Types of Water Filtration & Purification

Water Filtration involves the mechanical removal/trapping of particulate matter in the water. The term “filtration” can also be used to describe chemical processes of absorbing/adsorbing, removing or exchanging components dissolved in water that cannot be removed with a mechanical type filter. Below are several filtration technologies OPS applies successfully on a regular basis to help improve the water quality for our customers in the Napa Valley.

Disinfection involved using technologies and methods that remove, destroy or deactivate pathogenic organisms that may be present in water. Ozone or UltraViolet are both great disinfection technologies for water containing pathogenic organisms. Ozone and UV are preferred treatment methodologies since these technologies do not cause taste or odor problems sometimes associated with chlorine. Some regulated water systems are required to have a trace amount of chlorine maintained in the water supply. OPS has worked extensively with chlorine injection and monitoring systems to ensure levels are minimal, stable and compliant with regulatory requirements.

pH modification is frequently needed when water is acidic and is dissolving piping from the inside out! Common indicators of this problem are is green/red staining on fixtures from the copper/iron in the pipes being dissolved. Calcite/Corsex filters, air stripping and sodium hydroxide injection are all methods OPS has successfully employed. The pH, water temperature, hardness, TDS and flow rates required determine the type(s) of technology implemented to achieve the desired result for pH correction.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) is one filtration technology very effective at removing heavy metals & contaminates that cause taste and odor issues as well as unsavory chemicals that can be found in some water supplies. OPS has worked to help many wineries to remove all chlorine from their city water supply to ensure an optimal winemaking environment.

Many wells in our region contain levels of Iron & Manganese that stain fixtures, plug up faucets and cause the water to taste metallic. OPS offers several solutions that will remove iron and manganese.

Hydrogen Sulfide is another common contaminate in our area that causes a rotten egg odor. Hydrogen sulfide is effectively removed with air stripping processes and is frequently removed in conjunction with iron and manganese. Hydrogen sulfide is not easily removed with a simple strap on filter, adding chemicals or magic polymers. Ask about the OPS Trio system designed to remove iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide & correct pH without the use of harsh chemicals!

Several areas in the Napa Valley have high levels of Arsenic in the well water. The arsenic must be removed/reduced to ensure the water is safe for the potential consumers. OPS has a record of arsenic removal filtration on small and large scales using technologies that are both approved and proven.

Some of our customers require ultra-pure water or have water with contaminates such as salt or nitrates that can only be removed with Reverse Osmosis technology. OPS has installed many whole-house and commercial Reverse Osmosis systems that provide the ultimate in pure water.

Water softening is a process that can be used to produce "soft" water, or water that doesn't spot or require as much soap for washing/cleaning purposes. OPS offers water softening solutions for wells with high amounts of hardness.

Cartridge filters are a solution when relatively low volumes of water need to be treated. OPS stocks a full range of GAC, Softening, pH correction and Particulate cartridge filters and housings. Cartridge filters, in general, offer an inexpensive option to treat a limited quantity of water. OPS stocks a full selection of quality water filter cartridges!

For questions about your water quality or the filtration/treatment options for your water, please contact us and ask for our water treatment specialist or peruse our Water Quality Blogs .