15th Aug 2024

How Water is Treated and Different Methods Compared

Commercial settings can all benefit from better water quality but location and industry will have some bearing on the appropriate types of water treatment. Despite the relatively high quality of UK water, many businesses, hospitality venues, and healthcare facilities either have specific water treatment requirements or can provide more value to customers and employees with higher-quality water.

Selecting the right water treatment methods ensures that water remains safe for consumption while supporting operational goals and environmental commitments. This article compares the different ways of making water safe for drinking so you can better understand which methods align best with your business needs.

Common Water Treatment Methods:

 

Chemical Disinfection (e.g. Chlorination)

What is it? Chlorination involves adding chlorine or chlorine compounds to water to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens and is one of the main ways water treatment facilities disinfect your water supply.

Pros

• Effective for large-scale applications.
• Cost-efficient, making it a popular choice.

 

Cons

• Can leave a chemical taste.
• Generates chemical by-products, which are less environmentally friendly.

 

Filtration Systems

What is it? Filtration systems use physical barriers, such as carbon or ceramic filters, to remove contaminants like sediment, bacteria, and chlorine from water.

Pros

• Customisable to address varying water quality needs.
• Environmentally friendly with reduced waste output.

 

Cons

• Less advanced options may not remove all contaminants
• Some filters can be expensive to run and maintain

 

Ultraviolet (UV) Purification

What is it? UV purification uses ultraviolet light to disrupt and prevent the reproduction of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, making the water safe to drink without chemicals.

Pros

• Does not involve chemicals, making it safe and eco-friendly.
• Effective against microorganisms while using minimal energy.

 

Cons

• Inadequate for removing chemical and physical contaminants.
• Continuous power supply is necessary.

 

Reverse Osmosis

What is it? Reverse osmosis is a process that forces water through a semipermeable membrane, removing a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved salts, bacteria, and heavy metals.

Pros

• Highly effective at removing a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals.

 

Cons

• It’s an energy-intensive process that results in significant water waste.

 

Distillation

What is it? Distillation involves heating water to create steam, which is then condensed back into liquid, leaving contaminants behind. This process removes a wide range of impurities.

Pros

• Provides comprehensive contaminant removal.

 

Cons

• Energy-intensive and slow, making it less practical.

 

Comparison of Methods

Each treatment method for commercial settings will differ in effectiveness, efficiency, cost, and environmental impact. For example, while chemical disinfection is cost-effective at scale, it’s likely already been applied to your water source and lacks the sustainability and specificity of filtration systems, which produce less waste, can be installed and treat water as needed, and in the case of Billi’s innovative systems have a lower environmental footprint.

Meanwhile, the comparison between UV purification and reverse osmosis highlights the importance of aligning your water treatment method with your business’s environmental goals. Reverse osmosis offers comprehensive contaminant removal but at the expense of high water waste and energy usage. Treatment options like Billi’s advanced Luxgarde UVC Purification Device, on the other hand, present a more sustainable alternative as a low-energy, chemical-free solution. When used in combination with a good filtration system, UV purification can provide a thorough and sustainable water treatment solution.

 

Benefits of Billi Dispensers in Commercial Settings

Beyond just water treatment, Billi’s dispensers offer features that can boost operational efficiency and reduce organisational waste with the convenience of instant access to boiling, chilled, still, and sparkling water and advanced eco-friendly technology.

Explore our full range of treatment solutions and dispensers or contact us to discover how our systems can help your business.