/L in communities across the United States.
There are dental benefits associated with fluoride, but there are also health concerns that people have regarding the consumption of excess fluoride. This includes potential neurological effects and thyroid problems. Since fluoride is predominantly an issue in drinking water, a lot of people select a water filtration system that addresses drinking water specifically rather than all the water flowing through their plumbing system. However, it can be beneficial to filter all the water in your home, removing fluoride, particulates, and other contaminants.
Removing fluoride can also improve the taste of your water. High concentrations can cause a metallic taste that people don’t like.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration
This method of filtration removes fluoride as well as other contaminants from water. Water will initially pass through a pre-filter to remove large particulates. This protects other filters and membranes from clogging or becoming damaged.
Water will then pass through a semi-permeable membrane, which collects fluoride, bacteria, salts, and heavy metals. Only water molecules are allowed to pass through and collect in a storage tank. Whenever you turn on the dedicated reverse osmosis faucet in your home, water will come straight from the tank. This tank refills automatically as it empties.
Some reverse osmosis systems also have a final polishing filter to remove any contaminants that are left. The final product is very crisp, fresh, and healthy drinking water.
Reverse osmosis systems require quite a bit of maintenance. Filters will need to be changed at different intervals, usually between six and 12 months. The storage tank should be periodically flushed to prevent the growth of mold, algae, and bacteria.
Distillation Systems
If you don’t want to be bothered with purchasing replacement filters, consider investing in a distillation system. This process uses heat to purify the water in your home. As water is heated in a collection tank, steam is produced and collected inside a condenser. This is where the moisture will cool down and turn back into a liquid. Left behind are things like fluoride, minerals, heavy metals, and other impurities. This process also destroys bacteria. Purified water is then kept inside a storage tank until you need it.
Over time, distillation systems can develop mineral deposits, especially in areas with hard water. These units may also have filters that need to be changed periodically. This tends to be an expensive option for water filtration, especially if you’re looking for a model that will address all the water in your home.
Activated Alumina Filtration
Fluoride can be removed by a filtration system that uses an activated alumina filter. Aluminum oxide is the main component in this filter that is used to remove as much as 90% of the fluoride from your water and other contaminants like arsenic. The filter has a very large surface area with small pores. Water passes through the filter, which collects contaminants.
Other filters that are often used with activated alumina include activated carbon, sediment filters, and kinetic degradation fluxion filters. Activated alumina can be used as part of a reverse osmosis system.
The efficiency of an alumina filter will decrease over time as contaminants accumulate, which is common for most filters that remove fluoride. You can expect to change this filter once every six to 12 months. Activated alumina filters are usually affordable, making this a cost-effective solution for water quality issues.
Bone Char Filters
Bone char filters are another option for your whole-home filtration system. They remove fluoride, heavy metals, and other contaminants. These filters are created by charring animal bones and using the porous material that is left behind. It has a very high absorption rate with the ability to remove up to 90% of the fluoride from your water.
A benefit of bone char filters is that they do not remove all minerals from your water. This can provide health benefits such as strengthening bones, improving digestion, and supporting muscle health. Keep in mind that this isn’t a suitable filtration option for people who follow a vegan lifestyle.
What to Consider When Choosing Filtration
Consider having a water quality test performed in your home. This can help you determine how much fluoride is in your water and what other particulates and contaminants are present. You can use this information to determine what type of water filtration system you should invest in.
Also, consider your budget when choosing a water filtration system. Some equipment may be expensive up-front but have lower maintenance costs. The opposite can be true as well. If you’re trying to maintain a strict budget for this project, consider investing in a drinking water system rather than attempting whole-house filtration. This can keep costs down while ensuring you have safe water to drink and cook with.
While water filtration can benefit your health, some systems can have a negative impact on the environment. Reverse osmosis systems tend to waste a lot of water compared to other efficient options. Running a distillation system will require electricity, which can increase your utility bills and your carbon footprint.
Other Considerations
It’s important to note that not all filters can remove fluoride. There are many types of filtration devices that simply trap large particles and remove bad tastes and odors using a method such as activated carbon filtration. If you’re specifically trying to remove fluoride, you’ll want to be careful about the equipment you choose.
Many people use a stand-alone water pitcher to remove fluoride. While this can resolve the fluoride problem, it isn’t effective for removing other contaminants. Many of these pitchers don’t remove fluoride at all or only a small percentage of the fluoride that’s present. Pitchers designed to remove fluoride usually only have a single filter that leaves behind things like chemicals, arsenic, hard minerals, iron, and bacteria.
Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing can assist you with choosing a water filtration system to remove fluoride and other contaminants from your Jacksonville home’s water supply. Our team can also complete the installation process, ensuring your equipment is safe and efficient. We can perform routine maintenance and inspections of your filtration equipment as well to ensure efficiency and system integrity. Contact Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing today to schedule a plumbing appointment to learn more about water filtration for fluoride removal in Jacksonville FL.
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