Water sand filters have been a popular filtration system used for many years.
Its popularity was due to the fact that it was seen as an effective purifier that also had economic advantages.
Traditionally water sand filters have been used in town and city treatment facilities.
When used in this manner they have been able to effectively clean water, creating what the government has classed as ‘drinkable’ water.
How do water sand filters work?
In these types of filters, sand provides the filtering material rather than using methods involving activated carbon, straining or forcing water through semi permeable membranes, as some companies use today.
The water flows through the sand, and sediment particles get trapped within the grains, leaving clean water to seep through.
Sand can also absorb substances and is therefore able to absorb some organic compounds that pass through the sand and into the water.
What are the disadvantages?
A water sand filter is usually only effective in the removal of sediment that is granular in composition. Granular sediments found in water may include:
- Sand
- Rust
- Salt
- Silt
Unfortunately, there are many contaminants that exist within water, which are not granular in composition.
Smaller particles that can lead to illness and disease, and even some of the filtration sand, can pass through into the ‘purified’ water.
This type of filter process cannot really be classed as a purifier.
While it may be essential for our health to remove sediments from our water supply, we need more than sieve like technology to purify it. We need a system that is going to remove most of the nasty contaminants, if not all of them.
Another disadvantage of the water sand filter process is that it is usually only effective when water pressure is low.
When water pressure increases, the system has difficulty coping and is not able to efficiently clean the water. Causes of increased water pressure may include:
- Floods
- Thunderstorms
- Heavy rain
What are the alternatives?
You may have found a variety of whole house and single filter units available when searching for reputable companies online or through visiting local filtering service providers.
A reputable company, whether online or in person, will be able to provide you with the latest technical information relating to their products.
Some of the most productive and technologically advanced filter products involve the use of carbon filtration, sub micron filtration and ion exchange.
Filter systems such as those above, are the best systems for purifying your water by the removal of substances such as:
- Chemicals
- Inorganic compounds
- Organic compounds
- Synthetic contaminants
Methods involving the use of carbon filtration have proven to be the most effective at removing granular sediments, chemicals and toxins from our water.
Water sand filters can still produce clean water, however if you are looking for clean drinking water, there are other more powerful methods of filtration that employ the very best technology, to create pure, purified water.
Do you want to learn what I personally use and recommend after doing extensive research? Click here to go to the first page of this website and discover the whole story.

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