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:
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