Taste, limescale, dry skin, comfort: how to choose the right water filtration system

Drinkable water… but not always ideal for everyday use

In France, tap water is subject to strict health controls. It is considered

drinkable and can be consumed safely. However, depending on the region and distribution networks, it may present certain characteristics that reduce comfort of use: a chlorine taste, the presence of limescale, or unpleasant sensations in the mouth.

Filtering your water is therefore not a health requirement, but a choice focused on comfort and

well-being, adapted to individual habits. To make the right choice, it is essential to simply understand the different water filtration solutions available.

The main water filtration solutions explained simply

There are four main technologies used for domestic water filtration. Each one serves different needs.

Microfiltration

When should you choose microfiltration?

Microfiltration is a simple mechanical filtration method. It retains visible particles, impurities, and certain bacteria, while allowing water and naturally occurring minerals to pass through.

It is suitable when you want to slightly improve water quality without altering its composition, and it often serves as a first level of filtration for tap water.

Microfiltration is recommended if:

• Your tap water is drinkable and does not present any particular issues

• You mainly want to remove visible particles and improve water clarity

• You are looking for a simple solution for a first level of filtration

• You want to retain all naturally occurring minerals

• Your goal is a slight improvement in water quality, without altering its composition

Microfiltration is suitable when you want basic water filtration, without moving toward finer filtration such as ultrafiltration or nanofiltration.

Ultrafiltration: improving water without transforming it

Ultrafiltration works like a very fine sieve. It retains suspended particles, certain impurities, and microorganisms, while allowing naturally occurring minerals to pass through.

The water therefore keeps its natural balance, but becomes clearer and more pleasant to taste. This solution is particularly suitable when tap water is already of good quality but lacks everyday comfort.

When should you choose ultrafiltration?

• Your tap water is drinkable and of good quality

• You want to improve the taste and smell of the water

• You want to retain naturally occurring minerals

• You are looking for a simple solution, without deeply transforming the water

• Your goal is everyday comfort (drinking, cooking, appliances)

Nanofiltration: a finer filtration than ultrafiltration

Nanofiltration works on a principle similar to ultrafiltration, but with a finer membrane. It can be seen as an intermediate step between ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.

What it actually does

Nanofiltration:

• Filters very fine particles, like ultrafiltration

• Reduces part of the dissolved substances in the water

• Partially reduces limescale, without removing it completely

• Retains some of the naturally occurring minerals

What it does not do

Unlike reverse osmosis:

• It does not make the water completely demineralized

• It does not filter out all dissolved elements

The resulting water therefore remains balanced, but more pleasant to drink.

How it differs from ultrafiltration

• Ultrafiltration mainly acts on impurities and microorganisms

• Nanofiltration acts on both impurities and certain dissolved elements

It is this additional capability that helps improve taste and reduce the effects of limescale.

When should you choose nanofiltration?

Nanofiltration is recommended if:

• Your water is drinkable but very hard (high in limescale)

• You find the water unpleasant to drink

• You want a more efficient solution than ultrafiltration, without going as far as reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis

How it differs from other filtration methods

• Microfiltration mainly retains visible particles and the coarsest impurities

• Ultrafiltration goes further by also retaining microorganisms, while allowing minerals to pass through

• Nanofiltration acts on both impurities and a portion of dissolved substances

• Reverse osmosis deeply purifies water by removing nearly all dissolved substances

It is this progressive increase in filtration level that makes reverse osmosis the most effective solution, but also the most specialized in terms of use.

To make your life easier, we created the Aquascore.

Because it’s simple! By ranking the different levels of purification from A to E using a model you’re already familiar with, based on the filtration capacity of your equipment, choosing the right system becomes much easier. Let’s start with your tap water, rated E, and move toward the ultimate purification level, rated A, navigating easily between ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis!

To better understand the Aquascore, we invite you to click on this link:

https://www.aquavie-technologie.fr/aquascore